Meet Our Hardworking Team and get to know us better

 

Board Members

 

Board President

Dr. Marianne Infante, OTD

Director of Health and Wellness Initiatives, Grant Writing

Occupational therapist and health educator

Dr. Marianne Infante, OTD, an experienced occupational therapist and health educator, has created a ‘lifespace’ for her father with multiple disabilities in their home. Her father thrived in a community that provided a healthy and functional environment, allowing him to participate in various activities and engage in hobbies of his choice. Currently, Dr. Infante actively contributes to the PA State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) Task Force for the 2022-2027 plan development, focusing on collaboration with agencies to promote health in all policies. She is passionate about creating a healthy environment for all. She directs programs at Healthy Community Lifespaces and conducts workshops and in-services to increase awareness of inclusive wellness plans. Dr. Infante is also Board Certified in Inclusive Education and serves on the board of Pennsylvania’s Education for All Coalition, PEAC.

Click here for PEAC  

https://hclwellness.org/summary-24-25-plan-2025-26/ 2024-25

Lawyer and athletic coach

Salvatore F. Bello, III, Esq.

Director of Legal and Ethics

Salvatore F. Bello, III, Esq. is an associate attorney with Bello, Reilley, McGrory & DiPippo, P.C. Salvatore brings a unique perspective to the HCL board. He has been involved in athletics from the age of 5 years old. He is a lifelong athlete and participated in baseball, basketball, and football from elementary school all the way through college. He is currently the quarterbacks coach at Archbishop John Carroll High School for the varsity football team. He firmly believes that promoting a healthy lifestyle improves an individual’s quality of life. He believes that all people, particularly our youth, benefit from a healthy and sustainable lifestyle in school, the workplace, and in the community. Promoting a healthy lifestyle at an early age can only lead to a more well-rounded individual.

Professor and editor, author

George Giuliani, J.D., Psy.D 

Director of Education

 George Giuliani, J.D., Psy.D is a full-time Associate Professor at Hofstra University’s School of Education in the Special Education Program in the Department of Specialized Programs in Education (SPE). He is the former Speaker of the University Faculty and Chair of the Senate Executive Committee at Hofstra University. Dr. Giuliani earned his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, M.S. from St. John’s University, J.D. from City University of New York School of Law, and M.A. and Psy.D. from Rutgers University.

Dr. Giuliani is a NYS Licensed Psychologist and NYS Certified School Psychologist. He is Board Certified in (1) Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychology; (2) Forensic Sciences; (3) Special Education; and (4) Special Education Advocacy Dr. Giuliani is the Executive Director of The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) and is Editor in Chief of two peer reviewed journals, Hofstra University’s Special Education Research, Policy, & Practice (SERPP), and AASEP’s Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (JAASEP)

Dr. Giuliani is the co-author of various articles in the New York State Family Law Review of the New York State Bar Association and is the author and co-author of numerous textbooks and books in the field of education, including, The Comprehensive Guide to Special Education Law, published by Jessica Kinglsey Publishers. Dr. Giuliani is the co-author of The Educator’s Diagnostic Manual of Disabilities and Disorders (EDM), and Assessment in Special Education: A Practical Approach (6th ed.);Transition Services in Special Education: A Practical Approach

Health coach, Veteran, and data specialist

Aman Negassi, BS

Director of Data and Communications

Aman Negassi, BS. is a Fitness and Nutrition Coach. His background is in the Data Science field that he utilizes towards optimal health and performance of those under his tutelage. He is an Air Force veteran from the 143rd AW Rhode Island Air National Guard, part of the Communications Flight (Cyber/Information Technology). During the COVID-19 Pandemic, he was activated to be part of the COVID-19 Response team for the Department of Health. His responsibilities included enforcing the Governor’s executive order, screening Government employees, Contact Tracing, Case Investigating, and helping facilitate the operations at the Vaccination clinic from screening patients to handling paperwork and assisting patients struggling with mobility. He also worked briefly as a Cost Analyst managing the budget for multi-million-dollar Department of Defense Programs. His experiences have contributed to his belief that a healthy lifestyle is not just essential but also an economic issue

