BIOS
JULIE CHAPUS, LMSW
Executive Director
Athena Award Recipient 2024
Julie Chapus is a licensed Master Social Worker, 2001. She has worked in the Rochester Psychiatric Center, Park Ridge Chemical Dependency Unit, and Westfall Associates as the Dual Diagnostic Therapist treating chemically dependent and mental health diagnoses. Julie is currently a Tending the Roots Trauma Informed Trainer with Trauma Informed Network and Resource Center under the Office of Mental Health.
She saw a need for human trafficked survivors to have a stable and lucrative income through state licensure. She went to cosmetology school in 2016 in order to open up Miss Julie’s School of Beauty. And in 2021 gained her cosmetology instructor license.
Julie has taken her knowledge from the social work field and blended it with her training in cosmetology to create an in-depth class for a wide variety of professionals covering what trafficking is, what it looks like in our area, and what we can do about it and how to engage with victims.
Julie’s training was reviewed by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts including some from FBI child exploitation task force and domestic violence experts Stop Abuse Campaign, coalitions against trafficking, the medical field and has been given the green light across the board. In addition to training local salon professionals, Julie has provided training to the Global Public Health Association at RIT, and at Nazareth college to psychology students, social workers, and nurses.
Additionally, Julie is working to combine resources across the county to support victims and create a permanent means of escape from trafficking through the first school of its kind in the USA.
Andrea Anderson
Buffalo Police Officer, Army Veteran, & Realtor
U.S. Army veteran who served 8 years, 4 years active duty and 4 years National Guard. Andrea served as a medical specialist. Her first duty station was Camp Casey, South Korea. Andrea was exposed to young ladies from the Philippines who were trafficked into Korea specifically for the purpose of servicing soldiers.
Andrea currently serves as a full-time City of Buffalo Police Officer, and a Real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty WNY. These two industries are connected in so many ways. As a Buffalo police officer of 12 years, Andrea has established a trusting presence in the community and has organized the community baby shower, Andrea raised money to buy diapers, formula, baby clothes,
for community members to pick up at the police station. Andrea has also organized large food giveaways and hosted job fairs at the police station in efforts to help the community.
Andrea also educates and offers home buying seminars at local
community centers in low-income neighborhoods. Andrea teaches that equity is possible, and home ownership is attainable for everyone in any community.
Andrea intends to use her relationships to spread
awareness and education on the signs of sex trafficking and offers ways to work together to bring this to an end.
Andrea is committed to serving all enthusiastically and with profound respect to anyone who wants to learn more, get involved, or escape their trafficker.
DAVID MAMMANO
Motivational Speaker, Show Host, Entrepreneur
During the past 25 years, David has started seven businesses from scratch and now uses those experiences to help others with their entrepreneurial dreams.
David is a three-time Inc. Magazine 5000 Growth Company winner, a two time TEDx speaker, an adjunct professor at the University of Rochester, and the author of business and college planning books.
David is a graduate of the University at Buffalo and of the MIT Entrepreneurial Master’s Program, an executive education program offered through the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO).
David is also a board member for the Western NY Make-A-Wish Foundation and a local board member for Junior Achievement.
His most recent book “Crash and Learn: Lessons in Business” quickly rose to the top of the Amazon best seller lists. Other books include “Make Love in the Workplace” and “101 Things You Can Do to Become an Outstanding Young Adult.”
He has been a podcaster since 2016 and my impressive guest list includes Grant Cardone, Sharon Lechter, Mark Victor Hansen, Ellen Latham, Kevin Harrington, Verne Harnish, Ed Mylett and many more!
STEVEN NEUMAIER
President of Goldwell, NY
Steven Neumaier is President and Founder of Goldwell of NY, Inc. a professional beauty products wholesaler headquartered in Rochester, New York. Steven along with his parents Hans and Erika Neumaier started the business in 1976 and have since grown the company to be one of the largest, independently-owned distributorships in the Northeast.
Since 2007, Steven has also served on the Board of the Professional Beauty Association, the beauty industry trade association uniting manufacturers, distributors and salons for the purpose of industry growth. Steven has also worked as an advisor for Junior Achievement, working with high schools students to better their understanding of business.
Steven holds an MBA in Finance from Rochester Institute of Technology and a BS in Management from St John Fisher College.
RICHARD DOE, ESQ.
Director of Finance, EWASTE+
Owner, Richard J. Doe, Esq.
Tax & Legal Services
Rick is the Director of Finance for the Victor, NY-based electronics recycling company. The company is a leading provider of end-of-life electronics recycling and asset management services throughout New
York State. He is also the owner of Richard J. Doe, Esq. Tax & Legal Services, specializing in small to mid-size personal and corporate tax return preparation, estate planning and general legal services.
