Our Key Staff

Susan Samaroo

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Susan Samaroo is the Executive Director of The Maurer Foundation. She came to the Foundation in 2013 as an accomplished leader in nonprofit operations, strategic planning, and financial management. Through her leadership, the Foundation has enjoyed financial stability and sustainability, as well as long-term growth. Susan leads a team of professionals dedicated to saving lives through breast health education. During her tenure, Susan has championed program expansion, ensuring tremendous growth in the number of individuals reached. Susan’s energy, passion, and advocacy has fostered relationships in the community and schools, ensuring a commitment to dynamic, quality programming that is accessible to all demographics.

Susan is an active member in the community. She serves on the Board of Directors for Eastern Motor Racing Association and the Advisory Board of the Oceanside School District. She is also a former board member for Sperry Federal Credit Union and the Francis J. Logan Foundation. She graduated from New York University in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, has two sons, and resides in Oceanside, NY with her husband. In her spare time, she enjoys jet skiing, bike riding, and jogging on the beach.

Ashley Cervino

COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR & EDUCATOR

Ashley is a graduate of Stony Brook University and holds a dual degree in Health Science and Sociology. She has also earned her Master of Public Health with a concentration in community health from Stony Brook University. Ashley is passionate about education as a means of prevention and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Previously, she served as a Crisis Counselor with a COVID-19 grant funded program serving those affected by the pandemic. Serving as the Outreach Coordinator and Health Educator allows for duality in fostering relations and teaching the community about the importance of breast health. She is dedicated to being an advocate for women’s health. In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with loved ones.

Megan DiDominica

BREAST HEALTH EDUCATOR

Megan earned a Neuroscience degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts. She is very interested in healthcare and also works as a medical scribe in urgent care. As an Oceanside High School alumna, she learned from our programs as a student and now enjoys connecting with local Long Island students to empower them to gain knowledge and interest in their own health like she did. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and gardening.

Barakova Dieujuste

BREAST HEALTH EDUCATOR

Kova is a student at Farmingdale State college and is finishing her undergraduate degree in Health and Wellness Promotion. She is very interested in health education and loves learning new things. She is invested in access and utilization of care for everyone and is doing research on how to do so for older immigrant adults. Outside of school and work, she loves to dance and trying new food.

Katie Vernal

EVENT MANAGER

Lauren Fisch-Henry

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING SPECIALIST

Lauren holds a Master’s Degree in Women’s History from Sarah Lawrence College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a concentration in Women’s Studies from Marist College. For the past 7 years she has worked with The Maurer Foundation teaching, high school, college, corporate, and full-day nursing breast health programs. She was instrumental in the planning and writing of The Maurer Foundation’s Web-Based Training Course. She also creates and manages all the Foundation’s social media content, ensuring the latest and most vital breast health information reaches followers. Lauren brings her passion for women’s social justice to the Maurer team. In her free time Lauren enjoys baking, collecting children’s books, and spending time with her family.

Eileen Pillitteri

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Eileen has over 20 years experience in nonprofit management. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The mission to save lives through education is what drew her to the Foundation. Eileen designs and implements training programs for medical providers as well as the general public. She created the web-based breast health course and redesigned our educational programs for distance learning. She is a Cultural Competency and Health Literacy Master Trainer and is certified by MammaCare as a Breast Self-Exam Instructor. In her free time, Eileen enjoys Spin classes, reading and spending time outdoors with her family.

Trinidad Ruiz

BILINGUAL BREAST HEALTH EDUCATOR

Trinidad is a graduate of SUNY Old Westbury where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Society. She’s one of 3 sisters and a mentor to a young girl. She aspires to be an advocate for Women’s Health and does her best to lead a health focused life. In her spare time she enjoys trying new foods, traveling, reading and attempting the practice of yoga.

Katie Vernal

EVENT MANAGER

Katie is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she attended Duquesne University. She came to NYC to train at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. After more than a decade of managing upscale Manhattan restaurants, Katie combined that experience with her love for the entertainment industry and began focusing on event planning. Katie has planned and organized numerous weddings, corporate events, and other special celebrations throughout Long Island and Manhattan. In her free time, Katie enjoys walking, cooking, and cheering on her favorite Pittsburgh sports teams.