Offering services in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Virginia with a National reach through online education, LRJ Foundation’s team of knowledgeable and caring professionals provides licensed and credible outreach to students grades 3-12, teacher in-services, Parent University’s, and college classes as well as to other various community groups and businesses.
Board of Directors & Executives

Teressa Ruspi Stann
Co/Founder & Executive Director
Teressa Ruspi-Stann born and raised in Pennsylvania and currently resides in Georgia. Graduate of Marywood University, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelors in Nutrition & Dietetics and Master’s from Mercer University in Organizational Leadership with a focus on nonprofit management , a motivational speaker, a mother of three, enjoys fitness, cooking, and traveling.
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Karla Ruspi Farina
Co/Founder & Outreach Support PA Chapter

Martina Watson
Director of Operations and Curriculum Development
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Martina Watson, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University. She has worked with families for 11 years, been a speaker at various events, and has her own private practice in Gwinnett.
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Joseph Peluso
President, DMD
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: A native of Florida, Joe graduated from Columbus College (later Cols State Univ) with a BBA and worked in PC applications development from 1987-1994. He later completed his DMD at the Medical College of Georgia (now Dental College of Georgia) in 1998. Joe has been in practice for 23 years focusing on business development and family cosmetic care.
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Loren D. Caparo
Vice-president
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Serves as technical advisor over accounts such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Walmart.
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Rob Morin
Advisor
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Rob Morin is a 12 year resident of GA with roots in NJ, Chicago and CT. Rob recently retired following a near 30 year career within the HCM industry, where he most recently served as an Executive Vice President and Corporate Officer at Paychex. Rob currently serves as the President of Work2Win Capital Group.
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Nori Price
Board Member
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Nori Price has been a 14 year employee and consultant of MetLife specializing in the IT Department. She is a mother, wife, and community volunteer. Nori is dedicated to Mental Health & Suicide Prevention education to better her community, law enforcement, and youth school education.
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Emily Naylis
Board Advisor

Joe Moceyunas
Advisor
Joe Moyceyunas recently retired from the Riverside School District in Taylor, PA as high school principal. He previously helped organize a very successful and positive event – A Night of H.O.P.E (Hold On Pain Ends) – with Karla Ruspi for his school district and has been a member of the LRJ Foundation since 2016.
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Pennsylvania & Northeast Region Presenters and Curriculum Specialists

Vanessa L. White Fernandes
MS, LPC, RTC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Vanessa White Fernandes is a licensed professional counselor with more than thirty years of experience in the field of mental health. She has worked with children with emotional disturbances; children and adolescents in foster care; college students; and families at high risk.
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Sara Zegalia
ATR-BC, LPC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Sara Zegalia is a licensed professional counselor and board certified art therapist with 15 years of experience in the field of mental health. Sara has served children and families throughout the NEPA region with an emphasis on trauma informed care.
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Cat Maria
MS, LPC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Cat maintains a private practice in Scranton, PA with multiple special certifications in trauma therapy. Cat supports survivors of trauma and abuse through the therapeutic process of all ages, from children and adolescents to adults.
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Maryellen Evers
LCSW, CAADC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Maryellen has been providing mental health treatment and psychotherapy for close to 25 years. She holds certifications in addictions treatment, forensic social work and motivational enhancement and cognitive behavioral therapy.
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Kimberly Portanova-Feibus
MS, LPC, NCC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Trained in EMDR, TF-CBT, certified EAGALA (equine assisted therapy). Recipient of 2012 Walden University Scholars for Social Change award.
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Christine DeSousa
MA, LPC, NCC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Ms. DeSousa attended and graduated from Marywood University in December 2010 with her Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling. She successfully passed the PA State Licensing Board Exam and the National Counselor’s Exam resulting in her National Counselor Certification and Pennsylvania state licensure.
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Molly Gilbride
Intern
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Molly attends Purdue University and is majoring in Public Relations and Strategic Communication with a focus in advertising and minoring in Spanish and Psychology.
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Taylor Guttesman, MA
Taylor Guttesman is a current outpatient art therapist, offering services to children, adolescents and adults in a private practice setting. Taylor graduated with her Masters in Art Therapy from Marywood University in 2020, specializing in art therapy with individuals with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities during her graduate career.
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Georgia Presenters and Curriculum Specialists

Sanona Williams
MS, LPC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Sanona was previously employed with the Department of Family & Children’s Services and is now a full-time professional counselor.
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Paige Santmyer
MA NCC APC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Paige has worked at Restoration Counseling of Atlanta for two years now as an associate professional counselor serving the Roswell area and surrounding community. She works with individual adults and teens around issues of depression, anxiety, mood disorders, relationship issues, trauma, and life transitions.
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Heidi Sawyer
MS, LPC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Heidi graduated from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida with a Master of Science in Professional Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and Texas. Prior to her focus on mental health, she obtained her undergraduate degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Christian Leadership.
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Jillian Canada
MS, NCC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Jillian is passionate about working with individuals across the lifespan as they navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, identity development, and difficult life transitions.
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