Bios

Errol Louis
Political Anchor of Spectrum News NY1

Errol Louis is the Political Anchor of Spectrum News NY1, where he hosts Inside City Hall, a nightly prime-time show about New York City politics, featuring interviews with top political and cultural leaders. Louis has conducted interviews with mayors Ed Koch, David Dinkins, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams; Governors George Pataki, Eliot Spitzer, David Paterson, Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul; and presidential candidates including Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump.

Louis has moderated dozens of debates between candidates for Mayor, Governor, Public advocate, city and state Comptroller, state Attorney General, Congress and U.S. Senate. In 2016, he was a questioner in the final CNN presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

In addition to political leaders, Louis has interviewed iconic cultural figures including filmmaker Ken Burns, activist Gloria Steinem and authors Robert Caro and Gay Talese. In 2019 he launched a popular weekly podcast, “You Decide with Errol Louis,” that features longer discussions with political and cultural figures including ex-President Bill Clinton; playwright Aaron Sorkin; actors Edward Norton and Brian Cox; and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Louis is a longtime CNN Contributor, providing on-air commentary on key events including presidential primaries and Election Night. He writes regularly for CNN.com, as well as a weekly column for New York Magazine on a range of political and social affairs.

Louis was recently ranked #36 on the list of the 100 most powerful people in New York City politics. He is an adjunct professor of Urban Reporting at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, where he has taught political and investigative reporting to more than 100 graduate students. He is co-editor of Deadline Artists, a two-volume anthology of America’s greatest newspaper columns published in October 2011.

Louis graduated from Harvard College a B.A. in Government. He also earned an M.A. in Political Science from Yale University and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.

He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Juanita Scarlett, and their son Noah.

Maureen E. O’Brien
President and Chief Executive Officer of New York State Industries for the Disabled

Maureen E. O’Brien is a life-long New Yorker. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (B.A.) and New York University (M.A.).

In 2018, following a national search, O’Brien was appointed the first female President and Chief Executive Officer of New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID). NYSID is the designated facilitator of the Preferred Source Program for individuals with disabilities and qualified veterans in New York State. O’Brien manages the execution of over 1,000 state and municipal contracts on behalf of 140 disability service provider member agencies and private sector integrated businesses. Annually, approximately 5,000 individuals with disabilities are gainfully employed through the program. O’Brien combines her private sector experience, diversity equity and inclusion expertise, and her desire to provide opportunities and advancement to individuals with disabilities bringing transformational change to the organization.

After serving as the Director of State Operations to 20th Congressional District Representative and Homeland Security Appropriator John E. Sweeney, O’Brien became the Director of Government Affairs for Motorola Solutions Inc. (MSI) in 2007. In this capacity she handled the company’s public safety government relations work on large strategic projects. In 2016 she was elevated to Executive Director. In her tenure at MSI O’Brien secured public funding for over $1b in public safety projects.

O’Brien’s reputation in the state houses she has called on and among the member agencies of NYSID is that of an honest broker and trusted advisor with a keen understanding of the political process. Those who work closely with her are witness to her sense of humor, deep network of respectful colleagues and persistence in leaving no stone unturned.

Throughout her career, O’Brien has served on a host of boards associated with her passion of providing advancement to individuals with disabilities. She is deeply involved in the NF Endurance Team (the fundraising arm of the Children’s Tumor Foundation). Since 2009, O’Brien has served as an executive board member at Double H Ranch. O’Brien has been a Trustee at Maria College since 2014. In 2019, O’Brien became a trustee at Christian Brother’s Academy and in 2020 Member of the Board of Governors at the Center for Disability Services. In 2022 she became a Trustee at the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York.

