Special Olympics New York Board of Directors Welcomes New Members

Permanent Seats Established for Athlete Leader, Parent, and Coach

Albany, NY – Special Olympics New York recently welcomed six new members to its Board of Directors, including experts in the fields of Special Education, Human Resources, Finance, and Audit. Permanent seats have also been added for the chairperson of the organization’s Statewide Athlete Leadership Council, as well as a long-time parent and/or coach.

Led by Chairwoman Ceylane Meyers-Ruff, the 22-member Special Olympics New York Board of Directors ensures that the nonprofit delivers on its mission of providing opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, fellow athletes, and the community. The Board sets the budget for Special Olympics New York, upholds its policies and procedures, and oversees the effective management of the statewide organization in partnership with the President & CEO and executive staff.

“While Special Olympics New York is consistently working to recruit new athletes, coaches, and families to our incredible movement, the Board has been working to round out its leadership table and ensure that every stakeholder’s perspective is represented,” said Chairwoman Meyers-Ruff, Deputy Commissioner at the New York State Education Department, Adult Career and Continuing Educational Services (ACCES). “We are proud to welcome each of our new members and the unique voices they bring to our discussions.”

Joining the Board of Directors in January 2024 are the following: Kathy Brooks, Director of Human Resources Operations at Moog Inc.; Christina Foti, Chief of Special Education for NYC Public Schools; Elias Lambros, Audit Partner at KPMG; Ani Mooney, parent, coach and Registered Nurse for the Troy City School District; Gary Pierre, Business Control Officer for the North America Global Banking and Markets Desk at Bank of America Merrill Lynch; and Jessica Spitz, multiple-sport athlete, dining room professional at Chick-Fil-A Commack and current Chair of the Statewide Athlete Leadership Council.

The Special Olympics New York Board of Directors is comprised of 22 members who represent regions throughout the state as well as some of the organization’s key partners such as the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (Commissioner Kerri Neifeld), Law Enforcement Torch Run (Jon  Prewasnicak), Healthy Athletes (Abra Caroci), and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (Todd Nelson).

Board officers also include Vice Chair Kan Kotecha, Treasurer Adam Merino, and Secretary Anishah Cumber-Taj. Learn more about each of the members of the Board of Directors here.

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