 

Community, Childhood Health, and Nutrition Specialist

Anett Ume, MA, RD, LDN

 Director of Diversity, Health equity and Inclusion 

Anett Ume, MA, RD, LDN is a registered, licensed dietitian. She has been dedicated to promoting health and developing wellness and nutrition programs in elementary schools. Anett firmly believes that a healthy lifestyle begins in early childhood, which led her to establish educational, gardening, and cooking programs in schools. As a registered dietitian, she understands the challenges adults and children with various conditions and social background face when it comes to healthy eating. Her goal is to help families achieve a healthy lifestyle in the space they live in.

Massage therapist and caregiver

Lisa Vigilante, LMT, Secretary

Director of Community and Fundraising

Lisa Vigilante, LMT is an experienced licensed massage therapist, dedicated parent, and advocate for health. She provides a quality healthy “lifespace” for her daughter with special needs in the Ephrata Area of PA. Lisa is an advocate for health, inclusion and community involvement. Lisa put together a local community workshops and networks with others on helping to create a Lifecourse[1] and providing other resources for parents with children with all different abilities.

Information on Lifecourse is available at

Read Now

 

Board Treasurer

Open position

Director of Finances

 

 

 Advisory Team Members:

Mentor team:

Community, Childhood Health, and Nutrition Specialist

Dr. Jody Stanislaw,

Emeritus Board Member, Naturopathic Doctor

Dr. Jody Stanislaw received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine in 2007. She is a Type 1 Diabetes Specialist and a TEDx speaker. Her talk entitled Sugar is Not a Treat has over 5 million views.

See on Youtube

Having overcome the struggles of living with Type 1 Diabetes since the age of seven, she has dedicated her career to helping others with this challenging condition. Via her virtual consulting practice, she has helped thousands of people living with Type 1 Diabetes  from over thirty states and ten countries optimize their blood sugar control.

While most medical visits only look at the problem at hand, Dr. Stanislaw focuses on the whole picture of one’s health. She appreciates that ‘being healthy’ is much more than just the absence of disease. In addition to teaching patients how to improve blood sugar levels, she also supports patients with optimizing their M.E.D.S….Mindset, Exercise, Diet, Sleep…critical lifestyle areas that are often left out of standard medical care.

She has presented over 200 Facebook lives since March 2020 and her videos have thousands of views. If you or someone you know is struggling with Type 1 Diabetes, go to:

Click Here

Diana Jules-Peene 

Author and publisher

Diana Jules-Peene is an author from Lititz, PA. She has recently published her first children’s book, centered around a little brown seed’s journey to discovering its inner strength and conquering obstacles to fulfill its true potential. Through the lens of this acorn, young readers witness the seed’s transformation into a magnificent oak tree.

These nature-inspired stories, featuring fruits and vegetables, not only captivate young minds but also serve to foster a healthier lifestyle. They encourage children to embrace a diet rich in vegetables and to engage with the great outdoors, which has been proven to have numerous health benefits.

She firmly believes in the power of storytelling to transport readers to new realms, sparking their imagination. Reading books also plays a pivotal role in shaping society and educating young minds. It’s a well-established fact that reading exercises the brain, enhances focus, and imparts knowledge about the world we inhabit. Through literature, we can not only nourish the mind but also promote a culture of health and well-being

Contact Healthy Community Lifespaces

If you would like more information to start Storywalk

 

 

Health in Library and Information Science Specialist

Dr. Noah Lenstra, MS.LIS

Professor of Library and Information Science and Author

Dr. Noah Lenstra, MS.LIS., is an associate professor of Library & Information Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He received his M.S. and PhD in Library & Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He brings a community organizing approach to the research and teaching of public librarianship. His books include Healthy Living at the Library (2020, Bloomsbury) and 12 Steps to a Community-Led Library (2023, American Library Association Editions). Since 2016, Dr. Lenstra has managed the Let’s Move in Libraries initiative, which he started.

