Michael Jascz, Executive Director
Michael Jascz is the founder of The Relationship Foundation, an educational non-profit initiative at the forefront of a unique approach to Social and Emotional Learning. Doing this work has helped him to face his own childhood trauma and ensuing anxiety and depression. His greatest hope is that getting this work out widespread will support educators in creating a safe space for children of all ages. Michael and the TRF staff have developed a groundbreaking program Healthy Relationships 101, which has been taught in New York City high schools since 2009. Michael has incorporated the work of Dr. Vincent Felitti, Research Director of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, and Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication, whose work inspired the Healthy Relationships 101 curriculum and guidebook. Michael holds a degree in political science and anthropology from the honors program at Ohio State University.
Dr. Pradeep Nagachandran, Education Director
Pradeep is an instructor and academic consultant for The Relationship Foundation since 2010. He holds an MD from the Israeli Institute of Technology. He has 10 years of research experience in child and adolescent psychiatry including developing and evaluating of psychometric tests as well as data analysis for one of the largest NIMH grant funded studies in the US. In addition, he is well versed in Nonviolent Communication and has integrated its concepts in both the workplace and his personal life.
Derrick Edwards, Senior Instructor
Derrick is a jack of many trades. Derrick has worked as a paraprofessional with an Autistic child, as a substitute teacher for the Department of Education for several years, a tutor, and NYC tour guide. Derrick holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Derrick has seen the power of bringing people together and this curriculum has helped enlighten him on humanity’s common bonds.
Marta Hauser, PhD, Grants & Research Development
Marta is passionate about supporting people in leading happy, fulfilling lives. Strengthening interpersonal relationships is a major pillar to this, so she is excited to be part of The Relationship Foundation and to support its cause by applying her background in psychology and research. Marta holds a PhD in clinical psychology and enjoys working with approaches that focus on mindfulness and committed value-based action. She has been involved in all aspects of research, including grant-writing and publishing of results, and is supporting the foundation as a Grant and Research Consultant.
TRF Board Members
Marta Hauser, PhD
Board Member
Marta is a licensed psychologist with 15 years of experience at large healthcare systems. She holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has published and presented her work on the risk for severe mental illness in adolescents and young adults internationally. She is currently part of the leadership team of an academic organization that supports clinical trials across the U.S. and also works in private practice.
Dr. Ron Gentile MD, FACS, FASRS
Treasurer
Dr. Gentile is a Professor of Ophthalmology. He serves as a Director at Ocular Trauma Service, and Surgeon Director at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEEI). Some of his trials have resulted in the newest therapies used today that save the vision of thousands of patients worldwide. He has lead humanitarian missions (operationrestorevision) to Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Jordan Sellers
Board Chair
Jordan is a logistics consultant with over 10 years of experience working with businesses of all sizes. Currently focused on enterprise cloud solutions, he serves as Team Lead at MHI (Myers-Holum, Inc). Jordan is also an experienced workshop and roundtable facilitator, assisting his mentors at NYCNVC as well as organizing his own groups on Zoom and Instagram. Jordan is also a certified trauma-conscious yoga teacher, volunteering his services in schools and prisons whenever possible.
Sylvia Schwartz
Secretary
Sylvia Schwartz is a seasoned marketing professional who has applied her skills in assisting leading financial institutions in New York (CitiBank, BNYMellon, Smith Barney, TIAA) to achieve their goals. She has served on the boards of the Hoboken Historical Museum and the Mile Square Theatre.
Latoya Attis M.Ed.
Board Member
Latoya Attis is an Academic Advising Administrator and Adjunct Faculty at Iona College. She teaches General Psychology I & II, Substance Abuse Treatment and Referral Methods, Drug and Alcohol Counseling, and co-teaches Seminars for Academic Success for probationary students. She holds an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy and an M.S. in Early Childhood Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities from Mercy College.
Dean Whiteford
Board Member
Dean Whiteford is a business development executive with over 30 years of experience in the design, implementation, and leadership of Business Development and Marketing programs and strategies. Dean is a native of Perth, Australia, and spent over 20 years in business development roles with “Big 4” consulting firms Deloitte and PwC in the US, Hong Kong, and Japan. Dean has a Bachelor of Business Degree from Curtin University in Australia and is a CPA and Fellow of CPA Australia.
Diandra D’Amico
Board Member
Diandra is a teacher with the New York Department of Education and serves as an Education Consultant with The Relationship Foundation.
Jessica Klein PhD, MSW, M.Ed.
Board Member
Jessica Klein is an Adelphi University (AU) Associate professor of sociology/criminal justice. She is the author of The Bully Society: School Shootings and the Crisis of Bullying in America’s Schools (NYU Press: 2012). She incorporates Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication in her work. She is also the co-author of the Healthy Relationships 101 Curriculum.