TSI CARES (Corporate Alliance Reception and Event Sponsors)

WHAT IS TSI CARES?

TSI CARES stands for Corporate Alliance Reception and Event Sponsors. It is an advisory group that was formed to offer support to TSINY on fundraising, public relations, and property development matters, separate from and unaffiliated with TSINY’s Board of Directors. 

TSI CARES members serve as

• Advisors on fundraising and efforts and other relevant initiatives.
• Liaisons between their professional and extracurricular networks and TSINY staff.
• Ambassadors of TSINY within their professional and extracurricular fields.
• Advocates for access to mental health services and reducing the stigma of mental illness.

TSI CARES members are volunteers whose community leadership and civic spirit align with TSINY’s mission and objectives. They are invited to share their professional expertise and capital to help advance TSINY’s resource development initiatives.

Sasha Soon, PhD 
Senior Director of Community Partnerships & Regulatory Affairs
Bleuler Psychotherapy Center

Dr. Sasha Soon holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a history of working in education and behavioral health for more than 20 years. Before attaining her doctorate, Dr. Soon completed her Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and worked with the mental health needs of the criminal justice population in Brooklyn and Queens. Currently, she is employed as Bleuler Psychotherapy Center’s Senior Director of Community Partnerships & Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Soon is focused on connecting Bleuler to other community-based organizations as well as ensuring that clinical services align with regulatory compliance standards. Dr. Soon has been a member of the TSI CARES advisory board for several years and has taken over the role of Chairperson. She brings her experience in Behavioral Health to the table to promote the mission and vision of TSINY.

Tommy DiMisa
Director of Strategic Alliances
Vanguard Benefits

Tommy D grew up on Long Island and worked in bars and restaurants while attending Chaminade High School.  He then started tending bar after graduation and through his college years.  Later, he began a long career in sales and business development culminating in his current position as Director of Strategic Alliances for the Vanguard Insurance Agency.

Tommy is very focused on working with and serving the nonprofit sector, which he accomplishes through multiple board positions and volunteer work.  This interest has pushed Tommy to launch his new podcast, Philanthropy in Phocus.  On this show Tommy interviews executive leaders of nonprofit organizations to help them amplify their stories.  It is this interest in the nonprofit sector that has propelled the Vanguard Insurance Agency forward and service to nonprofits has become part of the firm’s DNA.

Each day there are 2 driving forces that inspire Tommy D, the words impact and value. These words act as questions that he answers regularly about his choices.  Will this make the right impact?  Are we adding value?  Known by many as a “connector,” Tommy D is responsible for sourcing many opportunities for business introductions each week.  It has become his passion and commitment to make sure that when he sees a mutually beneficial business relationship that he makes an introduction ASAP.  This has also led to Tommy’s role as National Director of Sales for the national networking organization, THE Networking Group (TNG).

Tommy lives on Long Island with his wife, Christine, four children – 2 daughters and 2 sons.

Konstantina Foukas
Vice President – Branch Manager
Dime Community Bank

Konstantina started her banking career with State Savings and Loan in 1990.  She then moved to Independence Community Bank in 1992, where she held multiple positions, including Assistant Branch Manager, Branch Manager and Area Manager. Prior to joining Dime Community Bank, Konstantina held the position of Vice President, Area Manager at Sovereign Bank, responsible for sales and operations in Queens. Today, she serves as Vice President and Branch Manager at Dime’s Bayside Branch, where she is responsible for helping the local business community with their financial needs. Konstantina actively participates in community events and organizations in Queens. As a personal philosophy, she believes in community service and lending her time and skills to support the community.  

Konstantina studied finance and management at Empire State University in Old Westbury, New York. She grew up in Queens and continues to live there with her husband and two children.

Rod Ganis
Consulting Partner
ERA Group

Rod Ganis has an extensive 40+ year business career serving in leadership positions in various manufacturing, retailing and consulting companies. 

Since 2011 Rod is a Principal Consultant at ERA Group working on business development.  In this capacity, Rod works with all types of companies and organizations to maximize savings on overhead expenses, tapping into ERA’s experienced category specialists to bring his clients options for savings. 

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of New Ground, Inc., a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to break the cycle of homelessness for families and veterans in our communities. He is also a Board member of the Institute of Management Accountants.

Rod earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Ithaca College.  

Michael Halperin
Chief Operating Officer
Solarus Technologies

Michael Halperin the Chief Operating Officer at Solarus Technologies, Inc., which provides outsourced managed IT services to clients nationally. Michael is a founding board member of The Nonprofit Cooperative. An agency that’s sole purpose is to help nonprofits nationally. Michael was previously on the board of Habitat for Humanity Long Island; he served as President of Habitat for Humanity Nassau and was instrumental in the merger of Nassau and Suffolk to create one Long Island Habitat for Humanity. Michael also held board seats with both Girls Inc. of Long Island and Spirit of Huntington Art Center. Michael is part of the graduating class of 2020 Energeia Partnership, a leadership academy at Molloy University. Michael is passionate about his motorcycle, hockey, and has a deep appreciation for music and art. His daughter shares his love for art and together, they have amassed an eclectic art collection from all over the world in their home on Long Island with their dog Petunia.

