Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Dr. Kathy Gill, Chair

Dr. Kathy Gill, President, a parent of a classified student in the Warwick Valley Central School District, founded PULSES in August 2008 to empower parents to become full participants in their children’s educational programs. Through her PULSES work, Kathy disseminates information related to local services, attends CSE meetings, develops workshops/training sessions on special education topics, and advocates for positive changes in the special education system in the Mid-Hudson Valley. She also serves as Director of Family Services for VoicesUnited4Change, an Orange County organization with the purpose of ensuring that family and youth driven care and its values are part of the local mental health community and is a member of the Hamptonburgh Community Advisory Committee. In her “real job” Kathy is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Kinesiology at William Paterson University in New Jersey.

Wendy Allen

Wendy is the supervisor and advocate for Youth Educational School Services (YESS), a program at Family Empowerment Council in Middletown. Since September 2000, Wendy has advocated for families in Orange and Sullivan Counties and works with a variety of populations of disabilities including; learning disabled, physically disabled, autistic, and emotionally disturbed. She is well versed in the Federal and State laws, holds trainings and workshops on a monthly basis for parents and professionals on special education topics, and supports parents in their quest for developing appropriate school programs for their special needs children. Wendy is an inspiration educational advocate who is deeply committed to the success of students and their families.

Patricia S. Phelan, Esq.

Patricia, is a solo practitioner of The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan, P.C. located in Nyack
which is dedicated exclusively to assisting parents with children with disabilities to gain free and
appropriate special education services for their children through their school districts. She is
an experienced litigator, an Impartial Hearing Officer certified by the State of NY, as well as a
parent of a child with a disability. Patricia is an active volunteer for Autism Speaks. For several
years, she has been the Chairperson or Co-Chairperson of the Greater Hudson Valley Walk Now
for Autism Speaks, as well as a corporate sponsor of the Greater Hudson Valley Walks. She has
authored several articles published by ParentGuide News and in 2013, Patricia was awarded a
PULSES Outstanding Service Award in the Parent category.

Sandra is a Parent Advocate for special needs children. She began her advocacy efforts 12 years ago while serving on the Board of Directors for Downey Side Adoption Center in Rockland County, an adoption group for older foster children. Currently she is involved in her twin daughters’ CSE journey in the Ellenville Central School District winning an impartial hearing and appeal. Through her work, Sandra helps parents negotiate classifications, services and placements. Sandra also serves on the Board of Directors of Empowering Ellenville (EE), a community outreach center and is the Executive Director of EE. Her focus is on assisting disenfranchised families in the Mid-Hudson Valley through outreach in special education advocacy, academic tutoring, certified parenting classes, woman's group therapies, legal consults, and other community events. Sandra is also a member of the Council of Parent Attorney and Advocates (COPAA). She has over 29 years of experience in the insurance/reinsurance industry and is CEO/President of Extant, Inc., an insurance service company. She is a member of the Mid-Hudson Claims Association, PLUS (Professional Liability Underwriting Society), and past Vice President of the National Association of Insurance Woman (NAIW), Manhattan Chapter.

Sandra Oglesby

Pete Dedes

Panagiotis “Pete” Dedes is the parent of a student in the Minisink Valley Central School District. Pete is Co-Chair of the PULSES Minisink Valley sub-group which holds meetings and presentations at Family Empowerment for parents to learn the special education system. He is knowledgeable about Federal and State laws related to special education and he began working with PULSES in 2010. Pete cares deeply for all children and advocates for their success in the educational system. He believes that all children can learn and reach their full potential with the correct Individualized Education Program (IEP) and placement. Pete is a Correctional Administrator employed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons. He is also a U.S. Air Force Veteran.

Denise Thompson

Denise Thompson is a parent of a classified student in the Pine Bush Central School District. As a founding member of PULSES, Denise provides assistance to parents as they navigate through the special education system. She attends CSE meetings, provides emotional/educational support to parents, and serves as the PULSES Pine Bush subgroup leader.

Mary Jo Whateley, Esq.

Mary Jo is an associate at Sussman & Watkins, where she primarily represents children with disabilities. She graduated from Pace Law School and is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey, in the Southern and Northern District courts, and in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Since 2006, Mary Jo has dedicated herself to advocating for children through seeking enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act in state and federal proceedings; enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disability Act through federal litigation. She is a frequent speaker and trainer on issues related to the rights of children with disabilities and the rights of grandparents and other relatives providing shelter and care to children. Mary Jo is a member of the New York Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (Westchester and Orange-Sullivan Chapters), and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).

Carmen is currently working as an Educational Advocate for Youth Educational School Services

(YESS) at Family Empowerment Council in Middletown. She earned a B.A. from Nyack College

and her advocacy efforts began when she served as a Parent Advocate for her own daughter,

now age twenty. Carmen previously worked for a Community Based agency in Brooklyn

called ABCD, Inc. as an Educational Coordinator/Parent Advocate attending CPSE meetings

helping parents obtain support services and appropriate school placements. She had an

article in published Education Update (May, 2007) titled “The Importance of Advocating for

Our Children” that shared her story of utilizing IDEA to receive a Free and Appropriate Public

Education (FAPE) for her daughter. Carmen’s desire is to help equip and empower parents to

be their child’s advocate and to make positive changes in the special education system in the

Mid-Hudson Valley.

Carmen Vega

Laura Stubecki

Laura has been practicing occupational therapy with the pediatric population since 1995.
Specializing in sensory integration, Laura has worked in schools, private clinics, and home care.
She is Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing (SIPT) certified and has training in Therapeutic
Listening, Handwriting without Tears, reflex integration, and The Alert Program. In 2010, Laura
opened a regular education preschool in which a teacher and occupational therapist collaborate
on education and strategies within the classroom and she is also the owner/director of Pediatric
OT Solutions and Preschool Solutions.