Agents of Humanity

Nadine Delmonte is 3 years into her 1st term as Port Washington Garbage District Commissioner. A Port Washington native, she attended Boston University and is a former owner of LaMotta’s Waterside Restaurant in Port Washington.    https://pwgarbagedistrict.com/home-page   Today's podcast is hosted by our very own agents of humanity: Robert, Tomas, Tara, and Jason.   Follow @thenicholascenter on Fa...

Stacey Saltzman, and her “My Style Camp” studio  invites viewing fashion as a vehicle for self-expression. At the start, it was Pop-Up workshops and utilizing her garage for classes! Today, a thriving studiowhere children, tweens and adults learn to design, sew and upcycle and repurpose clothing and accessories. Stacey's philosophy creates a safe space for creativity, self-expression, following fo...

Having previously worked for the Water District, the Fire Department and more, Mayor John Popeleski of the Village of Manorhaven, New York has worked in the public sector for over 30 years. Affectionately known as “Mayor Pop,” he has served on the Village board as a Trustee since 2016 and Mayor since 2022. Most recently, Mayor Pop welcomed TNC Chocolate Lab to our new location in the Village with...

For over four decades, Sister Kathy has served as Director of Parish Outreach at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Port Washington. As a primary advocate for those in need, particularly the most vulnerable and those without a voice, OLF Parish Outreach assesses and meets the specific needs of community members. Sister Kathy and OLF Parish Outreach work closely with TNC's Port Provides pantry program, w...

Michelle Shain has lived in Port Washington, NY for 28 years with paintbrush-in-hand wherever she goes- on the road, on a boat, train or plane. Michelle’s art ranges a variety of mediums and topics from graphic design and ad campaigns, to murals, children’s books and so much more. Shain was instrumental in the design and launch of the Residents’ Mural Project, which highlights Port Washington’s ri...

Keith Klang - Born & raised in Port Washington, NY, Keith earned a Masters Degree in Library Science from Queens College, Queens, NY. He began working at the Port Washington Public Library (PWPL) in 2009 and has served as Library Director since 2018. Under Keith’s leadership, the PWPL has focused on inclusiveness with a new mission and vision statement, an updated strategic plan, the creation...

Michael Sonbert is bestselling author, speaker, performance coach, educator and Founder and CEO of Skyrocket Education and Rebel Culture. Michael is the author of the Amazon best-seller, "Skyrocket Your Teacher Coaching" and Co-Host of the Podcast, "Informal Observations." He is Founder and CEO of Skyrocket Education, started to provide a more precise and intentional path for school leaders and sc...

Richard M. Frankel served for more than 25 years in public service, the majority of his career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). A recognized authority in complex investigations, asset recovery, cyber issues and crisis management, Richard also provides regular insight on terrorism, criminal and intelligence related matters. Mr. Frankel led several FBI field divisions as the Special A...

Dana Arschin Kraslow is a native Long Islander, Port Washington resident and 3 time Emmy-Winning journalist who spent 12 years reporting on-air for News 12 and Fox 5 covering the NY/Tri-State area. Dana is passionate about telling stories and supporting local businesses. She shoots, writes, narrates and edits broadcast-quality "news segments" on local businesses. This is a strategic and creative w...

Linda Lowell - Physical Educator and Coach, Lexington School for the Deaf. Linda has spent 25 years teaching athletics to deaf and special needs students via teamwork, communication skills and the power of 'moving!" Linda says she just wants "to help kids feel included!" Tapping into her infectious positive energy, Linda taught her deaf students to participate in a myriad of sporting activities, i...

Reverend Christine Veillon is “Priest in Charge” at St. John’s Church in Pleasantville, NY. St. John’s is a Community Partner of The Nicholas Center and home of many volunteer opportunities for our participants including the Pleasantville Community Garden, another local non-profit organization dedicated to battling hunger in Westchester. Fred Ellman runs “OnGrowing Mindfulness," an organization wh...

Dena Fenza  is an Italian-American chef, author and blogger. She spreads “La Dolce Vita..." “the sweet life” by sharing delicious and accessible recipes, as well as style & decor tips. Dena has worked as a teacher,authored a cookbook and operated her own restaurant. In 2021, she and her familypurchased and renovated a farmhouse in Tuscany. She infuses her cooking with family stories and tradit...

