Our Team
Agatha Vassallo
Executive Director
718.808.1373
Agatha Vassallo (She/ Her/ Hers) has dedicated serving Staten Island’s LGBTQIA+ community and families through her work with the Pride Center of Staten Island (PCSI) Since 2023. As the Executive Director, she brings passion, vision, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. Agatha is honored to continue working alongside the Center’s staff, board, and community partners to ensure PCSI remains a safe and empowering space for all. A proud Brooklynite, she is excited to build and cross as many bridges, and rainbows, as she can to uplift and advocate for her community.
Nicholas Robinson
Programs Director
718.808.1359
Nicholas Robinson (He/Him/His) has been working in the field of HIV Prevention here on Staten Island for the last 10 years. In his quest for growth, he moved into the Programs Director position at the Pride Center. In his off time, he loves to go to the gym and stream random documentaries.
Anthony Corona
Office Manager
718.808.1357
Anthony Corona (He/Him/His) is the Office Manager for the Pride Center of Staten Island. He comes to the Pride Center from La Colmena, where he did case management. Anthony is currently enrolled in college with a major in human services. He enjoys working with multiple communities, learning new things along the way, and being able to create positive change.
Shanice Grainger
Youth and Senior Services Manager
718-808-1364
Shanice Grainger's (She/Her/Hers) absolute favorite thing to do is climbing up NYC's highest sky deck located in Manhattan and getting to hang off the building! Shanice also enjoys trying new foods and going to different spas.
Arielle Schechtman
Behavioral Health Manager
718-808-1361
Arielle Schechtman (She/Her/Hers) is a dedicated social worker with a passion for supporting marginalized communities in New York City for over a decade. Specializing in trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices, she is committed to fostering healing and resilience in those she serves. Arielle holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Rutgers University and is a proud inductee of the Phi Alpha Honor Society, reflecting her commitment to excellence in the field. At the Pride Center of Staten Island, she aims to create a safe and empowering environment for all individuals.
Deborah Green
Luv on a Leash Coordinator
718.808.1381
The Pride Center invited Angel on a Leash, now Luv on a Leash, to start a therapy dog program on Staten Island and Deborah (She/Her/Hers) answered the call. She recruits potential dog therapy teams, helps them get screened, trained, and tested, and then matches them at sites all over Staten Island.
Deborah passionately believes in the power of the human/animal bond to enrich and nurture our lives.
Anna Nemeckova-Gulack MHC-LP
Behavioral Health Coordinator
718.808.1358
anemeckova-gulack@pridecentersi.org
Anna Nemeckova-Gulack (She/Her/Hers), MHC-LP, first joined the Pride Center of Staten Island as a Mental Health Intern in 2021. She returned in order to help empower and serve the LGBTQIA+ community in the counseling program. Anna uses a holistic cognitive behavioral approach, with an emphasis on mindfulness. Anna believes that therapy is a space where discriminative assumptions can be broken down. When not in the office, you can find Anna knitting, playing D&D, and playing video games.
Pete Dugan
Senior Services Coordinator
718.701.0512
Peter K Dugan (He/ Him/ His). Pete started with the Pride Center as a volunteer in 2017 and is now employed as the Program Coordinator for both Senior and Volunteer programs.
Alex Sachelari
Digital Media Coordinator
718.701.0526
Alex Sachelari (She/Her, They/Them) is the Digital Media Coordinator at Pride Center of Staten Island. They manage the social media platforms and organize/create newsletters, brochures, flyers, and printed calendars. Having a deep passion for helping others, she is excited to be in an environment that helps the LGBTQIA+ community. In their free time, she crochets, roller skates, and draws.
Isabela Carrasco
Behavioral Health Coordinator
718.701.0525
Isabela Carrasco (She/Her/Hers), MHC-LP, is a graduate of the College of Staten Island's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She has previously interned at the Pride Center of Staten Island and is now a Behavioral Health Coordinator. Isabela primarily uses a psychodynamic approach to counseling and is trained in trauma-informed care.