2026 - 2027 SEPTO Board

Caitee Donovan is a devoted mother to her incredible daughter, Scarlett, whose autism journey inspired a lifelong passion for advocacy, inclusion, and supporting families. Through both her personal experiences and her work within the Mahopac Central School District, she has seen firsthand the importance of ensuring every child is valued, understood, and given the opportunity to succeed.

After years of serving on the Mahopac SEPTO Executive Board, Caitee is honored to serve as President. She is committed to strengthening connections between families, educators, and the community while keeping families informed, celebrating students and staff, and advocating for meaningful change. Above all, she believes no family should ever feel alone on their journey and that, together, we can help every child reach their fullest potential.

Nina Ilardi is the proud mom of two high school daughters, both of whom have IEPs and are classified with learning disabilities. She is a Teaching Assistant at Fulmar Road Elementary and has proudly served on the Mahopac SEPTO Executive Board for the past eight years.

Nina is passionate about supporting students and families in our community and is looking forward to another great year of advocacy, connection, and making a positive difference.

Christine Buccinna is a proud wife, grateful friend, and a special needs mom times three. She is also the school nurse so many of our students know and love, and a passionate advocate for the rights of individuals of all abilities.

Christine is excited to serve as Mahopac SEPTO’s Co-Vice President and looks forward to a productive, fun, supportive, and collaborative year working alongside our families, educators, and community.

Kristin Fleming is the proud mother of two high school students and a dedicated advocate for the special education community, having served on the SEPTO Executive Board for 11 years and as a member of the Mahopac Board of Education’s Ad Hoc Special Education Committee. A music teacher in the Port Chester–Rye Union Free School District for 25 years, she is an accomplished conductor, accompanist, and pianist who also mentors new educators. Kristin holds BS and MS degrees in Music Education and a post-master’s certificate from The College of Saint Rose, along with extensive graduate study focused on special education and autism. She is deeply committed to supporting students and families with compassion, integrity, and advocacy.

Regina Pfeifer is a proud, devoted mother of four, currently guiding her youngest child through their exciting senior year of high school alongside her husband of 25 years. Bringing her deep love for family into her community, Regina has spent the last 11 years passionately supporting local families on the Mahopac SEPTO Board while also actively participating in the Mahopac High School PTO. Her long-standing dedication shines as a true testament to her big heart and commitment to helping every child and family feel welcomed, supported, and empowered.

Samantha Calvert is a devoted mother to two daughters—one in middle school and one in high school—a loving wife, and a proud dog mom to yellow labs. Her passion for supporting others extends beyond her family and into her career, where she has spent the past 20 years as a dedicated special educator.

As an active PTO and SEPTO member, Samantha is committed to advocating for access, inclusion, and opportunities for all students. Whether at home, in the classroom, or through her role with Mahopac SEPTO, she is passionate about helping every child and family feel supported and valued.

Alyssa Hochstein is a proud wife and a proud mother to two amazing daughters—Diana, who has autism, and her neurotypical daughter, Eloise. Diana has taught her more about strength, patience, and celebrating every milestone than she ever imagined.

As Mahopac SEPTO’s Events & Fundraising Chair, Alyssa is passionate about building an inclusive community where every child and family feels valued, supported, and like they truly belong. She is excited to be part of this journey alongside such an incredible group of moms and looks forward to helping create meaningful opportunities for our families throughout the year.