Our Team

Larry is a member of the real estate law firm of Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. in New York City practicing in real estate transactions and development.  Larry was introduced to COPE in 2009 following the sudden loss of his 3-year-old daughter Samantha.

Larry’s family started Sammi’s Circle Charitable Fund following Samantha’s passing as a way of remembering Sammi’s gentle spirit and to ensure that her kindness is passed on to those in need.  Sammi’s Circle quickly became an active supporter of COPE. Larry’s introduction and exposure to monthly group therapy sessions with COPE and his support of their mission has led him to take a more active leadership role within the organization. 

Larry joined the board of directors in 2016 and serves as Co-President.  Larry lives on Long Island with his wife and 2 sons and is passionate about music and college sports. 

Larry’s goal is to help improve the lives of families that have suffered a loss by encouraging their healing and to expand the organization’s outreach.

Jen Schwartz graduated Long Island University at CW Post in 2007 with a Master's Degree in School and Mental Health Counseling and holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Psychology from Lehigh University. During her graduate school internship, Jen co-facilitated a bereavement support group for middle school students who had expressed a need for a space to talk about their losses and the impact it had on them. 

In 2008, Jen started working as an educational advocate for the Long Island Advocacy Center, assisting students with disabilities who were involved in the juvenile justice system, to obtain the appropriate educational services to be successful in school. In 2012, Jen co-wrote a youth-centered curriculum and co-facilitated groups for teens with behavioral and/or emotional difficulties. LEAP (Learning, Exploring, Advocating, and Persevering) focused on helping teens to become more self-aware and to develop helpful communication skills so they could become self-advocates. In 2014, Jen started a second job as the Youth Engagement Director for the North Shore Jewish Center where she creates and implements programs for the synagogue's youth groups. In 2015, Jen started jGAY! (Jewish Gay and Allied Youth), the first support group on Long Island for Jewish LGBTQ+ youth and families. 

When Jen's older brother passed suddenly in July 2016, she attended her first COPE sibling support group.  She remembers feeling more connected to a group of strangers than to anyone else in her life at that time.  She continues to attend the Long Island sibling group monthly, not because of her individual 'need' to attend, but because she knows there will always be someone new starting the group and if people stopped attending once they felt they didn't 'need' it, then who would be there for the next person to show up? Jen currently serves on COPE's Family Advisory and Program Committees and became a COPE Ambassador in December 2020. 

 

Lillian Julien

President Emerita

In 1992, Lilly Julien’s 20-year-old daughter, Michelle, lost her life in a car accident. With her husband, Robert, and two surviving children, Spencer & Greer, Lilly struggled to rebuild her life after the devastation of losing a child. 

Inspired by a dream visitation from her daughter, Michelle, Lilly founded the COPE Foundation, a nonprofit grief organization dedicated to supporting parents and families living with the loss of a child.

Since 1999, Lilly’s vision has guided COPE and its expanding grief support programs. An exhibited painter and portrait artist, she has facilitated many of COPE’s art therapy programs. 

After losing her husband in 2000, she spearheaded the inauguration of COPE Camp Erin NYC in 2011, in partnership with Eluna (f/k/a the Moyer Foundation) —a free weekend bereavement camp for children ages 7 to 17 grieving the loss of a parent or sibling—with a concurrent parent retreat started in 2015.

Lilly Julien and I. J. Weinstock have presented workshops at Compassionate Friends and Camp Widow bereavement conferences. 

Lilly is the co-author of Grief Quest: A Journal & Workbook to Heal the Grieving Parent's Heart which was named a Finalist in the USA Best Books of 2012. 

Awards include:

• 2008 inductee into Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame as Founder of COPE
• March 8, 2010, Ben Appelbaum Foundation Recognition Award
• May 11, 2014, received The Roger E. Joseph Prize on behalf of COPE-Camp Erin NYC for its contribution to children's grief
• May 3, 2016 recipient of Long Island Imagine Awards recognizing innovation and leadership in the nonprofit sector 

Dr. Sherry Radowitz has been an administrator in the Office of Advancement at Molloy College.

since 2005. As Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs, she is responsible for seeking grant support through government, foundations, and corporations to support campus programs, research projects, recruitment efforts, scholarships, professional development, and capital expansion and managing a range of grant-funded initiatives. Sherry also serves as early childhood consultant for Molloy’s School of Education. In 2016, she received the Distinguished Service Award for her many contributions to the college.

With more than 45 years in the human services field, previous positions include Senior Vice-President of Community Agency Services at United Way of Long Island, first Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Long Island, and Deputy Director of both Child Care Council of Nassau and Child Care Council of Suffolk. Sherry has also been a research, management, and grant-writing consultant to many nonprofit organizations on Long Island.

