Paulette Purdy is the Executive Director. She had been Co-Executive Director of LDACNY for 16 years before taking on her current role.  Prior to her tenure with LDACNY, she had experience with other not-for- profit agencies, as well as a background in sales.  She holds a bachelor’s degree from Framingham State College in Massachusetts.

Ms. Purdy has secured new state, federal and foundation funding for LDACNY, more than tripling the agency’s operating budget in the past 15 years.  With the additional funding, the agency has been able to expand programs, staff and most importantly the number of individuals served through in a variety of programs.  She is responsible for the day to day financial operations of the agency, as well as grant writing and reporting and human resource responsibilities.  To contact Paulette, call her at 315-432-0665 or e-mail her at Ppurdy@LDACNY.org

Lisa Bianchi is the Director of Adult Services at the Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York.  She has been with the agency for 13 years in several positions. Lisa has an extensive background in creating better outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities. Lisa has also provided consultation services in adult education and post secondary settings.  She is a member of the CNY Post Secondary Disability Consortium, and has experience in assisting students in understanding their disabilities, preferred learning styles and reasonable accommodations.  She has developed and presented many times over the years on the issues of learning disabilities, learning styles, accommodations, and related topics.  Lisa has a background in special education and is trained in the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading. Lisa provides information and resources to employees and employers with regard to employment issues, including assisting in developing reasonable accommodations and assistance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  She is a certified Bridges to Practice Trainer.  To contact Lisa, call her at 315-432-0665 or e-mail her at Lbianchi@LDACNY.org

Dianne Pennings is the Director of Children Services and Director of the summer SAIL (Summer Adventure in Learning) program.  Dianne has twenty years of experience in the field of special education.  Her background includes classroom teaching, team teaching, facilitating teaming approaches, implementing a mentoring program for students diagnosed with ADHD, and developing a support program for families challenged with children with learning disabilities and related disorders.  Dianne has worked with students at every age level and with varying disabilities.  Dianne is a certified teacher for elementary grades K-8, and special education grades K-12.  Dianne has been trained in Schools Attuned through the All Kinds of Minds Institute.  To contact Dianne, call her at 315-432-0665 or e-mail her at Dpennings@LDACNY.org