Our Team
Our team at New Frontiers is committed to bringing success to you in all of our areas of expertise.
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Our team at New Frontiers is committed to bringing success to you in all of our areas of expertise.
Casey Schmalacker, Vice President at New Frontiers, brings a dynamic blend of expertise in marketing, sales, and business development to his leadership role. With a solid educational foundation, holding a dual Bachelor of Arts in Government and Law, and Economics from Lafayette College, and a minor in Africana Studies, Casey has honed his ability to analyze and improve organizational processes across various professional sectors.
Since joining New Frontiers in spring 2013, Casey has significantly expanded his scope of influence from mentoring students to advising professionals and entire organizations on enhancing workplace performance. His focus extends to the critical areas of executive functions, soft skills, and effective organizational strategies, enabling a culture of continuous improvement and adaptive learning environments.
Casey’s leadership journey has seen him evolve from providing targeted academic and social supports to students with diverse learning needs to spearheading major initiatives as Vice President. His approach combines strategic marketing and development efforts with a deep commitment to personalized education and professional development. He is a strong proponent of adaptive educational methods and actively engages in professional circles, earning certifications from thought leaders like Peg Dawson and Lynda Geller and regularly participating in conferences such as Lynn Meltzer’s ILD Conference.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Casey’s passion for life is evident in his love of laughter and deep connections, whether with colleagues, friends, or his beloved pets. His philosophy emphasizes the importance of joy and genuine relationships both in and out of the workplace.
Alissa Cappelleri, MAT serves as the Learning and Development Coordinator for New Frontiers Executive Function Coaching. She supports successful coaches through the design and implementation of high-level training programs. Rooting processes in best instructional practices and behavior modification strategies, Alissa takes a comprehensive approach to professional development.
Alissa graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Master of Arts in Teaching in the field of Special Education with a concentration in Emotional and Behavioral Challenges. Her graduate work took her to the Espoo International School in Finland to explore inquiry-based instruction and learner-centered approaches to teaching students of all abilities. As a certified Special Education teacher in the state of New Jersey, she has had many experiences in a wide variety of learning environments and is deeply dedicated to educating through the fostering of resilience. Realizing that there are many unexplained expectations individuals are held accountable for, Alissa left the traditional classroom to teach generalizable and cross-contextual skills for sustainable success at any age.
Her passion for strengthening executive function skill interventions is evident through the workshops she leads for her team internally and other collaborating organizations. Alissa prides herself in creating strong partnerships with her own clients along with being a sharp second set of eyes as they evaluate their own participation in navigating the world.
When not developing coaching resources and delivering trainings, Alissa can be found reading anything she can get her hands on, improving her watercolor painting skills, and having many one-sided conversations with the dog.
As a Senior Coordinator, Lindsay works with stakeholders and coaches to help support New Frontier’s clients while providing direct client coaching as well.
Lindsay graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor in Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. She then received her Master’s Degree from Towson University. She has a wealth of experience in executive functioning skills and has certificates in trainings from professionals like Michelle Garcia Winner and Sarah Ward. She joined the New Frontiers team in the fall of 2020, providing academic and life skills support as a part-time coach to clients with a variety of learning needs. She has coached clients in planning, prioritizing, scheduling, task initiation, time management, sustaining focus, project management, balancing work and home responsibilities, and much more. She believes that each client is different and learns differently as well. With each and every client and family, Lindsay strives to help everyone reach their full potential.
Lindsay is married and is the mom of a six-year-old daughter and an almost one-year-old boy, who keep her busy. She also has a mini-goldendoodle puppy, named Dunkin, who is full of energy! In her free time, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the beach, hiking, traveling, and trying new restaurants!
Victoria manages the onboarding process for clients, evaluating their unique profiles while formulating comprehensive goals and personalized coaching strategies.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from Syracuse University, Victoria’s educational journey flourished as she pursued a Master’s Degree from the Academy of Art University in Interior Architecture and Design, specializing in inclusive design.
Victoria’s engagement with diverse students began during her high school years, a passion she seamlessly integrated into various roles spanning education and mental health. Committed to nurturing the potential of all families, irrespective of their learning differences and abilities, she firmly upholds the belief that every individual can achieve success uniquely. Her mission is to provide the necessary guidance for them to reach their aspirations.
Victoria remains steadfast in her conviction that each person possesses distinctive attributes, learning styles, emotional landscapes, and paths to happiness. In her capacity as a coach, mentor, and confidante, she harnesses this understanding to orchestrate unparalleled achievements for every individual.
After graduating from the University of Kansas with a B.A. in Psychology, Jennifer served in the work comp field for well over a decade. As a Consultant in the fast-paced financial services industry and a Safety Leader for children’s social service agencies and psychiatric hospitals, she compassionately walked beside individuals as they overcame financial set-back, life changing physical injury and guided organizations to define and achieve their safety goals.
