NIP Committees


Committees of the Board

Board of Directors
Function: Ultimate responsibility for the operations, finances and development of the institute. In this capacity, the Board oversees the work of the committees, approves operating policies to achieve NIP’s mission, and reviews and approves Strategic Plan for NIP’s future development.

Committee Members: Chuck Finlon (President), Amy Schwartz-Cooney (on leave), Caryn Sherman-Meyer, Clem Loew, Cynthia Medalie, Ellen Fries, Jim Fosshage, Jonathan Blazon Yee, Ken Frank, Marc Sholes, Margaret Black, Merrill Schneiderman, Rishi Ramano, Sandra Farber, Steven Kuchuck, Corby Serrano.

Executive Committee
Function: To plan agenda for board meetings. To handle ongoing tasks between board meetings.

Committee Members: Caryn Sherman-Meyer, Chuck Finlon, Corby Serrano, Cynthia Medalie, Marc Sholes

Governance Committee
Function: Propose policy / policy change to Board of Directors and monitor implementation with the objective of leading the institute to prosperity.

Succession planning, recruitment, and retention of board members.

Committee Members: Amy Schwartz-Cooney (Chair; on leave), Ellen Fries, Cynthia Medalie, Caryn Sherman-Meyer, Jim Fosshage, Ken Frank, Corby Serrano, Chuck Finlon

Audit Committee
Function: Responsible for oversight of NIP's outside auditors and oversight of NIP's internal fiscal controls.

Committee Members: Rishi Ramano (Chair), Marc Sholes, Corby Serrano, 3rd TBD

Finance Committee
Function: To advise and make recommendations to the Board of Directors in regards to future expenses and initiatives; and to propose an annual budget.

Committee Members: Marc Sholes (Chair), Chuck Finlon, Clem Loew, Corby Serrano, Ellen Fries, Jim Fosshage, Ken Frank, Margaret Black, Merrill Schneiderman, Rishi Ramano, Benjamin Bulmash

Management Committee
Function: Subcommittee of the Board of Directors that meets with the Executive Director to discuss administrative matters such as office staffing, human resources, real estate, facilities management.

Committee Members: Chuck Finlon, Clem Loew, Corby Serrano, Ellen Fries, Jim Fosshage, Rishi Ramano,

Strategic Planning Committee
Function: Annual strategic planning and execution of the strategic plan through the committee system. Periodic review of existing programs recommending changes to the Board of Directors. Reviews proposed programs in order to recommend approval or non-approval by the Board of Directors.

Committee Members: Merrill Schneiderman (Chair), Caryn Sherman-Meyer, Chuck Finlon, Corby Serrano, Ellen Fries, Marc Sholes

Operations Committees

Candidate Council Committee
Function: NIP’s Candidate Council facilitates ongoing communication between candidates in the 4 Year Adult Training program and NIP's Board of Directors. It is a forum for candidates of each class to share ideas and questions with each other and with representatives of the Board. Council meetings also allow the Board to share information with candidates and to stay apprised of concerns during the course of their training

Committee Members: Chuck Finlon (Co-Chair), Cynthia Medalie (Co-Chair), Candidate TBD (1st Year), Candidate TBD (2nd Year), Candidate TBD (3rd Year), Candidate TBD (4th Year).

Treatment Center Operations Committee
Function: Representatives of each of the 4 years of the Adult Program meet with Treatment Center administration to discuss the operations of the Treatment Center.

Committee Members: Merrill Schneiderman (Chair), Corby Serrano, Carol Luong, Elizabeth Bishop, Judy Adkins, Peter Rad, TBD (1st Year Candidate Representative), TBD (2nd Year Candidate Representative), TBD (3rd Year Candidate Representative), TBD (4th Year Candidate Representative), TBD (Extension Candidate Representative), TBD (LQP 1st Year Representative)

Diversity & Inclusion Committees

Committee on Diversity & Inclusion
Function: The focus of NIP’s Diversity Committee is to bring greater diversity and inclusion into all levels of the institute. Goals include seeking broader representation of diverse voices, increasing awareness of possible "blind spots", and enhancing inclusion in the recruitment of candidates, patients, faculty, and supervisors.

