Our Staff
Fred Buglione - President and CEO
Fred Buglione has a long history of success in education and educational nonprofits. As a former teacher and school administrator, Fred developed an inclusive educational environment that helped to ensure that all students succeeded. He has also held director-level positions in nonprofit organizations dedicated to assisting students with disabilities of all ages. Fred is a skilled educational and nonprofit leader who has raised student academic achievement in every educational program that he has overseen. Fred has an M.A. in English Literature and a M.Ed. in Instructional Design.
Mary Ann Comparetto - Director of Family Engagement
Mary Ann Comparetto is a former co-director for the Partners in Policymaking Program in Maryland and the parent of a daughter with autism who has been included throughout her school career. Mary Ann has developed significant expertise in the area of inclusion and in working with parents, educators and public policy makers through her work in Maryland and New Jersey.
Gina Garofalo, B.F.A. - Administrative Director
Gina Garofalo received her B.F.A. from St. John’s University and is highly experienced with years of administrative experience, managing the day-to-day operations of NJCIE’s office since 2004. Gina oversees all aspects of NJCIE’s work, including such areas as business administration, school and district contact, conference coordination, material design and office organization.
Sue Goldman, M.A., CCC – SLP - Speech and Language Consultant
Sue Goldman spent the bulk of her career working and collaborating in public schools and currently applies all she has learned as adjunct faculty at Kean University. Areas of expertise and topics of workshops include phonemic awareness, state and federal regulations relative to schools, and in-class speech-language services. Sue is co-author of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) 2010 Roles and Responsibilities of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists. Other credits include member, New Jersey’s Special Education Review Commission 2007 and co-author, New Jersey Department of Education’s Technical Assistance Document – The Evaluation of Speech and Language. Awards include Honors of the Association – NJ Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Middlesex County Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award and 11 ASHA Awards for Continuing Education
Michelle Lockwood, M.S. - Director, Positive Behavior Support Consulting
Michelle Lockwood received her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Loyola College with a focus on cognitive behavior theory for children and adolescents. She has over 13 years of professional experience in serving individuals in need of mental health and behavioral support in both public and private facilities. Prior to coming to NJCIE in 2007, Michelle worked in the Howard County Public Schools in Maryland developing deep expertise in inclusive education and Positive Behavioral Support (PBS).
Udoka Nwigwe, M.A. - Positive Behavior Support Specialist
Udoka Nwigwe received his B.S. in Psychology from St. Peter’s College and his M.A. in Educational Psychology from New Jersey City University. He is currently working towards his Psy.D. in Educational Psychology. Prior to coming to NJCIE, Udoka case managed adults diagnosed with a mental health disorder. His background is invaluable as he helps improve the quality of education of students who exhibit behavioral and mental health issues. Prior to joining NJCIE, Udoka completed a year internship in the Perth Amboy School District.
Kerri O’Keefe - Development Associate
Kerri O’Keefe earned her B.A. in Communications with a minor in Fine Art from Quinnipiac University. She manages NJCIE’s major events and directs efforts to building a comprehensive fundraising program that will help sustain our programs. Having the opportunity to benefit from an inclusive education as a child, she has a deeply personal connection with our mission.
Wedelie Thompson, M.S., M.B.A. - Inclusive Education Consultant
Wedelie Thompson has 14 years of expertise as a certified Exceptional Student Education Teacher, K-12 Reading Specialist, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) and Coach/Professional Development Facilitator. Wedelie received her B.S. in Varying Exceptionalities and M.S. in Emotional Behavior Disorders from Barry University and a M.B.A. from Nova Southeastern University. Wedelie is extremely passionate about the field of education and embraces the philosophy that “Instruction must not be compromised, but rather infused with multiple strategies and tools to support the various learners in the present day classrooms.”