Staff Member Bio's

Linda Lisi Juergens

Responsibilities
Linda is the public voice and representative of the NAMC, speaking at and attending conferences, serving on leadership and advisory boards, and talking with the media. She works with the NAMC Board of Trustees, Corporate Committee, and other volunteers to ensure that the NAMC serves its mission, and she’s actively involved in planning and hosting events. You’re likely to find her at our annual Work/Life Conference, Putt-ing Families First golf outings, Motherhood and Apple Pie Breakfasts, and national NAMC Conferences. Linda also writes grants, raises money, and manages our budget.

Linda's History with Mothers' Centers

Linda co-founded the Sunrise Mothers' Center in 1978, first known as the Merrick-Bellmore Mothers' Center, where her favorite work was co-chairing the Steering Committee.

Something Personal

I started my career as a teacher in Brooklyn, where I grew up. I taught 3rd grade for a while and then 7th and 8th grade English and French and moderated the Student Council. I got involved in the newly forming Mothers' Center in my community while on maternity leave after the birth of my older daughter. In those days teachers in New York City got four years of unpaid leave (!), so I was able to participate fully in my Mothers’ Center for many years, through a second maternity leave when I had my second daughter 3 years later. By that time, I was hooked on Mothers’ Centers and already involved in national Mothers’ Center work. I live with my husband, John, our Yorkshire terrier, Cookie, and Coco, our cockatiel. Our daughters Leanne and Lauren were both recently married.

Things I do outside of work: read, do tai chi, play the piano, do choral singing, listen to all kinds of music, and nurture connections with family and friends.

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Catherine Wright

Membership Development Director

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516 939-6667 X102

Responsibilities

Catherine is responsible for growing and keeping in regular touch with the NAMC membership. She produces the NAMC newsletter and eNews, and works with the rest of the NAMC team on other member initiatives. She also oversees training programs that support the growth of our Mothers’ Centers and seminars to provide individual members with valuable resources and tools for parenting in the 21st century.

Catherine’s History with Mothers’ Centers

Catherine was introduced to Mothers’ Centers during her job search in April 2007. Her passion for families coupled with her networking activities led her to the opportunity to work for the NAMC. She began her career with us on May 21, 2007, her own mother’s 70th birthday!

Catherine’s earliest experience connecting with other mothers was in Fairfield, Iowa, in 1994. She was living 1,000 miles away from family and, after the birth of her son, Devan, friends brought her meals every day for five weeks. She was so moved that she started a “Meals for Moms” group to do the same thing for other new mothers.

Something Personal

I began my career in the software industry in 1981. In 1989, I started Arisoft Software, a business solutions software consulting company. I made the transition to sales and leadership training and coaching in 2000, driven by my passion for helping people be successful in all areas of their work and their lives. I also have a knack for marketing, having designed, written, and published all types of promotional materials for three different companies.

On a personal note, I’ve been a single mother since 1997 to my now-teenage son. I’ve volunteered for the Foundation for Sight and Sound, Island Harvest, and Habitat for Humanity. I’ve also appeared as a regular contributor on “Families in Transition”, a Public Access Television show, since 2004 and continue to contribute from time to time. Families In Transition is a non-profit organization committed to transforming the divorce culture and bringing families back together.

I frequently speak for organizations on a variety of topics from growing your business to achieving success in relationships. Some of the groups I’ve spoken for include American Business Associates, U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Hauppauge Industrial Association, International Association of Business Communicators, Long Island Association, Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women, Independent Business Women’s Circle, Toastmasters International, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

In my free time, I enjoy the beach, reading, writing, dancing, horseback riding and spiritual pursuits.

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Lori Rappa-Rodriguez

Operations & Outreach Director

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516 939-6667 X103

Responsibilities
Lori’s focus is forging partnerships and collaborations with and among peer and partner organizations, in much the same way Mothers’ Centers create community for individual moms. She is also responsible for aspects of financial oversight, management systems, and negotiating vendor contracts. She likes to think she provides some measure of comic relief when things get stressful around the office.