Let’s Move in Libraries link

Social Media Instagram Coordinator

TO be Updated

 

 

Dr. Morton Axelrod, a licensed Mental Health Counselor, offers his expertise in creating a healthy environment for individuals with mental health conditions. He has helped numerous individuals unlock their potential and express their unique selves to the world, contributing to a fulfilling and abundant life for all. Dr. Axelrod recognizes that a healthy “lifespace” plays a crucial role in supporting individuals on their journey.

Mental Health Specialist:

Dr. Morton Axelrod, Ph.D., 

Founding Emeritus Board Member 

Student Interns:

University Public Health Intern

Oluwayomi Bayode

Menstrual Equity Project 

Oluwayomi Bayode is a professional currently pursuing her master’s degree in public health at Eastern Washington University, combining her passion for healthcare with a specialization in public health. With over four years of experience in pharmacy, she possesses a strong foundation in the field and an unwavering commitment to improving population health outcomes.

Her current academic pursuits in public health have further ignited her passion for making a positive impact on communities through interventions. She is enthusiastic about leveraging her knowledge and skills to address public health challenges, promote preventive measures, and implement effective strategies to enhance overall well-being.

She will collaborate with community partners to facilitate a PA Coalition for Menstrual Equity to tackle period poverty in PA in addition to working on the HCL website monthly blog on the health issue of the month.

High school Intern:

Narayani Sakthinathan
Narayani Sakthinathan is a high school student, part of the class of 2026, at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School. She has a strong passion for medicine, looking towards a college pre-med track; she truly aims to do something different each and every day to help others in her community. Both being volunteer at St. Luke’s hospital and HCL has taught her the indefinite impact health-related awareness and service can have on an individual. She finds a major gap existing between the student population and the understanding of the importance of prioritizing your health. While volunteering at HCL, she aims to close this gap for younger generations and work towards awareness of health for all ages. 

Research Team:

We are actively seeking students from universities to join our research team.k 

Meet Our Hardworking Team and get to know us better

 

Board Members

 

Board President

Dr. Marianne Infante, OTD

Director of Health and Wellness Initiatives, Grant Writing

Occupational therapist and health educator

Dr. Marianne Infante, OTD, an experienced occupational therapist and health educator, has created a ‘lifespace’ for her father with multiple disabilities in their home. Her father thrived in a community that provided a healthy and functional environment, allowing him to participate in various activities and engage in hobbies of his choice. Currently, Dr. Infante actively contributes to the PA State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) Task Force for the 2022-2027 plan development, focusing on collaboration with agencies to promote health in all policies. She is passionate about creating a healthy environment for all. She directs programs at Healthy Community Lifespaces and conducts workshops and in-services to increase awareness of inclusive wellness plans. Dr. Infante is also Board Certified in Inclusive Education and serves on the board of Pennsylvania’s Education for All Coalition, PEAC.

Click here for PEAC

Click here for Annual Executive Summary 2023-24 and Strategic Plan 2024-25

Lawyer and athletic coach

Salvatore F. Bello, III, Esq.

Director of Legal and Ethics

Salvatore F. Bello, III, Esq. is an associate attorney with Bello, Reilley, McGrory & DiPippo, P.C. Salvatore brings a unique perspective to the HCL board. He has been involved in athletics from the age of 5 years old. He is a lifelong athlete and participated in baseball, basketball, and football from elementary school all the way through college. He is currently the quarterbacks coach at Archbishop John Carroll High School for the varsity football team. He firmly believes that promoting a healthy lifestyle improves an individual’s quality of life. He believes that all people, particularly our youth, benefit from a healthy and sustainable lifestyle in school, the workplace, and in the community. Promoting a healthy lifestyle at an early age can only lead to a more well-rounded individual.