Gina DeGregorio-Sonbert is the author of the Children's Book series "Theodore Bearkins" - which features the first autistic, non-speaking main character in a children’s book series where autism is NOT the focus of the story. Gina is also the founder of Families for Inclusion, a non-profit with the goal to “educate the world about Autism & Neurodiversity one classroom at a time.” Gina lives on...

Tony Mantor is a Nashville, TN-based singer-songwriter, award-winning music producer, pianist and podcast host. He has recorded 33 songs hitting the Top 40 and 16 songs hitting the Top 10 of various major music charts including Billboard & Music Row Magazine. Inspired to make a difference, Tony launched his podcast called “Why Not Me The World.” The show focuses on Autism awareness,acceptance...

John Barney of PB Network. The PB Network was created in honor of John's brother, Patrick who loved game shows.  John and Patrick loved watching game shows together....in his memory John launched the PB Network which provides meaningful daily activities for Day Program participants, Residences, and individuals to participate in community involvement, gaining confidence, working with others, sharin...

Jarett Bellucci is a 2 time Emmy award-winning director of television, commercials, corporate, and documentary films. Jarett is the owner of Bellucci Productions, a Long Island-based creative agency.    Recently, Jarett and Bellucci productions shot a commercial for Maidenbaum Financial Services featuring The Nicholas Center! Check it out here:   https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_3sQ28Pryr/?utm_sou...

Kristi Lyn Eaton is the Executive Director of KEEN New York. “Kids Enjoy Exercise Now,” or KEEN - a non-profit which works to empower youth with disabilities and impact volunteer coaches through participation in free, non competitive, one-on-one programs of physical activity and fun. Fueled by a love of philanthropy, a degree in computer science studies at Columbia University and a deep understand...

Dr. Laura Carravallah is a physician specializing in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. As a faculty member teaching medical students at Michigan State University - College of Human Medicine, she is passionate about expanding healthcare and medical access for the neurodiverse and Autistic communities. Dr. Carravallah is both neurodivergent herself and mother to a neurodivergent son. Today's po...

Joe has dedicated much of his life to helping others through volunteer work in his community. He has done work with the Coast Guard, airport security and nobly volunteered his time at the World Trade Center after the September 11th attacks. Splitting his time between Queens and Florida, Joseph is also the dad of our very own, coordinator of media arts and co-host, Amanda! Today's podcast is hosted...

Tomas Costanza, is a founding member of the band, Diffuser. He is a certified-platinum record producer/songwriter and owner of Killingsworth Recording Company.  He has co-written and produced 12 Billboard #1 albums, composed music for multiple TV shows and licensed over 1,000 song placements for brands including Apple, Ford & Google, and promos for NBC, ABC, CBS, HBO, Showtime, Netflix and mor...

A Project Manager and tech wizard, Bob Hart currently serves as Business Development Manager at KR1 Consulting- an agency which provides expertise, guidance and recommendations to clients looking for service providers in Cloud, Data and Voice technologies. Bob is a Long Island native and dad to our very own “Agents of Humanity” Audio Engineer and personal tech guru, TJ Hart!   Today's podcast is h...

George Andriopoulos is the CEO of Launchpad Five One Six, a management consulting firm that helps organizations and individuals succeed and thrive. Under one of the many umbrellas of this organization, is Launchpad 516 Studios , a podcast production company which we are proud to say produces our very own, “Agents of Humanity”. As a keynote, motivational, and TEDx speaker, George delivers talks tha...

Agents of Humanity, the podcast of The Nicholas Center, is proud to celebrate the one year anniversary of our first episode! In honor of this milestone, the co-hosts interview TNC co-founders, Stella Spanakos & Nicole Ferrara.   Happy Anniversary to us!   Today's podcast is hosted by our very own agents of humanity: Robert, Tara, Tomas, Jason, and Amanda.   Follow @thenicholascenter on Faceboo...

Chris Speziali is the Founder and Owner of PowerPals - a fitness training organization which serves disabled and neurodiverse individuals.  With degrees in both Physical Education and Special Education, Chris works closely with his clients to help them achieve their individual goals and realize their potential. https://www.power-pals.com/   Today's podcast is hosted by our very own agents of human...

In today's episode, the Agents of Humanity interview Chris Holliday- the Interim Director of Film Programming at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, New York. Chris has an extensive background in the arts both in film and radio. He worked at the BBC as a producer and presenter, hosting a national morning show called 'Chris & Emma at Breakfast', for over 8 years where he interviewed a...