Bios - Staff and Board
Staff
Laura Caruso, Executive Director
Laura, her husband, and two children have lived in Pelham since 2012. Laura has spent her career in the non-profit sector and education. She worked for ten years in a large, Manhattan-based non-profit serving homeless families and children, leaving as Vice President for Management and Budget. Laura also taught third grade in the Bronx, before joining Pelham PACT in 2016. Laura has been active in the Pelham community for many years—she was a Board Member of the Pelham Education Foundation for 6 years and former Site-Based Council Representative for Pelham Middle School; a current and long-standing member of the District’s Wellness Committee; an original volunteer and Youth Group Coordinator for Hearts and Homes for Refugees. She has her Economics degree from Colgate University, a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Education from Lehman College. Laura’s commitment to Pelham Together stems from a deep belief that the key to future happiness and success for young people is their feelings of connection, belonging, and contribution. A community that organizes itself around a shared sense of responsibility, with roles for everyone to help foster these feelings for all youth, is a community that sets its young people up for a vibrant future.
John Elliott, Director of Strategy & Communications
John Elliott moved to Pelham with his wife and 2 daughters in 2007 looking for a great community in which to raise their children. A former advertising and marketing executive, he brings more than 30 years of experience in communications, customer insight and strategic planning to Pelham Together.
In his years in Pelham John has volunteered as a rec soccer coach, rebuilt the Community Church website and lent a hand organizing the Pelham Half and 10K. His time at Pelham Together started in 2022 when he volunteered to help Pelicones, our youth-run ice cream truck business. This experience—and his belief in the importance of our mission—ed to him joining our board in 2023 and ultimately joining the staff in 2024. Now he uses his combination of professional and personal experience to connect the programs and benefits of Peltham Together to the needs of our community.
John graduated from Syracuse University with degrees in Marketing and Finance. When he’s not working you can find him running throughout Pelham when it is warm and skiing in Vermont when the snow falls.
Kim Trapasso, LCSW, PT Counseling Program Manager/Supervisor
Kim is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over a decade of experience working with children and families. Prior to joining Pelham Together in 2023 for the launch of Pelham Together Counseling, Kim was a social worker and clinician at Westchester Institute for Human Development’s Family Program, specializing in providing mental health services to families involved in the Westchester County Child Welfare system. Kim is trained and certified in a number of evidence-based practices and her experience as a social worker includes providing individual and group therapy to children, facilitating caregiver support groups, teaching parenting skills, and the training and supervision of graduate students of social work. Kim received her MSW from Fordham Graduate School of Social Service and has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. Prior to becoming a social worker, Kim’s experience working for non-profits includes teaching preschool at Easter Seals Project Explore and providing behavioral therapy to children with disabilities at Jewish Family and Children’s Service (Waltham, MA). Kim is passionate about using creative and developmentally appropriate interventions with the children she is working with, especially art and play therapy. Kim has been a Westchester County resident for much of her life and is a Mom to two girls. In her time outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, being crafty with her daughter, and enjoying time in nature.
Olivia Ting, Youth Advocate
Olivia (she/they) is a longtime Pelham resident. She graduated from Tufts University with a degree in English and Sociology; and has spent the past few years working with nonprofits, conducting community-based research, and supporting youth and families both locally and abroad. They’ve worked at the International Rescue Committee helping refugee families navigate resettlement services, led campus initiatives focused on equity and student voice, and even spent time living in France as an au pair. Olivia is especially interested in building relationships across age and experience, and in making young people feel genuinely heard and supported. Outside of work, she loves swimming, cycling, knitting sweaters she never finishes, and reading.
Executive Board
Leah Tahbaz, President
Leah has been an involved Pelham parent since 2003. Serving on several local Boards, including the Junior League, the Pelham Children’s Center, the Pelham Education Foundation, the Community Care Center and as President of the PTA Council, she has kept a close eye on all of Pelham’s youth, while also raising four of her own. Prior to her life in Pelham, Leah worked in the Estates and Appraisals department at Christie’s auction house, as an attorney in private practice, and in the Law Department at the New York State Supreme Court where she drafted opinions and helped settle discovery disputes.
Nandini Anandu, Board Member, Program Committee
Nandini and her family have lived in Pelham since 2005. She currently works as a part time physician in Internal Medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital/Northwell Health. In addition to her day job, Nandini is an active member of the Health and Public Policy Committee of the ACP (American College of Physicians), where she and her colleagues advocate on a variety of public health issues. Locally, Nandini is involved in a variety of organizations, including the Pelham Art Center Board, various school and PTA roles and committees, including the Wellness Committee for the school district. Nandini and her husband are also involved in Pelham Youth Hockey, the Picture House, as well as other community organizations.
Liza Benner, Board Member, Program Committee Chair
After more than 15 years of working in marketing and branding, Liza has recently switched her focus to pursue her passion for mental health. She is currently attending Fairfield University's Marriage and Family Therapy master’s program and plans to begin a new career as a therapist, focused in families, adolescents and relationships. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Loyola University in Maryland.
Liza moved to Pelham in 2016 with her husband and two kids. She is an active member within the Siwanoy community.
Pavithra Mandappa, Board Member, Program Committee
Pavithra has been working with youth and families for her entire career. Since 2018, Pavithra has been a Program Director with the Westchester Institute for Human Development, working with families in the foster care system. Prior to that, she held a variety of positions in agencies and organizations in the New York area, as well as in the Chicago area. Pavithra earned her Doctor of Psychology in 2004 from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. When she's not working, Pavithra enjoys her family of four, plus a "pandemic dog", gardening, reading, and playing tennis. She is also a self described "foodie", believing firmly in the power of food and music to bring people together.
