Tributes from Westchester Leaders
Shelley Mayer represents the 37th New York State Senatorial District and chairs the NYS Senate Education Committee. The Yonkers native has always been a fierce champion of public education, and over the years has referred her constituents to Student Advocacy.

Michael Orth is the Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health. He and his staff partner with Student Advocacy in the county’s system of care and wrap-around services in an effort to ensure that students with educational and mental health challenges receive needed services.

Dr. Eileen Santiago has been an educator her entire career, culminating in being the Principal of the Thomas Edison Community School in Port Chester, NY prior to her retirement. She has high regard for Student Advocacy’s individual advocacy services and policy work. We welcome Dr. Santiago to our Board Advisory Council.

Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden is the Executive Director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau (WCYB). The WCYB was Student Advocacy’s first government funder in the 1980’s, a partnership that has flourished over the years. We receive significant funding from the WCYB via the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and Westchester County’s Invest in Kids program.