Board of Directors

Marjorie Madfis, MBA

President, Executive Director

Marjorie Madfis founded Yes She Can Inc. in November 2013, inspired by her daughter, Isabelle who is now a young woman with autism.  Marjorie realized that her daughter and other teens with autism transitioning from high school to the adult world, need specialized coaching and training to be able to join the workforce.  From her observations and experience with her daughter, she believed that people with autism particularly needed to have an immersive experience to prepare for the competitive work place: learning about business, executing tasks, and practicing social skills in an authentic setting.

In her leadership role at Yes She Can, Marjorie serves as the executive director, supervising the Girl AGain boutique manager, Director of Training Programs, and volunteers.  She also is responsible for strategy, development, and communications.

Previously Marjorie had a successful 30-year career in corporate marketing with expertise in branding, strategy,  and interactive marketing.  In 2013 she retired from IBM after 17 years of service where she held leadership roles in digital and social media marketing.

She holds an MBA from Boston University and a BS from University of New Hampshire.

 

Patricia Salner, MPA

Director

Patricia Salner recently retired after a successful 30 year career in nonprofit management and development and municipal finance. She led several education and health organizations in board governance, fundraising and community relations. Pat also has extensive experience in strategic planning and event management. Prior to her joining the not for profit field, Pat worked in the banking and insurance industries.

In addition to her role on the board of Yes She Can Inc., she serves on several nonprofit boards in Hartford, CT and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Pat holds a Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Hartford and a Bachelors degree from Wheaton College.  She is a Master Gardener.  Pat is certified yoga instructor and leads classes with a special focus for cancer patients.

Pat serves as strategic adviser and grant writer for Yes She Can.

 

Jessica Markowitz, MPA

Director, Treasurer

Jessica Markowitz is Senior Director of Finance, Data, and Administration at Footsteps, a nonprofit organization that assists individuals who are contemplating leaving ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in their quest to lead self determined lives.  Previously, Jessica was the Director of Finance and Administration at Pro Bono Partnership, a Westchester-based nonprofit organization that provides free business and transactional legal services to nonprofit organizations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Jessica volunteers for NonProfit Westchester, an association of nonprofit organizations serving as the co-chair of the Human Resources Affinity Group.

Jessica holds a Bachelors of Arts from Purchase College and a Masters of Public Administration from Baruch College.

 

Amy Gravino, MA

Director

Amy Gravino, M.A., is a Certified Autism Specialist and the president of A.S.C.O.T. Coaching where she offers autism consulting, mentoring, and college coaching services for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Amy was diagnosed with Autism when she was 11 years old.  She shares her personal experiences and professional expertise as a national speaker. Amy has given two TED talks and presented to numerous audiences about autism and sexuality; preventing and ending bullying; issues related to girls and autism; growing up on the spectrum; and autism and transitioning to secondary education.

Amy’s writing has been published in a variety of outlets, including the textbook Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, the Reader’s Digest book The Best Life Stories, “Autism Spectrum Quarterly” magazine, the official blog of Autism Speaks, and more. She is now authoring The Naughty Autie, a memoir of her experiences with dating, relationships, and sexuality from the firsthand perspective of a woman on the autism spectrum.

A resident of New Jersey, Amy serves on the Board of Directors of the Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City and co-facilitates the Morris County chapter support group meetings for ASPEN-NJ.

Amy received the Advocates for Adults with Autism Award from Yes She Can in 2017.

 

Debra Solomon

Director

Debra K. Solomon is an New York University-certified Life and Career Coach and founder of Spectrum Strategies,  working with young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other learning differences.

As a parent of a young adult with Asperger’s Syndrome who is successful in his personal and professional life, Debra now shares what’s she learned on her journey with her son with others facing similar challenges.

Debra earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing from Syracuse University and has extensive experience in retail marketing, commercial real estate, and sales.

She was selected as one of the 2017 Long Island Business News Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business, which recognizes Long Island, NY, women for their business savvy, influential work, mentoring, and community involvement.

 

Charles Biener, Esq.

Director

Charlies Biener is Senior Counsel, Litigation in the PepsiCo Law Department where he is responsible for the company’s commercial, intellectual property, insured and legacy litigation legal matters. In addition to managing litigation, he heads the law department’s pro bono program and is a PepsiCo Ambassador.

Charles serves as President of ACC Westchester/Southern Connecticut, a local chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.  For his contributions to local non profit organizations, Charles received the 2017 Volunteer of the Year award from Pro Bono Partnership.

Charles has been practicing law for more than 30 years. Prior to PepsiCo, he held legal positions at CIT Group and International Paper, and spent 20 years in private practice with several New York City law firms. Charles received his J.D. from Cornell School of Law.  He and his family reside in Westchester County, NY.  He has a family member who is on the autism spectrum and who has become successfully employed through the support of a job skills program.