Laurie Kupperstein, M.S. worked in aging and mental health since 1976.  She worked in nursing homes, a senior center, and with chronically mentally ill elders in a New York City hospital. Her union experience includes 7 years in the United Federation of Teacher's Retiree Social Services and 8 years in New York State United Teachers Social Services.

Scott Hicks, LCSW, has a 32 year career as a family therapist for hospice, a director of an outpatient substance abuse clinic with a number of EAP contracts and as a private practitioner.  He has been at NYSUT Social Services since 2000.

Ani Shahinian, LCSW worked for more than 25 years in medical and mental health settings.  She has extensive experience with inpatient and outpatient psychiatry both at the New England Medical Center and McLean Hospital in Boston, Mass.  She worked in private practice and most recently was a clinical supervisor in an outpatient community mental health clinic.  She joined the New York State United Teachers Social Services department in 2007.