As an active community leader, volunteer roles include co-founder of Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (now The Safe Center LI) and Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame; co-president and treasurer of National Association of Mothers’ Centers; and treasurer of the COPE Foundation since 2012. A strong advocate of family support, Sherry has received numerous honors for her community work. She continues to share her expertise by presenting at conferences, facilitating workshops, and serving as a mentor to both professionals and students.

Barbara O'Malley grew up on Long Island and is a 1990 graduate of St. John's University School of Law.  She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Hofstra University.  While attending law school in the evenings, Barbara handled customer relations for an international airline, and upon graduation began working as an Associate at an aviation firm in NYC where she represented international airlines clients in both state and federal court.   Thereafter, Barbara transitioned to an in-house position at an international insurance company where she held positions of increasing responsibility over a ten-year period.   In the years that followed, she held additional in-house roles including that of Senior Counsel at a financial services company, General Counsel for a privately held real estate franchisor, and an executive level position at an international labor and employment firm headquartered in Atlanta.   Her legal career spans more than 30 years.

In 2014, Barbara was faced with the sudden and unexpected loss of her 36-year-old son.  She relied heavily on the resources provided by COPE and has always been grateful for the support provided by the organization. As someone who is a firm believer in giving back, Barbara became involved with various committees and helped to develop COPE's Ambassador Program.  The Ambassador Program is comprised of like-minded individuals who have lost a child or sibling and expressed an interest in giving back to the organization.

Barbara joined the Board of Directors in 2020 and is a member of the Executive Committee, as well as the Co-Treasurer.  She enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Scott Haber lost his 34-year-old sister Elana Haber April 5th, 2020.She had such a bright future ahead of her and was the best sister. During the height of covid and the world in quarantine Scott found a COPE group which he joined May 2020. Almost 3 years later he still attends monthly groups. The groups are a blessing as you are with people who are going through the same thing. COPE has taught Scott that everyone grieves in their own way.

In December 2022 Scott joined COPE as a board member. His mission is to make others aware that COPE exists and help make it more accessible to people that are experiencing loss. Scott is now the chair of fundraising and will continue to help others.

Jennifer Webb is a life-long special educator, mother, and devoted family member.  She has dedicated her career to the special needs community, along with raising 3 children and serving on the COPE Board.  

Jenn graduated from St. Joseph’s University in the Spring of 2003 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Studies with a dual certification in General and Special Education. She later earned her Masters Degree in Literacy from Long Island University in 2005.

Jenn began her career in special education as a teacher at BOCES Rosemary Kennedy School, then as a special education teacher at the West Islip School District.  Early in Jenn’s career, she was accepted into the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program, a selective program for US teachers and administrators to travel abroad to learn new educational practices, develop authentic global content, and share their pedagogical expertise.  Later, after marrying her husband who was serving on active duty in the US Army, she continued her career as a special education teacher for the Department of Defense in Fort Campbell, KY.  

In February of 2017 Jenn learned the tragic news that her brother, Tommy, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. After an incredible fight, Tommy lost his battle in September 2017.

Jenn reached out to COPE one month after Tommy’s passing. After coming home from her first sibling bereavement group she recalled “that was the most comfort I have felt in a month.” For the years that followed, Jenn made her Sibling Bereavement Group a priority in her busy schedule. Simply stated, it was the only place where she felt that her grief was truly understood and seen. Years later when Jenn was invited to join the COPE Board, she jumped at the opportunity.  Jenn is eternally grateful for the COPE community, including facilitators and sibling bereavers, and was elated at the opportunity to give back to COPE.  

As a tribute to her brother, Jenn named her latest endeavor “Tommy’s Friends,” which is an educational company that offers curriculum based classes for individuals with and without disabilities. 

Jennifer currently lives on Long Island with her husband and 3 children. She is passionate about traveling, her family, and enriching the lives of her community through Tommy’s Friends and the COPE family.  

Douglas Newton, a Senior Managing Director and Co-Founder of CC Capital, brings more than 20 years of investing experience across both public and private markets to his role. CC Capital invests in high-quality companies with compelling customer value propositions and sustainable competitive advantages that drive long-term performance.

