Maggie Bordonaro is the Chief Program Officer at Studio in a School, where she focuses on strengthening and scaling the organization’s impact, ensuring more young people have meaningful opportunities to learn, explore, and express themselves in the Arts. In her previous role at Studio, Maggie led Residency Programs, including the Multilingual Learner Art Lab. Prior to joining Studio in 2022, Maggie held positions at the New-York Historical Society and the Museum of the City of New York, where she managed multiple program streams serving schools, teachers, and family audiences. Additionally, she has worked on curatorial projects at the Met and taught fourth grade in a general education setting. Maggie holds an undergraduate degree from Connecticut College and a Master’s Degree from NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts.

Gale A. Brewer represents the 6th Council District, located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Brewer chairs the Committee on Governmental Operations, State & Federal Legislation. She is a member of the Committees on Aging, Consumer & Worker Protection, Contracts, Criminal Justice, Education, Immigration, and the Subcommittees on Senior Centers & Food Security and Early Childhood Education. She is a member of the Progressive Caucus and serves as Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus.

Brewer is working towards solutions to city-wide issues from micromobility safety to unlicensed cannabis shops to affordable housing. She recently passed legislation to establish composting facilities in city parks, restrict the sale of e-bikes that fail to meet safety standards, and improve reporting requirements for cannabis enforcement.

Prior to her current term in the Council, Brewer served as Manhattan Borough President from 2014-2021 and represented the 6th Council District from 2002-2013. Before elected office, she served as Chief of Staff to Council Member Ruth Messinger, NYC Deputy Public Advocate, Director of the city’s Federal Office, and Executive Director of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women.

Brewer has taught at CUNY and Barnard College for many years. She holds an MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and did her undergraduate work at Columbia University and Bennington College. She lives with her husband Cal Snyder and they have a grown son. In the past, she had many foster children.

Madeline Calandrillo (she/her) is a New York City–based Applied Theater practitioner, Theatre-maker, and educator dedicated to creating accessible, inclusive, and engaging theatrical experiences for young people and families. As Director of Education at New York City Children’s Theater, she develops Arts education programs that empower young audiences to explore and share their own experiences. Madeline holds a Master’s degree in Applied Theatre from the City University of New York. Her work has been presented at national and international conferences, and in 2022 she represented the United States at the Young IDEA LAB during the IDEA 9th World Congress in Iceland.

Yiru Chen is a New York State-certified Teacher of the Deaf, award-winning filmmaker, and disability advocate working at the intersection of Deaf education and accessible Arts. A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts (BA) and Teachers College, Columbia University (MA), she synthesizes curricula that bring multimodal storytelling and Universal Design for Learning to Deaf, DeafBlind, and DeafDisabled students. She teaches at St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf. She also serves as Board Secretary of Deaf Spotlight, a Deaf-led Arts nonprofit. Through international filmmaking and classroom practice, she demonstrates how accessible storytelling builds creativity, representation, and belonging for learners of all abilities.

Alexa Fairchild has built a career dedicated to making the Arts accessible and engaging for all learners. At the NYC Public Schools Arts Office, she leads citywide efforts to make Arts classrooms inclusive for students with disabilities and multilingual learners. She previously directed Turnaround Arts: NYC, partnering with four Brooklyn public schools as they used the Arts to spark schoolwide success, and managed school programs at the Brooklyn Museum. She holds graduate degrees from Bank Street College of Education (M.S.Ed.) and the University of British Columbia (M.A.).

Emma Gluck is an Art educator with 10 years of experience teaching students with disabilities in New York City’s District 75. She is currently in her second year serving on the Arts for All Abilities Consortium Steering Committee, contributing to the development of programming that promotes access, inclusion, and meaningful engagement through the Arts. Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating accessible and engaging Art experiences that honor the individual strengths, creativity, and perspectives of students with diverse learning needs. She is currently pursuing additional certification in teaching Students with Disabilities, further strengthening her practice and expanding her ability to support students both academically and creatively. Outside of education and the Arts community, she enjoys taking Pottery and Dance classes and embracing her inner performer during the occasional private karaoke session.

Susan Natacha González is a bilingual (Spanish/English) artist, educator, and Art therapist with 30+ years of experience supporting individuals and families in schools, transitional housing spaces, and community-based organizations. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Susan began working with individuals with disabilities in 1993 and has extensive experience supporting learners with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities, autism, and developmental delays. Her academic background includes Art, Psychology, Art Therapy, and Special Education, with additional studies in Spain and Italy. Susan has presented nationally and internationally on the intersections of Art, education, creativity, Art therapy, child development, and immigration.