Professor and editor, author

George Giuliani, J.D., Psy.D 

Director of Education

 George Giuliani, J.D., Psy.D is a full-time Associate Professor at Hofstra University’s School of Education in the Special Education Program in the Department of Specialized Programs in Education (SPE). He is the former Speaker of the University Faculty and Chair of the Senate Executive Committee at Hofstra University. Dr. Giuliani earned his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, M.S. from St. John’s University, J.D. from City University of New York School of Law, and M.A. and Psy.D. from Rutgers University.

Dr. Giuliani is a NYS Licensed Psychologist and NYS Certified School Psychologist. He is Board Certified in (1) Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychology; (2) Forensic Sciences; (3) Special Education; and (4) Special Education Advocacy Dr. Giuliani is the Executive Director of The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) and is Editor in Chief of two peer reviewed journals, Hofstra University’s Special Education Research, Policy, & Practice (SERPP), and AASEP’s Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (JAASEP)

Dr. Giuliani is the co-author of various articles in the New York State Family Law Review of the New York State Bar Association and is the author and co-author of numerous textbooks and books in the field of education, including, The Comprehensive Guide to Special Education Law, published by Jessica Kinglsey Publishers. Dr. Giuliani is the co-author of The Educator’s Diagnostic Manual of Disabilities and Disorders (EDM), and Assessment in Special Education: A Practical Approach (6th ed.);Transition Services in Special Education: A Practical Approach

Health coach, Veteran, and data specialist

Aman Negassi, BS

Director of Data and Communications

Aman Negassi, BS. is a Fitness and Nutrition Coach. His background is in the Data Science field that he utilizes towards optimal health and performance of those under his tutelage. He is an Air Force veteran from the 143rd AW Rhode Island Air National Guard, part of the Communications Flight (Cyber/Information Technology). During the COVID-19 Pandemic, he was activated to be part of the COVID-19 Response team for the Department of Health. His responsibilities included enforcing the Governor’s executive order, screening Government employees, Contact Tracing, Case Investigating, and helping facilitate the operations at the Vaccination clinic from screening patients to handling paperwork and assisting patients struggling with mobility. He also worked briefly as a Cost Analyst managing the budget for multi-million-dollar Department of Defense Programs. His experiences have contributed to his belief that a healthy lifestyle is not just essential but also an economic issue

 

Community, Childhood Health, and Nutrition Specialist

Anett Ume, MA, RD, LDN

 Director of Diversity, Health equity and Inclusion 

Anett Ume, MA, RD, LDN is a registered, licensed dietitian. She has been dedicated to promoting health and developing wellness and nutrition programs in elementary schools. Anett firmly believes that a healthy lifestyle begins in early childhood, which led her to establish educational, gardening, and cooking programs in schools. As a registered dietitian, she understands the challenges adults and children with various conditions and social background face when it comes to healthy eating. Her goal is to help families achieve a healthy lifestyle in the space they live in.

Massage therapist and caregiver

Lisa Vigilante, LMT, Secretary

Director of Community and Fundraising

Lisa Vigilante, LMT is an experienced licensed massage therapist, dedicated parent, and advocate for health. She provides a quality healthy “lifespace” for her daughter with special needs in the Ephrata Area of PA. Lisa is an advocate for health, inclusion and community involvement. Lisa put together a local community workshops and networks with others on helping to create a Lifecourse[1] and providing other resources for parents with children with all different abilities.

Information on Lifecourse is available at

Read Now

 

Board Treasurer

Open position

Director of Finances

 

 

 Advisory Team Members:

Mentor team:

Community, Childhood Health, and Nutrition Specialist

Dr. Jody Stanislaw,

Emeritus Board Member, Naturopathic Doctor

Dr. Jody Stanislaw received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine in 2007. She is a Type 1 Diabetes Specialist and a TEDx speaker. Her talk entitled Sugar is Not a Treat has over 5 million views.

See on Youtube

Having overcome the struggles of living with Type 1 Diabetes since the age of seven, she has dedicated her career to helping others with this challenging condition. Via her virtual consulting practice, she has helped thousands of people living with Type 1 Diabetes  from over thirty states and ten countries optimize their blood sugar control.