Prior to establishing CC Capital, Doug co-founded The WindAcre Partnership, LLC, an investment firm known for its private equity approach to public market investing. His extensive background in investment is complemented by roles at Seneca Capital, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, and in investment banking at Credit-Suisse First Boston and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Doug's educational foundation includes an A.B. in Economics from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

For Doug and his family, supporting COPE has been a heartfelt commitment since the foundation's inception 25 years ago and he has been a member of COPE’s board for the last five years. Doug deeply values COPE’s mission to assist parents and families grappling with the loss of a child, recognizing the essential support it provides in addressing the profound impact of such tragedies on families and communities.

Doug resides in New York, NY, with his wife, Amy, and their sons, Sawyer (9) and Archer (5).

Sonia Mukhi joins us as a strategic leader from the Technology/AI industry where she’s worked at several Software as Service startup companies. She currently leads a Customer Success / Sales group at a Legal technology company that helps streamline electronic discovery processes for attorneys. Prior to that she worked at a Marketing company that specialized in AI copywriting, helping to deliver millions of dollars in incremental revenue to Fortunate 500 companies. She also has extensive experience working in Financial Services having worked in Finance and Merchant Services at American Express for 5 years. Sonia has always been passionate about serving and spent several years working in the international microfinance industry where she helped enable funding for women entrepreneurs in countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, and Mexico.  She has prior board experience having served as a Junior Board member for the career development / mentorship non-profit Streetwise Partners.  

Sonia brings her extensive experience in technology, marketing, and business strategy to COPE where she hopes to help bring efficiencies and streamlined efforts to the organization. 

She holds an MBA Degree from Wharton with a specialization in Marketing, and a BS from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, yoga, spending time with her family, partner and cat Shera.

Steven J. Reisman is Co-Chair, Insolvency and Restructuring Practice at Katten.

Steven advises clients on a wide range of insolvency, restructuring and creditors' rights matters. His work helps creditors to protect their interests and maximize their recoveries, helps debtors to restructure or wind down their businesses in an orderly manner, and helps investors to locate hidden opportunities. Steve regularly represents debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, as well as boards of directors and independent directors in all aspects of insolvency matters.

Dr. Kristin Gill is a Psychiatrist, Physician Executive expert, and thought leader in Women’s Mental Health and Public Psychiatry. She has led large teams of Behavioral Health clinicians in digital health, on the payer side and in hospital systems, and continues to see patients in her private practice actively.

Dr. Gill is the Behavioral Health Medical Director for New York State at Elevance Health. Previously, she was the first Chief Medical Officer at Minded, a digital healthcare company specializing in women’s psychiatry. Prior to this, Dr. Gill co-led the national behavioral health team at CareMore Health, Elevance Health’s value-based care company, which utilizes both integrated primary care and behavioral health as well as the Collaborative Care Model. During the pandemic, she led a large inpatient psychiatry service at a New York City public hospital, where one of the units served as the designated inpatient psychiatry unit for COVID-19 positive patients for the entire NYC Health + Hospitals system.

She is a champion of group therapy, has led process and reflection groups during times of high stress (for resident physicians) and during catastrophic events (for physicians on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic), and is a member of the American Group Psychotherapy Foundation. Dr. Gill also serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Chapter of Postpartum Support International. In addition, she is an advisor for several women’s digital health start-ups.

As a recognized thought leader in the field of behavioral health, her insights have been featured in prominent media outlets including The Huffington Post, SELF Magazine, Women’s Health, Yahoo News, Reader’s Digest, among others.

She is passionate about empowering folks to take control of their mental health; championing and promoting females of color to positions of clinical leadership; and advocating to close the gender pay gap in physicians. Her philosophy as a leader is to encourage clinicians and staff to care for each other, so that together can provide the best care for our patients.

Kristin grew up in Queens and Long Island. She received her Bachelor’s degree at UCLA, attended SUNY Downstate for medical school, and completed residency training and a fellowship in Public Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

She is a proud resident of Bed-Stuy, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, where she lives with her husband, two cats, and a big puppy.

Judy Lipson is the author of Celebration of Celebration of Sisters: It Is Never Too Late To Grieve, winner of the Literary Titan’s 2021 Silver Award.

The sole survivor of three sisters, Judy founded Celebration of Sisters, an annual ice-skating fundraiser to commemorate the lives and memories of her beloved sisters Margie and Jane to benefit Massachusetts General Hospital Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program.

Judy shared her experience of losing two sisters, the life forever changed as the keynote speaker for The Bereaved Parents National USA 2023 Conference, presented at The Compassionate Friends National Conference, The Open to Hope Cable television, and as a ForGrief speaker.

Judy passion for figure skating rewarded by being the recipient of the 2020 Get Up Award by U.S. Figure Skating Association for her resilience on and off the ice.

For a complete list of podcast interviews, published articles, events and photos, please visit www.judylipson.org