PRADER-WILLI - Key Persons
Amanda Yanik lives in Caledonia (between Rochester & Buffalo) with her husband, Daniel, and 3 kiddos, Judson (8), Maxwell (6), and Saoirse (4). She has her teaching degree and has been a Spanish teacher as well as a pre-k teacher in years past, although she currently stays at home to care for her children. She also shares her home with 3 cats, Desmond, Penny, and Lulu and a puppy named Opal. Amanda loves to run, advocate for her daughter Saoirse, write, and spend time with friends and family.
Amy McDougall lives in Fulton with her husband, Harry, and younger children Noelle (19, PWS) and Logan (17). Amy has her Masters in School Psychology. During her professional career, she has worked with preschool through high school age students. Amy has served on the Board of PWANY for 15 years in a variety of roles and has presented at both state and national PWS conferences. In her "spare" time, Amy enjoys reading, playing soccer, and watching her children at their various activities (riding, dance, hockey, and lacrosse).
Brian Burgin lives in Grand Island NY (Buffalo/Niagara region) with his wife, Lori, teenage daughter Julianna (PWS) and our chocolate lab, Maizie. Brian is currently a Staff Scientist with Thermofisher Scientific. Brian has served with PWANY in various roles including board member, secretary, and vice-president and currently serving as President. Brian enjoys spending time with his family, the outdoors (hiking, kayaking etc.) traveling, volunteering and recently taken up beekeeping as a hobby.
Dan Maillet lives in Irvington, NY with Dorothy, his wife and Matt, his adult son with PWS /Autism. Matt has an older dedicated sister who lives in Roslyn, VA. Dan has an MBA and was a Business Analytics consultant for many years. He currently develops sales, marketing and finance dashboards for senior executives. His family loves exercise, travel and spending time with family and friends. He is passionate about advocating for services for his son and the disabled community.
Job Titles:
- Medical & Scientific Advisor / Stacy Ward Provider Advisor
Elinor Baller resides in Larchmont NY and in Delray Beach, FL. Her daughter, Louise (PWS) is grown, living happily with four PW adults in a group home (run by Community Living Corporation) in Yorktown Heights, NY. . Elinor is retired, after teaching English at White Plains H.S. She has two other married children and six grandchildren. Elinor teaches a writing seminar and remains active in Florida, enjoying tennis, golf, biking and trail walking. Her involvement with PWANY as a board member goes back many years.
Jenny Andrews lives in Clayton with her husband, Jade, and their three children, Wyatt, Nora and Vivian (PWS). She is a Physical Therapist by day and a chaos coordinator by evening. She enjoys outdoor adventures, running and spending time with family. Jenny attended her first Prader-Willi Alliance of NY conference when Vivian was just a few months old. She hopes to be able to give back to a community that provided much support to her and her family in the early days and now.
Michele Ricci Bell lives in Niskayuna with her husband, Jim and their delightful daughter, Iris, who has PWS. Michele is Associate Professor of German Studies at Union College, having earned her BA in Economics and German Studies at Columbia College, and her PhD in German Studies at Stanford University. Michele and her family have attended PWANY conferences as well as FPWR conferences since Iris's diagnosis at age 6. Michele has also posted summaries of PW-related presentations for FPWR and has served as an advocate reviewer for FPWR's research grant program. Michele enjoys travel, art, music and spending time with family and friends.
Nina Roberto lives in Queens, NY, is the proud mother of 3, Niyani, Sonny (19 with PWS) and Lennon, and joyful grandmother of 4 Sonny is 19 with PWS. She has been a Parent Mentor, Crisis Counselor, served on the Publications Committee which resulted in a publication for siblings with PWS and as a translator for PWSAUSA. She is in the first graduating class of the PWSAUSA WYATT Special Education Training Program. She began as a Director, later became Executive Director, and is now the Director of Family Support for the PWANY. She is also the State-Wide PWS Family Support Services Coordinator through Catholic Charities and has been for the past 17 years. She's holds PWS Support Groups throughout the state and serves as a valuable resource for parents and professionals needing support for our loved ones living with PWS. She has been recognized across NYS for her advocacies and was awarded Advocate of the Year from the NYS Department of Health. She recently co-authored a PWS textbook with Dr. Deepan Singh and consults and collaborates with professionals throughout the PWS community. She enjoys going on long weekend escapes with her sons and spending time with her family. it's the quality time with them that means the most to her.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Endicott
Rachel Johnson lives in Endicott with her husband, Shawn, Children, Eliana ( PWS )and Shayna, a trained Service Dog, Stanley, 2 cats and 3 guinea pigs. Rachel is a Math Teacher at Johnson City School District and has her Masters in Special Education. She started as a board member on the PWANY in 2010, served as President for a couple of years before becoming Executive Director. Rachel loves to run and spend time at her cottage in Perry and with her extended family in Rochester.
Job Titles:
- Medical & Scientific Advisor / Stacy Ward Provider Advisor
Susan Papaioannou lives in Merrick, Long Island, with her husband George. They have two adult children, Maria (PWS) and John. Susan is a retired elementary teacher of 37 years. She has a Masters Degree in Education. She loves to spend time reading, going to the gym, traveling, and spending time with her family.