Who We Are...
Our Board of Directors and Governance Committee is comprised of volunteer members who are dedicated to the Mission & Vision of Wellness G.I.F.T.S.. The Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight of the Executive Director and, overall, the Retreat Weekends.
If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors or becoming a Committee Member, please send a letter of interest and your resume to Nicole Blough.
If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors or becoming a Committee Member, please send a letter of interest and your resume to Nicole Blough.
Janet Opila-Lehman
Founder
Janet's passion for children with special needs began over 35 years ago when she was working as an Occupational Therapist. She especially enjoyed hands-on work with the children and adults and added on training in Massage Therapy, Myofascial Release Work, Craniosacral Therapy, etc. Her work in this area led her to teaching Occupational Therapy at Keuka College and then on to starting the Finger Lakes Wellness Center and Health Spa and the Wellness G.I.F.T.S. program. She served as Director of the Wellness G.I.F.T.S. program for 10 years before moving on to become a Doctor in Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. Janet now lives in Asheville, NC where she works with individuals on the autism spectrum;
providing naturopathic medicine and occupational therapy.
Founder
Janet's passion for children with special needs began over 35 years ago when she was working as an Occupational Therapist. She especially enjoyed hands-on work with the children and adults and added on training in Massage Therapy, Myofascial Release Work, Craniosacral Therapy, etc. Her work in this area led her to teaching Occupational Therapy at Keuka College and then on to starting the Finger Lakes Wellness Center and Health Spa and the Wellness G.I.F.T.S. program. She served as Director of the Wellness G.I.F.T.S. program for 10 years before moving on to become a Doctor in Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. Janet now lives in Asheville, NC where she works with individuals on the autism spectrum;
providing naturopathic medicine and occupational therapy.
Terri Bommarito
President
Terri has been involved with Wellness G.I.F.T.S. as a Panel member since 2000. She joined the Governance Board in 2013. Terri brings to G.I.F.T.S. a wealth of knowledge from her many years as a Special Educator. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from The College of St. Rose in Albany, New York. She has a great love for special needs children and has enjoyed watching her students grow both academically and socially during her years of teaching.
President
Terri has been involved with Wellness G.I.F.T.S. as a Panel member since 2000. She joined the Governance Board in 2013. Terri brings to G.I.F.T.S. a wealth of knowledge from her many years as a Special Educator. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from The College of St. Rose in Albany, New York. She has a great love for special needs children and has enjoyed watching her students grow both academically and socially during her years of teaching.
Robert Fogle
Vice President
Robert Fogle is a Unified Childhood Education major at Keuka College who is originally from Lockport, New York. He volunteered as an Assistant with Wellness G.I.F.T.S. for six retreats before deciding to join the Board of Directors. This is his second year on the Board and he looks forward to continuing as a positive addition to the Wellness G.I.F.T.S. team. Robert hopes that his experience as a volunteer and knowledge in education will help to bring a different perspective to the Board.
Vice President
Robert Fogle is a Unified Childhood Education major at Keuka College who is originally from Lockport, New York. He volunteered as an Assistant with Wellness G.I.F.T.S. for six retreats before deciding to join the Board of Directors. This is his second year on the Board and he looks forward to continuing as a positive addition to the Wellness G.I.F.T.S. team. Robert hopes that his experience as a volunteer and knowledge in education will help to bring a different perspective to the Board.
Charlene Fairman
Board Member
Charlene grew up with a sister with special needs and three children of her own, two of whom have special needs. Charlene has an AAS in Applied Science with a medical background from Community College of the Finger Lakes and currently works through Ontario County as an administrative assistant to several directors in the Community Affairs and Professional Development Department for the same college. Charlene works part time for CMAC and Walmart. Charlene enjoys working and feels her work keeps her engaged with the community as does her volunteer work with Wellness G.I.F.T.S., OPWDD, cheer-leading, and many events over the last 15 years.
Board Member
Charlene grew up with a sister with special needs and three children of her own, two of whom have special needs. Charlene has an AAS in Applied Science with a medical background from Community College of the Finger Lakes and currently works through Ontario County as an administrative assistant to several directors in the Community Affairs and Professional Development Department for the same college. Charlene works part time for CMAC and Walmart. Charlene enjoys working and feels her work keeps her engaged with the community as does her volunteer work with Wellness G.I.F.T.S., OPWDD, cheer-leading, and many events over the last 15 years.
Kevin Powers
Board Member
Kevin grew up in the near by town Campbell New York & received a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Oswego in Political Science with a concentration in public administration. He started with Wellness GIFTS as a volunteer assistant during the summer of 2011 & became the Executive Director in 2012. He has sence joined the Board of Directors in April 2015. His favorite part of each retreat is the talent show where he lends his talents as our master of ceremonies.