O’Brien was a recipient of the Andrew Heiskell Community Service Award and on two occasions the quarterly MSI Foundation Volunteerism Award. In 2012, 2013 and 2016, O’Brien was inducted in MSI CEO Circle – recognition of performing in the top 10% of the company. In 2016, she was a recipient of The American Institute for Public Service Foundation Jefferson Award. In 2020, O’Brien was recognized by the Albany Business Review as a Community Connector for Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and by City and State New York as a Socially Responsible 100 Leader making our state better for New Yorkers.

In 2021, O’Brien was named a “Woman Who Means Business” by the Albany Business Review. She also received a Game Changer Award from Special Olympics New York and the Anthony J. Koenig Volunteer Service Award from the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State, both for her leadership in making COVID-19 vaccines accessible to individuals with disabilities. In 2022 she received the Key For Women Achievement Award and was a finalist for Philanthropist of the Year from the United Way of the Greater Capital Region.

O’Brien is a member of the Notre Dame Club of Northeastern N.Y. and The Notre Dame Monogram Club. She and her family are communicants of Mater Christi Parish in Albany, New York. Together O’Brien and her husband Dr. Paul F. Vogt have four boys Patrick, Andrew, Christopher and Gabriel.

Sheryl White-Scott, MD, FACP, FAAIDD
Senior Medical Advisor at AHRC New York City, and a Board of Director of the Human Services Research Institute

Sheryl White-Scott MD, FACP, FAAIDD, is the Senior Medical Advisor for AHRC NYC and Medical Specialist for the Metro Developmental Disabilities Services in New York, New York. AHRC New York City is a not for profit, family governed organization, dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Metro Developmental Disabilities Services Office of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities is the state government office responsible for helping people with developmental disabilities live richer and healthier lives in Manhattan and The Bronx.

Dr. White-Scott received her B.A. in Natural Sciences from Johns Hopkins University and received her M.D. from SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine. She is board certified in internal medicine with additional fellowship training in developmental disabilities at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. White-Scott is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at New York Medical College Valhalla, New York.

Dr. White-Scott is a fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and a fellow in the American College of Physicians. She is past president of the American Association of University Affiliated Programs (now Association of University Centers for Disabilities), past chair of the Health Promotion Committee and past chair of the Multicultural Special Interest Group of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). Her recognition in the field of developmental disabilities includes appointments to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities during the Clinton and Obama administrations and the 2014 Dybwad Humanitarian Award from AAIDD.

Dr. White-Scott specializes in clinical services for adults with developmental disabilities. She has worked extensively with this population and has a special interest in health care delivery for women with developmental disabilities and individuals with developmental disabilities from minority populations. She has done numerous presentations on primary health care, prevention, aging, women’s health and training medical professionals in the delivery of health services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The clinical response to the COVID-19 pandemic has become a new area of expertise for her, as for many clinicians, working through this challenging time. The health disparities with COVID-19 for vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities and communities of color, are emerging research interests.

Dr. White-Scott resides in New York City with her husband and two daughters.

Beth Haroules, Esq.
Senior Staff Attorney and Director of Disability Justice Litigation at the American Civil Liberties Union of the New York Affiliate of ACLU

Beth Haroules joined the ACLU of New York/NYCLU as a staff attorney in 1994. Prior to joining the NYCLU, she practiced in the areas of commercial litigation and international arbitration at White & Case, a New York City law firm. She was a founding member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and worked on a range of pro bono matters including cases attempting to secure counsel for indigent New Yorkers, enmeshed in landlord tenant proceedings and cases challenging the involuntary retention and treatment over objection rendered individuals with mental health challenges. She also participated in the ABA Death Penalty Project and served as Secretary to the Special Committee on Capital Representation at the NYC Bar Association.

At the NYCLU, she is responsible for developing and executing complex litigation with respect to constitutional and civil liberties issues; providing technical assistance and advice to the ACLU and NYCLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys; engaging in a broad range of policy and public education activities: public speaking, including major addresses, debates, seminars and panels and legislative hearing testimony; preparing articles for professional journals, press and media interviews; grant writing; and responding to phone and mail inquiries from the public. Ms. Haroules is also the Director of Disability Justice Litigation at the NYCLU.

