As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, we’re excited to share some important leadership updates and celebrate the incredible growth happening across our Gersh community. These changes reflect both the dedication of longtime team members and the addition of new leaders who bring fresh expertise and passion to our mission.
Celebrating Promotions
We’re proud to recognize the following team members for their new roles:
- Celeste Gagliardi → Chief Education Officer, guiding educational strategy across all campuses.
- Maureen Miller → Director of School Operations, overseeing program excellence across Gersh USA.
- Nadege Innocent → Admissions Coordinator Manager, after beginning as a paraprofessional 10 years ago.
- Christina Jonas → Principal in Training at Queens.
- Samara Santiago → Assistant Principal of Brooklyn.
- Denzel Skeete → Assistant Principal at West Hempstead.
- Matthew Stewart → Administrator in Training.
Welcoming New Hires
We’re excited to welcome talented new team members who will help lead Gersh into the future:
- Dan McKeon → Regional Director supervising all New York School Building Leaders.
- Lisa Consolo → Principal of West Hempstead & Hempstead, returning to Gersh.
- Paula Mack → Principal of our new Brooklyn school.
- Nicole Fitch → Principal of Cougar Mountain and Bellevue.
- David DeJong → Assistant Principal of West Hempstead.
- Michael Hansen → Assistant Principal of West Hempstead.
- Dilrabo Kenkes → Principal in Training, AYM.
- Anastasia Aleksandrova → Assistant Principal of Cougar Mountain.
- Renee McAllister → Regional Director of Ready Set Connect.
- April Stavropolus → Junior Chief of Staff.
- Patrick Farrell → IT Manager for Brooklyn and AYM.
- Michael Murphy → Regional Facilities Manager for New York.
- Jonathan Martin → Admissions Liaison.
- Kirsten McNeal → Legal Coordinator for contracts and enrollment.
- Stephanie Agnew → Admissions Coordinator for Washington.
- Mckeila Castillo → Admissions Intake Coordinator.
- Jody Stokes → HR Business Partner.
- Ruth Fertile → Recruiter.
Looking Ahead
Each of these promotions and new hires reflects Gersh’s deep commitment to growth, not only for our students, but for our staff as well. Many of our leaders began their journey in the classroom or in support roles, and their paths remind us that Gersh is a place where passion and dedication can turn into lasting careers.
Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing spotlight interviews with each of these leaders. These features will give families, staff, and community members a chance to get to know the people shaping the future of Gersh Autism Academy.