Jackie Ceonzo, Executive Director and Founder
In 2003, Jackie was looking for a special needs recreational program for her then eight year old son, Joey. After thoroughly researching and investigating all of the options available to her in Manhattan, she found no facility that could meet her son's needs.  She reasoned that there were numerous other parents who were looking for just such a place and program, so she began to formulate a plan with her husband, Joe Ceonzo, to establish a center where Joey and other children with special needs could feel comfortable playing and socializing, while learning practical skills in a fun, creative environment. Jackie worked with a pediatric neurologist, a disability advocate, and a behavioral specialist to create what became The Special Needs Activity Center for Kids, or SNACK.  Jackie is actively involved in the Center's administrative and programming decisions and is available on-site to meet with parents, caregivers, and outside therapists. In addition to her time developing SNACK she is actively involved as a member of the Board of Directors for the Hawthorne Foundation, an agency that provides a continuum of care from birth to adulthood for people with developmental disabilities. Jackie holds a BA in Economics from Villanova University and serves as Vice President of the Alumnae Committee for Marymount School of New York.  Jackie’s business experience includes 16 years in the textile industry supplying major retailers and manufactures. At the time Joey was diagnosed, she had risen to the position of vice president with responsibility for $75 million in annual sales.

Clare Ferramosca, Lead ABA Consultant 
Clare holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from SUNY Cortland, and an MS in Special Education from Hunter College and a Board Certification in Behavioral Analysis.  Before coming to SNACK, Clare taught for several years at the Martin Barell School in Levittown, Long Island, and spent a number of years doing home consultations for children with special needs. In addition to her consulting duties at SNACK, Clare is currently an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapist at a center in Manhattan.

Dr. Amy Davies Lackey, Parent Educator 
Amy received her Ph.D. in Special Education from Columbia University Teachers College.  She was the recipient of the Nelle Taylor Award in Special Education, and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst whose expertise is in the education of young children with autism as well as their families.   Her research has been presented at numerous conferences in the field. She has focused primarily on teaching social skills and observational learning to children with autism and related disabilities as well as teacher training. Dr. Davies Lackey is currently an administrator Hawthorne Country Day School in Manhattan, and a behavioral consultant to organizations and families. Her diverse teaching experiences include regular education, incarcerated juvenile violent offenders in special education, mainstream settings, parent education, and teaching children with autism using Applied Behavior Analysis.

Rachel Yahes, Art Instructor
Rachel holds a bachelors degree in fine arts and a Master's degree in art therapy from the School of Visual Arts.  In addition to her three years as the art director for SNACK, she worked as a teacher's assistant and service coordinator for three years in a special education school in Manhattan for children diagnosed with autism. Her most recent experiences include working with hospitalized children as well as with adults in an out-patient substance abuse clinic.

Yael Luski, Dance/Movement Therapist 
Yael, a registered Dance/Movement Therapist, received a Masters of Science in Dance/Movement Therapy from The Pratt Institute.  She has led movement based groups & individual sessions in educational, therapeutic, recreational & medical settings and worked with individuals of all ages ranging from infancy through adulthood, spanning a variety of populations including early childhood, special needs & mental health   Yael is currently utilizing her skills and passion for movement and children’s development while working at SNACK as the Dance/Movement Therapist.

Amy Feiner, Yoga Instructor
Amy received a certification from renowned yoga therapist, Sonia Sumar, of the Integral Yoga School, to teach yoga for children and specializes in teaching children with special needs. Amy is very passionate about yoga, loves to do yoga and especially teach it to children. She also received a Masters of Arts in Early Childhood Special Education and currently is a SEIT working in schools, one-on-one with children with special needs in NYC.

Melissa Berman, Drama Instructor
Melissa holds a bachelors degree in English and Theater from the University of Delaware and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in School Counseling.  She is a vocal major graduate of Fiorello H. La Guardia High School of the Performing Arts.  Prior to her work at SNACK, Melissa worked as a theater education apprentice at Imagination Stage, a professional children's theater in Maryland.  She co-taught creative drama therapy classes for special needs children and mentored disabled children and adults within a performing troupe company.  Melissa aspires to become a registered drama therapist and promote arts-in-education programming.

Natalie Palmer, Aquatic Director
Natalie Palmer is the Athletic Facility Coordinator at St. Bart’s and has joined SNACK to help develop the Swim Program at St. Bart’s – her certifications include CPR and First Aid and include WSI Certification. It is her unique talent working with special needs kids of all abilities that makes her such an asset to the team. 

Mary Jane Pulzello, Operation Director
Mary Jane holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania. She worked in the textile business for 16 years as a sales manager in charge of selling, scheduling, and acted as liason between sales offices. For the past five years, she has worked in the New Jersey Public School System as an inclusive aid for classified children. Mary Jane has four children of her own. 

Jeanne Cluess, Development Director
Jeanne has over twenty-five years experience as a sales, marketing executive, branding and business development manager, and consulting positions to bring new companies to the marketplace. She has worked with small to large Fortune 500 companies as well as advocacy, community-based and non-profit organizations. Jeanne has a proven track record in strategic planning and development, building strong relationships with key decision makers, establishing strategic partnerships and raising funds for company growth.

Liz Brady, Assistant Director
Liz holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Hunter College. Liz oversees daily activities, scheduling and staff management, interviews and hires staff, and assists the children in social skills development. In addition to her duties at SNACK, Liz has worked for over twenty years in the field of Developmental Disabilities, nine of which were working as the Behavior Specialist Trainer under the direct supervision of a PhD Behavior Psychologist.