Kara McLoughlin, Town Liaison to Pelham Together
Kara McLoughlin: Kara and her husband, Chris D’Angelo, have lived in Pelham since 2005. They have two children, Katie and Teddy, both graduates of PUFSD. Kara’s stepdaughter is an assistant district attorney in Manhattan. Kara works for a private foundation supporting girls’ and women’s social and education programs across the Metro-New York area. Outside of work, Kara has been an active volunteer in the Pelham community for almost 16 years, volunteering with the Junior League of Pelham, the Citizens Nominating Committee, the Pelham Education Foundation, and now Pelham Together. She is thrilled to serve as the Liaison to Pelham Together through her role as a Pelham Town Council Member.
Joanie Paradis, Board Member, Program Committee
Joanie and her two teenage children, who attend PMHS, have lived in Pelham since 2012. She is an active member of both the Pelham community and schools by having served on various sub committees for the Pelham Board of Education. She is also a former member of the Pelham Education Foundation, as well as the Citizens Nominating Committee, providing her with additional invaluable experience in the department of education. Joanie has been an educator for 28 years and has been a social studies teacher at the Hastings school district for the past 26 years, teaching a core class for middle school students and various electives over the years. Joanie is currently the Vice President of the Hastings teachers’ union and enjoys this role, as it allows her to forge relationships with both her colleagues and administration. With decades of firsthand experience with teenagers, she has a keen understanding of the development, needs, and challenges that young adults face today. In her free time, Joanie enjoys going to the beach with her dog and kids, travelling and experiencing new places, attending concerts, and watching football on Sundays.
Steve Salee, Board Member, Strategic Planning Committee
Steve Salee is the founder and CEO of Wildfire Strategies, an organizational development consulting firm based in Pelham. Steve, his husband Michael, and three kids moved to Pelham five years ago when twins Aaron and Isabelle were starting 6th grade, and Daniel was starting 5th.
Steve founded Wildfire 15 years ago with a vision of creating healthy workplace cultures that catch on like wildfire and a mission to help high-stakes leaders and teams work better together so they can achieve their dreams.
Steve is a Professional Certified Coach and Certified Mentor Coach through the International Coach Federation (ICF). He earned MSW and MPA degrees at Columbia University and has a BA from Brown University. Steve is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, a Fellow with the Institute of Coaching and an Adjunct Lecturer at the Columbia University School of Social Work. He is also a member of the ICF, American College of Healthcare Executives, National Association of Social Workers, and the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Steve loves to sing, row and write whenever he gets the chance.
Linda Woodward, Board Member, Governance Committee & Youth Development Committee
Linda and her husband have called Pelham home since 2006, where they’ve raised their three children. With more than 30 years of experience in education as a high school science and special education teacher, Linda has dedicated her career to supporting students and helping them reach their full potential. An active member of the Pelham community, Linda has served on numerous local boards, including the Junior League of Pelham, the Pelham Education Foundation, and the Community Care Center. Within the school district, she has held several leadership roles, including on the Hutchinson School PTA Executive Board, PMHS PTA, as SEPTA President, and as PTAC Vice President. After 3 years serving on the board of Pelham Together, she is now serving as Program Coordinator. Linda continues her lifelong commitment to education and youth development. A passionate lifelong learner with multiple degrees in education and science, she embraces every opportunity to discover, grow, and give back—always with a focus on strengthening the well-being and connection of Pelham’s youth and families.
Geraldine Kurtz, Board Member
Geraldine moved to Pelham with her husband, Ryan, in March 2020—the same day remote work began “for two weeks” that lasted much longer! Raised in Paris by a French father and American mother, she attended Ecole Jeannine Manuel and later earned degrees from New York University, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Columbia University School of Social Work. Before becoming a stay-at-home parent, GK worked as a clinician and compliance team member at the Metropolitan Center for Mental Health and later as a counselor at NYU’s Wellness Services. She has a deep interest in mental health, education, and community well-being. Serving on the Pelham Together Board allows her to support youth and families while staying connected to a mission she cares deeply about. When she’s not volunteering or spending time with her two young children, GK enjoys travel, cooking, and walks around town with friends.
Sara Haberman, Board Member
A Pelham resident since 2009, Sara lives with her husband and their two children, who attend Pelham schools. With more than 25 years of experience in counseling, education, and college advising, she brings a deep understanding of adolescents’ academic and emotional needs to her work and community involvement. Her career began as a school counselor at Stuyvesant High School, followed by her role as Assistant Principal at Bard High School Early College, where she co-founded and led the college and guidance counseling program. Drawing on graduate training in school administration, counseling psychology, and social work, she founded Admission Sense in 2008 to help students and families navigate the college process. Passionate about the intersection of education and mental health, Sara is proud to support Pelham Together’s mission of strengthening young people and families. Outside of work, she enjoys fitness, writing, and planning her next travel adventure.
Pilar Bartlett, Board Member
Pilar moved to Pelham in 2018 with her husband and 3 children, excited to put down roots and get to know her new community. She joined the Junior League and got involved at her children’s schools, eventually serving on the Huguenot Nursery School board and as Prospect Hill PTA president. Currently, she is the VP of Project Development for the Pelham Education Foundation and a Daisy troop leader. Pilar's educational background is in sociology, public policy, and education policy. Prior to living in NY, she was highly involved with Girls on the Run Philadelphia, a local chapter of a national afterschool program. As board chair, she helped develop its organizational infrastructure and fundraising capacity and cherishes the experience of being a part of the fledgling program's incredible growth and success. She hopes to use this experience to help Pelham Together increase its impact and is excited to find new ways to support parents. When she is not on the sports sideline, Pilar loves hiking and going to NYBG with her family.