Board Members

​ELLEN K. BENNETT

 Director
​
​Ellen is our fearless leader. With personal experience and professional training, she is the primary eating disorder presenter and Body Positive Trainer for KMB. A member of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) with the Western NY Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (WNYCCCED). Additional affilitiations, Academy for Eating Disorders, Eating Disorder Coalition, Alliance for Eating Disorders and National Eating Disorder Association, Ellen brings expertise, innovation, and compassion to the eating disorder community. 

​MEGAN BENNETT-SPEARS

 Secretary and Treasurer 

​Megan is committed to pushing KMB forward. A dedicated member and co-founder, she is a passionate ED advocate and manages KMBs business operations including budget, fundraising, program management, and strategy.

EMILY CHIARA

Board Member

​​Our resident mental health expert, Emily is passionate about advocating for others and spreading awareness about mental health illness. She has experienced the pain and the many unanswered questions one has after losing someone from an Eating Disorder and her hope through KMB is to provide more support and resources to those impacted by ED. One of her favorite initiatives is the pillow project; providing a little piece of comfort for those in inpatient settings battling ED.

BROOKE WARD

​Board Member

Brooke is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has research and experience working with eating disorders at various levels of care; outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization. Brooke utilizes her education and training from the University of Rochester with the biopsychosocial model to help inform her care with individuals and families in recovery. Brooke is a proud board member of KMB and enjoys promoting awareness of eating disorders and healing by collaborating with other professionals, on social media, in sessions with clients and families, and in her continuing education.​ Brooke LaLone, LFMT

​SANTO CARUANA 

Board Member

​I am a young adult in recovery. I am serving on this board to raise awareness and support for those who are struggling so that I, and those I work with, may help others overcome their struggles as well as creating a space for understanding and compassion. I currently attend the University at Buffalo in their Nursing Program and plan to graduate in May of 2024!

JENNIFER HAEFELE

Board Member
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​Jen is a Registered Dietitian Nutrition specializing in eating disorders and Intuitive Eating. She holds the designation of Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Supervisor from the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals and is also a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. She is a proud advocate for those in recovery and is excited to be a part of KMB.
RDNJen

​CAROLINE SENSAK

Board Member

​​Caroline is a student at St. John Fisher University, majoring in Psychology, with a distinct focus on eating disorders. While being in recovery herself, Caroline uses her own life experiences as motivation to continue pushing for change within the field in order to help make recovery resources more accessible to both individuals and families.

ALLIE MCKINNEY

Board Member

Allie McKinney is a Registered Dietitian specializing in trauma-informed, weight-inclusive, whole person care for eating disorders. In addition to her professional experience, she has also been in recovery from an eating disorder herself for over a decade. Allie is a self-described “continuing education nerd” and is enthusiastic to support KMB’s mission to expand awareness, knowledge, and options for those impacted by eating disorders. Her goal as a board member is to help facilitate access to professional education, prevention programs, and knowledgeable providers in the Rochester community and beyond. Professional affiliations include the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians, Weight Inclusive Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Association for Size Diversity and Health.  Allie McKinney, RN

KAITLYN VITOZZI​

Board Member

Kaitlyn is a C-IAYT Yoga Therapist specializing in trauma-informed care. She studied with Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy and aims to help people learn to listen to their bodies through movement, meditation, and breath. She has been teaching therapeutic yoga classes for KMB for Answers since 2021 and loves seeing students return year after year, taking an hour out of their busy lives to re-center and reflect.  Tozzi Yoga

SAMANTHA JOHNSON

Board Member
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​Sam is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in eating disorders in Rochester, New York. Her background is in movement, cognition, and performance; in addition to a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (University of Rochester School of Medicine), she holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience (University of Rochester) and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance Performance (SUNY Brockport). Sam's therapeutic work is rooted in both a biopsychosocial and social-ecological model of health and wellness. She has worked with eating disorder clients at various levels of care from outpatient to inpatient and is passionate about building community programs and professional protocols for eating disorder education and prevention. With both lived experience of an eating disorder and professional engagement in the community for many years, Sam believes every recovery journey is unique and must be guided by client strengths and values. Sam is thrilled to join the board of KMB in support of spreading awareness and building our community.  FUELTherapy

ALEXANDRA POPA

Board Member

Alexandra is a licensed Clinical Psychologist whose primary clinical focus is working with adolescents and adults diagnosed with eating disorders and other co-occurring conditions.  Alexandra hopes to increase community awareness and training opportunities with the goal of improving access to evidence-based treatments for individuals impacted by eating disorders.  She is excited to be part of KMB!  Alexandra Popa, PsyD.

Volunteers

​LUKE COSTANZA

Founder and Volunteer

​Luke has been around since the beginning and KMB can't seem rid themselves of him. Luke advises the team from afar on strategic, management, and budget decisions.

ANGELA SIMPSON

​Volunteer

​​ Angela is proud to be involved in the important and progressive work that KMB is doing. 

KAYLEIGH REEDHEAD

​Volunteer

​Kayleigh is a dedicated fundraiser, team member, and event supporter and is committed to the mission of KMB.

FAITH WESTER

​Volunteer

​Faith has served as a board member since KMB's inception in 2013 and really enjoys running and participating in our annual 5K fundraiser. 

ANNE VANDERVEN

​Volunteer

​Anne has helped participate in our fundraisers and collaborations by raising awareness! Her favorite fundraiser is the 5K which we do every year, as a team we come together and not only raise money but raise awareness!

​TRACEY SCALISE

​Volunteer

​Katie was always a huge part of the Scalise family and Tracey is proud to be involved in the pillow project for KMB donating pillows to people in treatment programs.

AMBER CONINE

​Volunteer

​​Amber has been a fundraiser and volunteer since 2014, spreading body positivity and Eating Disorder awareness.

BRANDI SCALISE

Volunteer

​​Brandi has been a proud board member of KMB since it was founded in memory of her best friend, Katie, knowing firsthand how eating disorders affect individuals who have been diagnosed and their friends and family. She participates in board meetings and fundraising events because she strongly believes in KMB's cause and ability to bring change. 

LINDA MORSE

Volunteer

Linda is a School Social Worker in the Rochester, NY, area. Linda has worked with several students with eating disorders and their families. It has become a professional goal to learn all she can about ED and to bring that knowledge to others in education. KMB and its affiliates have been an incredible source of learning and support, and Linda is grateful to have an opportunity to promote KMB and its mission.​

Young Adult Advisors

ANA DOBROT

Teen Advisor

Ana Dobrot is a 17-years-old high school senior that was diagnosed with RAN at the age of 14, in the midst of the pandemic isolation. When she became stable enough in her recovery, she felt it was important to use her experience and voice to help close the gaps in available care for eating disorders in Western NY and advocated for increased awareness and funding. Immersing herself in creative pursuits was also a big part of Ana’s path to recovery. Her music became more personal and meaningful, and she rediscovered a love of visual arts. Volunteering in her community also helped Ana re-emerge from toxic social norms and relationships and become a stronger and more authentic person. She discovered her innate passions and found her place among like-minded individuals.

SYDNEY

Teen Advisor

Sydney is a teen in Eating Disorder recovery. She is very passionate about spreading awareness and body positivity. She wants to make sure that others know they’re not alone in what they’re going through.