SUPAC Staff
The SUPAC has full time experienced and knowledgeable staff many who have personal and professional experience with the special education process.
Lisa Finnerty Coggi, Director is a life long resident of Central New York, a graduate of West Genesee High School, Onondaga Community College and SUNY Oswego. Lisa has been involved with social justice and advocacy most of her life. She learned the true understanding of advocacy and the necessary skills needed to be an effective advocate after the birth of her son who was born with cerebral palsy. Lisa knows first hand that is takes perseverance to learn and navigate the education system, the medical system and the developmental disability system. It can be confusing and daunting at times. Lisa believes strongly in meaningful parent involvement with family, school and community working collaboratively together to provide the best possible outcomes for students. Lisa has always been a strong presence in her children's education and has written and presented on much of her family's experiences. Lisa previously was a parent member of the CPSE/CSE for her district, held several roles on PTA committee's including charter president of a SEPTSA and current Special Education Outreach for the Central Region PTA. Lisa began a support group for parents of children with disabilities and is a Sibshop facilitator addressing the individual and unique needs of children who have siblings with disabilities. It was Lisa's daughter who first instilled her involvement in sibling needs. Lisa was instrumental in fundraising and building an accessible playground and has been a consultant for other accessible playground projects. Lisa currently or previously serves on several committees including The Golisano Children's Hospital Speakers Bureau and Family Resource Committee, Town of Camillus Febfest, University Hospital Parent Advisory Council, The Special Education Parent Advisory Council, the IDEA Partnership Family School Collaboration Learning Community and Special Education Outreach for the Central Region PTA. Prior to joining SU as the Director of the Parent Advocacy Center, Lisa was a Parent Advocate and Training Coordinator through a Federal Parent Training and Information Center and worked in special education at a local school district. Lisa resides in Camillus NY with her husband and two children.
Karen Burgwin, Parent Outreach, is a graduate of Syracuse City Schools, Onondaga Community College and Lemoyne College. Karen previously worked 14 years for Onondaga County in the areas of child protective services and foster/adoptive training and placement of children, including those with specialized needs. Her previous experience also includes working for and volunteering at the YMCA and North Syracuse School District, being a client advocate for individuals with brain injuries, and most recently was a family advocate and trainer with Head Start. Karen has varied personal and professional experience assisting families of children with disabilities with parental involvement and advocating for the success of themselves and their children at home and school. Karen resides in Cicero, NY with her husband, two children and beloved golden retriever.
Kristine O'Brien, Parent Outreach, has resided in the CNY area all of her life and is a graduate of Auburn High School and Le Moyne College. Kristine is very involved with the Central New York Autism Society of America (CNY ASA), and has served on the Executive Committee for the past three years. Kristine was the CNY ASA Programming Chairperson in 2007-2008 and helped to develop the CNY ASA Inclusive Summer Camp Programs. She is a board member with the Friends of Jowonio, a local inclusive preschool in CNY. She volunteers at her son’s elementary school and is actively involve in the Parent Teacher Group. Currently she is the Co-President of the PTG, and serves as a CPSE/CSE Parent Member in her school district. Having a child with special needs has given Kristine insight into special education processes. She is a strong advocate for her son and has helped many other families navigate the Special Education process. She has presented at many local schools, colleges and hospitals on the topics of advocacy and Autism. She currently resides in Dewitt with her husband and their 7-year-old son.
Marcia Ranieri, Bilingual Parent Outreach, received her undergraduate degree in Spanish from SUNY Geneseo and her Masters in Bilingual Education from the University at Buffalo and her CAS for Administration at Syracuse University. We are delighted to have Marcia with us while she is currently working on her doctorate in the Educational Leadership Program at SU. Marcia is passionate about diversity and cultural differences as well as inclusion. Marcia taught Spanish for 7 years to all levels of students at West Genesee High School and then most recently was an Assistant Principal within the district before beginning her full time doctorate program. Marcia coordinated the district wide Culture Fair at West Genesee that is now an annual event. Marcia said she is so pleased about coming on board to SUPAC and is looking forward to meeting all of you over the upcoming months. Si necesitas ayuda con algo llame a la oficina y habla con Marcia. Ella puede ayudarte con muchas reglas de educación y también es una persona muy simpática. Ella le encanta leer, trabajar por computadora y ayudar a los niños. Bienvenidos, Marcia.
Rachael Zubal-Ruggieri is Coordinator of Computer & Technology Outreach and Information Coordinator at the SU the Center on Human Policy, Law, and Disability Studies. In 24 years working at the Center, her work has evolved into the coordination of informational materials for the Center and its funded projects, specifically websites, Internet mailing lists, and the design and production of promotional materials. She is also knowledgeable about web design and accessibility, and has published two articles on web accessibility for people with developmental disabilities. Mother to a 7-year-old child with special needs, Rachael is currently enrolled in the Child and Family Studies program at Syracuse University.
Cyndy Colavita, Office Coordinator. Cyndy is the Office Coordinator at the SU Center on Human Policy, Law, and Disability Studies. She has worked at the Center for 25 years. She is the project assistant to the Florida Grassroots Self-Advocacy Project. In addition to her day-to-day job of overseeing the various projects housed at the Center, she finds time to be involved with in community. She is currently the advisor of the local self-advocacy group, The Self-Advocacy Network and provides supports to the state self-advocacy office housed at the Developmental Services Office. Cyndy lives with her husband and Dachshund in Fairmount.