Rick has .a BS in Finance from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and a JD from Suffolk Law School in Boston, MA. He is also a licensed NYS attorney. Since 2019, Rick has also served on the Board of the Rochester Chapter of Financial Executive Institute (FEI).
RALPH BOCCHINO
SCORE Mentor, CGBP
Over a forty-year career, Ralph has developed a broad-based background and record of accomplishment in international banking and finance. Ralph has served as guest lecturer on the subject of international trade for various trade organizations and has authored several articles on this subject that were published in local, regional, and national publications.
In his present position at Valley National Bank, he is responsible for sales and business development the C&I, retail and international banking industry. With career accomplishments in product development and sales team building, Ralph fosters external relationships to develop key accounts, expand market reach, and maximize performance and profitability, achieving organizational objectives and customer satisfaction.
Key areas of skill include:
Sales • Training and Development • Key Account Management • Product Development • Trade Shows • Business Development • Market Research • Client Relationship Management • Portfolio Management • Effective Communication • Collaboration • Negotiation
MELISSA HARTWIG
Administration and
Accreditation Policy Oversight
Melissa Hartwig is a microscope scientist, mold department manager, and assistant laboratory manager at EMSL Analytical. Melissa is applying her skillset and passion to help others by coordinating and setting policies and procedures in place by streamlining an accreditation standard and process for our school. Providing oversight of the School administrator.
Volunteer work
Previously the Fundraising Chair at QUEST Horsemanship
ALEXANDRA HERRMANN
Survivor Leader & Expert in HT
Alexandra is an expert on survivor leadership and trauma-informed practices. She also works closely with Brightstar Community and holds a monitor position at Project Haven, helping women on their road to healing.
Alexandra has offered invaluable insight on our cosmetology program development, as well as reviewing our awareness training program. She enjoys spending her time with her daughter and family, as well as reading and learning skills she can use to better her community. Alexandra's current personal goal is to master public speaking so she can educate global audiences on the issues of sex trafficking and substance addiction.
Lisa Ireland
Development Committee Chair
Accomplished non-profit executive with strong, multi-disciplinary business sense running enterprises with as much as $10M in accountability. A confident & capable working leader with strategic agility in running human service enterprises like a business. Masterful at driving the mission imperative in service-intensive environments. An innovator and skilled transformational leader adept at galvanizing commitment, ensuring operational excellence and instituting a disciplined approach to organizational success in complex operating environments—aligning people, processes and systems to realize fiscal accountability and growth. A visionary, inspiring leader with strong connections to global partners, decisionmakers and funders.
Robyn Miller
WNY Traveling Nurse
Integrating Robyn’s expertise with the survivor-led initiatives is a powerful way to enhance both healthcare advocacy and survivor support.
Given Robyn’s experience in emergency psych, she is able to lead workshops and training sessions on trauma-informed care and mental health awareness. These sessions aim to empower survivors by helping them understand the psychological effects of trauma and build resilience.
Robyn’s background in mentoring will be utilized to develop peer mentor programs. She is able to train survivors on how to provide emotional support and guidance to others with similar experiences, fostering a supportive community.
Survivors often face difficulties navigating the healthcare system. Robyn’s knowledge helps create a guide on training survivors to advocate for themselves in medical settings, including accessing mental health services, understanding patient rights, and dealing with trauma-related health issues.
As an advocate, Robyn is able to join forces to raise awareness on larger platforms. Participate in conferences, and share experiences to influence policies and improve healthcare responses to survivors.
Robyn’s entrepreneurial experience is crucial to help survivors develop job skills and start their own ventures. Offering coaching on business planning, leadership, and networking will give survivors economic independence and a sense of empowerment.
Stephanie Armstrong
Meta Data Analyst & Programmer
Stephanie is a visionary architect of brands and businesses. With a Midas touch for transforming brands, she has orchestrated groundbreaking partnerships with global titans like Pepsi, Universal Studios, and Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. She is the Co-Founder of Moxie Creative Studios, leveraging her strategic marketing acumen to propel businesses nationwide, generating over $40 million in growth.
A passionate advocate for diversity and innovation, Stephanie is a driving force in the marketing industry and a catalyst for change in her community. As the architect of Upstate New York's Minority & Women Owned Business Summit, she fosters a thriving ecosystem of empowerment and opportunity. Her commitment to uplifting others is evident in her leadership roles across various organizations, including Rochester Global Connections, Champion Academy, Miss Julie’s School of Beauty, and the New York New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council.
Stephanie’s journey is a testament to the power of vision, determination, and a heart for community. She is a living embodiment of the limitless potential that arises when business acumen meets a profound intention to make a positive impact.