Nothing provides Jennifer the immense satisfaction of working one on one with eager minds, ready to take on challenges. She has worked with youth in foster care and helped develop mentoring programs for youth transitioning out of foster care into young adulthood. Jennifer has also dedicated many years to psychology research including a Teen Experiences Lab, Psycholinguistics Lab and a large NIH grant investigating preschoolers and intergenerational trauma to better understand physiological impacts of trauma. She has a deep interest in helping to unravel the links between trauma and the development of compromised executive functioning and other physiological conditions.
Currently, Jennifer works in her dream role helping to reframe the experiences of those on the Autism Spectrum, with ADHD, NVLD, OCD, TBI, brain tumor, anxiety and depression, so they can identify their values and strengths in order to develop the intrinsic motivation required to set goals and put in the work to achieve them.
In her spare time, Jennifer can be found playing Ticket to Ride with her husband and two children, writing poetry, reading sci-fi or nonfiction and lives to dance to live music, especially anything lo-fi jazzy. She is an enthusiast for knowledge integration and loves finding analogies that can carry over from one seemingly unrelated field to another.
Jessica graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Ashford University and continued with her education completing a Master’s Degree from Northcentral University in Forensic Psychology. Jessica has worked with individuals in many areas of mental health in a variety of roles since High School. Jessica has also participated in different awareness projects for sexual assault and mental health beginning in college. Jessica focuses on the importance of helping everyone find and complete their goals based on their needs and wants. Jessica believes that everyone is capable of finding happiness and succeeding in their own way, it is just a matter of finding the right methods and skills for each person.
On a personal note, Jessica loves spending time with her family, including two young sons. Jessica spends a lot of time outdoors and playing sports, including rugby, roller derby, and ice hockey.
Julia has a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in Developmental Disabilities, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University in Teaching General, Special, and Gifted Education. She has teaching certificates in two different states and has worked as an elementary school teacher for five years. Julia has experience working with individuals at a variety of ages and ability levels as ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Depression, Twice Exceptional, Auditory/Visual Processing Disorder, etc. She prides herself on relationship building to help each client reach their goals.
Julia understands that everyone learns differently and is constantly researching new tools and strategies to share with her clients. As an educator, she excelled at behavior identification as a means of communication in the classroom. She knows that all behaviors are an attempt at communicating a need and/or a skill that has yet to be learned. Julia strives to teach behavior skills in fun and meaningful ways.
Julia enjoys being active and exploring the city with her rescue dog, Maggie. She loves to read and cook.
As a Senior Coordinator, Lana oversees service delivery of her clients, helping to guarantee the highest quality supports offered to all clients. In her role, she is supporting other coordinators to continue to develop our coaches’ skillsets, gain feedback from our clients, and continually better our service offerings.
Lana is a New York dual licensed Childhood (birth-grade 6) General and Special Education Teacher. She earned her Masters of Science in Education in General and Special Education from Long Island University and a Bachelor of Arts from Brooklyn College. Lana has over 12 years of experience teaching, mentoring and impacting students with different needs. She has dedicated her career to working in private and public schools, agencies, as well as home based intervention sites throughout NYC. She has experience in teaching students from Pre-K to 12th grade in a variety of academic subjects. Teaching comes naturally and gives Lana a deep sense of personal satisfaction. She demonstrates attentiveness, creativity and thoroughness to the unique and individual needs of the clients in her care. Additionally, Lana consistently seeks out to better inform her teaching practices, and focuses on providing the best possible support for her clients.
Outside of the office, Lana is committed to self-development. She speaks fluent Russian and is always looking to brush up her language skills with her family and friends over coffee or sushi. She lives a sweaty life, exploring local bike and running paths and enjoys being part of the CrossFit community.
As a Services Manager, Lesley works with all coordinators in supporting the provision of the highest quality support. She continues to work directly with clients as well.
Lesley graduated with an MAT from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a certified teacher and ADHD educator who has nearly 15 years of experience teaching at the secondary and post-secondary levels. She has also worked as a professional development specialist and teacher coach, and she currently sits on the Board of Trustees at the Montclair Cooperative School.
Lesley is the mom of two school-aged boys, one third grader and one fifth grader, both whom are identified as twice exceptional. In her spare time, Lesley enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends, being active (running, hiking, skiing, weight training, yoga) and (endlessly) walking her two-year old, highly energetic, long- haired Jack Russell Terrier, Belle.
As the Senior Vice President, Samantha spearheads the strategic development and execution of programs at New Frontiers. With a specialized focus on corporate consulting, performance coaching, and growth initiatives, Samantha’s expertise extends far beyond the traditional scope, enriching the experiences of professionals in the workplace.
