PVA Leadership and Staff
Lori Reinsberg
Lori Reinsberg serves as President of The Shield Institute Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Pure Vision Arts Advisory Committee. She is a New York-based art dealer with a focus on Modern and Contemporary Art.
As Co-Chair of the Pure Vision Arts Advisory Committee, Lori’s leadership has been pivotal in celebrating New York’s neurodiverse artist community’s talents and achievements. Pure Vision Arts is the city’s first studio dedicated to artists with autism and developmental disabilities. Her leadership and vision for the studio have been instrumental in building relationships with international art galleries, dealers, and collectors.
Carmen Collado, LCSW-R
Carmen Collado is Chief Relationship Officer for The Shield Institute responsible for forging, maintaining and growing partnerships with stakeholders, donors, community agencies, government officials, managed care companies, supported individuals, students, and staff. She currently oversees The Shield’s Pure Vision Arts studio, New York’s only full-time arts studio and exhibition space for adults with autism spectrum disorders and other neuro-developmental and physical challenges.
Carmen has an extensive background as an executive, supervisor, program director, and direct care provider at New York’s leading human services agencies.
Carmen is a graduate of Queens College and earned her master’s degree at the New York University Silver School of Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She also possesses a Certificate in Jewish Communal Service from the Institute for Not-for-Profit Management, Wiener Educational Center, Columbia University Graduate School of Business. She is a former Chair of the New York State Board of Regents Advisory Board for the Social Work Profession.
Bryant Yarborough
Acting Director
Bryant Yarborough has a background in fine arts, illustration, graphic design and printmaking. He began his career at The Shield Institute in 2005 as a Day Habilitation Specialist. In 2005, he was promoted to Program Coordinator of Pure Vision Arts developing strong working relationships with the artists. He also produces PVA’s graphics for the studio’s public relations and special events. Since 2020, Bryant has fulfilled the role of Acting Director, managing essential operations, directing art sales, and leading our virtual studio sessions.
byarborough@shield.org
Prapti Sapkota
Day Habilitation Specialist
Prapti Sapkota has worked with people with autism and other developmental disabilities since 2013. She began her career as a Group Leader in the Brooklyn and Long Island City Catholic Charities Operation F.U.N. where she provided classroom and recreational activities that included art, music and field trips to local parks and museums. In addition, she worked as a Habilitation Assistant at the Long Island City Day Habilitation Program providing activities focusing on the goals of independence, individualization, community inclusion and productivity for attendees. Prapti began working as Day Habilitation Specialist at Pure Vision arts in July 2015. She is working closely with the artists to support them in achieving their personal goals. Prapti is herself a fine artist, with a lifetime interest in the visual arts.
Robert McMinn
Assistant to the Chief Relationship Officer / Acting Administrative Manager
Robert McMinn joined the Shield Institute-Pure Vision Arts team in 2021, assisting with agency-wide relationship management and administration of the PVA Studio. Robert has 20 years of nonprofit administration experience at human services, arts and culture, and education-focused organizations where he served in communications, advocacy, fundraising, and talent acquisition roles. As a volunteer educator, he has served as a docent at Louis Armstrong House in Corona, provided seminars in urban agriculture at libraries and community gardens, and taught multilingual songs at street fairs and greenmarkets.