Board Member
Kevin grew up in the near by town Campbell New York & received a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Oswego in Political Science with a concentration in public administration. He started with Wellness GIFTS as a volunteer assistant during the summer of 2011 & became the Executive Director in 2012. He has sence joined the Board of Directors in April 2015. His favorite part of each retreat is the talent show where he lends his talents as our master of ceremonies.
Amber Fairman
Board Member
Amber’s involvement within the community and her passion for children began at the age of 10 when her brother was diagnosed with autism. Amber always finds herself helping others. Amber attended many Wellness GIFTS retreats as a camper with her family before joining the governance committee in 2016. As a parent Amber knows how to advocate for her children, siblings, and others. Currently Amber also serves as an athletic coach for a special needs organization in Finger Lakes region, known as Finger Lakes Youth Sports.
Board Member
Amber’s involvement within the community and her passion for children began at the age of 10 when her brother was diagnosed with autism. Amber always finds herself helping others. Amber attended many Wellness GIFTS retreats as a camper with her family before joining the governance committee in 2016. As a parent Amber knows how to advocate for her children, siblings, and others. Currently Amber also serves as an athletic coach for a special needs organization in Finger Lakes region, known as Finger Lakes Youth Sports.
Shannon Carey
Committee Member
Shannon lives in Corning with her daughter and husband. She has been volunteering at wellness for four years with her daughter, Tiffany. Shannon has been working with children for 16 years with a focus with children and families with special needs.
Committee Member
Shannon lives in Corning with her daughter and husband. She has been volunteering at wellness for four years with her daughter, Tiffany. Shannon has been working with children for 16 years with a focus with children and families with special needs.
Kenneth Quick
Committee Member
*NEW coming soon!
Committee Member
*NEW coming soon!
Beth Simpson
Consumer/ Consultant
Beth Simpson and her family have attended Wellness G.I.F.T.S. retreats since 2002. Wellness G.I.F.T.S. made such a positive impact on her family that Beth decided to join the Board of Directors in 2011. Beth brought to the Board of Directors with a wealth of knowledge of what is involved with raising a child who has special needs. She has stepped down from her position on the Board but is still an active participant. She is a wife and a mother of two children, one who has special needs. She founded and continues to run a support group for Wayne and Monroe counties, she is a parent advocate helping multiple families with their special needs, and supports a collaboration program at a local college bringing parents and potential special educators together while working in management at Xerox Corporation.
Consumer/ Consultant
Beth Simpson and her family have attended Wellness G.I.F.T.S. retreats since 2002. Wellness G.I.F.T.S. made such a positive impact on her family that Beth decided to join the Board of Directors in 2011. Beth brought to the Board of Directors with a wealth of knowledge of what is involved with raising a child who has special needs. She has stepped down from her position on the Board but is still an active participant. She is a wife and a mother of two children, one who has special needs. She founded and continues to run a support group for Wayne and Monroe counties, she is a parent advocate helping multiple families with their special needs, and supports a collaboration program at a local college bringing parents and potential special educators together while working in management at Xerox Corporation.
Nicole Blough (aka Ms. Nicky)
Executive Director
After over 18 years of experience in customer service, supervisory positions, and business ownership, Nicole Blough made a career change by returning to college to receive a BA in Sociology. Nicole has redirected her focus toward community outreach and service. The Wellness G.I.F.T.S. program has inspired Nicole, and she hopes that she can help to further its goals and continue to grow the organization. As a glass and jewelry artist, and former arts and crafts director, she is hoping that her creative and innovative thinking benefit the program.
Executive Director
After over 18 years of experience in customer service, supervisory positions, and business ownership, Nicole Blough made a career change by returning to college to receive a BA in Sociology. Nicole has redirected her focus toward community outreach and service. The Wellness G.I.F.T.S. program has inspired Nicole, and she hopes that she can help to further its goals and continue to grow the organization. As a glass and jewelry artist, and former arts and crafts director, she is hoping that her creative and innovative thinking benefit the program.
Daniel C Quick II
Volunteer Coordinator
Dan grew up in the town of Canisteo with close friends of the family who had a special needs daughter and granddaughter. In 2000 he was involved in an automobile accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He graduated from Alfred State University with an A.A.S. in human services in 2006. He is very passionate about advocating for people with disabilities. Becoming an employee of the 'Gifted' family allows him to follow his passion.
Volunteer Coordinator
Dan grew up in the town of Canisteo with close friends of the family who had a special needs daughter and granddaughter. In 2000 he was involved in an automobile accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He graduated from Alfred State University with an A.A.S. in human services in 2006. He is very passionate about advocating for people with disabilities. Becoming an employee of the 'Gifted' family allows him to follow his passion.