Our Team

Robin Baron

Robin is an award winning interior and product designer with her own interior design firm as well as an e-commerce site. Based in NYC, she travels the country speaking and appearing on TV.
As a mother of a child with ASD, Robin became very active in the ASD and neurodiverse community. She has been on the board of several related organizations  and schools, and is currently working on a supported living program to help members of the neurodiverse community become more confident and independent. Robin is the proud parent of Simon and Chloe Ziff, who have been an integral part of creating and developing Relationspot.

What led you to Relationspot?
I saw the need, so when Simon came to me with this idea, I knew that I had to live my motto “If you know you can make a difference, you have to.” I love this community. I want everyone to live their best lives!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love travel, theater, fashion, art and food…and most of all, I love spending time with family and friends!

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
I started my career as a fashion designer under my own label.

Deborah Rosenberg

Deborah is the mom of an adult daughter with ASD. She has been designing luxury residences for over 20 years and is an expert in creating non-toxic, cruelty-free and sensory interiors. Her expertise includes designing spaces for the neurodiverse population. Deborah is a renowned speaker and author on the subject of design for optimal mental and physical health. Deborah has always believed in the need for “community”. Everyone wants to be heard and loved and that’s what the goal of Relationspot is. She is truly excited to be a founder of Relationspot.

“It takes a village to make change. Relationspot is the beginning of that change.”

What led you to Relationspot?
My daughter is on the spectrum. This led me to understand that she, like all of us, has the right to be heard, form relationships and be a part of community.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love animals. I love being with my family, cooking together and loving all of our pets.

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
I can do cartwheels 🤸‍♀️

Simon Ziff

Simon is the originator of Relationspot. He saw a need in the ASD/Neurodiverse community and became passionate about filling this need. Simon is on the spectrum himself, so he understands the challenges and benefits of being neurodiverse. He is the driving force for our programming and he hosts many of our Relationspot Friday Night Zooms and Saturday Night In-Person Get-Togethers. Simon graduated from Pace University with a Bachelors in Digital Film Production. He’s also a science fiction writer and has recently become certified as a life coach. His passion is to help other people on the spectrum with neurodiversity live their lives to the fullest.

What led you to Relationspot?
I am a Certified Life Coach and I am going for my MSW both of which are to help other people who are neurodiverse or on the spectrum like I am.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I like writing, traveling, video games, watching movies, making movies, reading, and hanging out with my dog Shadow.

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
I am a writer and poet working on a trilogy of novels.

Chloe Ziff

Chloe is a founder, with her brother Simon, they have worked closely to develop Relationspot. She also hosts many of our Saturday Night In-Person events and is a valued coach to our members. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Psychology from Pace University.

Chloe’s main passion is helping others, especially through Relationspot. Her brother, Simon, has been her inspiration throughout her life, teaching her to always stand up for what’s right. She is driven to help everyone around her. Chloe started on this path when she was very young. She was a counselor at the Marlene Meyerson JCC of Manhattan guiding and helping individuals with autism, down syndrome and other types of neurodiversities. Having her own struggles with learning disabilities has helped her understand how to inspire and guide those around her who may need extra support.

With her hands-on experience, Chloe is an integral part of Relationspot.

What led you to Relationspot?
My brother, who is on the spectrum, has always been my motivation, and inspiration to help others. My whole life has been helping people from all walks of life. Now I’m proud to say I am a co-founder of Relationspot.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love hanging out with friends, and trying out new restaurants throughout the tri-state area! You never know what cool finds and surprises you’ll experience. I also love capturing beautiful memories through my camera.

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
I know sign language.

Andrea Friedman

Andrea was born and raised in New Jersey, and is now a proud Vermont resident. After receiving her masters in special education through the Autism Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, Andrea began working as a special educator. Now, seven years later, Andrea has left the classroom and has followed her passion for working with adults. Andrea is dedicated to supporting folx in creating a life and future that is meaningful for them. With a background in the arts, Andrea brings her creativity and her aptitude for out-of-the-box thinking to her work with people.

What led you to Relationspot?
Working with people and being part of community have always been close to my heart. For the past seven years, I worked as a special education teacher, and my passion for establishing communities for people after they are school-age grew. Now, I spend my time working with neurodiverse young adults who are discovering what it means to live their most authentic life in adulthood. I was drawn to Relationspot’s mission of creating a community in which people feel celebrated and safe, and where life-long friendships and relationships can flourish.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I am always creating something. Specifically, I enjoy making things with my hands whether it’s jewelry, weaving on my loom, or crocheting! I also enjoy spending time outside with my dog, Goose!

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
Something fun or surprising about me that people may not know is that I was my high school’s Mascot! During my senior year of high school, I could be found every Friday night in the massive ‘Roscoe the Ram’ costume at a football game or ice hockey game. I am a dancer, so it was a fun ‘in cognito way’ to show off some of my dance moves.

Tanner Hilbish

Tanner received his undergraduate degree in Anthropology from the University of Vermont. After a brief stint in the field of intellectual property, he found himself working as a life skills coach at a living and learning community for neurodiverse college students. Here he discovered his true passion in empowering everyone to live authentically. His focus has been on helping students to develop social communication skills as well as emotional regulation strategies. Tanner went back to school to get his MSW during which he also worked as a therapist for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

What led you to Relationspot?
For the past seven years, I’ve enjoyed building community with and supporting neurodiverse college students in beautiful Burlington, VT. In this work, I witnessed the immense positive impact of building social connections with others. I facilitated group seminars on topics including making and maintaining friendships as well as dating and romantic relationships. This work introduced me to Relationspot and I am excited to help foster meaningful social opportunities for adults on a broader scale.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, you can find me exploring the beautiful state of Vermont with my partner. This includes hiking the Green Mountains, finding hidden swimming holes, boating on Lake Champlain, or skiing at one of many resorts in the area! I also enjoy a night on the couch to binge a new Netflix show or to read a new fantasy novel.

