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.
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.
Co/Founder & Outreach Support PA Chapter
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.
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.
Vice-president
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Serves as technical advisor over accounts such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Walmart.
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.
Board Advisor
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MS, LPC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Sanona was previously employed with the Department of Family & Children’s Services and is now a full-time professional counselor.
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.
M. Ed, MA.
MSOL, Executive Director & Co-founder of The LRJ Foundation, Mindset and Leadership Consultant
Teressa is a graduate of Marywood University, Pennsylvania, with a degree in Nutrition & Dietetics and holds a master’s degree from Mercer University, Atlanta, GA, in Organizational Leadership and nonprofit management. Since 2012, she has held the position of the Executive Director of the Lou Ruspi Jr. Foundation (LRJ), a mental health education organization. The LRJ Foundation provides community education on mental health topics and serves as a bridge and resource for parents, educators, and adolescents.
RECE, Founder – In It Together
Chantal has always had a deep connection with children and felt a pull to empower children in their everyday lives. As an educator for more than 15 years, she seen first hand the challenges faced by children, parents, and fellow educators. She has also seen the profound successes of children who are given the guidance and opportunity to flourish in their environment.
Advisor
MS,NCC,LPC
EXPERIENCE & SPECIALIZATIONS: Dana previously worked at United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA as a Youth Program Coordinator and as a Mental Health Counselor at Keystone College. She is currently a Mental Health Professional in a local high school, serving through the Community and School Based Behavioral Health program.
Educational Content Developer
Severia Giordano is a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She is currently studying Neuroscience with a focus in Neuropsychology at the University of Cincinnati. Upon graduation she intends to gain acceptance into Medical School.
LOU RUSPI JR. FOUNDATION
PH 570-840-2680 | 770- 250-5506
EM TeamLRJ@LRJfoundation.com
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