The goal of the NYS TINRC Advisory Council is to guide the NYS TINRC activities, including advancing priorities identified through strategic planning.
NYS TINRC Advisory Council members are a diverse representation of 15 people across region, sector, race, ethnicity, gender, and experience. They have a commitment to trauma-informed and equity-centered principles and practices, both individually and within their organization.
Angela M. Colón‑Rentas is a New York State–certified Peer Specialist, Youth Peer alumni, Skillbuilder, and credentialed Family Peer Advocate. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Rochester, New York, she brings tenure, having more than nine years of professional experience in the mental health field. Informed and guided by lived experience within the mental health and juvenile justice system, Angela has served as Storyteller in Residence for the New York State Trauma Informed Network and Research Center and is a contributor to the Mad in America Journal.
Member of the Monroe County’s S.W.A.T. (Spreading Wellness Around Town) Youth Council, at 15 years old she became the winner of a national art poster contest for the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. Displayed across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Guam. It was chosen to amplify children’s mental health during mental health week 2008. As a credentialed Youth Peer Advocate, her work has been recognized by New York State’s Office of Mental Health with the 2022 “What’s Great in Our State” Youth/Young Adult Award.
Committed to advancing peer advocacy, Angela M. Colón‑Rentas partners with grassroots and established organizations to reduce stigma and address disparities in systems of care, particularly within underserved communities. She has served as a consultant and lead coach for BIPOC PEEEEEEK’s Healing Together: Family Peer Advocate Workforce Collaborative and now leads the Partners in Community Development: Youth Peer Advocate Workforce Collaborative in both Rochester, and Western, New York. Where she has trained and supported parents, youth, and caregivers through the Peer Advocate credentialing process and champions the Peer Profession career pathway.
Angela is also a member of the University of Rochester, E.A.C.H. Youth and Parent Advisory Board and is a VIP (Very Invested Parent) for The Children’s Agenda. In these spaces, as a parent, and always a peer advocate she continues advocating for mental health support, equity, and Peer Support Services within schools and across community-based settings.
An accomplished artist, she integrates advocacy and creativity through her distinctive Mirror‑Writing‑Art practice and brand SINBoundaries ARTWORK. Continuing the legacy of that 15-year-old girl within the mental health field and juvenile justice system, she uses her art to inspire reflection, hope, and dialogue around mental wellness and community. As a storyteller, she is the author of the book SCARS TO CREDENTIALS (My Life is Lived Experience). An inspiring book of resilience, awareness, and hope: for youth, peers, professionals, and communities.
Jonah currently serves as the Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care Coordinator at Ardent Solutions based in Allegany County. In his current role he oversees the growth and development of innovative engagement strategies at both local and regional levels, promotes data-driven policy change, and leads a community-based trauma-informed care coalition. He has a diverse range of experiences, spanning from both frontline work to system-level leadership.
His expertise includes curriculum development, technical assistance, training, and advancing collective impact initiatives using multi-sectoral approaches. Passionate about rural communities, Jonah focuses on creating synergy amongst systems, organizations, families, and individuals in these communities to help promote a culture of health and an increased quality of life for all.
Outside of work Jonah enjoys spending time hunting, fishing, and spending time with his fiancée and children.
Nicolás Dumit Estévez Raful has exhibited or performed at Madrid Abierto/ARCO, The IX Havana Biennial, PERFORMA 05/07/21, IDENSITAT, Prague Quadrennial, Pontevedra Biennial, Queens Museum, MoMA, Printed Matter, P.S. 122, Sculpture Center, Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance BAAD!, Hemispheric Institute of Performance Art and Politics, City as Living Laboratory, Princeton University, Anthology Film Archives, El Museo del Barrio, Center for Book Arts, Longwood Art Gallery/BCA, The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Franklin Furnace, and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, among others. He is the founding director of The Interior Beauty Salon, an organism living at the intersection of creativity and healing. Nicolás has taught healing, meditation, somatic and movement related workshops at Copper Beech Institute, The Creative Center, Hispanic Society of America, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation, Healing Circles Global, and the In My Mind conference at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center in New York. He was recently a Senior Lecturer and Social Practice Artist in Residence in the Art and Art History Department at The University of Texas, Austin; and a Smithsonian Artist Research Fellow. He teaches with Breath-Body-Mind Foundation. Nicolás is currently a Teaching Scholar in Residence at Social Practice CUNY. He holds an MFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; and an MA from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. Born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, he was baptized as a Bronxite in 2011. www.interiorbeautysalon.com
Rebecca Evansky is the Executive Director of the Wellness Collaborative of New York, where she supports the growth and awareness of peer support services across the state. In this role, she oversees an Independent Practice Association comprised of twelve peer-led provider organizations, working collaboratively to strengthen the quality, authenticity, and sustainability of peer support services while expanding and elevating the peer workforce. Her professional career has been dedicated to health and wellness initiatives. Known as a compassionate advocate for special victims, working in direct services for over 20 years, including legal and medical advocacy and continues dedicated service as a volunteer to her local domestic violence hotline. Rebecca is a skilled presenter in trauma informed practices, improving community wellness, collaborative partnerships, and strategic planning.
