Meet Our Advisory Board

Denise Augustus (she/her) is an ordained minister and aspiring life coach based in Kingston, NY. Her journey as a mentee has deeply influenced her passion for helping individuals who, like herself, have faced challenges. Denise has experienced firsthand the transformative impact of guidance and support, which drives her commitment to empowering others. Through her personal journey, she aims to inspire resilience and personal growth in those facing adversity. 

“Serving on the advisory board is a way for me to contribute to positive change, nurturing empowerment and support within our community.”

Beth Bengtson (she/her) is the CEO and founder of Working for Women. She brings 20+ years of business experience in marketing and corporate social responsibility and a lifelong commitment to service to Working for Women, which aims to get more women into the workforce and achieve economic independence. Her unique model engages business members to contribute skills and money directed to nonprofits focused on creating employment opportunities for underserved women. Currently, Beth serves on an Advisory Board for New Start for Women, a SUNY Ulster program for women living in poverty to earn a no-cost, one-year business certificate. She is also the Board President of the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, a conservation organization geared to preserving open space, farms, and trails in Ulster County NY. Beth earned an MBA from Schiller International University in Paris, France, and a BS in management from Penn State University. She is certified in empowerment design and facilitation through the Empowerment Institute. She is a former mentor.

Tess Chapin (she/her) is a multifaceted professional with a strong interest and background in supporting youth populations and non-profit organizations. With a Masters degree in Women and Gender Studies from The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, a post-Graduate diploma in Russian and Eurasian Studies from the University of Glasglow, and years of experience working with diverse communities, including over a decade serving adolescents and their families, Tess has dedicated much of her career to understanding social systems and helping others thrive. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, she continues to leverage her skills to make a positive impact in her community and in the lives of others.

Laurie Conlon (she/her) began her career as an admissions officer and academic advisor in the university setting. After completing her master’s degree, she spent 20 years as a School Counselor, engaging with public high school students and addressing all aspects of personal, college, and career counseling. She is a licensed Mental Health Counselor. She spent two years as a clinician in the Astor Children and Family Services outpatient clinic in Kingston and is currently working in private practice. She is a former Mentor. 

“I know what it feels like and what the results are of not being supported or not knowing how to take the first steps toward a goal. I want to be a source of encouragement in helping someone discover what their dreams are and help them take steps toward actualizing their full potential.”

Kaitlin Cox (she/her) is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a degree in Business Marketing and has over eight years of experience in the banking industry. She currently serves as a Branch Manager at a local bank, where she is passionate about helping individuals and families build financial confidence and long-term success. A former mentee herself, Kaitlin credits the program with having a meaningful impact on her personal and professional growth. She strongly believes in women helping women and is committed to giving back to the community that supported her journey. As an Advisory Board member, she is excited to bring financial literacy workshops and resources to Mentoring MUSE, empowering women in Ulster County with the tools they need to achieve their educational, personal, and entrepreneurial goals.

Laura Finestone (she/her), MA, is the founder of Laura Finestone Consulting (LFC). She is considered an unparalleled expert in building personal and professional skills to significantly elevate performance. With a career spanning over three decades and a proven track record in organizational, leadership, and career development, Laura empowers clients to achieve their most important life and career goals in alignment with their core values, dreams, and ambitions. She has served her communities for years as a volunteer on the east and west coasts as an outdoor educator and also as chair of the Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission. She founded and chairs the Rondout Creek Watershed Alliance and has also served as a member of the Governors NY Rising initiative. She is a former mentor.

Ayerim Maduro Lacle (she/her) is a tourism strategist, speaker, writer, and founder of HAMAK Hospitality Solutions, a boutique tourism consulting and destination management company shaping community-centered tourism and economic development in Ulster County and beyond. Raised between Aruba and the Hudson Valley, she brings a unique global-local perspective shaped by two vibrant cultures, lived experience, and a human-centered approach to how places grow and how people connect. Guided by her philosophy Make Happiness the Destination, her work champions impact, joy, and encourages people and places to lead with purpose. She is presently a mentor with Mentoring MUSE.

Dr. Florence Staats (she/her) has worked as Public Assistance Comprehensive Employment Director (PACE), Project 111 Grant Writer, "Strengthening Institutions", Project Director SUNY Grant Bridge Program for ADC Clients, Project Director VATEA/SPICE grant "Catalyst for Change," Project Director JTPA Summer Youth Program, Director of JTPA Summer Youth Program, Director of Liberty Partnership Program SUNY Ulster, Education Consultant US Dept of Education, Acting Director New York African American Institute, Assistant Dean of Instructional and Community Services Rockland Community College, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs Bloomfield College, Assistant to the President Dutchess Community College, Assistant Dean Office of Community Services Dutchess Community College, Professor: Suny Ulster, Empire State College, SUNY New Paltz, Marist College, Coordinator of Fine Arts Essex County College, Assistant Professor of Fine Art Essex County College, Fine Arts Instructor. She is on the following boards: RCAL Resource Center for Accessible Living, Ulster County Statewide Senior Action, Friends of Rosendale Library, and Seniors Serving in Place. She is a former Mentor.

"I am deeply committed to paying it forward in helping others all I can to achieve their desired goals."

Laura Wesolowski (she/her), MPA, is a lifelong resident of, as well as a junior accountant for, the County of Ulster, having been a dedicated civil servant for over thirty years. As a committed member of the community, she has served in the roles of Social Welfare Examiner (assisting marginalized and underserved populations with public benefits) and Principal Account Clerk (fiscal officer for the information technology department). Moreover, she fulfills her civic duty as an Election Inspector for Ulster County's Board of Elections and remains community-focused as a security guard for the UPAC and Bardavon theaters. She is a former Mentor.

“Mentoring MUSE and mentoring align with my values of community contribution and women's empowerment, actively providing me the opportunity to promote and support female independence.”