HAWTHORNE FOUNDATION INC. OUR EXECUTIVE STAFF Gail Nachimson, MS.Ed., SAS, SDA - Executive Director gnachimson@hfadm.org (914) 592-8526 x3102 Gail Nachimson has over thirty years of experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism and other developmental disabilities in a variety of settings, as both an educator and administrator. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and Elementary Education Certification, Cum Laude from Vassar College, and a Master’s degree in Special Education, Magna Cum Laude from C.W. Post College-Long Island University, Ms. Nachimson started her career as a preschool special education teacher and also taught at the elementary and secondary levels at public and private schools. Ms. Nachimson soon became a sought-after staff development trainer and lecturer and has presented workshops across the State and nationally on a variety of topics within the education/developmental disabilities field. She is also a Level 3 Credentialed Trainer for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Ms. Nachimson also served on several non-profit boards and was awarded the Seymour Werbalowsky Leadership Development Award for outstanding work in her community. Ms. Nachimson received permanent certification as a New York State School Administrator and Supervisor (SAS) and School District Administrator (SDA) and went on to leadership roles in public and private schools, and at Jawonio, a Rockland-based non-profit agency serving people with disabilities, where she was responsible for the overall administration, supervision and coordination of all aspects of special education and OPWDD respite programs for children with disabilities. She collaborated with residential, employment, day habilitation and other service providers to implement programs for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. During this time, Ms. Nachimson was recognized by the Cerebral Palsy Associations of NYS for her dedicated service to individuals with disabilities and by the Alpha Gamma Pi chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the international education honor society, for outstanding service as an exceptional educator. Ms. Nachimson also served as an adjunct instructor in the graduate school of education at the College of New Rochelle and as the education department chair and adjunct instructor at SUNY Rockland, where she was recognized for her dedicated leadership by the New York State Association of Two-Year Colleges. Ms. Nachimson serves on the Board of the InterAgency Council of Developmental Disability Agencies Inc. and is currently the Co-Chair of the Education committee at IAC. Eileen Bisordi, MEd - Founder, Chief Quality Improvement & Program Development Officer ebisordi@hfadm.org (914 592-8526 x3101 Mrs. Bisordi has been involved in developing programs of inclusion for people with developmental disabilities for more than fifty years. In the early years of her career, she served as a teacher and Education Director of the Soundview School in Yorktown Heights, NY. She served as Executive Director of Margaret Chapman School, in Hawthorne, NY, for twenty-five years. Mrs. Bisordi served as Executive Director of Hawthorne Foundation Inc. from 1996 to 2007, before stepping down. As Hawthorne’s Chief Quality Improvement and Program Development Officer, she continues to be recognized for her dedication to serve and advocate, promoting for lives of inclusion for individuals with disabilities. As a proponent of community inclusion she founded the Area #3 Special Olympics in 1971 and served on the Board of Directors of the NYS Special Olympics Inc. organization for 18 years. She was instrumental in developing the Very Special Arts organization in New York State and served as Chairperson of that organization for 20 years. In 1976 she was named Very Special Educator of the Year by NYSED & VSANY. Mrs. Bisordi is currently the President of Startech Inc., an organization that promotes inclusionary arts programs for people with disabilities. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Teachers College, Columbia University Chapter, and was named to Who's Who in American Women, Edition 12 & 13. From 1984-1985 she served as a member of the Metropolitan Advisory Board to the Senate Select Committee for the Disabled- NYS. From 1983-1991 she served as member and Chairperson of the Advisory Committee of the Mental Retardation Institute, Westchester County Medical Center (now W.I.H.D.). In 1989 Westchester County, NY declared April 28, 1989 “Eileen Bisordi Appreciation Day” in recognition of her contributions to improving the lives of persons with developmental disabilities in Westchester County. In 2004 she was named an “Everyday Hero,” awarded by NYS OPWDD for her contributions towards the national recognition of an autistic artist. On October 18, 2013, Mrs. Bisordi received Trustco Bank’s Hall of Fame Award for improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. She has written and received funding for grants that encouraged the development of inclusionary programs in the arts and physical education and has been an adjunct instructor at local colleges. Mrs. Bisordi was born in Queens, NY and lived in Westchester County for most of her life. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from SUNY at Potsdam, NY and a Master of Arts and Master of Education Degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is permanently certified in New York State as a School District Administrator, School Administrator and Supervisor, Special Education, Nursery school, Kindergarten and grades 1-6. Indu Bidichandani, MBA- Chief Financial Officer ibidi@hfadm.org (914) 592-8526 x3127 Indu Bidichandani joined the Hawthorne Foundation Inc. staff in June 2000 as the Agency's Controller. Mrs. Bidichandani obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Auditing and a Master of Arts degree in Accounting with a specialization in Cost and Management from the University of Bombay in 1983. Mrs. Bidichandani was promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer for the Agency in 2007. Mrs. Bidichandani oversees various operations of Hawthorne Foundation Inc. Her department is responsible for fiscal operations including Accounts Receivable/Payable, Billing, Collections, Bookkeeping, Payroll, Budgeting, and Human Resources. She also oversees contract management including grants administration and RFP writing. Mrs. Bidichandani directs Maintenance and Support Services for all Agency facilities, and manages the Agency’s Technology and Information Systems. With Hawthorne Foundation Inc.'s decision to provide Self-Directed Services, Mrs. Bidichandani now oversees the Agency’s Fiscal Intermediary, Self-Direction Brokerage and Community Habilitation Services. Mrs. Bidichandani also serves as Controller for the Hawthorne Foundation Development Corp., which functions as an exclusive fundraising support for Hawthorne Foundation Inc. Before coming to Hawthorne Foundation, she worked for Westchester Jewish Community Services for 14 years. Her past experience also includes working at Sarva & Associates, a public Accounting Firm in New York City. Mrs. Bidichandani has more than 35 years of overall management and leadership experience in not-for-profit organizations. OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS John D. Shaw - President Jacqueline Ceonzo - Vice President and Treasurer Cynthia Dunne - Secretary Richard Billson Robert Doherty Jason Palmer Melanie Myers Christopher George