27 Education Association Leaders in New York State

New York's education associations do more than run events. They help school boards, teachers, counsellors, families, medical educators and workforce professionals share ideas, build capability and make better decisions.

This list brings together current leaders from across that network. It includes executive directors, presidents and chief executives who sit close to the practical work of education in New York State.

Why these leaders matter

Association leaders often work across many organisations at once. They turn member needs into professional learning, useful guidance, public advocacy and relationships that help good ideas travel further.

The people below represent different parts of the education ecosystem, from school governance and staffing to language learning, music, pupil transport, counselling and postsecondary access.

1. Robert Schneider

Executive Director.

His official staff profile identifies him as executive director and describes a career focused on school board service and public education. NYSSBA supports school boards and BOCES through information, training and advocacy. Read the NYSSBA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

2. Charles Dedrick

Executive Director.

The council's leadership page lists him as executive director for the current 2026 to 2027 leadership period, with responsibility for overall operations, governance and policy. NYSCOSS advocates for school superintendents and provides professional learning and leadership support. Read the NYSCOSS leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

3. Vince Watchorn

Executive Director.

The association's staff page lists him as executive director and notes his work with boards, head-of-school talent development and independent-school leadership. NYSAIS is a membership association for independent schools in New York. Read the NYSAIS leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

4. Michael Borges

Executive Director.

The official testimony identifies him as executive director, while the association's bylaws describe that role as the organisation's chief executive position. ASBO New York supports school business officials through professional development, resources and advocacy. Read the ASBO New York leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

5. Jonathan Teyan

President and CEO.

AMSNY's official announcement names him president and CEO and records his earlier service as chief operating officer. AMSNY represents public and private medical schools in New York and speaks for medical education. Read the AMSNY leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

6. Chris Neale

CEO.

The official announcement names him as the association's CEO and describes more than two decades in workforce development and public policy. NYATEP is a statewide voice for workforce development and employment professionals. Read the NYATEP leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

7. Kyle Belokopitsky

Executive Director.

The current staff contact page lists him as executive director, placing the role at the centre of the association's statewide member network. NYS PTA connects families, schools and communities through parent engagement and education advocacy. Read the NYS PTA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

8. Robert Zayas

Executive Director.

The association's staff directory lists him as executive director, while its about page describes the educational purpose of school athletics across New York. NYSPHSAA is a voluntary educational service organisation for public, parochial and private schools. Read the NYSPHSAA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

9. Michael Starvaggi

Executive Director.

The official executive board and staff page lists him as executive director and presents the association as a statewide home for school administrators. ESSAA supports school leaders through a statewide network of regions and professional association activity. Read the ESSAA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

10. Kristen Kerr

Executive Director.

The association's staff page lists her as executive director and traces her work in early care, education and public policy. NYAEYC is a member association for early childhood professionals and advocates for strong early learning. Read the NYAEYC leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

11. David Christopher

Executive Director.

The association's about page lists him as executive director and explains the network's role in ongoing education and safe student transport. NYAPT supports pupil transportation professionals through safety, education and statewide chapters. Read the NYAPT leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

12. Colleen Corsi

Executive Director.

The association's official records identify her as executive director and connect the role to the organisation's long-running professional learning work. NYS AHPERD provides professional development for health, physical education, recreation and dance educators. Read the NYS AHPERD leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

13. Nancy Villarreal de Adler

Executive Director.

The current contact page lists her as executive director, and the association's biography records her background as an English as a second language teacher and bilingual education leader. NYSABE supports bilingual education and multilingual learners across New York. Read the NYSABE leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

14. Jerry Rivera-Wilson

Executive Director and ATE Delegate.

The association's executive board page lists him in the executive director role and connects the work with teacher education leadership at the University at Albany. NYSATE brings together people who prepare and support teachers across the state. Read the NYSATE leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

15. David Brown

Executive Director.

