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 $13 million annual budget, property management, personnel management, program development and fundraising. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association for Community Living and has been a member of the Dean's Council for the Graduate School at Stony Brook University and the Suffolk County Single Point of Access Oversight Committee. Dr. Arens received a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Sociology from Stony Brook University. Under her leadership, the agency has grown to serve more than 1000 people each year.

Karen Schwartz, CPA, 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.

Lori Barraud, PHR, Human Resources Director

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.

Georgia Mavromatis Kuhen, LMSW: Director, Mental Health Residential Services

Georgia Kuhen has oversight responsibility for all mental health residential services programs including supervised, apartment treatment and supported housing, and ensures compliance with regulations and program policies and procedures. Ms. Kuhen has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association for Community Living and the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless. She is an active member of the Supported Housing Network of New York and the Suffolk County Mental Health Subcommittee. 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 300 adults.

Allison Covino, Director, Community Follow-up Program and Housing

Allison Covino has oversight responsibilities for the Community Follow-up Program (HIV/AIDS - related services), supported housing in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and the Suffolk transitional homeless family shelter. Ms. Covino is a former member of the HIV CARE Network Planning Council. She is an active member of the HIV CARE Network Care Coordination Committee and the Long Island Coalition Continuum of Care. Ms. Covino received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Stony Brook University. She has worked in various capacities in the agency since 1987, and has been directly involved in the development of the HIV/AIDS related program which has the capacity to serve over 500 adults and families.

Susan Steinhardt, Quality Improvement Director

Susan Steinhardt coordinates and monitors all Quality Improvement functions agency-wide including outcomes related to efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction. She participates in program development and grant writing. Ms. Steinhardt also oversees the IT Systems function and serves as the agency's Health and Safety and HIPAA Security and Privacy Officer. 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.