Ericker Phillips-Onaga to serve as Chairperson
As Seamen’s Society for Children and Families celebrates its 175th anniversary, its Board of Trustees met on June 21 to appoint its 2021-22 slate of Officers and Trustees. During the meeting, the Board appointed its Officers, elected one new Trustee, and renewed the terms of five Trustees.
Ericker Phillips-Onaga, LCSW, was elected Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. A trustee since 2014, Ms. Phillips-Onaga has served as Vice Chairperson and Chair of the Program Committee. Professionally, she is the Chief Program Officer at Community Health Action of Staten Island, and she serves on the NYC Human Resources Administration’s HIV/AIDS Services Administration Advisory Board. She holds a master’s degree in social work from New York University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker registered with the State of New York.
Serving with Ms. Phillips-Onaga as Officers will be:
- Jeanne Raleigh – Vice Chairperson
- Peter Tesoriero – Treasurer
- Lawrell Arnold – Secretary
- Laura L. Volsario – Immediate Past Chair
Joining the Board of Trustees is Alison Malone, Assistant Principal at P53K, District 75, in Brooklyn. Ms. Malone has been an Assistant Principal at P53K, District 75, since 2013. She began her teaching career at 721R, Richard H. Hungerford, District 75, on Staten Island. Prior to beginning her career in education, Ms. Malone was a Recreation Therapist in a long-term care facility, where she became Director of Therapeutic Recreation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration, a master’s degree in special education, and an advanced certificate in severe and multiple disabilities, as well as school leadership certification through the NYS Leaders in Education Apprenticeship Program. Ms. Malone’s work with adults with special needs led her to value the impact that education has on positive adult outcomes.
The terms of five Trustees were renewed. They are: Tashanna Golden, Barbara O’Connor, Peter Tesoriero, Robert Vidal II, and Laura L. Volsario.
“I wish to congratulate the elected Officers — Ericker, Jeanne, Peter, Larry, and Laura; welcome Alison; and thank Tashanna, Barbara, Peter, Robert and Laura for continuing to serve on our Board of Trustees,” said David W. Gaskin, President & CEO of Seamen’s Society for Children and Families. “The talent and collective experience of the members of our Board of Trustees contributes significantly to ensuring that the agency delivers on our mission of securing the safety and well-being of the families entrusted to our care. With this in mind, I also wish to recognize, and thank, as their terms conclude, Suzanne Stirn-Ainslie, Ralph Branca and MaryRose Barranco Morris, for their many years of service and care for our mission.”