Committee Members: Chuck Finlon (Chair), Amy Schwartz-Cooney (on leave), Andrea Greco, Carol Martino, Carol Perlman, Cynthia Medalie, Ellen Fries, Erik Yazdani, Janine de Peyer, Jen Handler, Kim Bernstein, Lissa Schaupp, Matt Aibel, Merrill Schneiderman, Mimi Spiro, Peggy Reubens, Priti Doshi, Sandra Farber, Sharyn Leff, Susan Obrecht, Tara Starin-Basi

Diversity Strategy Committee
Function: Establishes short and long term work plans to address diversity, equity, and inclusion and adopt anti-racist measures.

Committee Members: Amy Schwartz-Cooney (Co-Chair, on leave), Steven Kuchuck (Co-Chair)

EAC Steering Committee
Function: Handles the administration, organization, and decision making of the EAC committee

Committee Members: Margaret Black, Jonathan Blazon Yee, Nina Sander, Jen Handler, Sarah St. Onge, Sandy Farber

Academic & Clinical Program Committees

Training Committee
Function: To manage all aspects of the 4-Year Adult Training Program and License Qualifying Program. To establish policies, approve program content developed by Curriculum, and oversee Supervision including appointment of supervisors. To facilitate all aspects of student affairs, including advisement, LOA’s, the evaluation process, graduation, STP and Council.

Committee Members: Caryn Sherman Meyer (Chair), Alexandra Eitel, Barbara Robinson, Carol Perlman, Chuck Finlon, Cynthia Medalie, Ellen Fries, Hillary Grill, Janine dePeyer, Jill Choder-Goldman, Jillen Axelrod, Judy Adkins, Margaret Black, Merrill Schneiderman, Mimi Spiro, Susan Obrecht, Luc Charlap, Susan Greenberg, Susan McConaughy, Alisa Aydin, Sandy Farber, Allison Katz, Priti Doshi, Kate Whyte, Shari Melman, Lissa Schaupp (non-voting member), Ashley Martin (non-voting member), Alan Tapia (non-voting member)

Admissions Committee
Function: To oversee the admissions process.

Committee Members: Clem Loew (Chair), Myriam Lankry (Associate Director), Barbara Robinson, Carol Perlman, Caryn Sherman-Meyer, Chuck Finlon, Cynthia Medalie, Ellen Fries, Hillary Grill, Janine dePeyer, Jill Choder-Goldman, Jillen Axelrod, Judy Adkins, Margaret Black, Merrill Schneiderman, Susan Obrecht

Curriculum Committee
Function: The Curriculum Committee is responsible for planning the academic components of the four-year Adult Psychoanalytic Training program. This includes reviewing and updating the direction, content, and progression of courses; hiring and overseeing faculty; monitoring and responding to feedback about courses and class dynamics from the candidate and instructor evaluations; scheduling classes; developing new courses; and helping to facilitate relationships between faculty and candidates. Each of the four curriculum directors serve as liaison for students and faculty teaching in one of the four years and when possible, continues as that class’s curriculum representative for the four years of training.

Committee Members: Lissa Schaupp, Karen Perlman, Maryann Marston, Lisa Ruesch

Supervision Committee
Function: The directors of Supervision oversee the relationship between supervisors in the Adult, Four Year Program and NIP. They assign supervisors to incoming candidates, assist current candidates in finding supervisors when needed and help to facilitate relationships between supervisors and candidates. The directors of Supervision, along with the participation of the Training Committee as well as the STP directors, when indicated, are responsible for the appointment of new supervisors. The Supervision directors plan the Evaluation meetings and hold an annual meeting for supervisors each fall.

Committee Members: Cynthia Medalie, Susan Obrecht, Alexandra Eitel

Covid-19 Committee
Function: Considers accommodations of requirements of the 4 year program

Committee Members: Merrill Schneiderman (Chair), Janine de Peyer, Susan Obrecht, Karen Perlman

Succession & Advisement Committee
Function: to review and develop a plan for the rotation of current members and recruitment of new ones.

Committee Members: Caryn Sherman-Meyer, Jillen Axelrod, Kim Bernstein, Carol Perlman, Barbara Robinson

Progression Committee
Function: to stay in communication with “Extension Candidates” after their class’s June graduation in order to assist them in either fulfilling graduation requirements or with the NYS licensing process so that they can graduate and move into independent practice. We are also hoping that this ongoing communication with the candidates/graduates will maintain their connection with NIP and encourage them to be active alumni.