Paula Heitman is Executive Director of Marquis Studios. She is responsible for advancing the mission of the organization while overseeing its administration, operations, financials, and strategic direction. Other key duties include implementing policies, fundraising, marketing, and outreach. She is a member of Arts for All Abilities Consortium Steering Committee.

Erin Lally (BFA, MA) is the Co-Executive Director of the Harkness Dance Center and Director of the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) at 92NY. Since 2002, she has been teaching Dance in public schools, studios, and community settings, sharing her passion for Dance with children, educators, and families. Erin has worked with Luna Dance & Creativity in Berkeley, CA, was the former Education Director of RIOULT, and was a founding member of Bronx Charter School for the Arts, where she created the K-5 dance curriculum. She has taught for renowned organizations including NYC Center, American Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Hispanico. Erin holds a BFA in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts, an MA in Dance Education from UNC Greensboro, and multiple certificates in Dance education. She received the 2021 Outstanding Leadership Award from NYSDEA and continues to teach, mentor, and facilitate workshops at 92NY.

Dr. Andrea K. Markus is a Dance artist, educator, and scholar who earned her Ed.D. in Dance Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She trained at New York Theatre Ballet School, Ithaca College, Dance New Amsterdam, The Limón Institute, and in Guinea, West Africa. She has performed with the Alpha Omega 1-7 Theatrical Dance Company in works by Black Dance pioneers George Faison and Eleo Pomare. A teaching artist for ArtsConnection, New York City Ballet Education Department, Alvin Ailey Arts in Education and Community Programs, Dancewave, and the Misty Copeland Foundation's BE BOLD Program, she has taught Dance to students in PK–12. She is currently on faculty at NYU Steinhardt, Northeastern University–NYC, and CUNY Bronx Community College. She believes in Dance education's power to engage, uplift, and bring #JOY.

Elise May, Arts for All Abilities Consortium Steering Committee, Teaching Artist/Arts Administrator/Program Developer, actor/singer/writer. Her original, multi-award-winning Arts-in-Education programs incorporate Theater Arts for communication, empowerment, and community development with all populations. Her Creative Readers Arts Education inclusion program won the 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. Elise organizes presentations, panels, training and professional development for organizations working with diverse populations. As a performer, she was part of the creative and performance team for Branching Out, a sensory immersive play for those on the autism spectrum. Elise is also Program Director of Theater for Dessert, a Theater program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Elise loves using the Arts to help people shine.

Johari Mayfield is a Dance educator, choreographer, teaching artist, and founder of Live In The Movement LLC. Her work explores movement as a language for communication, access, and belonging across diverse learning communities. As a teaching artist with Marquis Studios, she develops and facilitates inclusive movement experiences for children and young people, including students with disabilities and diverse learning needs. Her teaching integrates Dance, Storytelling, visual and tactile supports, participant choice, and multiple pathways for learning and expression. Johari has presented her work through the National Dance Education Organization and brings both artistic practice and hands-on teaching experience to her

approach to accessible Arts Education.

Dr. Keisha McCoy is the Superintendent of New York City Public Schools District 75, where she provides leadership and oversight for 65 citywide programs serving students with disabilities. In this role, she leads districtwide efforts focused on instructional excellence, equity, accountability, compliance, inclusive practices, family engagement, and improved outcomes for students. She also provides leadership to deputy superintendents, borough and instructional leaders, and more than 150 central administrative staff.

Dr. McCoy brings more than 25 years of experience in education, with a career deeply rooted in special education. Prior to becoming Superintendent in October 2025, she served for seven years as Principal of P396K in Brooklyn, leading a multi-site District 75 school community. Her leadership centered on creating safe and supportive learning environments, strengthening instructional practices, using data to improve student outcomes, developing staff, building meaningful family and community partnerships, and fostering a culture of equity and excellence.

Her experience spans multiple leadership and instructional roles, including Principal, Assistant Principal, and Special Education Teacher in both New York and Maryland. In addition, Dr. McCoy has served as an Adjunct Professor at Brooklyn College since 2011, preparing graduate students pursuing careers and certification in special education.

Dr. McCoy holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, a Master of Science in Special Education, and a Bachelor of Arts with specializations in Elementary Education and Sociology. She also holds permanent New York State certifications in school district administration and special education.

Throughout her career, Dr. McCoy has remained committed to the belief that strong schools are built through collaboration, coherence, communication, and high expectations for every learner. As Superintendent, she continues to champion opportunities that ensure students are seen, supported, challenged, and prepared for their futures—leading District 75 to EVOLVE with Unlimited Possibilities.

