Our Story
Our Mission
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for anyone impacted by brain injury by providing support, advocacy, and information, while promoting brain injury prevention.
Our Vision
Our vision is a world where all individuals with brain injury and their caregivers maximize their quality of life, the consequences of all unavoidable brain injuries are minimized and all preventable brain injuries are prevented.
BIANJ is a chartered state affiliate of the United States Brain Injury Alliance (USBIA), and together, united, we are inspiring hope and improving the lives of our citizens with brain injury.
Since being founded in 1981 by a small group of concerned parents of children who had sustained brain injury, we’ve grown to become the primary source of information, education, advocacy, support, and hope for people with brain injury and their families in New Jersey. Today, our dedicated staff, board, volunteers, donors, and community partners provide service to 10,000 New Jersey residents each year. View the Annual Report.
Make a difference for people impacted by brain injury today.
Helpline: 1-800-669-4323
Email: info@bianj.org
Main Office: 732- 745-0200
Rita Steindlberger, MSUP
Chief Executive Officer
Wendy Berk, LCSW, CBIS
Vice President of Development and Communications
Administrative
Jennifer Suresh
Director of Operations
Jan Beauchamp
Administrative Assistant
Ava Fornaro
Program Assistant
Kris Hopwood
Technology Coordinator
Finance
Naomi Torres-Fernandez
Director of Finance
Susan Gerringer
Accounting/Finance Associate
Gisela Rutch
Finance Department Advisor
Communications
Kristen Olsen
Director of Communications
Education
and Outreach
Barbara Chabner, PsyD
Director of Education and Outreach
Debbie Aidelman, MS
Education and Development Coordinator
Laura Jacobs, MA
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Director of Camp TREK
Kate O’Connor, MPH
Public Education Coordinator
Danielle Pagani, MPH, CHES
Community Outreach Specialist
Susan Quick, CBIS
Public Education Coordinator
Mandi Zucker, LSW
Education Facilitator
Advocacy
Tom Grady, MPA, DTM
Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs
Support Coordination
Nicole DeLorenzo, MS
Co-Director of Support Coordination
Kara Francis
Co-Director of Support Coordination
Doris Burns
Support Coordinator
Rakira Coleman
Support Coordinator
Jenny DePaul
Support Coordinator
Nicole Hatcher
Support Coordinator
Jade Hrubash, MHS
Support Coordinator
Sue Irby, CBIS
Support Coordinator
Christina Kapur
Support Coordinator
Heather Klouser
Support Coordinator
Rebecca Martin
Support Coordinator
Amber Navara, MSW
Support Coordinator
Shannon O’Donnell
Support Coordinator
Kim Pedersen
Support Coordinator/Mentor
CARES/Helpline/
Support Services
Debra Crossman, MA
Director of Support Services
Valerie Farrow
Family Support Care Coordinator
Stacy Lyons, CBIS
Community Integration Coordinator
Shannon O’Connor
Community Resources Specialist
Fior Vinajero
Community Resource Specialist