Our Leadership Team
Compassionate, Passionate & Professional
Our dedicated leadership team brings decades of experience in social services, working together to strengthen our community and support Bergen County families.
Mitch Schonfeld, MSW
President & CEO
In 1992, Bergen Family Center's Board of Trustees selected Mitch Schonfeld to be the organization's 4th President and Chief Executive Officer since 1922. Mitch came to BFC after 15 years of professional work with young children, adolescents, families, and clients with special needs. At the time of his hire, BFC had 35 employees and a $1 million budget, serving 800 clients. BFC now serves nearly 5000 clients with a $6 million + budget and a staff of more than 100.
Davia Valenzuela, BA
Senior Director of Human Resources
Davia Valenzuela joined Bergen Family Center in 1999. She has served in multiple capacities throughout her tenure, helping to grow and sustain community programs. Davia became the Director of Human Resources & Administration in 2016. She now directs, develops, and coordinates policies and practices to ensure legal compliance and implementation of the organization's mission and talent strategy.
Alexis Cooperman, BA
Senior Director of Development
Alexis Cooperman joined Bergen Family Center in March 2017 as their Special Events Advisor. In 2018 she became our Director of Development. Alexis drives BFC's fundraising strategy, stewardship, and major gift cultivation. Prior to her arrival at BFC, Alexis served for 12 years on the Dwight-Englewood School's Board of Trustees and Committee on Trustees.
Suad Gacham, BA
Senior Director of Family and Children's Services
Suad Gacham has been with Bergen Family Center since 2023. She has 20+ years of experience in education and nonprofit services. Suad oversees Early Learning Services, HIPPY, After School programs and the Family Success Center. She is fluent in Arabic and Spanish with a deep understanding of the diverse communities we serve.
Rachel Cohen, LMSW
Senior Director of Community Health and Outreach
Rachel Cohen brings 10 years of experience managing programs supporting individuals and families impacted by homelessness and mental health, including HIV and court involvement. Before her social work career she had 15 years of experience as a media executive. She oversees the Ryan White HIV Program, the Zones, and Older Adult Services.
Abel Bantyiwalu, BS
Senior Director of Finance
Abel Bantyiwalu joined Bergen Family Center in 2018. Abel oversees all financial aspects of the organization, driving BFC's financial strategy and planning, assessing financial risk and performance, and managing all Federal, State, and County grants. He is fluent in Amharic.
Jyoti Advani, MA
Associate Director of Institutional Giving
Jyoti Advani joined Bergen Family Center in February 2025 as Associate Director of Institutional Giving, bringing 17 years of experience in business development, grant writing, and funding strategy. She has secured $270 million in grants and contracts for organizations like The Salvation Army and Mount Sinai Hospital and founded Shakti Writing Services, Inc., a consultancy specializing in grant and technical writing. Jyoti holds a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University and a Master of Social Work from The M.S. University, India.
Maribel Tapia, MA
Director of Early Learning Services
Maribel Tapia joined Bergen Family Center in February of 2023 as the Director of Early Learning Services. Prior to her arrival at BFC, Maribel served for 6 years as a technical assistance specialist with the state's early childhood quality rating system, Grow NJ Kids. She is fluent in Spanish.
Marisa Tarateta, MFT, CDP, PsyM
Director of Older Adults
Marisa Tarateta joined BFC in April 2024 as the Director of Older Adults. Marisa has a MS in Medical Marriage and Family Therapy, a MS in Community Psychology and is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She oversees Bergen Family Center's senior programs: SESCIL, Adult Day Program, Care Management for Homebound Seniors, Caregiver Support, and the collaboration with Age-Friendly Englewood.
Elizabeth Acevedo, LMSW
Director of the ZONE at Janis E. Dismus Middle School
Elizabeth Acevedo joined BFC in March 2024 as Director of the ZONE at Janis E. Dismus Middle School. Elizabeth is a Licensed Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with at-risk youth, children, young adults and families in non-profit, school and government settings. She is fluent in Spanish.
Rachel Solomon, LCSW
Director of the ZONE at Dwight Morrow HS and the Academies
Rachel Solomon joined Bergen Family Center in 2021 as a social work intern and is now Director of our school based youth services program for High School students.
Natalia Valencia, BA
Director of Family Success Center
Natalia Valencia joined Bergen Family Center in 2022 as Director of the Family Success Center. She brings extensive experience in community outreach and family support services. Natalia is fluent in Spanish and has a deep understanding of the diverse needs of Bergen County families.
Rachele Vetrone, MSW
Director of Parent Engagement & Home Visiting
Rachel Ventrone joined BFC in 2005 to lead our evidence-based, internationally recognized home visiting program (HIPPY). She has led the expansion of home visiting/instruction services at BFC becoming the Director of Parent Engagement and Home Visiting in 2019. Rachel brings expertise in early childhood development and literacy, parent and community engagement, and school and family partnerships. She holds a certification from HIPPY USA and a Master's in Social Work from Hunter College.
Paula M. Tenebruso, LCSW
Supervisor of HIV|AIDS Services
Paula Tenebruso joined BFC in January 2000 as a Clinical Social Worker and became the Supervisor of HIV-AIDS Services in 2001. She offers expertise in client and community engagement on issues related to HIV and LGBTQ+. In her previous work at Bergen Pines County Hospital, she treated patients with complex mental health and addiction challenges. Paula received her BSW from Seton Hall University and her MSW and from Rutgers University.
Sheila B. Steinbach, LPC
Director of Court Services
Sheila Steinbach joined Bergen Family Center in 2015 as the Director of Court Services. She oversees the organization's work to provide a forensic evaluation for the family court regarding disputed custody/visitation. Before arriving at BFC, Sheila was Director of Clinical Services at Jewish Family Services and private practice. Sheila has extensive experience providing individual and family therapy and expertise in co-parenting, divorce mediation, and best interest evaluations. Sheila earned M. Ed. in Counseling Psychology from Boston University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is fluent in Yiddish.
Cathy Robertson
Director of After School Programs
Cathy Robertson joined Bergen Family Center part-time as Director of After School Programs in 2018. Cathy works for the Englewood School District as the Media Specialist Clerk for the Janis E. Dismus Middle School. She holds a BA in Psychology and Education K-8 and is a candidate for an MA in Psychology/certification in Life Coaching.
Yolanda Salazar
Director of After School Programs
Yolanda Salazar joined BFC as a part-time Director of After School Programs in 2017. She works at the Englewood Public School District as a certified Preschool Intervention and Referral Specialist, partnering with BFC's Pre-K expansion program. Yolanda taught Special Ed in New York City before arriving in Englewood. She received her Masters in Education from Felician College Med. Yolanda is fluent in Spanish.