Account Director
Buzz Creators

Jessica Apicella is an Account Director at Buzz Creators, a Westchester-based boutique public relations, marketing and brand building firm servicing the Metro NY area and beyond. With more than 12 years of experience, she has a strong passion for amplifying each client’s story and creating more buzz for and awareness of their organization, products, and services.

Jessica is responsible for managing the development and implementation of strategic PR and marketing programs for a variety of clients including CareMount Medical, Ridge Hill, Westchester County Association, ProHEALTH Dental, Barrie House Coffee Roasters, Stamford Symphony and more. Jessica also assists in new business development and, along with her team, oversees the firm’s day-to-day client activities, including developing strategic PR campaigns, media relations, social media, writing and editing, graphics design/branding, grand openings and special events, thought leadership, advertising and more. All of which are tailored to support each clients’ individual business goals.

Jessica first dipped her toe in the PR pool back in college, when she started a Digital Media Communications internship at NBC Universal, gaining some great media experience. Jessica moved her career forward at Thompson & Bender, a long-standing PR and marketing firm in Westchester County. There, she gained a wealth of knowledge and experience while growing from a Marketing Coordinator to Director of Marketing, Media and Special Events during her nine-year tenure. She managed day-to-day client relationships, developed marketing plans and managed events to meet the goals of each client.

In 2017, the Business Council of Westchester selected Jessica as a recipient of the “Rising Star: 40 Under 40” award which honors a group of diverse and highly talented individuals based on professional and/or entrepreneurial accomplishments, professional and/or business affiliations, and demonstrated leadership skills.

You won’t find anyone more organized, driven and skilled at multi-tasking then Jessica. She thrives in creative and collaborative environments. When dealing with the fast-paced world of PR, there are always challenges that arise or difficult requests that clients make. However, being able to get creative to make things work is what makes an exceptional marketing professional. One of Jessica’s favorite quotes to find inspiration from when things get difficult is “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, I’m Possible”- Audrey Hepburn.

Jessica graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, majoring in both Media & Communications and Psychology. Supporting the local community and fresh food is a big passion of hers, so on weekends you can find her managing the TaSH Farmers Market where she lives in Tarrytown, NY.

Secretary
DESIGN WITHIN REACH, Division of Herman Miller Brands

Alyce Gorch was pleased to join the board of the Child Care Council of Westchester in Spring of 2020 in an effort to include more voices behind this herculean cause. As a mother of two young children in Westchester; she is passionate about the importance of access to quality child care. She participates as acting Secretary of the Executive Board and sits on both the Public Policy and Fundraising committees. Alyce has worked as a senior project manager within marketing for the Herman Miller Group organization over the last six years.

PhD, Research Scientist
Public Health Management Corporation

Laura Sosinsky, PhD, is a developmental psychologist with expertise in infant and child development, early care and education (ECE) quality improvement and professional development, and ECE policy. Currently she is a research scientist with the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) Research and Evaluation Group in Philadelphia, where her work focuses on programs for young children and their families and interventions designed to build the capacities of parents and early learning teachers to promote healthy early development and school readiness. Laura received her B.A. in psychology from Cornell University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Yale University.

Treasurer
Principal
Law Offices of Eric Michael Pasinkoff

Eric Pasinkoff is an attorney with over 40 years general civil practice experience. He has been in his own practice since 1985. Eric has represented and is familiar with the needs of a wide range of individual and business clients, including not-for-profit corporations. He volunteers and donates his time and services to the community and as a board member of several non-profit organizations. Eric is married with two children and three grandchildren and is a long time Westchester resident.

VP for Government and Public Sector
MasterCard

A respected leader and trusted advisor for government clients, Steve Wysmuller currently serves as Mastercard’s Vice President for Data & Services, Government & Public Sector. Previously, he spent 15 years at IBM as a member of IBM’s Corporate Staff, Smarter Cities Sales Leader, and as a member of the Cognitive Solutions Team responsible for sustainability & emergency management, globally.

Steve is very active in his local community and has held numerous board of director seats, including Board President. As evidence of his passion for local service, in 2016 he received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama for 4,000 hours of volunteer service.

Steve received his M.S. in Environmental Engineering degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and his dual B.S. in Meteorology and Environmental Science from North Carolina State University.

Retired Senior Business Executive

Jeff Samuelson's business career spans 46 years, having held senior leadership positions with IBM (25 years), his own consulting practice (6 years) and PwC (15 years). In addition, he has held leadership positions with several non-profit organizations in Westchester, including Scarsdale School Board (6 years) and the CCCW (12+ years). A grandfather of three, Jeff and his wife, Wendy, enjoy spending time with family and working on their "bucket list."

Division Head Commercial Lending
PCSB Bank

Vice-President
Arch Insurance Group