Steven James Waisbren, M.D., Ph.D., Chairperson

swaisbren@lionsgateacademy.org

Dr. Waisbren grew up in Milwaukee, before going to Cornell University where he received his pre-medical training while majoring in Chinese History. He received his medical degree at the Yale University School of Medicine in 1986. He attended the University of Minnesota for two years of surgical training and returned to Yale for his Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Physiology, completing his surgical training on the East coast before returning to Minnesota to practice in general surgery. Dr. Waisbren has published many scientific papers as well as book chapters, and has been awarded a number of scientific grants.

Dr. Waisbren is the father of two teenage boys, one of whom has been living with autism. He is active in his synagogue and has served as a founding member and Chair of the Center for Youth of African Descent.

Michael Shapiro, CPA (inactive), Treasurer

Michael grew up in the Twin Cities and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1980 and earned his CPA designation 2 years later.  He has spent the majority of his career working with small businesses, assisting with the improvement of their financial and accounting departments.  He has owned his own business and currently works for a multi-national organization that includes a private foundation dedicated to rebuilding the Country of Armenia.

Todd Schwartzberg, M. Ed, MT-BC, NMT

tschwartzberg@lionsgateacademy.org

Todd received his Bachelor of Music Therapy degree from the University of Kansas in 1998 before completing his Master’s of Education at the University of Minnesota. He subsequently completed training in Neurological Music Therapy through the Center for Biomedical Research in Music, and has been a board-certified music therapist since November 1999. Todd has a special interest in utilizing music therapy for autism and has provided individual music therapy both at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis and at several community partnerships. He continues to work for The Autism Society for Minnesota at their 3-week summer Wahode Day camp, a sensory integration camp created in partnership with MacPhail. Furthermore, Todd serves as Government Relations Director for the Minnesota Music Therapy Association, and is an active member of the Board of Directors of The Autism Society of Minnesota.

Michael Reiff, M.D.

mreiff@lionsgateacademy.org

Michael I Reiff, M.D. is a board certified Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience. He received his BA from Brandeis University, and his MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He completed a Pediatric Residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. He has served on the faculty in the UCLA Pediatrics Department, and was most recently the director of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Minneapolis Children's Hospital where he was active as a clinician and teacher. He has been a member of the Pediatrics faculty of the University of Minnesota since 1990, and been involved in the Pediatric Residency training program in Behavioral Pediatrics since that time. He joined the Division of Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience in April of 2003., and is the medical director of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder Clinic.

Dr. Reiff is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, where he served as the Child Advocacy Committee Chairperson. He is presently on the Executive Committee of the Developmental Behavioral Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is the editor-in-chief of the book ADHD: A Complete and Authoritative Guide, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2003.

Brandy Dougherty, B.S., B.A., M.A., Lead Social Studies Instructor/Gifted Coordinator, Board Secretary

bdougherty@lionsgateacademy.org

Brandy Dougherty grew up in Colorado, then attended Bemidji State University, where she received a History and Political Science degree.  At BSU, she took the opportunity to study abroad in Europe at Oxford University and in China at Liaoing University.  She also was granted a 14-week internship in Washington D.C. at the Foreign Service Institute.  She furthered her education at Minnesota State University-Moorhead, where she received her Social Studies Education degree.  After teaching for three years in a small southwest Minnesota town, Brandy moved to the St. Paul area and completed her Master of Arts degree in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Education from the University of St. Thomas.  In addition to her Master’s degree, Brandy has training in reading strategies, study skills, teaching strategies for students on the autism spectrum, and differentiated instruction.  She is currently serving on the Lionsgate Academy School Board and is acting Secretary.