2021 Making Healthful Decisions Conference Speakers

Dr. Brooke Balchan, DO, FAAP 

Dr. Brooke Balchan, is a board-certified Pediatrician, childhood (and adult) trauma survivor, and mother of twin seven year old boys. Dr. Balchan has extensive knowledge in child and adolescent development and is a strong advocate for children and families - promoting health, safety, and resilience. Over the past decade, Dr. Balchan has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including private practice, community foster care, and schools. Dr. Balchan has served as the Medical Director for Districts throughout Westchester since 2012. She is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on School Health and the Westchester County Department of Community Health Trauma Subcommittee. In June 2020, Dr. Balchan was appointed to the New York State Education Department’s Reopening Schools Regional Task Force and in May 2021 received the 2020 District II, NY Chapter 3, AAP Special Achievement Award for her leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jasmine Carmelitano

My name is Jasmine Carmelitano I am the Education Manager at Fearless! What drew me to this work is that I have never seen a program like this. We are actively engaged in meeting adolescents where they are in terms of understanding healthy relationships, teen dating violence, microaggressions, and the intersectionality of their identity. It is my genuine desire to work with youth and help them better navigate the world from the inside out.

Deborah DeBetta

Deborah DeBetta is a certified mindfulness instructor and has taught Mindfulness programs throughout Long Island for teachers, students, administrators and parents. Formally trained and qualified teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) where she studied at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Mindfulness under Jon Kabat-Zinn in Mind-Body Medicine. She is a certified Mindful Schools instructor and is currently in her intermediate year, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner in training. Her extensive education includes a MA in Physical & Health Education, BA in Psychology and Special Ed/Elementary Ed, 200hr Registered Yoga teacher, and a Reiki level 2 practitioner. She created and currently teaches a year-long mindfulness and yoga at Lynbrook High School. 

Inaudy Esposito

Inaudy Esposito, is the Executive Director for the Orange County Human Rights Commission, who’s primary purpose is to foster mutual respect and understanding among all groups in the County and promote understanding of equity, acceptance, unity, and humanity. Inaudy’s expertise includes over 15 years working in social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, and gender violence issues, including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. She is a sought-after speaker, and has presented at numerous conferences, including in the 2018 TEDx Newburgh, where she discussed diversity and privilege in her talk “Turning Differences into Strengths.”

Jessica Grimm

Jessica Grimm knows first-hand the negative impact that can occur on a young adult’s development by not having an authentic voice in their own treatment, goals, and life by not having one of her own growing up. Ms. Grimm is the Executive Director of Bravehearts M.O.V.E. New York Inc., an authentically youth led nonprofit organization, where she coordinates a multitude of youth led services and initiatives for young adults affected by the Mental Health, Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare systems. The Braveheart's provide services through an authentic and innovative partnership with The Children's Village, the official organizational mentor of the youth led agency. Jessica and the Bravehearts also work in partnership with a multitude of county, state, and national jurisdictions such as the Department of Corrections, Family Court, and the Department of Social Services to provide authentic youth voice to develop responsive and healing services and systems. Ms. Grimm has been advocating locally, nationally, and internationally to transform youth serving systems to improve pathways to adult hood for youth in care and/or alumni of care in the intersecting areas of housing, education, employment, and peer support for over a decade.

Mykal D. Karl

Arianna Smith

Arianna Smith, of Montebello, N.Y. is a senior at Suffern High School with an interest in Environmental Science. She is a member of the Speech & Debate Team, Suffern Varsity Cross Country and Track and Field, 4H Club of Rockland County and the American Red Cross Club. Arianna is also one of two designated role models for Suffern High School. Upon graduation, Arianna plans to study Environmental Science and aspires to further her education by attending law school for a degree in Environmental Law.

In the summer of 2021, Arianna completed an internship with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Next Generation of Hudson River Educators STEM program for under-represented groups. Through this experience, she was able to conduct research on the inhabitants of the Hudson River and educate the community about the Hudson River and effects of climate changes. Her life goal is to advocate for climate change education.

In addition, Arianna recently served as team lead with the Youth for Climate Action (YCA) team at the Cornell Cooperative 4H Club and organized a river cleanup. This experience affirmed there is an interconnectivity of small organizations with combined resources that can educate people on climate change from a unique perspective.

Additionally, Arianna is an avid writer and has been awarded the Scholastic Writing Award on more than one occasion and her work has also been published in SCRAWL.

Last, but certainly not least, she is very excited to join this panel and have this experience.

Malinda Ware

Malinda is a Project Director at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Sullivan County and the Statewide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion facilitator for CCE Administration. She is a entrepreneur and an emerging artist. Malinda is very passionate about social justice as she serves as a Human Rights Commissioner in Newburgh, NY and volunteers often serving the less fortunate at one of many local pantries in Newburgh. As an emerging Artist Malinda’s passion and talent is long overdue to showcase her craft. Her unique style is an African motif shrouded in silhouettes of mystics and fascinating stories that will take you far beyond your imagination. Serving more than 20 years as a community activist and leader with a passion for social justice and systemic change. She has many years of experience in strategic leadership and management for corporate and non-profit organizations. She has a deep understanding of how to streamline business operations and engage/empower employees in order to reach company objectives and increase profits. Malinda Ware is a graduate of Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY- BA in Integrated Marketing Communication Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). She owns a small business by the name of Arrangements Concierges and Event Management and has a couple small community partnerships. Malinda also served as a former Newburgh Housing Authority commissioner. Malinda believes in the equality of life for all. She is best known for her infectious personality filled with her saving the world words of wisdom. Malinda looks forward to her work making an impact to inspire conscious thought, conversations and change. “Be the change in the world that you want to see in the world” ~Ghandi is one of her favorite quotes.