Mission
Cornerstone Home & Gardens seeks to provide an opportunity for Neurodivergent individuals, including those with Autism and related disabilities, to develop their full potential through day programs. Cornerstone will create a unique environment in which our participants experience real-life work opportunities in the areas of gardening & farming, building and grounds maintenance, landscape design, and public relations. Cornerstone will provide a professional work environment that is challenging, rewarding, creative, and safe.
Board of Directors
Cece Berger – Executive & Founding Director
Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Cortland State and a Master of Arts degree in Education, from Fordham University, NY. In addition, she is an Instructor of Physical Education in the Scarsdale School District. Mrs. Berger is an advocate for learning and the potential of students with special needs and youth sports.
Mari A. Schaefer – Director of Communications
Holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Journalism from Syracuse University and a Master of Science degree in Photo Communications from Ohio University. Ms. Schaefer retired after working many years for the Philadelphia Inquirer as a staff writer. She joined the Inquirer as Deputy Director of Photography. Previously she worked at the Tucson Citizen and Arizona Daily Star, as a staff photographer then, Photo Director. Ms. Schaefer was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2010 for a project on teen suicide. She has an Overseas Press Club award, a Leica Medal of Excellence and a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism award and was named Photographer of the Year in Arizona. Ms. Schaefer was a recipient of a National Press Club Fellowship for Spanish Language study. While in Tucson, Ms. Schaefer was a board member at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. She is an active Master’s swimmer who has competed in more than 200 open water competitions.
Glenn Berger Director & Treasurer
Holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics and Computer Sciences from St. John’s University. Glenn is currently the Director of IT for AMCON Distributing and is an experienced IT professional with over 41 years in the field. His background includes database and system administration, applications development and testing, project management, software engineering, data and software backup, disaster recovery, as well as other IT functions. Glenn is an avid sports fan whose favorite baseball team is the New York Mets and he enjoys spending time with his family and three sons.
Amy Insler – Director
Holds her undergraduate degree from SUNY-Binghamton and in 1996 earned a Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School in Chicago. She interned during the summer months with a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. While in law school, she also served as an Associate Justice of the Moot Court and a Staff Editor of the Law Journal. After receiving the award for Best Orator in the Interscholastic Moot Court Competition, Amy coached eleven teams for national competition, including the National Health Law team, which placed as finalists. Professionally, Amy is a medical malpractice attorney in NYC and a Board member of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. In her spare time, she has participated in several fundraisers for cancer patients, including the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day Event, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and the Revlon Run/Walk.
Michelle Ralph – Chief Development Officer
Holds and undergraduate degree in English and Shakespearean Literature from Widener University. She is currently an Executive Assistant, Firm Risk Management, for Morgan Stanley and brings a vast amount of experience from the business world to our Board. Michelle provides administrative support to Cornerstone Home & Gardens and will focus on philanthropic outreach. As Cornerstone grows, Michelle will establish strong community relationships and is currently helping us grow our Board of Directors.
Tracy Hoerdemann – Director
Tracy Hoerdemann holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science degree in Education from Drexel University. She has a passion for urban education and was lucky enough to be on the ground floor of a start-up Charter School in the South Bronx, NY teaching elementary school. She also has served as President of the Home and School Association at Grey Nun Academy in Yardley, PA and as President of the Home and School Association, and a School Advisory board member at Saint Mary School in Ridgefield, CT.
Melissa Zeiler – Director
Holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Education and a Masters of Science in Recreation Administration from Lehman College. Melissa also holds a Masters of Science in Physical Education from Adelphi University. Melissa is currently a physical education teacher at Scarsdale Middle School and a CPR and First Aid Instructor for the American Red Cross. Melissa has presented at many physical education conferences at the state and national level about motivating students in physical education. She is bilingual, fluent in Spanish, and passionate about diversification in community-based programs. Melissa is a believer in lifelong leisure activities and is involved in her local community youth sports programs.
Board Members
William Winders – Marketing Assistant
William holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Coastal Carolina University. He is an innovator, avid fisher, and aquatics enthusiast. Currently working at Autotiv Manufacturing in Salem, NH as an Account Executive. Will assists companies with purchasing manufacturing services for their final products. He has been around Cornerstone Home & Gardens from the start! Will volunteered throughout high school. His first fundraising event was recycling bottles from local sporting events for the $.05 refunds. Will continues to assist in Marketing and Business Development at Cornerstone! Will’s kind and caring personality brings a smile to every individual he interacts with!
Community Partners
Our programs are possible thanks to the generous support of corporate and foundation funders. We are fortunate to work closely with the following organizations