our Team
Get to know the inspiring team of visionaries, mentors, and changemakers who are committed to empowering foster youth, unlocking potential, and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Meet the team behind home of champions
Board of Directors
Chair
Judith Halbreich
Founder & CEO
Judith Halbreich
Judith Halbreich, MSW, LCSW R (Founder and Executive Director of the Home of Champions, Our Home Base, Inc.) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a successful executive career in social services, mental health, and clinical research, serving on many Boards of Directors.
During Ms. Halbreich’s tenure at a New York City Foster/Adoption agency, she led the agency to the rank of number one social service agency of 47 foster care agencies monitored by the New York City Commissioner of Social Services. There she established a groundbreaking foster care program in the eighties for HIV babies, an award-winning independent living program and retreats for adolescents, Judith Halbreich’s lifetime of advocacy work is focused on the importance of all children having a home base and continuous mentorship. “The power of one caring adult, a mentor, can change a child’s life.” Ms. Halbreich is the author of The Audacity to be Divine.
Secretary
Treasurer
Nicholas Martino
NSM Global Consulting
Nicholas Martino
An innovative leader with 15+ years of experience in facilitating dynamic and diverse learning experiences all over the world. Dedicated to empowering school administrators, students, and fellow educators with skills in communication and technology and key 21C skills. Seeking to guide and inspire responsible digital citizens and change-makers that are prepared for the 21st century.
Samantha Mott
Human Resources,
Community Development and Outreach
Samantha Mott
Collaborative, solutions-focused professional with experience working with multidisciplinary regulatory programs and services.
Amy Bugyis
Financier and Transactions (Mergers and Acquisitions)
Amy Bugyis
Amy Bugyis, MBA, CPA is a Financier and Transactions (Merger and Acquisitions) Expert who is at Honeywell and has over 15 years of industry and advisory experience. As an Accountant and Engineer, Amy creates profitable and sustainable business strategies across multiple industries. Her Passion is teaching, mentoring and supporting STEM education (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics).
Tracy Patterson
World Champion Boxer & Honorary Board Member
Tracy Patterson
An American former boxer who became a two-weight world champion, he is the adopted son of former Golden Gloves and world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson. He won the WBC super bantamweight title and later claimed the IBF super featherweight title.
Advisory Board
Corina Caracci
Director of Residence Life
Corina Caracci
State University of New York at New Paltz
Takima Howze
Author
Takima Howze
Founder & Creator of the BRAVE Life™
Sarah Schuppenhauer
Website and Design Strategist
Sarah Schuppenhauer
Dimitri Chatzpetros
Architect
Dimitri Chatzpetros
Poul Jensen
Child Welfare Assistant Commissioner
and Executive Director
Poul Jensen
Penny Stenzel
Foster Family Peer Advocate
Mental Health Specialist
Penny Stenzel
Kim Cummings - Williams, MSN, RN
Clinical Nurse Specialist & Certified Case Manager
Kim Cummings - Williams, MSN, RN
Clinical Nurse Specialist and Certified Case Manager with 25+ years in healthcare experience working with Children, Teens & Adults
Michelle Sanabria
CASAC-T, Conflict Analysis & Resolution
Michelle Sanabria
New York State Office of People with Disabilities
The Community
The Community
Uriel Halbreich, MD
Prof. of Psychiatry Director of Biobehavioral Research
Uriel Halbreich, MD
State Univeristy of New York at Buffalo
Melinda Schultz
Federal County Probation Department
Criminal Justice,
Human Services