Senior Leadership

Lawrence Boord

Chief Financial Officer

Lawrence Boord, CPA, has served as EPIC Long Island’s Chief Financial Officer since December 2012. He previously served as Controller of Children’s Health Fund, where he oversaw the financial management of a national program of health centers and crisis relief programs for underserved children. He brings over 20 years of experience to his position at EPIC Long Island, all of it in the Non-Profit healthcare sectors, including 9 years as Assistant Vice President of Finance Metropolitan Jewish Health System where he focused on their managed care programs. He earned his BA at CUNY/Queens College and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and The New York Society of Certified Public Accountants. Larry lives in West Hempstead with his wife and 3 children.

Deborah Washington, MEd, LMHC

Chief Program Officer

Deborah Washington, MEd, LMHC is the new Chief Program Officer here at EPIC overseeing the OPWDD programs. Prior to coming over to EPIC, she was the Senior Vice President of the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Services at Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York City. She is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a master’s degree in education from Hunter College (CUNY) with an emphasis on disabilities studies. She volunteers as a Board advisor for the Carlton Locksley Bennett Foundation in Brooklyn; a grassroots organization that focuses on youth and gun violence.

Deborah has over 30 years of experience working with adults and youth with disabilities. She began her career working with adults with developmental disabilities from a direct service professional and has moved through the ranks up to her current position.

Deborah has worked for multiple non-profit agencies in New York City and prides herself as an expert in the field of disabilities. For seventeen years she worked in the field of job training and placement and oversaw programs that facilitated hundreds of youths and adults to enter the world of work.

Deborah believes that ALL people should be given the opportunity to contribute to this world and be as independent and autonomous as they can be. She is committed to training and developing staff and young professionals in the field and has developed different training modalities to assist them in the field to enhance their skills and advance in the field.

With compassion and understanding, Deborah works with her staff and the individuals served, to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
In addition to her work with non-profits, Deborah has served as an Adjunct Professor for LaGuardia Community College (CUNY), volunteers on a steering Committee for BobCat, Inc, and is the president for her block association. Deborah lives in Brooklyn with her son.

Paul Giotis

Associate Executive Director of IDD Services

Paul began his career with the Epilepsy Foundation Long Island (EFLI) in 1992 as a Direct Support Professional. His strong work ethic, drive, and commitment to quality care quickly led to a series of promotions. Under his direct leadership, the Residential Program that now includes 18 operational homes throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties has grown by 50% since 1998. Paul works collaboratively with the CEO and the senior leadership team to facilitate strategic planning with a concentrated focus on program and workforce development; retention of service quality; and key stakeholder satisfaction.

Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and his Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Stony Brook University. Paul’s intricate knowledge of direct services coupled with his ability to drive and develop a talented team of professionals has turned what was once a career steppingstone into a lifelong passion.

Jennifer Colbert, LCSW-R

Chief Clinical Officer

Jennifer Colbert, LCSW joined EPIC Long Island in July 1998, providing individual, family, group, and couples therapy, as well as running the Parent Support Group and the Professional’s Support Group for people with epilepsy. In 2001, Jennifer became Clinic Administrator and continued in a number of leadership roles through the years until becoming Vice President of Clinic Services in 2016. Collaborating with colleagues through the years, Jennifer has brought innovative programs to EPIC Long Island’s clinics. In March 2009, Jennifer spearheaded the effort to obtain a license for EPIC Clinical Care, which established a mental health service component of the clinic to provide services to adults dealing with emotional and psychological issues. Jennifer collaborated with South Shore Child Guidance resulting in their joining EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies. In 2016 she obtained approval for serving children’s to our mental health clinic. Also in 2016, Jennifer collaborated with co-workers to create EPIC Medical Services, which provides in-home clinic services to people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jennifer trained at the Long Island Center for Modern Psychoanalysis and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Prior to EPIC Long Island, Jennifer worked at The Early Childhood Development Center at Schneider Children’s Hospital and also at the Long Island Breast Cancer Support Center and Hotline at Adelphi University.

Shari Lurie, LCSW-R

Senior Director of Clinical Services

Shari graduated from Adelphi University in 1987 with an MSW degree and began a private therapy practice that continues to thrive. While maintaining private clients, Shari has worked in outpatient substance abuse programs as well as alcohol day treatment centers in both clinical and supervisory positions. She worked for ten years at Suffolk County Probation in the mental health juvenile justice program, followed by a position as a family therapist at a residential school for emotionally disturbed girls. In her capacity as a family therapist, Shari began her affiliation with EPIC Long Island, working as a consultant in the clinic. In 2009, Shari worked with her EPIC Long Island colleagues to develop a mental health clinic licensed to serve the broader community and became the first Director of the Mental Health Clinic. Shari was instrumental in developing the strategic alliance with South Shore Child Guidance. In 2016 Shari oversaw the addition of EPIC’s Children’s Clinic. In addition to obtaining her LCSW, she spent thirteen years training at the Long Island Center for Modern Psychoanalysis. Shari is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Irene Rodgers

Associate Executive Director of Development & Epilepsy Services

Irene is a licensed Clinical Social worker who began her work at EPIC Long Island in 2000 as a therapist in the Article 16 Clinic. She worked with individuals, families, and groups facing challenges related to developmental disabilities and epilepsy. Through the years, Irene has taken on different roles and responsibilities. In 2010, she became the Director of Community Services, overseeing programs and services at EPIC Long Island including Medicaid Service Coordination, Community Habilitation, and Community Education.  Presently, Irene is the Associate Executive Director of Development and Epilepsy Services for the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies: EPIC Long Island, Epilepsy Foundation Long Island and South Shore Guidance Center.

Prior to joining the EPIC Family, Irene worked as a Medical Social Worker in hospital and physical rehabilitation systems. Irene graduated from the State University of New York, College at Cortland with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and earned her Masters of Social Work degree from the State University of New York at Albany, School of Social Welfare.

Allen Siegel

Senior Director of Transportation & Day Services

Allen has been working in the human services field since 1992. Over those years, he has acquired a vast knowledge of the varied needs of the individuals we serve and best practices for care. Allen joined EPIC Long Island in 2001 as an Assistant Manager at our Port Jefferson IRA and since then has demonstrated an unwavering commitment and dedication to the people in our care. Allen is particularly skilled in serving individuals with the most challenging medical and behavioral needs and was active in establishing an EPIC Long Island residence for severely behavioral individuals. The outcomes of this project have been so successful that the model has been endorsed for replication in future projects.

Allen currently serves as EPIC Long Island’s Director of Day Services and maintains a strong belief in the benefits of a positive corporate culture. His innovative ideas for Day Habilitation were incorporated into the renovation of our new facility and have benefited both staff and the people who participate in the programs. Allen earned a BA from Stony Brook University in 2008.