Committee Members: Merrill Schneiderman (Chair), Judy Adkins, Kim Bernstein, Ashley Martin, Caryn Sherman-Meyer.

Intern/Extern/PostDoc Committee
Function: Directors of the Psychology Postdoctoral Program, Psychology Externship and Social Work Internship meet with the Director of the Treatment Center to discuss NIP’s graduate student programs.

Committee Members: Merrill Schneiderman (Chair), Arline Fireman, Elizabeth Bishop, Jillen Axelrod, Judy Adkins

Financial Aid Committee
Function: To review applications for financial assistance for candidates in good standing, and to determine the distribution of funds.

Committee Members: Shari Melman (Chair), Caryn Sherman-Meyer, Chuck Finlon, Merrill Schneiderman

Education Committee
Function: To provide an opportunity for program directors to share ideas and address administrative problems. To serve as a formal liaison structure between directors. To introduce and promote the development of new programs, including CE events.

Committee Members: Chuck Finlon (Recruitment, Chair), Alan Tapia (Academics) Alisa Aydin (LQP), Avital Woods (OYE), Carol Martino (STP), Patti Moore (NIPPA Focus), Jen Handler (NIPPA Focus), Jill Bresler (PIP), Ken Frank (PIP), Nancy Bravman (ITP), Rachel Goldman (OYE), Robin Donath (C&A), Sandra Farber (LQP)

Integrative Trauma Program Executive Committee
Function: To oversee and administer the Integrative Trauma Program’s 9-month Certificate Program in Trauma Studies, the Clinical Affiliate Program, the Trauma Treatment Service, Trauma Colloquia, EMDR training, Trauma-Informed Child and Adolescent Program, and other related initiatives in integrative trauma treatment as well as to train Psychology Interns and Externs in the assessment and integrative treatment of trauma both in primary and as adjunctive clinical practice.

Committee Members: Sarah St. Onge (Director), Marina Coleman , Nancy Bravman (Associate Director), Alicia Kohn, Gregory Carson, Karen Alter-Reid, Lydia Denton, Meaghan Warnock, Nirit Gordon, Peggy Reubens, Pria Alpern, Rachelle Kammer, Shelly Rosen

Development Committees

Development Committee
Function: Devises and recommends philanthropy and fund development efforts and procedures, and nurtures a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

Reports to the Board of Directors and takes direction from the institution’s strategic plan.

Committee Members: Olivia Giacomazzi (Chair), Chuck Finlon, Corby Serrano, Nina Sander, and James McGeveran.

Candidate Recruitment Committee
Function: Identifies and implements methods of making the public aware of NIP, including recruiting candidates and running Open Houses for the One Year Evening, LQP, and 4 Year programs. Candidates and alumni are invited to participate on this committee.

Committee Members: Matt Aibel (Chair), Chuck Finlon, Cora Goldfarb, Jonathan Blazon, Michael Perlman, Alan Tapia (Academics), Ashley Martin (Academics)

NIP Community Committees

Ethics Committee
Function: The Ethics Committee is responsible for establishing and executing the code of ethical and professional conduct of all candidates and members of the NIP community towards their patients, supervises, colleagues, and the public.

Committee Members: Cynthia Medalie (Chair), Barbara Robinson, Ellen Fries, Ken Frank, Merrill Schneiderman

Community Resources Committee
Function: To increase involvement and participation by members of the NIP community in the activities and programs of the Institute. Recommends leadership positions as requested. Consults with NIP members who are seeking further involvement in the committee system of the institute.

Committee Members: Kate Whyte (Co-Chair), Allison Katz (Co-Chair), Andrea Sheth, Cynthia Medalie (Board Liaison), Hilary Rothman, Shari Melman, Staci Perlman, Tanya Leach (NIPPA President).

Psychoanalytic Perspectives Journal Committee
Function: serves as the Editorial Board that oversees all aspects of journal production. The Board’s work includes solicitation and assignment for peer review of manuscripts and all functions related to publishing the journal 3x a year.

Committee Members: Rachel Altstein (Co-Chair), Karen Perlman (Co-Chair), Allison Katz, Allison Penn, Andrea Fortunato, Clem Loew, Hillary Grill, Jill Choder-Goldman, Ken Frank, Lissa Schaupp, Matt Aibel, Sharyn Leff, Steven Kuchuck