board members
Jason Lantier, MA, MBA, L-BCBA
President, Angels 4 Autism, Inc.
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Path 2 Potential, LLC
Jason Lantier is a licensed behavior analyst since 2009 & an entrepreneur with expertise in the treatment of Autism & other cognitive diagnoses. Jason holds a graduate degree in Psychology with a specialization in behavior analysis, along with business administration, specializing in Healthcare/organizational management. He has worked with a wide range of clients – from individuals ranging from the mildly–delayed, profoundly impaired to the emotionally challenged population within schools, hospitals, private homes, and residential treatment facilities. Jason has a diverse experience, enabling individuals with autism to lead independent lives, along with the ability to design organizational systems and the training protocol required to accomplish this.
Jason Lantier Co–founded Path 2 Potential, LLC (P2P) in 2017. Under his leadership, P2P is becoming one of the fastest-growing (privately–owned) ABA–companies in the New York region and one of the most experienced organizations in effectively treating individuals affected by autism spectrum disorder using the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Prior to this Jason Lantier was also a co–founder of LUV MICHAEL; A food–manufacturing company designed to create employment opportunities for adults with an autism diagnosis. Jason sold his portion of the equity in this company to start Path 2 Potential, where he can accomplish his mission to provide the highest quality of care in an industry with tremendous demand.
As the President of Angels 4 Autism, Jason is committed to serving underprivileged families and making sure they receive all of the necessary services for their children diagnosed with autism. While doing so, Angels 4 Autism will remain focused on their mission; as a result, making a positive direction toward improving the lives of the families we serve.
Angelina Acevedo
Vice President, Angels 4 Autism, Inc.
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer at Path 2 Potential, LLC
Angelina Acevedo is the Co-Founder and COO of Path 2 Potential with over 20 years of Experience working in the Administration, Education, and Operations field. Angelina comes with extensive experience in leadership positions where she has designed educational programs as well as implemented strategic initiatives and operational procedures in one of the country’s leading organizations in the world for ABA therapy for over 7 years as the operations manager at “The Center for Autism and Related Disorders”, in which she spearheaded the growth of the New York Region and implemented new policies and procedures and managed over 55 therapists and 15 Clinical Supervisors. Her passion for helping children with autism and her ability to develop procedures to ensure quality therapy was the segway to the creation of Angels 4 Autism. This, plus more, positions her well as the VP for Angels 4 Autism.
Ronald Hemphill
Director of Community Outreach and Fundraising, Angels 4 Autism, Inc.
Financial Advisor, Path 2 Potential, LLC
Ronald Edward Hemphill has over 25 years of Financial experience in managing over million–dollar accounts for companies such as Vice Media and HBO, while there he created and executed marketing initiatives in social media as well as prepared international forecast reports. At Royal Waste he handled annual reporting which included multiple borrowing base reports and corporate AR board schedule preparation. While serving the autistic community via local organizations Ron has assisted in implementing strategic and financial initiatives based on his professional experience. This has fueled his passion to continue this path by serving as the Director of Community Outreach and Fundraising. His strong networking ability and knowledge will enable him as a driving force in this role.
Peter M. Rivera
Director, Angels 4 Autism, Inc.
Partner at Richter Restrepo Law Firm, PLLC
Peter M. Rivera is a skilled attorney with over eight years of experience performing real estate closings, affordable housing, and community development, and civil & commercial litigation. Peter is knowledgeable and participates in all phases of creating low–income housing tax credit development deals. He excels in litigation and acted as first chair attorney on several high–profile civil cases that were decided in his law firms’ clients’ favor. Peter continuously engages in management duties overseeing other attorneys and office personnel. As a champion for community-based initiatives focused on bringing change and support for the underprivileged, his focus will ensure that we are buttoned up operationally, while executing and delivering the agenda of Angels 4 Autism.
Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix
Director, Angels 4 Autism, Inc.
Lisa is a USPTA and PTR Elite Certified Tennis Professional and an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist in the field of autism. For 19 years, Lisa has specialized in the evaluation and treatment of children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities. A former collegiate tennis player at Duke University and the University of Florida followed by WTA tournaments, Lisa enjoys combining her tennis experience and speech therapy background to teach the sport to children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. After working with children for 6 years as the FL program director for a national non-profit for autism, Lisa was inspired to be able to develop her own non-profit, Love Serving Autism, a 501(c)(3) organization in January 2017. In 2021, Lisa was elected by USTA National to co-chair for 2 years the Adaptive Training and Education Subcommittee to develop an adaptive tennis curriculum. She is the chair of the 2022 USPTA National Adaptive Task Force. Lisa is the recipient of USTA National’s 2022 Eve Kraft Award for community service. Lisa’s nonprofit, Love Serving Autism, is a partner with Path2Potential in both FL and NY. Lisa is excited to serve on the Angels 4 Autism board of directors to share their mission and to make a difference in the special needs community.
Venicia Mestey
Chief Marketing Director, Angels 4 Autism, Inc.
Operations, Heavy Hitters Entertainment
Director, SHRK &LL Business Management
Venicia Mestey has been a Director at SHRK CPA’, LLC, and LL Business Management, Inc. since 2002. For LL Business Management she is the HR department supervisor, overseeing all internal company systems including IT management. For SHRK her responsibilities include maintaining all tax programs and making sure they are up to date with tax laws. Overseeing and delegating the accounting firm’s day-to-day operations. She is also a certified consultant for establishing and setting up new Corporations, LLC’s and Non Profits with the state of New York and other states.
As the CEO of the world-renowned “The Heavy Hitter DJ’s” brand, Venicia’s experience in developing and delivering initiatives on all scales has equipped her with the knowledge to lead as the Chief Marketing Officer for Angels 4 Autism, Inc. Her dedication to the community paired with her track record of bringing together multiple parties to accomplish one goal will serve the organization well going forward.