Lori’s History with Mothers’ Centers

Lori has been an enthusiastic member of the Mothers' Center of Southwest Nassau since 1994. She:

• Trained as a peer facilitator (1996) and has facilitated many groups over the years
• Co-Founded the center's babysitting co-op, social action committee, Mother/Daugher group, and Mom's Night Out book discussion group
• Served as a volunteer to the NAMC for several national conferences and as a database development consultant
• Was hired on a part-time basis in 2001 to create a program model and to implement Mothers'Center programs at 12 libraries on Long Island. She personally facilitated a number of those groups, one in Spanish.

Something Personal

I am a native of Franklin, Massachusetts, and still think of that as home. After graduating from Smith College with a degree in sociology, I signed on to a two-year stint as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Honduras. Never having been outside the eastern United States, this was an eye-opening experience. In addition to perfecting my Spanish, I met incredible people, did fulfilling work helping rural women develop income-generating ventures, and gained some real perspective on my good fortune at having been born in the developed world.

From Honduras, I moved to New York to work for CARE International while earning my MBA at New York University. CARE then relocated to Atlanta. By that time I had gotten married, bought a house in the suburbs and was expecting my first child. I was completely unprepared for the isolation of being in a new community, with no family nearby, caring for an infant. I was so grateful to find a Mothers’ Center in my area when my daughter Leslie was just six months old. I met women in the very first group I attended there that have become lifelong friends, and my children have become friends with their children. My two other children are Anthony and Isabel. I love yoga, the ocean, camping and spending time with family and friends.

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Ellen T. Kramer

Special Events Coordinator

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516 939-6667 X104

Responsibilities

Ellen is the organizational mastermind behind all NAMC events. She coordinates our annual Motherhood and Apple Pie Breakfast in May, our annual Work/Life Conference in November, and the logistics for the NAMC National Conference in April.

Ellen’s History with Mothers’ Centers

Ellen has been a member of the Mothers’ Center of Southwest Nassau since 1997.

She has:

• Co-Chaired the Steering Committee for two years
• Served as Social Committee liason for four years
• Established the Mothers' Center at the Long Beach Library in 2005
• Facilitated and run training sessions at the center and keeps the moms connected through social events and other activities

Something Personal

My first job out of college took me around the world as an international flight attendant for Pan American Airlines. I rerouted myself back to New York City as an event planner until I got married. I later left Manhattan behind when my husband and I traveled around the world for a year, exploring places we had only heard about. We settled back in the Long Beach area to start a family. After the birth of my son, I learned about the Mothers’ Center and have been involved ever since.

I love to spend a part of every day looking out over the ocean. I enjoy sailing, cooking, and spending time with friends.

Favorite inspirational thoughts: Youth is not a time of life, it is a state of mind. Cheerfulness is the atmosphere in which all things thrive.

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Viviana Russell

Communications Project Manager

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516 939-6667 X107

Responsibilities

Viviana serves as the catalyst for public and media relations by issuing press releases, drafting presentation materials, and providing communications support. She assists with NAMC events, maintains the website, places articles in trade magazines and journals and supports other communications projects that arise.

Viviana’s history with Mothers’ Centers

Viviana got involved with the Unity Circle Mothers’ Center of Hempstead in 2004, after having her third child. Shortly thereafter she joined the Steering Committee.

She also

• Co-founded the Unity Circle Mothers Center of New Cassel and served on the Steering Committee
• Facilitated and coordinated center groups, events, and meetings
• Came on board as a staff member of the NAMC in August 2007

Something Personal
I was born and raised in East Elmhurst, New York and attended Jerome Hardeman Day Care, St. Gabriel’s Elementary School, Thomas A. Edison High School, Medgar Evers College and the College of New Rochelle where I received my B.A. in Social Science. I worked as a human resources benefits associate for 10 years at a major insurance company. I have also worked as a constituent liaison for the New York State Assembly, a program coordinator for a community revitalization non-profit organization, and am a licensed real estate agent.

I’m heavily involved in the community and have an extensive background in community outreach. I’ve worked with the Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation, New Cassel Block Captains, and the Weed and Seed Coalition. I’ve advocated on behalf of community residents, supported local organizations, participated in the planning of annual events such as the International Festival, National Night Out Against Crime, tree lighting ceremony, financial seminars and others. Volunteering for community, faith-based, and youth initiatives are all important to me.

