Alyssa Vinci, BA

As Administrative Assistant, Programs and Services, Alyssa assists in all aspects of event execution. She provides administrative support including assisting in the maintenance of the member database. Alyssa also manages the department's publication inventory and ensures program offerings are included on the chapter's event calendar. Contact Alyssa at avinci@msnyc.org.

Andrea Arzt, LCSW

As Associate Vice President, Counseling and Clinical Programs, Andrea manages many counseling related programs including: telephone counseling, support groups, peer support, and referrals. Andrea conducts in-services on MS and psychosocial issues. She trains and supervises the chapter's program director of care management and family support services, senior program specialist, support group leaders and peers. Andrea is the liaison to the social workers and nurses at the chapter affiliated MS care centers. Contact Andrea at aarzt@msnyc.org.

As volunteer Director, Legal Programs and Services, Anne provides legal information and referrals to chapter members. She provides legal materials and offers information to members on insurance coverage, job and housing discrimination and consumer rights, as well as other legal issues faced by people with MS. Anne also organizes the chapter's annual Legal Day and annual evening legal education program. Anne supervises Rose Man, the legal assistant. Contact Anne at adavis@msnyc.org.

As Director, Employment Programs and Services, Barbara provides vocational counseling to members regarding a variety of employment issues. She answers questions related to reasonable accommodations, disclosure, maintaining employment, returning to work, changing careers, and other employment concerns. Barbara plans several seminars related to MS and employment issues and also oversees the Business Advisory Council, job club, First Connection coordinators for newly diagnosed, education scholarships and member programs committees. Contact Barbara at bmckeon@msnyc.org.

As Coordinator, Recreation and Rehabilitation, Carol assists with management of recreational and rehabilitative programs and services. She coordinates recreation and sports programs in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, and Sullivan counties. Carol also manages the air conditioner and medical transportation programs. Contact Carol at cgiordano@msnyc.org.

As Senior Program Specialist, Carolyn manages networking/educational programs for people with MS in their 20s and 30s and underserved populations (Rural and African-American communities). She coordinates educational and social programs such as: Discovery Day, Spring Fling and Legal Day. Carolyn oversees the chapter’s relationship with the NMSS Information Resource Center and chapter resource development, manages programs’ content on the chapter’s website, and trains and certifies staff in NMSS information and referral. She also manages the Computer Outreach Program and Mission related elements at Mass Market and Special Events.
Contact Carolyn at cfrankel@msnyc.org.

Debby Bennett, BS

As Vice President, Programs and Services Debby provides overall strategic direction to the department providing programs and services for more than 10,000 members, their families and friends. She develops and manages the operational plan, expenses and restricted revenue for the department. She plans and organizes the Chapter's annual meeting and is responsible for all mission related activities. Debby directly supervises the program directors of education, clinical services, employment and the executive administrative assistant. Contact Debby at dbennett@msnyc.org.

As Senior Director, Counseling and Hispanic Outreach, Moyra manages many counseling related programs including: support groups, self-help groups, peer support, and referrals. She also directs Spanish outreach for the chapter. Moyra serves as the chapter liaison for pediatric MS clinics at Columbia/Stony Brook Medical Center. She conducts annual trainings for professional, peer counseling consultants, and self-help group leaders. Moyra supervises the Volunteer Manager and Sr. Manager, Education. Contact Moyra at mrondon@msnyc.org.

Melody Soto

 As Executive Administrative Assistant, Melody facilitates organizational and administrative support to the programs, services and advocacy department. She creates and updates web content and online registration forms for the department. Melody also processes registrations for various programs, provides general information, and distributes new and general member packets of information. Melody is responsible for entering new member information into the database and processing any updates to that information. Melody supervises the Senior Administrative Assistant and Administrative Assistant in regulating order for the entire department.
Contact Melody at msoto@msnyc.org.

As First Connection Coordinator, Toula provides newly diagnosed members and those new to the chapter with information they may request about MS and the programs and services the chapter provides. She connects members to useful chapter and community resources, services, programs and referrals. She also assists the Associate Vice President of Counseling and Clinical Programs with coordination of newly diagnosed support groups and assists the Director of Education with educational programs for the newly diagnosed.