Peter Janowsky
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Ryan and Janowsky Financial Strategies Group

Peter Janowsky is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Ryan & Janowsky Financial Strategies Group in Jericho New York. He specializes in retirement plans and endowment management. Peter studied to become a Retirement Planning – 401(k) Specialist while working with Morgan Stanley. Alongside 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Peter is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary and is fully versed with all tax efficient programs for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. He was a Certified Peer Counselor for the New York City Central Labor Council and regularly volunteers his time to community service. He is also the past President of the Rotary Club of Great Neck and recipient of multiple Paul Harris Awards. Currently, he is the co-founder of The Great Neck Business Circle and member of the board of The Great Neck Social Center.  Peter is also on the Advisory Board of the Community Needs Bank of the Sid Jacobson JCC in Greenvale.  Peter has most recently founded LIPRA (Long Island Professional Resource Association), serving all of Long Island, and is the co-founder of Project S.A.F.E. (Seniors Against Financial Exploitation) and co-host of the PATV series by the same name as well as the show, “Financial Strategies for Seniors.” Recently, Peter has become a Big Brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. It’s this combination of peer counseling and coaching that he applies to his client interactions everyday. His retirement training and counselor / coach experience helps him bring the humanist side to holistic financial planning. Peter is a graduate of Empire State Labor College, where he received his degree in Labor History.

Brendan Leavy
Business Development Manager
Queens Chamber of Commerce

Brendan Leavy, Business Development Manager at Queens Chamber of Commerce, Bayside, New York has over 25 years’ experience in sales, sales management and business development and relationship management.  The bulk of his career has been spent as a licensed insurance broker/risk management professional with extensive commercial and personal lines experience.  Brendan owned and managed his own insurance agency for over 16 years.  Commercial Insurance experience includes managing insurance & risk management programs for General Contractors, Large Trade Contractors, Developers, Hotel Owners & Operators, Property Owners & Managers, REITs, Wholesale Food Distributors, Staffing Companies, Non-Profit Organizations, Private Schools, Religious Institutions and more.  Expertise insuring Construction/Development projects, Artisan Contractors Programs, et al, Personal lines experience includes Automobile Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Personal Umbrella Policies, Term and Permanent Life Insurance policies, Annuities.

Irien Moawad, RPh
President, Pharmacy Services and Compliance
Community Care Rx

Irien Moawad is a licensed pharmacist widely recognized for her unwavering commitment to client success, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. With more than 30 years of pharmacy leadership experience, Irien’s career spans long-term care, hospital, psychiatric, and retail pharmacy settings, where she has consistently demonstrated the ability to navigate complex pharmacy operations with precision and integrity. Irien brings deep expertise in compliance auditing and regulatory support for nursing homes and residential programs, earning her a reputation as a trusted and respected industry leader. Her work reflects a steadfast dedication to advancing pharmaceutical care through innovation, rigorous quality standards, and collaborative partnerships across the healthcare community.

Edward Probst
Co-Founder and President
Vanguard Benefits

Edward Probst, Co-Founder and President of Vanguard Benefits, brings more than 25 years of experience in employee benefits consulting. He has earned three of the industry’s most respected professional designations—Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), and Chartered Healthcare Consultant (ChHC)—recognitions that reflect his commitment to professional excellence and mastery across the benefits and healthcare landscape.

Throughout his career, Edward has guided organizations in designing innovative, employee-centric benefit strategies that reduce costs while strengthening recruiting, retention, and overall workplace culture. His deep understanding of the connection between benefits satisfaction and employee loyalty has helped employers attract top talent and foster long-term commitment.

Beyond traditional benefits, Edward has extensive expertise in corporate wellness and functional health initiatives, helping employers implement programs that enhance employee well-being, engagement, and productivity.

Under his leadership, Vanguard Benefits has become a trusted partner to businesses, and nonprofits, delivering tailored solutions that combine cost savings, compliance, and wellness. Edward’s holistic approach empowers organizations to create environments where employees feel supported, valued, and motivated to thrive.

Matthew Thompson, CFP, CIMA
Senior Vice President 
Morgan Stanley

Matthew A. Thompson is Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley. For more than 25 years, Matthew has been providing customized advice, personalized investment solutions, and financial planning services to individuals and multi-generational families. In 2006, he received his Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) certification from The Wharton School of Business, and earned the designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) in 2011. In his community, Matthew serves on the Boards of Directors for the Bayside Business Association, Career Day Inc., the Nonprofit Collective Foundation, Inc., and the Pelham Children/Youth Travel Soccer Club. A graduate of Occidental College with an Advanced B.A. in both Economics and Geology, Matthew was recognized as a “King of Long Island” by Star Network/Schneps Communication in 2017.

Marilyn Ticktin
Housing Account Specialist
CORT

For nearly five years, Marilyn Ticktin has served as an account representative with CORT, a Berkshire Hathaway company specializing in assisting non-profit social services providers in finding solutions for their furniture needs. Marilyn is passionate about supporting the organizations on its mission.

Marilyn previously served for eleven years as Director of Housing Development for a major non-profit agency providing housing and social services to people with developmental disabilities as well as mental illness.

In her current position, she has continued to work to improve the lives of those who are most in need.

Marilyn graduated from The City College of New York, cum laude.