Dr. Roderick Palton is Superintendent of New York City Public Schools’ Community School District 31, where he supports more than 70 schools serving over 50,000 students across Staten Island. Over more than two decades in education, he has served as a teacher, principal, deputy superintendent, and superintendent. A significant part of his career was spent in District 75, including more than a decade as principal of P140K, serving students with diverse learning needs. Dr. Palton is a strong advocate for arts education and believes the arts are essential to a well-rounded school experience, helping students develop creativity, confidence, voice, collaboration, and belonging. His leadership is grounded in equity, empathy, excellence, and expanding meaningful opportunities for every student.

Carina Rubaja is an Argentinian Creative Movement teaching artist and educational coach who has impacted Newark and NYC school communities since 1998. Specializing in ages 3–9, she brings an inclusive approach to ICT and District 75 classrooms. Carina authored the 92Y Literacy Project K–2 curriculum for multilingual learners and has created teacher guides based on works of Art, and instructional videos for teachers. In 2025, she served as a mentor for the NJPAC/Rutgers-Newark Teaching Artists Certificate Program. She has presented at Arts for All Abilities, NYCDOE citywide and NYSDEA conferences, NJEA Convention, among other events. In 2021, she completed the special education TATI program. She holds a Master’s in Education from Lesley College (1992) and completed her Creative Movement Teacher training in Argentina (1988).

Jennifer Scotto-Robinson, MSEd, is a Special Education Teacher who also has a BS in Art Therapy. She is dedicated to helping students with diverse learning needs reach their full potential, and has experience in Resource Room, Integrated Co-Teaching, Self-Contained classrooms, Transition Services, and Extended School Year programs. Jennifer is passionate about creating engaging, individualized instruction which includes the Arts. She believes meaningful learning happens when students feel supported, challenged, and empowered. In addition to her work in schools, she is also the Special Education/Behavior Consultant for the Creative Readers program. Jennifer is a singer, performer, and the mother of twins, one of whom has autism, ADHD and cognitive delay.

Barbara Tremblay is a recently retired Principal in New York City Public Schools' District 75, where she dedicated 36 years of service to students with disabilities and their families. Throughout her career she served as a paraprofessional, teacher, district administrator, assistant principal, and principal. A proud recipient of the prestigious Cahn Fellowship (2022), Barbara is a passionate advocate for equitable access to high-quality Arts education, believing that the Arts help students discover and develop their strengths and talents. As a member of the Arts for All Abilities Consortium Steering Committee and a facilitator for its Observation/ Mentoring Initiative, she has championed professional learning and collaboration. Most recently, she helped launch The Creative Exchange, the Consortium’s District 75 paraprofessional learning community dedicated to fostering creativity, connection, and professional growth. She is also the Co-facilitator of the District 75 New Principal Academy.

Inna Vernikov is a Ukrainian-born Jewish American lawyer and politician serving as the Minority Whip of the New York City Council, where she proudly represents the 48th District. Before running for office, Vernikov operated her own immigration and matrimonial law practice, zealously representing hundreds of clients. Since entering public office, Councilwoman Vernikov has championed local issues and quality-of-life concerns, leading the City Council in the number of constituent cases resolved. Ms. Vernikov has become a prominent voice against socialism and antisemitism, serving as Co-Chair of the Council’s first ever Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Antisemitism and as a proud member of the Council’s Common Sense Caucus, a bipartisan delegation dedicated to bringing common sense to city government.

Council Member Susan Zhuang represents New York City’s 43rd District, serving the

communities of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, and Bath Beach. She currently serves as Chair of the Committee on Aging, where she leads efforts to expand resources, protections, and services for older adults across the city. Susan has worked diligently to serve the diverse communities of Southern Brooklyn for over a decade, advocating for pressing issues such as public safety, equitable education, housing, and senior services.

Born in Baipu, China, Susan came to the United States in 2008 as an international student in pursuit of the American Dream. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from the State University of New York at Oswego and later received her MBA from the University of Southern Indiana.

After moving to New York City, Susan began her public service as a volunteer in the Office of New York State Assemblyman William Colton, where she used her financial background to assist senior citizens and small business owners with tax preparation. Driven by her commitment to public service, she joined Assemblyman Colton’s office full-time and became Chief of Staff in 2014. In this role, she worked closely with families, tenants, and community organizations, addressing the needs of underrepresented communities in Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Dyker Heights, and Sunset Park.

In addition to her government service, Susan has organized numerous community protests, meetings, and public hearings. She is an active member of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association and has dedicated herself to voter education, youth leadership, and civic engagement.

As an Asian American, first-generation immigrant, working mother, and proud New Yorker, Susan is committed to bringing people together to strengthen unity and ensure that every resident feels safe, seen, and heard.

Susan was elected to the New York City Council in 2023 in the newly formed, majority-Asian 43rd District and was re-elected to a full four-year term in 2025. She lives in Bensonhurst with her husband and their two young daughters.