Keynote Speaker
Anita Daniels
Working the last 31 years for the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), Anita Daniels has over 35 years of leadership and clinical experience in a multi-faceted mental health system. For the past 3 ½ years, Anita has served as the Associate Commissioner for the Division of State Operated Children's and Adult Services which oversees 19 psychiatric centers located throughout New York State. Accredited by The Joint Commission, these centers provide both inpatient and community-based services with a focus on providing quality care. Ms. Daniels’ responsibilities includes managing and coordinating statewide efforts to ensure delivery of innovative, high quality, person centered and recovery-oriented mental health services for adults, children and youth and families.
Anita Daniels served as an Executive Director for nine years at serval OMH hospitals including Bronx Psychiatric Center and New York City Children’s Center. Most of her career in OMH was spent on the Rockland campus in Orangeburg, NY where she held the positions of Executive Director at Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center, in addition to serving as the Deputy Director of Operations and Director of Nursing at Rockland Psychiatric Center.
In January 2008, Dr. Michael Hogan, Commissioner for OMH, appointed Anita as the statewide Director of Nursing where she served in that role for almost two years working collaboratively with all Directors of Nursing, hospital leadership and line staff to improve the quality of professional nursing services delivered throughout the OMH care system.
In her keynote, Anita will educate attendees on the facts relating to mental health in the United States, reasons why people don’t seek treatment, how to reduce stigma, and speak about self-care and stress management.
Ms. Daniels is a diploma graduate of the Albany Medical Center School of Nursing, received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and psychology from the State University of New Paltz, and received a Master of Science degree from Mercy College. She is credentialled by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Psychiatric- Mental Health Nursing and is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. For three years, she served as an adjunct lecturer at Mercy College and in May 2006, received the Undergraduate Faculty of the Year Award.
Anita Daniels served as an Executive Director for nine years at serval OMH hospitals including Bronx Psychiatric Center and New York City Children’s Center. Most of her career in OMH was spent on the Rockland campus in Orangeburg, NY where she held the positions of Executive Director at Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center, in addition to serving as the Deputy Director of Operations and Director of Nursing at Rockland Psychiatric Center.
In January 2008, Dr. Michael Hogan, Commissioner for OMH, appointed Anita as the statewide Director of Nursing where she served in that role for almost two years working collaboratively with all Directors of Nursing, hospital leadership and line staff to improve the quality of professional nursing services delivered throughout the OMH care system.
In her keynote, Anita will educate attendees on the facts relating to mental health in the United States, reasons why people don’t seek treatment, how to reduce stigma, and speak about self-care and stress management.
Ms. Daniels is a diploma graduate of the Albany Medical Center School of Nursing, received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and psychology from the State University of New Paltz, and received a Master of Science degree from Mercy College. She is credentialled by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Psychiatric- Mental Health Nursing and is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. For three years, she served as an adjunct lecturer at Mercy College and in May 2006, received the Undergraduate Faculty of the Year Award.
Conference Session Speakers
Karl Alexandre
Karl Alexandre is a social worker intern with the counseling department at Kingsborough Community College, and an academic advisor with the College Discovery program. He earned his first Master's in Urban Studies at Queens College and is current pursing a second Master's in Social Work from the College of Staten Island.
Candice Barfield
Candice is a lead Advisor for Youth Initiative/ Educator. She have served as an educator in public and charter schools in NYC for 6 years. Community healing is near and dear to her heart, focusing on children first. Advocating for the support of children and their well-being, specifically, their mental wellness has been a top priority in all her professional roles.
Agnieshka Burke
Agnieshka Burke is a student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at CUNY School of Professional Studies. She is a lifelong supporter of better mental health for all kids but especially those that suffer from anxiety, depression, and traumatic experiences. She is a proud member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Crystal Dilonez
Crystal is a radically passionate person doing their part to make this world a more just, accessible and equitable place byway of honoring my humanity and celebrating the ancestors. With a special note towards my "day job" as an Opportunity Programs (OP) Student Counselor, they are currently doing so one college student at a time. They feel very honored to be able to come full-circle and now serve the community that supported them; they are a proud product of OP as a CSTEP SUNY alumni.
Danielle Magaldi
Danielle Magaldi, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling, Leadership, Literacy, and Special Education at Lehman College, City University of New York. Her research agenda focuses on how technology is impacting human relationships. She leads a research lab exploring how screens impact teaching and therapy and has authored numerous chapters and articles on the effects of technology on children, teens, and adults.
Linda Paradiso
Linda Paradiso, is full-time faculty member and an Associate Professor of Nursing at CUNY School of Professional Studies. She holds a DNP as a Nurse Executive from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA and is a proud three-time CUNY graduate. She is certified, at the advanced level, as a nurse executive by the ANCC. Dr. Paradiso’s scholarship addresses just culture in healthcare, trust, and human error. She has written and lectured about this subject extensively to an interdisciplinary healthcare audience. Dr. Paradiso is a member of multiple professional organizations including The American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society (Sigma) Alpha Phi Chapter. She volunteers as President-elect for the NY Chapter of APNA and Vibrant Emotional Health - Disaster and Crisis Advisory Committee. Her self-care activities include walking and hiking, listening to books and podcasts, cooking, traveling, and attending all forms of theater.
Emuran Saidy
Emuran Saidy is a student pursuing a Health Services Administration degree at CUNY School of Professional Studies. Emuran is involved in the Black Male Initiative, the Ernesto Malave Leadership Academy and a participant in the Global Solution Challenge with students from Jordan through International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) sponsored by the State Department.
Emuran works for New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation as Supervising, Training and Development Associate.
Emuran works for New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation as Supervising, Training and Development Associate.
Dana Stein, PhD
Dr. Stein is a clinical psychologist with 25+ years of experience who has worked at the Manhattan VA Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medical Center and now solely in private practice. She works with individuals aged-16+ and couples. Anxiety, depression, perinatal issues, parenting issues, student focussed issues, and substance abuse are just some of the areas of focus in my practice.
Diana Vila
Diana is a current graduate student at CUNY School of Professional Studies. She has multiple disabilities which has posed challenges to her learning. Through the help of a counselor, she was able to navigate through college and seek help when needed. She aims to use her story as away to motivate others to look for support throughout their journey.