Susan A. Green, LCSW, is a Clinical Full Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. She is the Co-Director of the Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care (ITTIC) at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work and Buffalo Center for Social Research. Professor Green is the Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple grant projects for the implementation of trauma-informed approaches in various agencies, organizations, and systems of care. She has been a contributing author and presenter for peer-reviewed, trauma-related publications and presentations. Professor Green practices and is trained and licensed in several trauma therapies as well as sitting on various committees and councils for trauma-related practices, curriculum, and community work.
Phoenix has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing pathways of hope, healing, and resilience across communities in Ulster County and the Mid-Hudson Region. As a community educator, organizer, and coalition leader, he has managed federal substance abuse prevention grants, led local and regional collaborative initiatives, and developed innovative programs that promote awareness, well-being, social connection, and trauma-informed approaches to care. He continues to work alongside a broad network of colleagues and partner organizations to strengthen cross-sector strategies that support individuals, families, and communities.
In addition to his community leadership, Phoenix is a passionate StoryTeller and StoryTeacher who weaves story with truth to foster healing, connection, understanding, and meaningful change.
Hallie Landwehr, LMSW (she/her) is a Lead Psychiatric Crisis Worker and the Trauma Services Coordinator for Ellis Medicine. She currently sits as a Board Member for Noteworthy Resources, a Capital Region non-profit that connects individuals to therapeutic resources. She works in collaboration with Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, Office of Victims Services to provide free referral and counseling services to victims within the justice system.
She received her Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Widener University, along with her Trauma Recovery Certificate to deepen her understanding of trauma-informed theory and practice to assess, treat, and service individuals and communities who have experienced trauma.
Hallie’s innovative role of providing free, individual and group counseling to first responders within Schenectady County, Ellis Medicine personnel, and Belanger School of Nursing staff and students comes after experiencing an assault as a frontline staff member in her own Emergency Room. Hallie’s practice also includes informing hospital policy and participating in community outreach for a more trauma-responsive New York. A first of its kind; her work aims to close the gap and bring awareness to caring for New Yorker’s frontline providers.
Dee Levy serves as the Director of the Individual and Family Support Unit at the NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs and has been with the agency since 2013. In this capacity, Dee oversees a statewide team of advocates that provide support to families and people receiving services.
Dee was previously employed by the NYS Assembly’s Program and Counsel as a Senior Analyst with the Codes Committee where her work focused on criminal justice policy and legislation.
She also served as a residential counselor with the Equinox Inc. Domestic Violence Program where she worked with survivors of domestic violence. Dee volunteers with several local groups, one of which focuses on supporting seniors in the community, and the other which focuses on fighting antisemitism in all of its forms.
Dee has a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Stony Brook University, a Graduate Certificate in Trauma Studies from Oswego University, and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Marist College. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D in Educational Policy and Leadership at the University at Albany.
Raini joined the AVRE team in May of 2026. She brings with her over 30 years of human service experience beginning as a front line staff and working her way up through management to become an Executive Director of a local agency for 17 years. Raini also has a Masters Degree in Social Science with a minor in Public Administration from Binghamton University.
As the Director of Vision Rehabilitation Services, Raini provides leadership and operations management in program planning, quality assurance, contract management, negotiations, and customer relations with the VRS Division. She also assists the President/CEO in the identification of new service partners, revenue opportunities, reviewing program relevance, and initiating new programs. She is responsible for and provides direct supervision to the Department’s team and engages in various types of business communications with both internal and external stakeholders. Raini is also the Chenango County Systems of Care Manager, a member of the Regional Trauma Informed Care Team, and most recently, was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Trauma Informed Network Resource Center in Albany, NY.
Raini was born and raised in the Southern Tier, where she still resides with her husband. She is also a volunteer for the Board of Directors of both HALos and the Sidney Federal Credit Union.
Cecily is a NYS Licensed Social Worker based in the NYC metro area. She has over 15 years of professional experience in various social work practice areas including child welfare, school social work, and preventative mental health care. Cecily lives and breathes trauma-informed care and infuses an equity-centered, trauma-informed lens into all of who she is and what she does. She seeks to live and work in a way that is healing, restorative and creates sustainable communities of liberation and care. Her guiding mantra for how she moves through life is “Transform yourself to transform the world” (Grace Lee Boggs).
Cecily has a passion and specialty for integrating research and practice, with a particular focus on developing transformative practices and processes to support programs that serve racially marginalized youth and families. She practices with an anti-oppressive, anti-racist and decolonial lens. All her work stems from a deep desire and commitment to see that youth-serving programs are equitable, inclusive and honor the full humanity of staff, young people, and their families.
