Officers
Gem Mitchell, President – Gem is Director of Business Operational Metrics in IBM’s Chief Information Office. She has her Masters of Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She serves on the Board of the Taconic Opera and has served on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Studio Workshop and consulted with the Chayyim Spiritual Retreat Center, both in Ulster County, New York. Gem has been a Croton resident for 13 years, is married and has a ten year old son at PVC. This is Gem’s fourth year on the CHEF Board and third year as President. She is committed to public education and has volunteered in every learning situation in which her child has been involved.
Mary O’Neill Berry, Vice President – Mary is an EVP at Sirota Survey Intelligence, with over 25 years’ experience conducting large-scale opinion survey research with employees, customers, communities, and opinion leaders both in the US and internationally. Prior to joining CHEF in 2001, she was a member of the Croton-Harmon School District’s Long-Range Planning Committee.
Dan McNatty, Treasurer – Dan is a director at Credit Suisse, responsible for Product Control for their US Prime Services business which provides financing to hedge funds. He is a Chartered Accountant (New Zealand) and has worked in New Zealand, Hong Kong, London and New York. He and his wife Hayley have lived in Croton since 2006 and have two boys at CET.
Gillian Jackson-Champlain, Secretary – Gillian is a Program Manager at Fry, Inc., a web development company focused on e-commerce implementation. As part of the Croton community for over six years, she and her husband, Richard have a pair of 5-year-old twin girls who started kindergarten this year at CET and are loving it! A strong believer in education, she is proud to be a member of CHEF with the goal to help further and inspire innovation in the school system and the Croton community.
Members
Lillian Brijeski – Lillian is a teacher with over ten years experience working in the New York City and Westchester public school systems. She is currently staying home to raise her three children. She holds a Master of Science in both Instructional Technology and Reading Education. Lillian is also a member of the Parent Committee at Circle School preschool in Croton. Lillian and her husband, John, have lived in Croton since 2002. Her oldest child is attending kindergarten at CET this year.
Beth Coan – Beth is a New York State certified teacher of Nursery-6th grade, and her most recent teaching position was 6th grade English. She is currently at home with her two kids, both at CET. She and her family have lived in Croton since 2003.
Lisa Cohen - Lisa moved to Croton in 1999, having previously lived in Manhattan since college. A native of Phoenix, and an alum of Arizona State University, her work on the cutting edge of entertainment technology in the New York theatrical community spanned two decades. She has two daughters and enjoys engaging the political and social community in Croton. An activist always and a parent first, she hopes that her work with CHEF will continue to nurture our town’s unique communal landscape.
Melissa London Glickman – Melissa is an Interior Designer with her own business in Croton. She was formerly a V.P. Associate Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising. Melissa is the author of The GF Kid: A Celiac Disease Survival Guide, which she wrote after her oldest daughter was diagnosed with the disease. Melissa has one child at PVC, one at CHHS and one in college. Melissa and her husband Eric are huge fans of Croton and have lived here for 13 years.
Jessica Davis Godwin – Jessica has over 15 years of management experience in government, nonprofit agencies and foundations. Her expertise is in the areas of youth development and child welfare as a program designer and administrator working with children and families in New York City. She teaches at SUNY Stony Brook and Hunter College School of Social Work. Jessica has a daughter in first grade at CET and another daughter in preschool at Childrenspace.
Janet Kraybill – Janet worked in the book publishing industry for 14 years and is now a writer and editor for school and community non-profit organizations. She is also a board member of the PVC PTA and the Cortlandt Emergency Food Bank. She has two daughters (one at PVC and one at CHHS) and has lived in Croton since 1997.
Quinn Moss – Quinn is a corporate finance partner at a prominent law firm in New York City, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. She has three children. She has formed and advised several New York non-profits and is currently on the steering committee of Croton Sustainable Energy Cooperative.
Debra Polansky Schor – Debra has worked in book publishing for over 20 years. She is currently consulting for several major publishing houses. She has two children at CET. Debra has lived in Croton since 1999.
Demetra Tseckares Restuccia — Demetra is a landscape designer with her own business in Croton. She is an avid organic gardener and foodie – raising truly free range chickens and happily composting! Prior to beginning Gardens by Demetra, Demetra was a professional actress for over 15 years during which time she traveled the world and the country performing. Along the way she taught acting, waited many tables, and met her husband. They and their two children have lived in Croton for 8 years now and look forward to many more years in the village. Her oldest is currently in the second grade at CET and her youngest is a very happy member of Childrenspace.
Suzanne H. Smith — Suzanne H. Smith brings her background in advertising, marketing, and public relations to her work on the CHEF board. Suzanne currently works part-time as a marketing relationship manager for the Purina Rally to Rescue Programs at MBS Associates/ Institute for Non-Profit Excellence. She has also developed multi-layered advertising and marketing programs that blended traditional media advertising with sporting events, automotive shows, and celebrity endorsements for past clients that have included Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, Ciba-Geigy, and General Motors. Suzanne and her family have been Croton residents for 11 years. Her son is in first grade at CET.
Abbie Voss — Abbie is currently a stay at home mom who holds several degrees in Private and Islamic Law, Political Science, History, and Secondary Education & Youth Services. Abbie worked as an Executive Marketing Director for a Nigerian Technology Company and practiced law internationally prior to moving back to the United States. Abbie also served as a Personal Public Relations officer to the Nigerian Ambassador. Abbie has a thirteen year old son attending PVC and a five year old daughter at CET . Abbie and her family have been proud Croton residents since 2007.
Charlie Weinstock – Charlie works for IBM as a Procurement Strategist, negotiating contracts with IBM’s suppliers and working with them to achieve objectives in a cost efficient manner. He has been with IBM since 1996. Charlie and his family moved to Croton in 2003. He and his wife, Karen, have two daughters (one at PVC and the other at CET). Charlie joined the CHEF board in 2007.