Ms. Haroules handles a broad variety of civil rights and civil liberties, ranging from First Amendment issues to government surveillance issues to public health and disabilities issues. Working with NYLPI as co-counsel, Ms. Haroules is lead counsel in the Willowbrook class action litigation. She served as lead counsel, with the US Department of Justice as co-counsel, in the Hirschfeld v. HHC/Kings County conditions litigation. She challenged, with NYLPI and the Bazelon Center, the constitutionality of New York’s “Kendra’s Law.” She serves on the New York State Education Data Privacy Advisory Council and has served on several NYC Task Forces on Crisis Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Response and Behavioral Health & Criminal Justice; the Advisory Council to the Supported Decision-Making New York (SDMNY) project; and the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Mental Health and Trauma Impacted Representation.

Ms. Haroules obtained her J.D. from Boston University School of Law and her B.A. from Harvard University.

Rebecca A. Seawright
Assembly Member for New York’s 76th Assembly District, and Chair of the People with Disabilities Committee of the New York State Assembly

Rebecca A. Seawright represents the Upper East Side, Yorkville, and Roosevelt Island in New York’s 76th Assembly District. As the first woman to serve the district and since her election in 2014, she is known as a strong voice for over 133,000 constituents, securing over $17 million in funding for public schools, senior centers, parks, and non-profits.

Appointed by the Speaker in 2023, she holds the leadership position of Chair of the People with Disabilities Committee. Previously, she served in leadership as the Chair of the Majority Steering Committee, Secretary of the Majority Conference, and as Chair of the Task Force on Women’s Issues. Nominated by her colleagues, she serves as a Director of the Legislative Women’s Caucus and works with her colleagues as part of the Bipartisan Pro-Choice, Jewish, Environmental, and Gun Reform Legislative Caucuses. As a member of the Ways and Means; Banking; Codes; Higher Education; and Judiciary committees, Assembly Member Seawright is motivated to protect her constituents’ interests in our great State of New York.

Inspired to renew the movement for the federal Equal Rights Amendment to guarantee that our rights are anchored in our state and U.S. constitutions, she proudly authored and passed an Equal Rights Amendment to our New York State Constitution. For the first time, voters will have the opportunity to vote on the equal rights amendment as a ballot referendum in the 2024 general election.

A champion for high-quality, public education, Assembly Member Seawright champions our public schools and helped obtain more than $1 billion in new state support and sponsors the Teach LGBT curriculum bill to ensure that the NYS Education Department develops curriculum on the historical treatment of and contributions by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in America.

Assembly Member Seawright fights for our community through major environmental and sustainability initiatives such as her sponsorship of air quality monitoring legislation to mitigate the impacts of a waste transfer station at East 91st Street. She is a leading advocate for affordable housing and landmark housing reform laws to abolish vacancy decontrol and restrict rent hikes. A proponent of strong democratic values, Assembly Member Seawright strongly supports reforms to run elections efficiently, accurately, and with integrity to protect our voting rights. Notably, for the 2020 General Election and the 2021 New York City Primary, Assembly Member Seawright successfully secured additional early voting and Election Day poll sites.

Her bills have been signed into law requiring all those convicted of hate crimes to undergo tolerance training as a condition of their sentence and rehabilitation; reinstating the Clean Waterways Fund; capping annual fees from lenders; implementing a study on consumer financial literacy; streamlining boards of election; requiring health insurance policies to include 3-D Mammography at no cost to the consumer; encouraging greater representation of women on corporate boards; and identifying how many policy-making positions are held by women in the New York State government. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Assembly Member Seawright co-sponsored emergency legislation that suspends rent payments for small business commercial tenants and certain mortgage payments due to COVID-19.

