Board of Directors

Paul Conefry, a self-employed Certified Public Accountant, says that being on Mercy Haven’s Board of Directors allows him the opportunity to make an immediate positive impact in changing the lives of individuals the agency serves. Mr. Conefry has chaired the Annual Golf Outing committee in since 2007. “I enjoy the challenge of meeting the agency’s fundraising goals and the responsibility of staying on budget,” he says, adding that “working closely with Mercy Haven’s marketing department to reach out to the community reinforces my commitment to the mission.” In the future, Mr. Conefry sees “Mercy Haven expanding to serve larger populations of people in need because the agency is stable and well-managed by forward-thinking management and board members.”

Jim has been an active volunteer for Mercy Haven since 2010. An avid golfer, Jim joined the Golf Committee in 2012 and has been Co-Chair of the Golf Outing for the last 7 years, successfully leading Mercy Haven beyond our goal. Jim is a member of LI Charities Foundation, a local not-for-profit dedicated to raising money in support of various charities across Long Island. Through Jim’s efforts, Mercy Haven has been a grateful recipient of LI Charities generosity for over 8 years. He is Vice President of Commercial Sales for SterlingRisk Insurance in Woodbury and resides in Bay Shore.

“Sister Pat motivated me to become involved,” says Patrick J. Hickey. “I have never encountered a person who is as motivated and productive as Sister Pat. She is a difference maker. If the whole world lived like Sister Pat, the world would be a wonderful place.” A Commercial Loan Officer for Empire National Bank, Mr. Hickey is a native of Far Rockaway. Proud to be a contributor at Mercy Haven, his most memorable experiences include hearing testimonials from the participants about Mercy Haven, and seeing how positively the organization is impacting their lives. “I joined Mercy Haven’s mission because I strongly believe that Mercy Haven does make a difference.”

Anthony brings great passion into everything he does. Born in Brooklyn and transplanted to Huntington, Anthony is part of a multigenerational line of entrepreneurs and creative minds. Working under his father’s watchful eye at the family owned NYC based construction supply business, Anthony learned quickly about business management and development. 

He took his knowledge of construction products and applied it to project design and development.   So, after Anthony merged the family business into a larger entity, he “put on another hat” and developed award winning construction projects in Manhattan and Long Island.

“I have a strong desire to share my abilities so that others can benefit by them,” says Anthony. “Earning a living by helping others reach greater success is a victory for me.” And he does just that…with a vast list of talents including construction, project management, accounting, mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, business efficiency and program development, Anthony is the perfect consultant and master of all trades.

Aside from his day job as President at Camber Strategies, LLC, the consulting firm he founded, he gives back to the community as a Board Member for Mercy Haven, Inc. Mercy Haven’s mission to provide mental illness and homeless housing to those who need it most on Long Island resonated with his own values. “I hope to help Mercy Haven improve the performance of the projects it builds and to be a driver for financial growth, so that both Mercy Haven’s brand and its reach to those in need, continues to expand. I feel that the constantly growing success of Mercy Haven should be the fuel that powers it to take on additional expansion and opportunities.”

Anthony’s passion outside of the workspace are spending time with his wife and two sons, his involvement in the Boy Scouts of America, traveling, and enjoying his vintage automobiles.

Melissa Marius-Burke is the Director, District Executive for Santander Bank in Brooklyn, leading a team of Branch Managers to drive business objectives and give back to the communities they serve. She was born in the Caribbean – Trinidad and Tobago, grew up in St. Lucia, and moved to New York at 18 to complete college and pursue the American Dream. Melissa is a devoted mother to an 8-year old son who keeps her grounded. He challenges her with balancing motherhood while maintaining a successful career, both of which she enjoys greatly. She is a seasoned traveler who looks forward to visiting and learning about new places.

After attending our Fall Cocktail Party in 2018, Melissa’s commitment to Mercy Haven was affirmed, and she and Santander Bank have since been loyal supporters. “I was moved by all the great work Mercy Haven does to assist those living with mental illness. I am an advocate for mental wellness and for the eradication of the stigma associated with mental illness, which will allow our community to work together more effectively so that people can receive the right care,” shares Melissa.

She is passionate about doing the good work necessary to make a meaningful impact in support on the mission. “I look forward to bringing my leadership experience to the table to enhance the work of Mercy Haven and the community of people they serve,” Melissa states. “As a Board member, I am eager to understand where we are in our journey and how I can be a part of helping the board tackle obstacles to achieve our goals and reach new heights.”

Tom Quigley comes to Mercy Haven after being introduced to the mission through Advisory Council members and old high school friends, Bryan Farrell and Kathleen Scanlon. He enjoys a fulfilling career as a lawyer practicing commercial litigation with Winston & Strawn, LLP, but offers “I have reached a point in my life where I would like to spend more time giving back.” Before joining the Board, Tom served on our recent Golf Outing committee, and currently sits on our Development Committee. Asked why he volunteers his time on the Board and various sub-committees, Tom responded “The short answer is because I can. I have been very fortunate and have never forgotten the ideals of my Catholic education in general and Jesuit education in particular: we are here to serve others, particularly those in need.” He has a vision to see Mercy Haven grow to serve more constituents over the years. Born in Brooklyn, raised in South Huntington, Tom currently resides in Manhasset.

Louise Regnante began her Mercy Haven journey in 1990 when she entered our Community Residence in West Babylon, after being homeless for several years. She shares that “Mercy Haven is a place of hope. If you have never had a mental illness or been homeless, it’s hard to express the joy of having a roof over your head.” Louise lived with us for 2 years. After leaving our Community Residence, she found steady work and an apartment out of the system. “I am proud to be a member of the Board and to be affiliated with this organization and will continue to lend my support… I believe in God and the work that Mercy Haven has done.”

Patricia (Patty) Rykert, LMSW, took great interest in Mercy Haven’s work and mission after golfing in our Annual Outings. With her work as a Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse Social Worker at NYU Langone Winthrop Hospital, she comes with a great wealth of knowledge and passion for the human services field. She states, “As a social worker you see that there are many needs in our community and it gives me a great sense of satisfaction to live in a country where we can actively help other people in need. Every bit of effort counts and I feel blessed to have the life I have so I want to be able to participate in simply, helping others.” Patty, who was born in El Salvador and raised on Long Island, is bilingual and is passionate about immigration advocacy. She expresses her hope for Mercy Haven “to continue to expand their work in other communities that need their services with a strong focus on the resources available to the immigration population.”

A member of Mercy Haven’s Board of Directors for more than a decade, Mark Sandberg’s main motive for joining was “to make a difference.” Dr. Sandberg operates a private practice in clinical neuropsychology in Smithtown and holds a wealth of knowledge that is most helpful in the planning of Mercy Haven’s programs and services. He sees the future of Mercy Haven as bright. “I believe the agency will continue its trajectory and become the premier agency for assisting persons with disabilities.”