Samantha’s distinguished academic background includes Master’s Degree from LIU Post and doctoral coursework in the field of Educational Psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center. Her professional experiences include Speech Therapist, Special Education Teacher, Adjunct Associate Professor, and Coach. Her comprehensive experiences have shaped her profound understanding of the intricate relationship between learning, cognition, and instruction.
With 25+ years of professional experience, Samantha offers executive coaching services tailored to mid-level and executive-level professionals. She guides them to identify habits that may hinder growth and assists in establishing new, more productive, and meaningful routines. Her deep understanding of learning allows her to adapt evidence-based strategies, effectively applying them to the workplace context. By implementing these strategies, she equips individuals with the tools to enhance their performance, overcome obstacles, and unlock their full potential.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Samantha finds joy and inspiration as a proud mother of two children. During her leisure time, she likes to spend time at the beach, taking HIIT classes, and immersing herself in a diverse array of music genres, everything ranging from indie to EDM.
Elisa Butrym is an Executive Life Coach trained at The Life Coach School and is an alumnus of the Neuroscience for Business Executive Program at MIT Sloan School of Management. She works with corporate executives, entrepreneurs and creative artists struggling with perfectionist tendencies such as overthinking, procrastination and overwhelm. As a former media marketing professional juggling a full-time job and a full-time family, she understands that time management really means knowing how to manage your mind and energy. With that, she also teaches her clients techniques for how to focus better, limit procrastination, manage discomfort and achieve good sleep hygiene to feel more energized and productive.
Offering a combination of mindset work, science-based protocols and self-directed behavioral modification practices, Elisa aims to help her clients succeed in finding the right strategies that empower them to reach their goals with genuine self-trust and confidence.
Elisa was born and raised in New York City and is the daughter of Costa Rican and Chilean immigrants. She is married, speaks fluent Spanish and, when she is not coaching or chasing her two kids, she is writing or working out at CrossFit for fun!
Marissa holds a BA in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a MA in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Criminology & Social Deviance and a post- graduate certificate in Management Training.
Marissa’s professional experiences include certified mediator, committee board member, service coordinator, special investigator for incident review, and an employment coach and advocate. She has experience working with the school system consulting on special policy and procedures. She has also provided therapeutic sessions with adults and facilitates mediation sessions.
Marissa works with students of all ages/parents and adults; assisting with time management, self-advocacy, executive functioning and organization skills. With her supportive nature, she identifies each person’s strengths and develops practical plans of action in conjunction with them.
During her personal time, Marissa enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading and watching movies.
Kim has a BA in Elementary Education from St. Joseph’s College, an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University, and 2 advanced post-graduate certificates in Educational Leadership (building and district level). Over the past 23 years, Kim’s professional experiences include elementary educational teacher, mental health counselor, elementary educational leadership positions, including social- emotional lead teacher, and executive functioning coach. On a personal level, Kim is a mom to 2 amazing teenage boys, enjoys beach going, and incorporates fitness into her daily life.
Nora has a Bachelor of General Studies and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Connecticut. She has had a career in public service career in human services in which she has both hands on and administrative experience in which she has supported many individuals with basic needs issues, physical and mental health issues as well as economic issues. Nora’s focus has been on youth transition services and adult career readiness and employment services. Nora currently is an Adjunct Professor and instructs on a variety of social and human services courses. Nora has been a mentor for young adults with disabilities using her skills and abilities to build trusting relationship with the clients, ensure that they had access to community events, addressed social and learning challenges and overall provided a healthy focus on life. She also mentors her students in the college setting in areas of learning, social and/or environment factors. These mentoring activities have been some of the most rewarding experiences of her career.
Nora enjoys spending time with her community, loves to cook and hosts a “girls” night once a week for the neighbors to enjoy each other’s food specialties! She also dabbles in gardening!
As one of the Coordinators, Patrick works with families and clients to help support New Frontiers’ mission.
Patrick is a graduate of the Macaulay Honors College at the College of Staten Island (CUNY) and Adelphi University’s Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program. He has an acute knowledge and interest in the art of writing, critical thinking, executive functions, and reading comprehension skills across all subjects. Before joining the New Frontiers team, Patrick tutored a diverse array of students in a broad range of majors, at Adelphi University’s Learning and Writing Center, including students in Adelphi’s Bridges Program. Since joining the New Frontiers team in 2016, Patrick has both directly worked with and overseen the supports of over 150 students and clients with various learning differences.
Patrick enjoys writing poetry, taking photographs of local Long Island parks and natural areas, gardening, playing basketball, and going to the beach in Cape May, New Jersey in the summertime. He has been to over 50 Bruce Springsteen concerts in his lifetime, has read every one of Kurt Vonnegut’s novels, can identify many of the tree species’ of eastern North America, and has traveled to Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, and Russia.
In the role as the Adult Services Coordinator, Zoe has touchpoints with adult clients throughout the whole coaching process from onboarding to coaching.