Assembly Member Seawright is the recipient of The Dan’s Papers Power List of East End’23; Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey National Disability Employment Awareness Month “Equity and Inclusion Champion” Award ’23; Interagency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Maggy Ames Legislative Champion Award ’23; The Schneps Media Power Women of Manhattan ’22, ‘23; The Schneps Media Power Women of The East End ’22, ‘23; Planned Parenthood Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Champion; The Queer Big Apple Corps Award ’22; Women’s eNews 21 Leaders for the 21st Century ’21; The Met’s 13th Annual Women’s Award ’20; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney Fearless Girl Award ’19; A Place to Be(ad) Me Honoree ‘19; Super Happy Healthy Kids Black Tie Gala Honoree ’19; James Dudley Luce Foundation Humanitarian of the Year ’19; Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Elizabeth Rohatyn Award ’17; The New York Board of Rabbis Humanitarian Galal of the Year ’15; and The Feminist Press at The City University of New York 40th Anniversary honoree ’10.

She formerly served for 8 years as Chair of the Board of the Feminist Press at the City University of New York, the oldest nonprofit literary publisher of feminist literature. Currently, she chairs the CUNY Law School Board of Visitors. In 2023, Speaker Heastie appointed her to the City University of New York Construction Fund Board of Trustees.

Mitchell Bloomberg
Chairman-Elect of the AHRC NYC Foundation Board, and Principal of International Lights

As an active leader of the New York City lighting community for the past 36 years, Mitchell Bloomberg has extensive experience and relationships within the industry. By covering all aspects in the space throughout his tenure, including manufacturing, distribution, owning several rep agencies over the years and building International Lights to its current status, he has the expertise needed to assist clients and colleagues in every way. Mr. Bloomberg takes great pride in being an IES member for over 25 years and continues to strengthen his bonds in lighting by staying connected to those in the business through many organizations and events. He recognizes that success is determined by doing the right thing and helping anywhere one can. This carries over to his personal life where he tries to give back by being involved in multiple charities and is deeply rooted in his family and community.

AHRC NYC’s Our Broadway
Performing Arts Group

AHRC New York City’s Our Broadway stands as a pioneering initiative created to enrich the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This performing arts group has emerged as a significant initiative within AHRC NYC. It began with a chance encounter between Dale Hensley, a seasoned Broadway performer, and Karen Zuckerman, Director of Community Partners and Corporate Engagement at AHRC NYC.

Dale Hensley, Founder, Director, and Fine Arts Advisor of Our Broadway, emphasizes the transformative power of performing arts, providing a platform for self-expression and empowerment. The program recognizes the universal language of music and theater, aiming to offer individuals of all abilities an avenue to express themselves, build confidence, and showcase their talents. Central to Our Broadway is a celebration of diversity, acceptance, and the intrinsic worth of every individual. It serves as a testament to the belief that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to engage with the joy of the performing arts.

Our Broadway receives robust support from the Broadway community. Esteemed figures from the theater world have played pivotal roles in the success of the initiative. Their commitment and volunteer work have been instrumental in bringing the magic of the stage to individuals who might otherwise be overlooked. The involvement of Broadway professionals, including actors, musicians, wardrobe personnel, wig designers, and stage managers, not only elevates production quality but also conveys a powerful message of unity and acceptance.

Dale Hensley, a Broadway veteran with 40 years of experience, embraced the idea of establishing a performance group for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our Broadway began at AHRC NYC’s Walter and Evelyn Redfield Day Services, where Mr. Hensley encountered a talented singing group. Inspired, he organized a full Broadway show with them, and the program rapidly expanded, drawing support from Broadway performers like Gavin Creel and Thayne Jasperson.

In the face of challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Our Broadway adapted by shifting to virtual performances through Zoom. Dale Hensley and the group persevered, maintaining their commitment to spreading joy and creativity. Ian Miller, the Music Director, enhanced the experiences of the performers with his musical expertise. Together with Mr. Hensley, they played a crucial role in transitioning the program to virtual platforms, ensuring the continuity of the profound impact of the performing arts.