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
I love to travel which has led me on many adventures including backpacking around Thailand, being an exchange student during high school in Germany, and managing a burger joint in Melbourne, Australia!

Kevin Baranello

Kevin is a passionate advocate for using business as a force for good. With a background in sustainability and hospitality, he brings a deep understanding of relationship building and human dynamics to his work at Relationspot and is dedicated to empowering individuals to build healthier and more fulfilling connections with themselves and others.

What led you to Relationspot?
My journey to Relationspot began when my wife (Andrea) began working with them over a year ago. After some time, Andrea was reconnected to the team, and they were seeking a business savvy individual to help grow the program. I was drawn to Relationspot’s innovative approach to wellness and the opportunity to leverage my background in sustainable business to support individuals in improving their relationships.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it’s snowboarding, surfing, exploring new trails, or simply soaking up the sunshine at the beach. I also have a dog named Goose who loves to explore with me and encourages me to get outside more often.

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
A fun fact about me is that I helped start up a boutique surf hostel in Costa Rica in my early-mid 20s, which quickly became the #1 hostel in the country as rated by TripAdvisor and Hostelworld. I spent nearly 2 years growing the brand, surfing daily, practicing healthy habits, and meeting travelers from around the world.

Pamela Rice

Pamela is a fifteen-year resident of Brooklyn and loves everything the city has to offer. She enjoys spending time in the museum, walking through the gardens, and spending time in Prospect Park. She also loves to read and travel. Pamela is an LMSW and works as a therapist. Her relationships with her family and friends bring her the most happiness, so she is grateful for the opportunity to help people of all abilities experience significant connections.

What led you to Relationspot?
A friend in my MSW program told me about Relationspot and I was immediately interested in getting involved and supporting their mission.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to spend time with family and friends, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors.

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
I love to read and read 55 books last year!

Marissa Malett

Marissa currently works as a certified mediator, committee board member, service coordinator, employment coach, and advocate. She also works with the NYS school system consulting on special policies and procedures. Marissa provides therapeutic sessions with adults and facilitates mediation sessions. Marissa holds a BA in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology, from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, an MA in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Criminology & Social Deviance, and a post-graduate certificate in Management Training.

What led you to Relationspot?
The mission of Relationspot really spoke to me; a social group that helps build community, friendship, and connections for the ASD/Neurodiverse community.I also really enjoy helping people!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and spending time with family & friends

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
A surprising fact about me is that I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 7 years old!

Elyse Orecchio

Elyse Orecchio is a proud lifelong resident of Queens and holds an MA in Applied Theatre. She is dedicated to building community through theatre as a teaching artist, and through her role at TDF, an arts accessibility nonprofit. Through organizations like New York City Children’s Theater, Mosaic Community Center, Girl Scout Troop 6000, and Relationspot, she has had the privilege of working with communities including young parents, refugee migrant families, and folx on the autism spectrum. She especially loves connecting with wee ones through theatre—as Louis Armstrong crooned, “They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know.” On the home front, when not lounging with her 4 cats, Elyse seeks adventure everywhere; her husband Joe and kids, Theo and Melody, help her find it.

What led you to Relationspot?
As a parent, I have been longing for a program like this in NYC for years. I’m so glad it exists, and that I get to be a part of it. Everybody deserves friendship and community.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
You can usually find me at the theater, but I am also obsessed with travel and camping.

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
These days, I’ve been obsessed with making pasta from scratch. If I were Taylor Swift, you’d say I’m in my pasta era.

Hayley Sherwood a theatre artist, educator, producer, and administrator, whose work focuses on bringing theatre to the people. Some career highlights include producing COMMUNITY WORKS, a community-engaged theatre program at Williamstown Theatre Festival that casts local residents of all ages in a world premiere musical, touring schools as Story Pirate, and serving as a Teaching Artist and the Director of Programs for CO/LAB Theater Group, a company that creates theater with individuals with developmental disabilities. She holds her BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University and her MA in Educational Theatre for Colleges and Communities from NYU.

1. What led you to Relationspot?

I was led to Relationspot by Ben Dworken! Ben, the amazing advocate that he is, introduced me to Robin and we got some improv workshops set up! I’ve so enjoyed getting to know everyone involved since!

2. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love to be outside! I like to cycle, run, hike, and have recently been doing a ton of snowboarding! I also love to eat really good food, watch really good movies, TV, and plays, and read really good books. Then, I like to talk about all of those things with my friends and family!

3. What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?

I spent a semester studying Shakespeare in London in undergrad and took a trip to study Theater of the Oppressed in Puerto Rico in grad school.

Odalis Salcedo

Odalis Salcedo received her Bachelor of the Arts in Clinical Psychology from St John’s University. She currently works as a Graduate Assistant focusing on improving student health services. With a background in clinical psychology and great experience in life coaching and social work, she is passionate about fostering a space where everyone can be themselves. Her professional aspirations are aligned with making substantive contributions to women’s mental health and the Latin American community as a psychologist.

What led you to Relationspot?
I discovered Relationspot through previous experience in the life coaching field. I enjoy being a part of Relationspot because it allows me to positively impact others and brings a new meaning to my life.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy traveling to different places, hiking, and trying new foods.

What is a fun fact or something surprising about you?
A fun fact about me is that I love Italian food!