Executive Director, Faculty
Lina is a mission-driven leader with over 25 years tenure in the social and human services sector, advancing positive youth development, traumatic stress studies and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) awareness into practice across multi-service agencies. She utilizes a resilience and strengths-based approach to promote well-being for direct service participants and the professionals working within these organizations. Lina has held senior and executive leadership roles in child welfare, community-based and residential services throughout her career – bridging theory into direct practice along the way.
In 2000, Lina began working alongside Dr. Sandra L. Bloom to adapt, codify and research the efficacy of the Sanctuary Model of Trauma-Informed Care for youth impacted by adversity and trauma. This seminal work rippled out to reach hundreds of youth serving organizations and transformed systems of care. Lina was later awarded the opportunity to participate in the Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge, resulting in the founding of the Center for Trauma-Informed Practice in NYC. She has provided strategy and implementation expertise to organizations and communities throughout the US and internationally. In addition to roles within non-profit organizations, she has held research management positions at Columbia University and Fordham University, taught Psychology courses at Iona College, and served as a faculty member of the Sanctuary Institute since its inception.
Lina currently is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the national Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) and is an active member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Committee. She is also a Senior Advisor to the Contemplative-Based Resilience Project (CBR) of the Garrison Institute. Lina, a former AmeriCorps volunteer, remains active in her local community as a Girl Scouts troop leader, Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Lion’s Service Club, and volunteering alongside her children at the nature center and animal rescue shelter.
Lina holds two Master’s degrees in Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University and The New School for Social Research in New York City. Her post-graduate education includes Executive Leadership training from Cornell University and certification as a Positive Psychology Wellness Coach.