Our Board of Directors
A Message From Our Board Chair
Dear Friends,
Through the years, hundreds of individuals and families have benefited from the care and nurturing they have received from the staff and volunteers at Mercy Haven.
I count on the continued vision and courage of our exceptional Board of Directors to lead us with their wisdom, foresight, and dedication. Until our society develops a consistent and viable system of care for those most in need, Mercy Haven will continue to have a mission and a purpose. The plight of the under-served members of our community is in our hands. Join us and help ensure the future of Mercy Haven.
With gratitude,
Patrick T. Collins
Chairperson
Mercy Haven Board of Directors
Officers
Patrick T. Collins
Chair
A partner in Commercial Litigation at Farrell Fritz, Patrick T. Collins, joined Mercy Haven’s Board of Directors because he was touched by the mission and wanted to be a part of an organization with a clear purpose of changing the lives of those in need. A memorable experience Pat shares is of the 2007 Fall Cocktail Party fundraiser, where three young women shared their dreams and future goals and how Mercy Haven has provided safe, clean, and stable environments for their families. The follow-up article in The Window, Mercy Haven’s newsletter, featured pictures of the speaker beaming with pride. “It was a very touching moment,” says Pat. “It is important to be a part of something larger, and I like that my work as a volunteer will impact future generations.”
Domenico Ciaccio
Vice Chair
As a Vice President in charge of CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) and Business Banking for Ridgewood Savings Bank, Domenico joins the Board to align with our mission and pursue opportunities to share the good works of the agency. He is committed to helping individuals in their journey toward long-term recovery. Born in Sicily and living in New York since 1996, Domenico’s free time is spent with his lovely wife, Vincenza, and two beautiful daughters, Alessia and Arabella.
Ronald J. Eagar
Treasurer
Ron Eagar volunteers his time because he feels that he has been very lucky and successful in his life and wants to pay it forward. “I hold a special place in my heart for this mission and wanted to join to help the mission and the people in need.” Born in Bethpage, NY, and raised in Massapequa, Mr. Eagar has had so many memorable experiences and moments with Mercy Haven that he says he cannot limit it to anyone. Proud father and devoted husband, Mr. Eagar aids most in the financial planning of Mercy Haven. Mr. Eagar brings deep financial knowledge and experience to the Mercy Haven Board through his position as a Certified Public Accountant and partner at Grassi.
Fred Brendel
Secretary
Fred Brendel has served on Mercy Haven’s Board since 2009. “What I like most about Mercy Haven,” Fred says, “is the dedication and fortitude of all the Mercy Haven employees. Their dedication to each of the residents and their concerns is exceptional.” Mr. Brendel, a financial planning specialist for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, shared that one of his most memorable Mercy Haven moments was hearing the story of a Breakthrough participant. “Listening to the past struggles of this man and how Mercy Haven has changed his life was very moving,” said Fred. Sharing the stories of participants is critical to raising awareness. Fred points out, “The average Long Islander does not even realize that this population exists. With the hard work of all the Mercy Haven staff, these individuals now have a chance to move forward in life.”
Board
Paul Conefry
Director
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 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 DiGiovanni
Director
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.
Patrick J. Hickey
Director
“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 A. Lauto
Director
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 applied his knowledge of construction products to project design and development. 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 from 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 values. “I hope to help Mercy Haven improve the performance of the projects it builds and drive financial growth so that both Mercy Haven’s brand and its reach to those in need continue 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 passions outside of the workplace are spending time with his wife and two sons, being involved in the Boy Scouts of America, traveling, and enjoying his vintage automobiles.
Melissa Marius-Burke
Director
Melissa Marius-Burke is the Director and 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 to balance motherhood while maintaining a successful career, which she greatly enjoys. She is a seasoned traveler looking forward to 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 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 of 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.”
Bita S. Mir, M.A.
Director
My name is Bita Mir, and I am a seasoned bilingual school psychologist with Elwood UFSD and a consultant psychologist with Nassau BOCES. I specialize in adolescent development and provide support to multicultural families and children. With 18 years of professional experience, I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University, a Master’s degree from Adelphi University, and a certification in School Psychology from St. John’s University. Fluent in five languages, my approach is centered on fostering trust and understanding within diverse client communities. I am a proud parent of two children, whom I regard as my greatest achievement. My role as a parent has profoundly enriched my practice, offering me deeper empathy for familial dynamics and enhancing my ability to connect with and support others.
My professional goal is to empower families and children to navigate challenges and unlock their potential. In addition to my clinical work, I am actively involved in professional development and community outreach, focusing on raising awareness about mental health issues and promoting inclusivity. I am committed to employing a holistic approach that integrates clinical expertise with cultural sensitivity, thereby creating inclusive and supportive environments where students feel valued and understood. In my personal time, I enjoy gardening, exploring new destinations, and playing pickleball. Engaging with peers and nurturing these interests provides a fulfilling balance to my professional life.
I am deeply drawn to the mission of Mercy Haven, which resonates with my own commitment to inclusion and diversity. I am impressed by the organization’s impact and the sanctuary it provides to community members. The dedication of Sister Pat and the many volunteers is truly inspiring, and I am eager to contribute to this legacy. My hope is to leverage my expertise and experience to advance Mercy Haven’s mission, particularly through networking and promotional efforts. By expanding our outreach, we can engage more businesses and individuals in appreciating the vital role of charity and its enduring impact.
Louise Regnante
Director
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 Rykert, LMSW
Director
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 has a 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.”
Thomas Quigley
Director
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 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. Born in Brooklyn and raised in South Huntington, Tom resides in Manhasset.
Mark Sandberg, Ph.D.
Director
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 planning 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.”