Meet Options' Co-Founders & Key Staff Members

Diana Antos Arens, Ph.D., Executive Director

Dr. Diana Arens, Options' co-founder and Executive Director since 1982, directs all agency affairs and reports to the Board of Directors. Her responsibilities include fiscal management of a $10 million annual budget, property management, personnel management, program development and fundraising. She is a past Director of the Association for Community Living, a current Trustee of the Community Residence Insurance Savings Plan (CRISP) and has been a member of the Dean’s Council for the Graduate School at Stony Brook University since 2002. Dr. Arens holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Sociology from Stony Brook University. She has been directly involved in all program and housing development, and under her leadership, the agency has grown to serve more than 1000 people each year.

Diane Mendolia, LCSW, Program Director

Diane Mendolia is the agency's co-founder and has exercised overall responsibility for program operations since 1982. She serves as Corporate Compliance Officer, ensuring adherence to regulations and program policies and procedures. Ms. Mendolia is a past co-chair of the Association for Community Living Program Committee. She is currently a member of the Suffolk County Acute Care Bed Registry oversight Committee and Acute Care and Emergency Services Committee. Ms. Mendolia earned a Master of Social Work degree from Stony Brook University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Long Island University. She supervises all program departments and the delivery of quality rehabilitative services, and is involved with program development.

Georgia Mavromatis Kuhen, LMSW, Deputy Program Director

Georgia Kuhen has oversight responsibility for all mental health residential services programs including supervised, apartment and supported housing programs, and ensures compliance with regulations and program policies and procedures. Ms. Kuhen is the Long Island Regional Director of the Association for Community Living, a Board Member of the Nassau Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless, and is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Supported Housing Network of New York. Ms. Kuhen earned a Master of Social Work degree from Stony Brook University. A staff member since 1986, she has been directly involved in the development of the mental health program which now serves over 250 adults.

Allison Covino, Deputy Program Director

Allison Covino has oversight responsibilities for the Community Follow-up Program (HIV/AIDS - related services) including case management and housing programs, and ensures compliance with regulations and program policies and procedures. She participates in program development and oversees all program activities in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Ms. Covino is a United Way HIV CARE Network Case Management Committee Member and former Planning Council Member. She is also an active member of the Nassau Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless Continuum of Care Group. Ms. Covino holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Stony Brook University. She has worked for Options in different capacities in the agency with increasing responsibilities since 1987.

Susan Steinhardt, Quality Improvement Director

Susan Steinhardt coordinates and monitors all Quality Improvement functions agency-wide. She participates in program development and grant writing. Ms. Steinhardt is responsible for Health and Safety; Security; Privacy, and Management Information System functions. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Ohio State University, and brought more than 15 years of prior related work experience to Options, which she joined in 1997.

Lori Barraud, PHR, Human Resources Manager

Lori Barraud is responsible for implementing and administering the agency's Human Resources functions including recruitment, employee relations, benefits and salary administration, and policies and procedures. Ms. Barraud is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management. She holds a Master of Professional Studies degree in Human Resources Management from Stony Brook University, and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources. She began her career in Human Resources with Options and rejoined as a member of the Options management team in 2011 with eight years of prior related work experience.

Karen Schwartz, Controller

Karen Schwartz is responsible for the management and maintenance of the financial operations of the agency. She oversees all of the accounting functions, implements and monitors internal controls within those functions, and directs all internal and external financial reporting. Ms. Schwartz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from St. John's University, and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. She joined Options' Management team in 2010 with more than twenty years of prior related work experience.