I enjoy dancing as a liturgical dancer with the First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury Praise Dancers, Samaritan Women of God, and Sanaa Movement. I’m also a chaplain and an enthusiast. As a wife and the mother of three children, Gary Jr., Imani and Malachi I can testify that this is not an easy task, but I thank God for choosing me to be a mother--even when my creative three-year-old wants to play the ‘drums’ on my pot and pan lids while I’m trying to cook dinner!

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Lisa Kaplan-Miller

Program Director

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516 939-6667 X106

Responsibilities

As program director, Lisa works with new and existing Mothers’ Center programs, offering telephone support, helping with leadership development, and presenting workshops to centers on a variety of topics. She also coordinates special programs for the NAMC, including Circle of Caring support groups for women experiencing perinatal or postpartum depression, and The New Neighborhood, which provides on-site Mothers’ Center-style support groups in corporate settings. Lisa writes grants to secure funding for the NAMC and assists centers that are seeking grants in their communities.

Lisa’s History with Mothers’ Centers

Something Personal:

I was born and raised in Queens, New York, and earned a bachelor’s degree from New York University and an master’s in social work from Hunter College. Before getting involved in the Mothers’ Center, I worked with the homebound and frail elderly at several local social service agencies.

I have two children, the oldest now in college. Through my local Mothers’ Center, I’ve been involved with Mother/Daughter groups with both of my girls. During my free time I like to garden, hike, canoe, and camp with my family.

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Kristel Lazarus

Office Manager

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Responsibilities
Kristel maintains the NAMC member database, accepts and acknowledges donations, pays bills, takes care of payroll and refers people to Mothers’ Center programs in their area.

Kristel’s History with Mothers’ Centers
Kristel is an alum of Sunrise Mothers’ Center (1992 to 1999), where she served as a facilitator. She began volunteering at the NAMC in 2000, doing data entry and putting together newsletter mailings. She started working part-time for the NAMC in October 2001.

Something Personal

I graduated from Baruch College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1983. I’ve been married to Robert for 21 years, and we have two sons, Matt (16) and Brandon (13). We also have many pets that the boys wanted and I take care of: a beagle named Daisy, two turtles, one gecko, and assorted fish. My favorite activities are camping, computer games, reading, bowling, and kayaking.

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Valerie Young

Advocacy Coordinator

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Responsibilities
Valerie represents NAMC and its netroots public policy MOTHERS Initiative in Washington, D.C. She is an advocate for recognition of mothers’ contributions to our national welfare and a proponent of economic security and independence for those who care for family members. Valerie analyzes state and national legislative action through the lens of motherhood, educating policy makers and others who work on issues pertinent to women. Valerie advises our members on developments in the political arena, demystifying the political process and encouraging the personal activism of mothers and other family caregivers.

Valerie’s History with Mothers’ Centers

Valerie was taking a bath one day in 2002, during a period as an at-home parent to two children (after 11 years of practicing law). She was reading Ann Crittenden’s The Price of Motherhood, from which she learned that nannies receive Social Security benefits for caring for children, but a mother has no such economic protection in retirement after raising her own children to become productive (and tax-paying!) members of society. She sat straight up, in high dudgeon, fit to be tied, and was heard to exclaim “That is so wrong!,” while water and bubbles sloshed and spattered all over the tile.

Inspired by Ms. Crittenden and other activists, Valerie helped bring MOTHERS into being and volunteered on the Steering Committee while the website developed and the membership grew. Her focus shifted from law to women’s issues through her work for the National Association of Women Judges and the National Partnership for Women & Families.

Something Personal:
I love living near Washington, D.C., and watching the exercise of power at all levels of government. The women in the U.S. House and Senate are tremendously inspiring, and I am so proud of what we as a group have achieved in this country. I want all women, and especially mothers who have such a huge stake in the future, to see themselves as essential actors and agents of change in the formation of public policy. This work is more fun and more interesting than being a lawyer ever was.

My husband and I are raising our school-aged son and daughter, making constant trips to the library, and trying not to embarrass them publicly, which they claim we do with alarming frequency.

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