The success of Our Broadway lies in its ability to instill confidence, joy, and a profound sense of accomplishment in its participants. By bringing together Broadway stars, volunteers, and people with disabilities, the program creates a harmonious and inclusive community where dreams are pursued, and talents are celebrated.

AHRC NYC’s Our Broadway stands as an example of the positive impact that creativity, inclusion, and collaboration can have on the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This celebration of diversity and unity through the enduring power of the arts reflects a commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a more compassionate and inclusive world.

Sharyn Van Reepinghen
Member and Former President of the AHRC NYC Board

Sharyn Van Reepinghen has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2009, and formerly served as President and Chair of the Executive Committee, the Executive Compensation Committee, and the ad-hoc Branding Committee, and serves as a Member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Prior to serving on the AHRC NYC Board, Ms. Van Reepinghen served on the Boards for the National Urban League, the National Boys and Girls Club of America, the Benedictine School, the Melmark School, and the Springboard School for Exceptional Children in Hong Kong.

Her professional accomplishments include positions as President, SJBlock & Associates, International, where she successfully recruited women and minorities for high-level positions at top cosmetic and entertainment companies, Corporate Human Resources Manager for Revlon, Inc., Director of Labor Relations for Children’s T.V. Workshop, and International Consultant for the Tucker Brown Group, where she consulted on corporate diversity and seniors in the workforce.

While living in Hong Kong, Ms. Van Reepinghen was a member of the American Women’s Association, through which she worked to stop atrocities against children with disabilities on mainland China and she co-founded the Springboard School, which she considers her greatest personal accomplishment. Ms. Van Reepinghen successfully negotiated for intellectually and developmentally disabled children in Hong Kong to be able to use the American School campus and facilities on Saturdays for sports events, concerts, and other activities in which they would otherwise not be able to participate. It was for this work that Ms. Van Reepinghen was honored by the American Chamber of Commerce.

It was these experiences in the developmental disabilities world that motivated Ms. Van Reepinghen to join the AHRC NYC Board where she could make a difference in the lives of the people it serves and secure and contribute resources toward the AHRC NYC mission.

Ms. Van Reepinghen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and an Executive Management Certificate from Stanford University. Ms. Van Reepinghen has two sons. Ian is a graduate of Stanford and Wharton and is now living in San Francisco with his wife, Nadine, and baby, Remy Francois. Peter graduated from Melmark School and now resides in Rupert Towers, an Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) operated by AHRC NYC, and has worked for ten years at the Disney Store with supportive employment services from AHRC NYC. Ms. Van Reepinghen’s husband, Francois, passed in 2000 after a struggle with cancer.

Kerri E. Neifeld
Commissioner of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

Kerri Neifeld serves as the Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) following her nomination as Commissioner by Governor Kathy Hochul in early November of 2021. Prior to her nomination, Commissioner Neifeld most recently served as Assistant Secretary for Human Services & Mental Hygiene in the governor’s office.

Before working in the governor’s office, Commissioner Neifeld was Assistant Deputy Commissioner at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) where she managed the Division of Shelter Oversight and Compliance. Commissioner Neifeld joined OTDA as Special Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner while serving as an Excelsior Service Fellow, before being promoted to Assistant Deputy Commissioner.

Prior to joining the Excelsior Service Fellowship Program, Commissioner Neifeld was a Fellow on Women & Public Policy at Rockefeller College’s Center for Women in Government & Civil Society. A passionate advocate for others, Commissioner Neifeld also worked as a Project Manager at the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties, a Child Protective Services Caseworker and a Foster Care Caseworker as well as a Youth Care Worker at WAIT House Homeless Youth Shelter. Commissioner Neifeld plans to use her years of public service experience to inform new and innovative ways to support and serve people with developmental disabilities.

Commissioner Neifeld holds a B.A. from Elmira College and an M.S.W. from the University at Albany School of Social Welfare.