Get to Know Team TLC-VR
Annika Kazembe, MBA
President and Co-Founder
Annika Kazembe, MBA, LPN, CSNI, CADDCT, CDP
Annika Kazembe, MBA, LPN, CSNI, CADDCT, CDP is a healthcare and business executive with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Annika has a distinguished history of working in hospitals, assisted living facilities and healthcare administrations. For the past 13 years, Annika has led multiple organizations as Chief Executive Officer. A proven healthcare leader, Annika has extensive experience in operations management, strategic leadership, planning, and business development.
Annika is the President & Founder of Tender Loving Family, Inc., a home healthcare organization, TLFC Child Care and Learning Centers and TLC Virtual Academy, Inc. In her role as President & Founder she has led all aspects of the organizations’ strategy, growth, expansion, day-to-day management and development. Additionally, Annika is a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, providing training and conducting seminars on Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia care throughout the United States for healthcare professionals to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP).
Beginning her healthcare career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Annika worked hard and hone her skills in becoming the transformational, progressive and innovative leader which she is today – always thinking of innovative ways to bring valuable services to consumers. She received her undergraduate degree from Rochester Institute of Technology and completed her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Capella University.
Annika is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer and a Certified Super Noggin® Brain Fitness Instructor. She is also a Professional Certified American Red Cross trainer for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support. She is a member of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), American Senior Fitness Association, the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW), the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly (GRAPE) and the National Notary Association (NNA).
Annika is a passionate healthcare and business leader who always wants to help others and is constantly looking for new ways in which she can positively impact someone’s life.
Robert Goldman, JD, PsyD
Chief Psychologist and Co-Founder
Robert Goldman, JD, PsyD
Dr. Robert Goldman is a licensed psychologist and attorney with over 18 years of experience in combining law and psychology. Upon beginning his law practice, Dr. Goldman was appointed to the Law Guardian Panel which inspired him to receive his Doctorate in School & Community Psychology from Hofstra University in order to help children.
Dr. Goldman worked as the Supervising Psychologist for the Suffolk County Probation Department and Suffolk County Mental Hygiene Services where he conducted court evaluations, and provided treatment. Dr. Goldman has also lectured nationally on topics ranging from Restorative Justice, Educational Law, Forensic Evaluations and the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression among teens and adults. Dr. Goldman is also an author and has been published in the Albany Law Review and the New York Law Journal.
Dr. Goldman is a member of the American Psychological Association, Suffolk County Criminal Bar Association and the Suffolk County Bar Association. He is also the co-chair of the Neuroscience and Law Committee, and an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and St. Joseph’s College teaching Restorative Justice and various Community Correction topics.
In the midst of COVID-19, Dr. Goldman created a virtual lawyers lounge that provided virtual support to help lawyers cope with their own challenges. This first virtual lawyers lounge led to the very beginning of TLC Virtual Resiliency.
Paul Meller, PhD
Chief Innovation Officer
Paul Meller, PhD
Dr. Paul Meller is a licensed psychologist with over thirty-years of experience. He is a leading voice nationally in the promotion of wellness and psychological well-being. Dr. Meller has worked with children, families, public agencies, Courts, community-based organizations, Head Start Programs, and over 150 school-districts in promoting wellness and building resiliency. He has developed numerous prevention and training programs with the goal of promoting wellness, building resiliency, and decreasing conflict.Dr. Meller is an associate professor of Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Law at Hofstra University. He is the Director of the Doctoral Training Program in School-Community, Psychology. Dr. Meller also serves as the Director of the Institute for Family Forensic Psychology, and the Director of Mediation at the Hofstra University School of Law – Center for Children, Families, and the Law. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a Master of Arts in developmental psychology from Columbia University, and a Doctorate in school psychology from Syracuse University. Dr. Meller plays leadership roles and/or has been a founding member of a number of professional organizations.
In his spare time Dr. Meller enjoys working-out, practicing yoga, and playing guitar. He can be seen riding his motorcycle around his hometown twelve months a year.
Content and Curriculum
Workshop Facilitation
Christoff Sahar, MD, MHCM
Curriculum Developer
Christoff Sahar, MD
Christoph Sahar MD is a 4th-generation family physician with an interest in working with the underserved. He is an innovative leader who has worked in multiple not-for-profit, safety net and community health systems in several states. Dr. Sahar is passionate about the wellness of individuals, families, and communities, and believes in the deep-rooted interconnectedness between mental, social, and physical wellness. He holds an Medical Doctorate from Rutgers University, a Bachelors in Computer Science from Brown University, and a Masters in Health Care Management from the Harvard University TH Chan School of Public Health.
