Emilie Tippins

Board Chair

Emilie Tippins manages communications and development for Community Health Action of Staten Island and communications for community-based services at Sun River Health, organizations founded in HIV/AIDS work and advocacy that serve 245,000 New Yorkers annually. CHASI provides community-based social services including health care linkage and navigation, a 24/7 resource and recovery center for substance use, harm reduction services and syringe exchange, HIV testing and prevention programs including several inside NYS correctional facilities, alternatives to incarceration, food pantry services and a mobile food pantry, and a domestic violence program. Sun River Health is a network of Federally-Qualified Health Centers that serves people in the Hudson Valley, all 5 boroughs of NYC, and Long Island.

Before CHASI, she managed learning centers for pre-K-8th grade students in Brooklyn and Manhattan as a senior director for Kaplan Inc.’s pre-college division. Ms. Tippins co-authored Proud Heritage: People, Issues, and Documents of the LGBT Experience, serves on the Board of the Pride Center of Staten Island, and is a grant panelist at Staten Island Arts.

Amy Rice

Vice Chair

Amy E. Rice, a third-generation native Staten Islander, is currently the Deputy Director of Communications for the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS). In this role, she oversees the development of promotional materials and multi-channel advertising campaigns to promote agency services, content on the agency’s website, and supervises the digital marketing and graphic design teams. 

Amy also serves as President of the board of directors of the Greenbelt Conservancy, Secretary of the board of directors of the Pride Center of Staten Island, Director of Communications of the Friends of Postcards, and is a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Richmond County Division 10.

Throughout her career, Amy has held positions in communications, outreach, and development with the New York Center for Interpersonal Development, NYC Council, 1199/SEIU, and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. 

Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Seton Hall University, a Master of Arts in Urban Studies and a certificate in Public Administration & Public Policy from the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, and is a member of the Staten Island Leadership Institute’s Class of 2011 at the College of Staten Island/CUNY. She was included on the City & State Staten Island Power 100 list in 2023 & 2024, and previously received a 20 Under 40 award from the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) and a Ruby Award from Soroptimist International of Staten Island.

Bill Lynch

Secretary 

Bill Lynch (he/him/his) has proudly called Staten Island home for over 30 years. He currently serves as Deputy Assistant Federal Security Director with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where he oversees security operations at an international terminal, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel.

Beyond his work in security, Bill is deeply committed to mental health advocacy and practice. He has completed an Advanced Certificate program in psychoanalysis and is actively pursuing New York State licensure in the field, blending his passion for safety and well-being in both his professional and personal pursuits.

Bill is also a dedicated member of Perfect Square Lodge No. 204 F.&A.M., where he upholds the principles of fraternity and service within the community.

In his spare time, Bill enjoys capturing moments through photography, exploring nature on hikes, broadening his horizons through travel, and expressing his creativity by writing fiction. He is honored to bring his diverse skills and dedication to community service to the Pride Center of Staten Island.

Alex Carr

Treasurer

Alex Carr was born, raised and resides on Staten Island. Recognizing a passion for animals and nature at a very young age, Alex began his career at the Staten Island Zoo as a volunteer at age fifteen. Even though he decided to continue his education at John Jay College in Manhattan, his desire to serve his community led him back home and to a commitment to the zoo. Twenty-eight years later, he proudly continues his service as a valued employee and union shop steward. 

With a long-standing history of active interest in Staten Island politics and civic support, Alex is never far away from charitable contributions at home and abroad. From supporting LGBTQ+ organizations in NYC to studying and promoting the conservation of wildlife while on safari in Africa, he is always searching for new ways to make a positive impact.

Alex currently serves on the Board of the Pride Center of Staten Island and on the Foundation Board of Staten Island University Hospital Northwell Health 

And, while at home, Alex, and his husband, Elvis, are loving life with their Miniature Schnauzers, Max and Ollie.

Kim Lewars

Kim Lewars is a Brooklyn native with nearly 20 years of Client Services experience. Over the course of the past 4 years, she has climbed the ladder to Senior Client Success specialist at Indeed with the important  mission and collective goal of “Helping People Get Jobs”. While in her current role, she is also an active member of a number of Inclusion Resource Groups including but not limited to the Black Inclusion Group, Women at Indeed and iPride. Helping others and changing lives for the better has always been a passion of hers. This led to the start of her apparel printing business, Kimmykimprints which continues to focus on giving back to the community and highlighting organizations that help make the world a kinder place. 

Kim enjoys spending time at home with her husband, two sons and puppy, catching up with family and friends, cooking, reading, and traveling.

Joshua M. Rivera

Josh serves as Director for Staten Island Regional and Community Affairs at Con Edison, a position that has afforded him the opportunity to give back to the island he and his family have called home for the last 40 years. 

Josh joined ConEd as the Director for Manhattan Regional and Community Affairs, working and partnering with elected officials, community-based organizations and external stakeholders to advance the companies Clean Energy Commitments across the region.  Prior to joining Con Edison, Josh served as the Director of Government and External Relations and as a member of the President’s Cabinet at Hostos Community College, part of the City University of New York.  As a member of the CUNY Legislative Action Committee, Josh represented the University system as well as Hostos Community College before various legislative bodies, working with City and State legislative leaders, the Bronx Borough President, and key members of Congress.

Previously, he served in a similar capacity representing The New York Botanical Garden, advocating and promoting the accomplishments of The New York Botanical Garden as one of New York City’s premiere cultural institutions, working closely with the Mayor’s office, the Borough President, the City Council, state legislators and members of Congress. While at the Garden, he successfully lobbied the Department of Environmental Protection to correct a design flaw in the City’s mapped road design bordering the perimeter by constructing a natural wetland on the grounds of the Garden, the first of this type ever in the Bronx.

Josh served as Chief of Staff to Council Member Leroy Comrie, the former Deputy Majority Leader of the New York City Council, Constituent Services Director for former State Senator Vincent J. Gentile and as an adjunct faculty member in the Edward T. Rogowsky Internship Program in Government and Public Policy at the CUNY Graduate Center.

Josh currently serves as Chair of the board of the New York Institute on Disabilities, is a member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southern New York Chapter and is a member of the Community Advisory Board for Spring Bank.

Josh earned a B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany and an MPA from the Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College. He currently resides on Staten Island with his wife Christie and their daughter, Emma Grace.

Brian Moody

Originally from North Carolina, Brian Moody (he/him/his) has been a New Yorker for nearly 24 years, having moved to Brooklyn in 2001 after completing law school. He began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office before transitioning to civil trial law where he represented medical professionals and institutions across the New York Metropolitan area.

For nearly a decade Brian served as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Privacy Officer at Richmond University Medical Center on Staten Island. Part of Brian’s duties included advising Senior Leadership and the Board on matters related to nonprofit governance. In January 2025 Brian has transition into his new role as the Vice President of Legal Affairs and Corporate Compliance, General Counsel, at MediSys Health Network, which includes Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center. With a strong passion for healthcare law, Brian is an advocate for improving access to healthcare services in underserved and underrepresented communities.

Brian received his law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law and is admitted to practice in New York State as well as the United States Federal Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. Brian also holds certifications in healthcare risk management and compliance.

Outside of his legal career, Brian enjoys spending time with his daughter with whom he shares a love for music, and traveling with his partner, Andrew. A dedicated fan of the New Orleans Saints, Brian frequently visits New Orleans which he considers his second home. Brian is honored to join the Board of the Pride Center of Staten Island.