The current officers page lists him as executive director, with the association's 2026 masthead providing a second current leadership reference. NYSSMA supports school music education and the teachers and students who make it possible. Read the NYSSMA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

16. Nancy DeStefano

Executive Director.

The association's current board page lists her as executive director and places the role within the organisation's statewide counselling network. NYSSCA supports school counsellors through membership, professional learning and shared practice. Read the NYSSCA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

17. Mary Banaszak

President.

The association's current board page lists her as president and places the role within the organisation's statewide counselling network. NYSSCA supports school counsellors through membership, professional learning and shared practice. Read the NYSSCA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

18. Gina Riley

President.

The current executive board page lists her as president and identifies her work in adolescent special education and teacher education at Hunter College. NYSATE connects teacher educators and supports the preparation of the next generation of teachers. Read the NYSATE leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

19. Kelly Verdi

President.

The association's contact page identifies her as president, and its official conference material describes statewide work connected with visual arts education. NYSATA supports visual arts education and art teachers across New York. Read the NYSATA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

20. Sandra Vargas-Ortega

President.

The association's 2026 interview names her president and describes nearly two decades of language education work across New York City and Puerto Rico. NYS TESOL supports language educators and multilingual learners through professional learning and community. Read the NYS TESOL leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

21. Hillary Brewer

President.

The association's current leadership page lists her as president and identifies her professional role in personnel development at FEH BOCES. NYSASPA supports the people who lead school human resources and personnel work. Read the NYSASPA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

22. Margaret Muenkel

Executive Director.

The current association contact page lists her as executive director and connects her experience with senior school human resources leadership. NYSASPA provides education and resources for school personnel administrators. Read the NYSASPA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

23. Lauren Sangimino

President.

The association's current about page lists her as president and describes a statewide membership of about 2,000 professionals. NYSACAC supports counselling and admissions professionals who help students move into further study and work. Read the NYSACAC leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

24. Lori Orestano-James

President.

The council's 2025 to 2027 committee page lists her as president and shows the role within a wider network of education association leaders. NYSCEA brings together professional education associations across New York. Read the NYSCEA leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

25. Lawrence Butti

Executive Director.

The council's current board page lists him as executive director and records more than four decades in education and association leadership. NYSEC supports English language arts educators through professional community and learning. Read the NYSEC leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

26. Christine Furnia

President.

The official board page lists her as president and describes three decades of secondary English language arts experience. NYSEC supports English language arts teaching across New York. Read the NYSEC leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

27. Sarah Ravenhall

Executive Director.

The association's staff page lists her as executive director and describes responsibility for membership, governance, fiscal work and leadership programmes. NYSACHO connects county health officials and supports public health leadership and learning. Read the NYSACHO leadership profile for the association's own description of the role and its work.

What to look for in an education association

A strong association gives its members a place to learn, contribute and act together. The best ones make specialist knowledge easier to use, keep people connected across regions and give leaders a clearer view of what is changing around them.

If you are choosing a partner, look for a clear member promise, visible leadership, practical learning and a track record of bringing people together. Those signals matter whether the association serves school boards, teachers, families, counsellors or the wider education workforce.

Frequently asked questions

What is an education association?

An education association is a member-led organisation that supports people, institutions or professions connected with learning. Its work may include professional development, research, advocacy, networking, standards or practical resources.

Who belongs to these associations?

Membership varies. Some associations serve schools and school systems, some serve a profession such as counselling or music education, and others bring together people working across a specialist area such as bilingual education or college admission counselling.

How can a leader get involved?

Start with the association's member information, events and leadership pages. A small contribution, such as sharing a useful practice or joining a working group, can be a good first step into a wider professional community.

Related reading

For more practical ideas about leadership, team health and organisations people want to join, visit Consult Clarity and explore the Working Genius resources.

A practical next step

Choose one association that sits close to your work and read its member or leadership page. Then write down one small way you could make your own team or professional community more useful this week.

About the Author

Jonno White helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. His work is practical rather than motivational, with a focus on ideas people can use on Monday morning.