Webb Garrison III, Ph.D
Curriculum Developer/Workshop Facilitator
Webb Black Garrison III, Ph.D
Webb Black Garrison III, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist who has been practicing since 1993 and supervising since 2003. In this time, Dr. Garrison has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, psychiatric hospitals, child welfare/foster care settings, skilled nursing and rehabilitation and private practice.
He has also taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and served as the academic dean in a graduate training program for Counselors and Art Therapists. Deeply interested in spirituality, medicine and the arts, Dr. Garrison works in an integrative, holistic way. He treats a spectrum of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, bereavement, adjustment issues, medical and somatic concerns, as well as identity and spiritual issues.
The foundation of Dr. Garrison’s approach to therapy is rooted in a deep, intuitive engagement of the complexity, dignity, and uniqueness of every person and how each of us has to navigate through challenges and difficulties at different times in our lives.
Psychotherapy provides a sacred space for attending to such suffering. Dr. Garrison
believes that we are largely moved in life towards a deeper sense of meaning,
connection and wholeness. Engaging life consciously, finding inspiration and living
creatively facilitates this and increasingly helps us experience connection while striving toward our highest potentials and possibilities. In addition to his work as a Psychologist, Dr. Garrison plays and composes music and retreats into the arms of nature, as time allows.
Haley Tract
Curriculum Development Intern
Haley Tract
D Haley graduated in 2020 from Nova Southeastern University earning her Bachelors in International Studies with minors in Paralegal Studies, Leadership, and Spanish. Haley also works as a Case Manager at The Safe Center Long Island.
Haley empowers survivors of domestic violence and trafficking to find independence, strength, and stability amidst their adversity. Haley is passionate about helping others succeed and grow to live their best lives. Haley has found that time in nature, meditation, and painting are all helpful in her own journey to resiliency.
Casey Ferri, MS,
PsyD Candidate
Curriculum Development Intern
Casey Ferri, MS, PsyD Candidate
Elyse Harrison, MS,
PsyD Candidate
Curriculum Development Intern
Elyse Harrison, MS, PsyD Candidate
Elyse is a third year doctoral student in Hofstra’s School-Community Psychology program. She is passionate about bettering the lives of others and helping them thrive despite challenges and setbacks. In her spare time, Elyse enjoys exploring nature with her dog and traveling whenever possible. Elyse looks forward to helping individuals on their journey to resilience with TLC-VR.
Elizabeth McCabe
Curriculum and Business Development Intern
Elizabeth McCabe
Justine Mahler
Curriculum and Business Development Intern
Justine Mahler
Marketing and Sales
Terri-Ann Graham
Director of Marketing
Frederick Gelman
Digital Marketing Associate
Lisa Gates
Graphic Design & MarketingLisa Gates
Lisa Gates is an Art Director with 30 years of professional graphic design experience including Corporate Branding, Marketing Collateral, Advertising, Website and Packaging Design. She is the owner of Gates Graphix and is passionate about helping startup businesses to find their true identity and thrive.Advisors and Consultants
John Foley, MBA
President and CEO, Aeoro LLC
Doug Bartholomew
Director, North and South America, Primax USA
Emily Krohn, LCSW-R
Psychotherapist in Private Practice
Dr. Michael Gruttadauria, DC, DACAN
CEO and Director, The Optimum U
Vinay Aggarwal, MD
Open Positions
TLC-VR is always looking for qualified candidates to add to our growing team.
Our mission is to create and deliver a uniquely integrative, evidence-based, virtual resiliency program that will support professionals to survive and thrive in the extreme and accelerating stress of today’s workplace environment, so that they are inspired to continue to do what they do best—help other people.
Join us!
Videography
Meditation and/or Mindfulness Instructor
Independent Contractor / Remote
Fitness and/or Yoga Instructor
Independent Contractor / Remote
Travel and Nature Videographer
Independent Contractor / Remote
Nutrition and/or Cooking Instructor
Independent Contractor / Remote
Breathing Technique Instructor
Independent Contractor / Remote
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