Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Values
Awareness | Respect & Dignity
Empowerment
The Association was formed in 1993 by a small group of local parents whose children were born with Spina Bifida. This core group of parents met through a local Spina Bifida clinic and volunteered to support a handful of local families in the Capital District. They then went on to hire their first part-time Executive Director in 2001. In 2007, the Association moved into its first official office space in Socha Plaza.
In 2022, the organization officially changed its service area from Northeast New York to all of New York State. The organization was then granted a name change to meet the scope of consumers and services provided and officially updated its name to Spina Bifida Association of New York State. Shortly after the Association moved to a new office to meet the depth and breadth of services provided by the organization.
As of 2023, the Association served over 400 families, including adults with Spina Bifida, young children and their parents, siblings and worked with hundreds of service providers. We have grown to include both full-time and part-time employees along with numerous interns. Our team consists of individuals with and without Spina Bifida, including family members and professionals specializing in advocacy, social work, marketing, and nonprofit management.
Julia Duff
Executive Director
Julia Duff is originally from Colonie, New York. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Le Moyne College. She then went on to receive her Master's Degree in Social Welfare from SUNY Albany in 2016. She has been working in disability services and advocacy since 2014. She began working with the Spina Bifida Association of New York State in 2015 as the Case Manager. Julia now leads the chapter as the Executive Director and has done so since November 2018. She is passionate about disability rights; but in her spare time has the same love and affection for her family, friends, and dogs!
- 518-399-9151
- Julia.Duff@sbanys.org
Kylie Largeteau
Program and Clinical Manager
Kylie Largeteau was born and raised in Duanesburg, New York. She earned her undergraduate degrees from Siena College in Social Work and Psychology. In May of 2026, Kylie graduates with a Master of Social Work from Marist University. Kylie started at the Spina Bifida Association of New York State as an intern in her Master of Social Work program in July 2025. She was hired in December 2025 as our full-time Program and Clinical Manager. Kylie is passionate about social justice and her favorite hobbies include spending time with her loved ones and reading!
- 518-399-9151
- Kylie.Largeteau@sbanys.org
Marcos Taveras
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Marcos Taveras was born in Queens, New York, and currently resides in Great Neck, New York. He began his work with the Spina Bifida Association of New York State in April 2025 as a Marketing Intern through the Adults Living with Spina Bifida program. Marcos was hired in April 2026 as the Communications and Marketing Coordinator. He is an adult living with Spina Bifida and is actively involved in the community. Marcos is passionate about advocacy and raising awareness. He brings a unique perspective, along with creativity and enthusiasm, to his work. In his spare time, Marcos enjoys participating in adaptive sports.
- 518-399-9151
- Marcos.Taveras@sbanys.org
MSW Intern
BSW Intern
MSW Intern
SBANYS Ambassador
Officers
Chair – Abby Mundell
Abby lives in Ballston Lake, New York and worked in several roles at Northeast Parents and Child Society since 2001. Abby is also a certified Peer Advocate/Trainer through the Child Neurology Foundation. She bring personal knowledge to the Board as a Member of the Parent Advisory Board for the Spina Bifida Clinic at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In her spare time she loves spending time swimming and dancing with her daughter who is a child living with Spina Bifida.
Chair Elect – Kirstyn Cerone
Kirstyn lives in Newburgh, New York and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), with an MBA from Mount Saint Mary College to compliment her vast experience. She is a dedicated and loving mother of two children, one of which is living with Spina Bifida with whom she loves camping with in her free time. Kirstyn is an active member of her community and serves as the Chairwoman of the Business Council of Greater Montgomery, Parental Advisory Board for the Spina Bifida Clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as the current treasurer of her children’s school PTA.
Immediate Past Chair – Joe Slaninka
Joe lives in Long Island, New York and works at Henry Viscardi School. His love of wheelchair athletics led him to his position there as a Wheelchair Basketball Coach and Assistant Teacher. In his spare time he participates in adaptive Crossfit, surfing, scuba diving, skydiving, acting, and modeling. As an adult living with Spina Bifida, he is a perfect representative and disability advocate for the Spina Bifida community!
Treasurer – Benjamin Smith
Ben lives in Stillwater, New York as a Certifed Public Accountant (CPA) who works for Plug Power. Ben grew up in the foothills of the Adirondacks and, as a result, loves to get out in nature through hiking, swimming, cross-country skiing and biking. With non-profit accounting experience, Ben brings professional expertise and a keen attention to detail to the role of Treasurer.
Secretary – Lyndsi Holmes-Wickert
Lyndsi is an adult living with Spina Bifida and has been involved with SBANYS since its founding. She currently serves as Secretary of the Board and, outside of her advocacy work, enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Members
Robert “Chip” Derrick
COL Christina Fanitzi
Christina currently resides in West Point, NY, is born and raised in the Hudson Valley, and is a career Army Officer with over 21 years of active service. She earned her BBA from The George Washington University, her MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and served as a White House, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI National Security, and US Army War College Fellow. She is fierce advocate for her two year old son, Christian, who lives with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Christina enjoys fitness, long walks with her family, cooking, traveling, and crossword puzzles.
Michelle Miller
Michelle lives in Albany, New York and works at the Center for Disability Services (CFDS). Michelle is the Program Administrator there for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. As an adult living with Spina Bifida, she also lends her expertise and support to the NYS Agency for Disabled. In her spare time she loves to dabble in photography and is an avid reader of mysteries and American history. She is also a passionate Red Sox fan!
Andrew White
Andrew lives in Richmond, Virginia and owns Hedge Fund – Awaken Capital LLC. Andrew is an expert in Hedge Fund and Retail Investment Management. He is also highly skilled in writing and fundraising. In his spare time he loves to spend time with his three daughters, walk, read, and write books and articles. He is also an accomplished musician and plays the saxophone.
Ryan Millard
Kirk Lewis