MARCELLA PIZZO, PH.D., LMHC
Community Liaison Chair
Board of Directors of the New York State Social Work Education Association (NYSSWEA)
Recently Published Peer-Reviewed Article:
Political Discourse and Aging in a Neoliberal Singapore: Models of Citizenship, Older Adults and Policy Initiatives, Journal of Aging & Social Policy (2020)
Marcella is a Doctoral Candidate at Adelphi University’s School of Social Work. Her research interests are focused on institutionalized forms of oppression, organizational barriers to promoting social justice, and economic disparities at the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality. Marcella founded a behavioral health practice in East Meadow where she works as New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor that provides therapeutic interventions to adults. Her post graduate training includes certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that is utilized as a primary method of treatment interventions. As an active member of her community, she is on the executive board of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, and a founding board member of Equity4LIYouth.org. Some of her awards and recognitions include: Hometown Hero, for Community Service, East Meadow Herald (July 2020), Town of Hempstead Citation for Community work with Chamber of Commerce (January 2020) and A State Senator Proclamation for Community work with Chamber of Commerce (January 2020).
In her spare time, Marcella loves physical activities, traveling and experiencing new cultures, cooking, and cultivating her garden. Marcella resides in Nassau county with her family.
Dafny Irizarry
Youth Committee Chair
Dafny Joy Irizarry Ortiz is the founder and president of the Long Island Latino Teachers Association. A woman and educator with a passion for equity, justice, and inclusiveness.
Website Content Committee
Christine Waters, Ross L. Schiller, and Patrice Dobies
Ross L. Schiller, ESQ.
Partner Group Liaison Chair
Mr. Schiller runs his own licensed N.Y. State legal practice in East Meadow, Ross L. Schiller & Associates P.C., concentrating on real estate, trust & estate work, asset protection, litigation and entertainment. Previously, Ross was an Associate Director at Standard & Poor’s, and has intimate knowledge of the financial community, having worked with multiple financial firms on a variety of structured transactions and with ISDA documents.
In 2020, Ross was honored as a HomeTown Hero, and was previously awarded the East Meadow Herald's Person of the Year. Ross has served as a three year Member of the Board of Directors for the Nassau County Bar Association ("NCBA") from 2015-2018, Committee Chairperson of the Sports, Entertainment and Media On-Line Committee, and was a recipient of the Access to Justice Champion Award from the NCBA. He also served as a Distinguished Past President of Kiwanis East Meadow, continuing to help children and families in the community and worldwide. Ross is a licensed NY State EMT-B Firemedic for the past 8 years with the East Meadow Fire Department, Rescue Co. 5, and served as a Staff Officer for 5 years. Ross takes great pride in helping those in the Community, serving on a variety of different committees and counsels, and takes pride in collecting and giving out clothing and food at various events.
Importantly, Ross wants to continue helping those who are looking for an opportunity to learn and work, and looks forward to serving on this, the Economic Opportunity for All Youth, where diversity and opportunity come together.
Liz Fries
Partner Group Liaison Co-Chair
DPP Liz Fries of East Meadow Kiwanis was elected to 2021/22 Lt Gov Designate!
She will be serving under NY District Governor- Elect James Mancuso and under Kiwanis International President Elect Peter Mancuso- an East Meadow trifecta of leaders!
Ms. Fries is also the Chief of Staff of John Mikulin, New York State Assembly, District 17.