Board of Directors
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President: Makiko Harada (Young), MA, MPS, ATR-BC, LCAT
In 2024, she was elected as the firs Asian president for NY Art Therapy Association.
She currently offers lectures on ethics and multi-culturalism. She was chosen as the Movers and Shakers of by Newsweek Japan. She also owns glamsalt, a couture salt business. She has been providing jewel like salts to fine restaurants and shops throught the US.
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President Elect, Continuing Education Chair: Bethany Altschwager, DAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, LCAT
Dr. Bethany Altschwager is an art therapist, art therapy educator, and art therapy supervisor. She has twelve years of clinical experience in community-based and healthcare settings with people from diverse backgrounds and across the lifespan. Her primary areas of interest are trauma, digital media, and fiber arts.
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Secretary, Governmental affairs liaison: D. Christina Ranjani, LCAT, ATR-BC, ATCS
Christina has worked within the New York City hospital system treating inpatient psychiatry patient since 2015. She also has experience working within: neurology, chemical dependency, COVID-19, CPEP, and medical units. Christina is dedicated to the growth & advocacy of Art Therapy.
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Advocacy liaison chair: Melissa Ulloa, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT
Melissa Ulloa (She/Her/Ella) is a bilingual licensed creative arts therapist, board-certified art psychotherapist, supervisor, teacher, artist, musician, activist, partner, sister, and proud daughter of Peruvian immigrants. She has over 7 years of clinical experience and currently works at New York Presbyterian Hospital's Family PEACE (Preventing Early Adverse Childhood Experiences) Trauma Treatment Center (FPTTC) at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Outside of work, she finds it joy in social activism in her community, painting, yoga, running, connecting to nature, cooking, learning the zampoña, quena, charrango, and Quechua language.
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Programming Chair: Jasmine Li, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT
Jasmine is an art therapist practicing in hospital settings. With extensive hands-on experience gained from working in community-based and healthcare environments during her graduate studies, she is dedicated to helping individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds navigate emotional challenges, foster self-expression, and achieve personal growth. Thrilled to bring her passion and expertise to the community, she collaborates with fellow leaders to create events that empower members, build connections, and inspire collective growth.
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Public Relations, Social Media Chair: Stephy Hsu, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT
Stephy completed her graduate studies at NYU and has diverse experience in correctional settings, early childhood programs, adolescent mental health, and geriatric care. She specializes in postpartum depression, using art therapy to foster emotional resilience. Passionate about expanding art therapy in Asia, she collaborates with nonprofits and schools, conducting workshops and lectures to promote mental health awareness and advocacy for art therapy.
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Chair of Membership: Na Rae Yun
Na Rae (she/they) is the Chair of Membership for NYATA and a graduate student in the Creative Arts Therapy program at Pratt Institute. Her complex intersectional identity fuels her passion for the field of art therapy.
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Student Liaison: Irene Chou
Irene Chou (she/her) is the Student Liaison for NYATA and a graduate student in the Creative Arts Therapy program at Pratt Institute. Originally from Taiwan, she has called the U.S. home for the past decade. With a strong foundation in architecture and design, she brings a unique perspective to the field of art therapy, integrating spatial awareness and creative expression.
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Social Justice Chair: Tanvi Mehta
Tanvi holds a Master's in Art Therapy and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Strategic Design and Management, embodying a unique blend of creativity and strategy. With a fervent dedication to creative storytelling, Tanvi, adept in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, thrives in dynamic settings as a strategic researcher exploring innovative techniques to illuminate social relationships. Her vision is to utilize her mindfulness expertise, design thinking skills, educational background, and integrative experience to cultivate safe and expressive environments for individuals. Through her holistic approach, she endeavors to facilitate healing and self-expression, empowering individuals to navigate their inner worlds with confidence and authenticity.