CGE Institute Trainers & Advisory Board

Frank Picone joined The Institute’s parent organization, The Center for Great Expectations, in 2019, with 35 plus years’ experience, creating trauma-attuned environments in residential treatment programs and schools throughout New Jersey and the country. Frank earned his master's in social work from the Rutgers University, is a licensed clinical social worker, certified school social worker, an advanced trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach, and founder and director of Positive Culture Change LLC.

Frank’s roles in two large residential treatment settings for youth include therapist, clinical supervisor, chief operations officer and executive director. He served as the director of the Placement Services Unit in New Jersey’s Children’s System of Care (CSOC). Frank was a key collaborator and trainer implementing the “Promising Path to Success” twelve-million-dollar, four-year Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant to transform New Jersey’s CSOC workforce and treatment providers to be trauma-informed, adopt the Nurtured Heart Approach and reduce the use of restraints and seclusion.

In January 2019, Frank was a vital force behind the launch of The Institute of CGE to create and deliver the Attuned School Approach for schools and the Attuned Workforce for social impact organizations. Frank is committed to the mission of The Institute—optimizing emotional intelligence for workforces and organizational cultures. The end results—enhanced critical thinking, harmonious teamwork, emotional regulation and trauma-attuned practice—all lead to more positive outcomes for youth, families, communities, and businesses.

Debra Ruisard is a senior trainer for The Institute at CGE. Over her many years at The Institute parent organization, The Center for Great Expectations, she held positions as program manager, clinical supervisor and chief clinical officer. She was the prime architect of the Trauma C.A.R.E. model and is a nationally known and respected expert in the field of trauma, particularly as it relates to addiction. She obtained both her master's and doctorate in social work at Rutgers University, where she is currently an adjunct professor. She has a post graduate certificate in traumatic stress studies from The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute and is rostered as a child parent psychotherapist. Dually licensed as a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, Dr. Ruisard has extensive clinical experience in treating clients with complex trauma and substance use issues and has a private psychotherapy practice in Skillman, New Jersey.

Carolyn Flynn is a senior trainer at The Institute of CGE and director of early relational health at CGE, supporting the agency’s early relational health initiative as a trainer, mentor and clinician. Carolyn earned her master’s in counseling from Kean University and is a licensed professional counselor in New Jersey. Carolyn is a graduate of the UMASS post graduate infant-parent mental health program. She is a certified doula, with training in both private practice and community health models of care. Her non-profit career began at the YMCA where she was director of family services and vice president of strategic partnerships. She has presented both locally and internationally on topics including early relational health, trauma-informed childbirth and intergenerational trauma. She is a dynamic, relatable presenter both in-person and virtually with audiences, including the World Alliance for Infant Mental Health, Rutgers ECHO, St. Peter’s Hospital Ground Rounds and the National Counseling Association. Her one-on-one and small-group consultation is informed by her training in Reflective Supervision and Adventure Based Counseling. Above all, Carolyn values connection. She sees connection with self, others, and spirit as the source of joy in life. She finds alignment in her work at CGE as she supports connection between parents and their infants and children. Carolyn is a mother to three spirited children and enjoys writing, drumming and camping.

Erica Pulliam is a trainer and the manager of community engagement and relations at The Center for Great Expectations. Erica is a graduate of Pillar College with an associate in arts degree in biblical studies and a bachelor of arts degree in counseling and psychology with a marriage and family concentration. Erica is a certified domestic violence response team member and a trained perinatal doula. Erica has worked at The Center since 2012, with advancing experience in our adolescent residential program and as a case manager. Erica is a demonstrated change agent for populations, who are marginalized, rejected, mistreated, and subjected to silence. Erica values her self-care and prioritizes spending time with her husband and two children.

Kyra Gil is a trainer at The Institute of CGE, as well as the early relational health clinician for START Newark, The Center for Great Expectations’ community-based home visitation program. Kyra earned her Master’s in psychiatric rehabilitation with a concentration in counseling from Rutgers University and is a licensed associate counselor. She is a passionate presenter for Rutgers Maternal & Child where she challenges providers to change the stigma embedded into community and medical spaces around women and substance use.  As a community provider, Kyra has become a strong advocate about the correlation of trauma and substance use as it pertains to the communities she serves.  Her goal is to create a safe place of care for pregnant and postpartum women experiencing substance use who have been stigmatized and mistreated within their own communities. Kyra prioritizes time spent with her family and enjoys exploring new places.

Tess Nicholson is a trainer at The Institute of CGE. She comes to us with six years of experience as a tenured New York City high school teacher, holding New York State certifications in both biology and special education. Tess has previously worked as a teaching assistant at a residential school in Nyack, New York. She found her passion for helping others while serving as a trained crisis hotline assistant in college, offering critical peer support services to her fellow students and community. She strives to create positive relationships and through her work has been drawn to intense youth and recognizing their greatness. Tess earned her undergraduate degree in human biology at the University at Albany and received her master’s degree in education at Manhattanville College. During her free time, Tess likes to practice her calligraphy skills, spend time with family and travel.