While most medical visits only look at the problem at hand, Dr. Stanislaw focuses on the whole picture of one’s health. She appreciates that ‘being healthy’ is much more than just the absence of disease. In addition to teaching patients how to improve blood sugar levels, she also supports patients with optimizing their M.E.D.S….Mindset, Exercise, Diet, Sleep…critical lifestyle areas that are often left out of standard medical care.

She has presented over 200 Facebook lives since March 2020 and her videos have thousands of views. If you or someone you know is struggling with Type 1 Diabetes, go to:

Click Here

Diana Jules-Peene 

Author and publisher

Diana Jules-Peene is an author from Lititz, PA. She has recently published her first children’s book, centered around a little brown seed’s journey to discovering its inner strength and conquering obstacles to fulfill its true potential. Through the lens of this acorn, young readers witness the seed’s transformation into a magnificent oak tree.

These nature-inspired stories, featuring fruits and vegetables, not only captivate young minds but also serve to foster a healthier lifestyle. They encourage children to embrace a diet rich in vegetables and to engage with the great outdoors, which has been proven to have numerous health benefits.

She firmly believes in the power of storytelling to transport readers to new realms, sparking their imagination. Reading books also plays a pivotal role in shaping society and educating young minds. It’s a well-established fact that reading exercises the brain, enhances focus, and imparts knowledge about the world we inhabit. Through literature, we can not only nourish the mind but also promote a culture of health and well-being

Contact Healthy Community Lifespaces

If you would like more information to start Storywalk

 

 

Health in Library and Information Science Specialist

Dr. Noah Lenstra, MS.LIS

Professor of Library and Information Science and Author

Dr. Noah Lenstra, MS.LIS., is an associate professor of Library & Information Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He received his M.S. and PhD in Library & Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He brings a community organizing approach to the research and teaching of public librarianship. His books include Healthy Living at the Library (2020, Bloomsbury) and 12 Steps to a Community-Led Library (2023, American Library Association Editions). Since 2016, Dr. Lenstra has managed the Let’s Move in Libraries initiative, which he started.

Let’s Move in Libraries link

Social Media Instagram Coordinator

TO be Updated

 

 

Dr. Morton Axelrod, a licensed Mental Health Counselor, offers his expertise in creating a healthy environment for individuals with mental health conditions. He has helped numerous individuals unlock their potential and express their unique selves to the world, contributing to a fulfilling and abundant life for all. Dr. Axelrod recognizes that a healthy “lifespace” plays a crucial role in supporting individuals on their journey.

Mental Health Specialist:

Dr. Morton Axelrod, Ph.D., 

Founding Emeritus Board Member 

Student Interns:

University Public Health Intern

Oluwayomi Bayode

Menstrual Equity Project 

Oluwayomi Bayode is a professional currently pursuing her master’s degree in public health at Eastern Washington University, combining her passion for healthcare with a specialization in public health. With over four years of experience in pharmacy, she possesses a strong foundation in the field and an unwavering commitment to improving population health outcomes.

Her current academic pursuits in public health have further ignited her passion for making a positive impact on communities through interventions. She is enthusiastic about leveraging her knowledge and skills to address public health challenges, promote preventive measures, and implement effective strategies to enhance overall well-being.

She will collaborate with community partners to facilitate a PA Coalition for Menstrual Equity to tackle period poverty in PA in addition to working on the HCL website monthly blog on the health issue of the month.

High school Intern:

Narayani Sakthinathan
Narayani Sakthinathan is a high school student, part of the class of 2026, at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School. She has a strong passion for medicine, looking towards a college pre-med track; she truly aims to do something different each and every day to help others in her community. Both being volunteer at St. Luke’s hospital and HCL has taught her the indefinite impact health-related awareness and service can have on an individual. She finds a major gap existing between the student population and the understanding of the importance of prioritizing your health. While volunteering at HCL, she aims to close this gap for younger generations and work towards awareness of health for all ages. 

Research Team:

We are actively seeking students from universities to join our research team.k