Cecily is currently an Adjunct Professor of Social Work at Mercy University and a Wellness Facilitator with the National CARES Mentoring Program. Additionally, Cecily is a non-profit consultant providing professional development training, coaching and consultancy services to youth serving non-profit organizations. Her areas of expertise include creating healing centered organizational practices and cultures to support holistic wellbeing, supporting direct service staff in their own healing from secondary trauma and burnout, and utilizing a continuous improvement framework to support institutional change. Furthermore, Cecily is a featured guest speaker and presenter at various professional conferences and events and holds active professional memberships.
Abigail Murat is a training, curriculum development, and capacity-building professional with experience in domestic violence advocacy, child welfare, sexual assault response, and trauma-informed practice. She has supported advocates, service providers, community-based organizations, and multidisciplinary partners through facilitation, technical assistance, instructional design, and the development of practical learning resources.
Abigail’s work includes designing training curricula, creating self-paced eLearning modules, developing participant tools and resources, and translating complex topics into accessible learning experiences. Her approach is grounded in trauma-informed, survivor-centered, culturally responsive, and equity-centered principles.
She is passionate about creating learning spaces that build knowledge, strengthen skills, encourage reflection, and support more responsive systems of care for survivors, families, communities, and the professionals who serve them.
Christine Paul has served as the Executive Director of the Madison County Rural Health Council, Inc. since 2021, bringing more than 35 years of experience in health and human services, including 16 years in the nonprofit sector. She is a dedicated community leader recognized for advancing rural health, mental wellness, and trauma-informed care initiatives throughout the region.
Under Christine’s leadership, the organization continues to fulfill its mission, “To improve the health of our communities by advocating, educating, and coordinating services for individuals and families,” while working toward its vision of being “a pillar of support for a healthy community.” Her work focuses on addressing barriers to care, including transportation challenges, and strengthening collaboration among community organizations, healthcare providers, and local hospitals.
Christine is a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor through The National Council for Mental Wellbeing and has been training multiple Mental Health First Aid curricula since 2018. She is also an active member of the Regional Trauma-Informed Care Team through Care Compass Network, supporting strategies that promote resilience, education, and compassionate systems of care.
Committed to continued professional growth, Christine participates in the Health Fellows Leadership Program through the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York. She also serves as a board member for the New York State Association for Rural Health and Aunt Mary’s House, further demonstrating her commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and strengthening community-based services.
Program Manager, Center for Learning and Development, Department of Vibrant Emotional Health, Mental Health Counselor, Peace-Filled Mental Health Counseling Services, LLC
Hetheru Shango, M.S., MHC-LP, is a mental health professional and facilitator with experience in trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, and crisis intervention. As a Program Manager at Vibrant Emotional Health, she leads training and technical assistance initiatives focused on youth mental health, trauma-informed practices, and case management best practices for community-based organizations across New York City.
Hetheru is a facilitator for Tending the Roots through the NYS Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center and has supported professionals in strengthening trauma-responsive and equity-centered approaches within their organizations and communities. Her work emphasizes psychological safety, cultural humility, collaboration, and strengths-based engagement.
Previously, Hetheru served as a Crisis Counselor and Training Specialist for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, where she provided direct support to individuals experiencing emotional distress and trained staff on suicide prevention and crisis response. Alongside her training work, she continues to provide counseling services using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches that center healing, empowerment, and resilience. She is passionate about helping organizations and providers create safer, more equitable systems of care.
LaAsia Swift (La (she/her)) is a warm, compassionate Hip-Hop Therapist, MSW graduate, and a fierce advocate for mental health justice based in Brooklyn, New York. She is passionate about providing culturally relevant therapy to BIPOC youth and families, combining decolonized therapeutic practices with the creative, transformative energy of hip-hop. With years of experience in youth development and diverse treatment approaches, Laasia’s mission is to empower individuals and cultivate mental health resilience in environments that truly respect and honor their lived experiences.
A trauma-informed DBT coach with personal insight from her time in the foster care system, Laasia brings both deep empathy and a unique perspective to her work. She believes that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued, and strives to create safe, healing spaces where individuals can grow, heal, and make lasting change. Through her work, Laasia helps guide communities toward reclaiming their strength and embracing their journey.
“Healing is an act of resistance; it is a rebellion against the forces that seek to break us.” — bell hooks
Dawn is a seasoned mental health professional with a deep commitment to trauma-informed care and advocacy. Dawn possesses a comprehensive understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals, families, and communities. She specializes in creating environments that promote safety, trust, and healing, ensuring that all interactions are sensitive to the needs of those who have been affected by trauma.
As a dedicated Residential Care Program Director, Dawn implements policies, practices, and a culture that prioritizes trauma-informed principles, empowering individuals to regain a sense of control and resilience. As the author of Parenting with PTSD, Dawn draws from personal experience and professional expertise to provide insights and hope to individuals facing trauma-related struggles.
Dawn is deeply dedicated to understanding the human experience and empowering others along their journey. Whether through professional work or personal interactions, she aims to bring empathy, insight, and a sense of connection to all that she does. Driven by a commitment to ensure systems and individuals have the tools to support healing from toxic stress and trauma, Dawn strives to build meaningful relationships and contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive world.