Zoe has had a diversified work experience in both leadership and support roles, working for well-known companies such as British Airways and JP Morgan. She grew up in London, England where her studies focused on English and Sociology. After working as an executive sales manager at British Airways, a network technician at JP Morgan, a paralegal for an in-house legal team and becoming an entrepreneur she found the perfect place to use all her skills and experience – coaching. Her first step was to be certified through International Coaching Federation. She adds her certification as a Life Coach to her many other certifications: Couple Communication Coach, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (M.C.S.E), Paralegal, and Empowering Women. Over the years Zoe has supported individuals, couples, small groups, families and small business owners through a multitude of personal and professional situations. Her philosophy is that there is always hope and there is always a pathway to achieving a goal, no matter how great the obstacles may seem. With a belief in service and giving back to the community through volunteering as a coach at a facility that empowers women who have been incarcerated and abused alcohol and drugs, Zoe’s goal for her clients is to help them become who they want most to be and achieve even their smallest of goals.
On a personal note, Zoe has traveled the world while she worked both in London and New York for British Airways. Her travel highlight was to experience a round-trip transatlantic flight on the Concorde. What she loves most is connecting with friends and family in conversation. Her ways to energize are kayaking, playing tennis, taking on new adventures, sitting in silent meditation and talking to her coach. These activities bring her back to a balanced state of being, mentally, emotionally and physically. Being in a balanced state helps her to make good decisions along her own life journey.
As one of the Coordinators, Colleen works with families and clients to help support New Frontiers’ mission.
Colleen graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Honors College at Dowling College with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and received her Master of Science in Special Education (grade 7-12) from Dowling College. She also holds an Advanced Certificate in Computers in Education. Colleen has over 14 years of experience working with students with various learning needs and styles. She has experience in instructing students in many academic subject areas as well as working with college level and professional individuals. Her expertise in the area of Special Education allows her to tailor and individualize coaching strategies to meet the needs of the client so they can gain the necessary skills needed to be successful.
Colleen enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors, sitting around a fire pit, and playing with her pets. She knits adult chemo caps for local cancer centers. She also enjoys live music and going to the theatre.
Michael Morgan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental sciences and policy at Northwestern University. Following his dad’s passing of cancer, Michael stopped pursuing a legal career in favor of art and art education. He began working at the New York Academy of Art, where he served as Director of Students for three years. Michael has recently completed a fine arts degree at Columbia University, where he was also a researcher and graphic designer for the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, a joint research center between Columbia Law School and the Earth Institute. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia and was initiated into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Morgan was a finalist for the 2020 Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics for his writings on environmental theory and environmental art. He has also completed coursework at New York University, University College London, and the New York Academy of Art.
Michael’s multifaceted background in environmental sciences and fine arts allows him to advise students considering STEAM programs, multiple or diverse disciplines, and is also a reflection of his ability to work within disparate academic fields. The insight he gained from varied college experiences could help students as they search for a school that suits their specific needs or for those who are considering changing careers. His passion is helping students pursue their path through college admissions or career counseling.
Michael has been with New Frontiers since 2019 where he has helped students foster skills necessary for excelling in college and beyond. As a coach, Michael provides content support, development of organizational and study strategies, and an accountability structure for pursuing individualized academic and executive functioning goals.
Denise wears several hats at New Frontiers and enjoys the variety of interactions each position affords her.
Denise graduated from St. Francis College (University of St. Francis) in Ft. Wayne, Indiana with a degree in Special Education K-12. She majored in Learning Disabilities and minored in Students with Disabilities. She has been in the field of Education for 34+years and has supported students and families as a teacher, a consultant, a behaviorist, an academic and athletic coach, a parent trainer, a friend and a colleague. Denise has been trained in and trained others in the methodologies of Applied Behavioral Analysis and Verbal Behaviors. She has also been certified in Crisis Prevention and Intervention and Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention.
Denise has presented in workshops and professional development seminars for Administrators, teaching staff, counselors and families in various educational settings and local organizations. She happily uses all these skills supporting those in need at New Frontiers.
On a personal note, Denise is the mother of 2, and loves to garden and relax at the beach. She enjoys exercise, travel, music, cars/driving, social media and is currently addicted to Tic Tok. In her spare time, she can be found happily encouraging others to fulfill their potential.
Vicky is the Administrative Coordinator at New Frontiers. Vicky supports various teams within New Frontiers, including the HR, Finance and Services Departments.
Vicky graduated from Columbus State University with a Bachelors in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration. She holds certifications in both Marketing and Data Analysis. She has earned various academic recognitions, including the Certificate of Academic Honor awarded by Columbus State University in 2022.
She is also a dedicated team player. She has been part of the CSU Women’s Golf Team which has helped her to develop time management, scheduling, leadership and problem-solving skills. She is outgoing, reliable and efficient and believes that anything can be achieved through hard work.