Career
Marcella Barganz
New York, NY
There are people in the world who are dreamers, and there are people who are doers.
Marcella is a doer, a woman of action. She is an established attorney at Mayer Brown in New York City, and has been practicing law for nineteen years. Along with a power house career, she is the mother of two and the Board President of the Alpine Learning Group, Inc., a New Jersey Department of Education approved school for students with disabilities and an internationally renowned leader in autism education. Most recently, Marcella’s work as the Board President helped open Alpine Learning Group’s Ely Center for Adult Learning, a state-of-the-art adult learning and community center. I admire you Marcella, not only are you are an incredible role model for your children, you are making a difference in the world with your hard work and talent.
There are people in the world who are dreamers, and there are people who are doers.
Marcella is a doer, a woman of action. She is an established attorney at Mayer Brown in New York City, and has been practicing law for nineteen years. Along with a power house career, she is the mother of two and the Board President of the Alpine Learning Group, Inc., a New Jersey Department of Education approved school for students with disabilities and an internationally renowned leader in autism education. Most recently, Marcella’s work as the Board President helped open Alpine Learning Group’s Ely Center for Adult Learning, a state-of-the-art adult learning and community center. I admire you Marcella, not only are you are an incredible role model for your children, you are making a difference in the world with your hard work and talent.
Marcella in her own words...
1. In addition to being a lawyer for nineteen years, you are the President of the Board of Directors of the Alpine Learning Group, Inc., a center for learners with autism. What attracted you to join their mission?
I was inspired by the meaningful impact that the Director of the organization, Dr. Bridget Taylor, and the agency have on the learners’ and their families’ lives. Children previously unable to communicate are taught how to interact. Learners who previously were challenged by daily activities such as going to the dentist or getting a haircut are taught the skills to participate in these activities. When Dr. Taylor called to ask if I would be interested in joining the board, I jumped at the opportunity.
2. You have been with the Alpine Learning Group, Inc. for six years. What is your proudest accomplishment in your current role so far?
We recently opened the Alpine Learning Group’s Ely Center for Adult Learning, a state-of-the-art adult learning and community center. This is the product of many years of planning, strategizing and fundraising, and it is the crowning achievement of my role as President of the Board.
I was inspired by the meaningful impact that the Director of the organization, Dr. Bridget Taylor, and the agency have on the learners’ and their families’ lives. Children previously unable to communicate are taught how to interact. Learners who previously were challenged by daily activities such as going to the dentist or getting a haircut are taught the skills to participate in these activities. When Dr. Taylor called to ask if I would be interested in joining the board, I jumped at the opportunity.
2. You have been with the Alpine Learning Group, Inc. for six years. What is your proudest accomplishment in your current role so far?
We recently opened the Alpine Learning Group’s Ely Center for Adult Learning, a state-of-the-art adult learning and community center. This is the product of many years of planning, strategizing and fundraising, and it is the crowning achievement of my role as President of the Board.
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3. What’s something you’ve learned about autism that you didn’t know before joining the Alpine Learning Group, Inc.?
I have learned that children diagnosed on the spectrum are capable of achieving amazing goals. The parents of participants at Alpine wow me: they help their children achieve their absolute highest potential. Having parents tell you stories of hearing their child speak a first word to them only after joining Alpine is always mind-blowing. And, to think that among the many feats achieved by several learners, Alpine boasts a musician who has performed with Katy Perry and Weird Al Yankovic at sold-out benefits, and a marathon runner… Incredible!
4. Why do you think it is important for different communities to offer programs like the Alpine Learning Group, Inc.? What are communities sacrificing by not offering similar programs?
Alpine is a renowned ABA-based program that offers one-to-one and highly structured small group interactions from a top-rated group of professionals who are constantly improving and tailoring the programming to each student. This intensive setting has a proven track record of providing comprehensive, lasting improvements in the lives of the students at the school. Tellingly, every set of parents I have met at the school emphasizes how deeply relieved and thrilled they are that their child was accepted to the school. It would be a boon to everyone if this model could be replicated in all schools for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
"Having parents tell you stories of hearing their
child speak a first word to them only after joining Alpine
is always mind-blowing."
5. How does your work at Alpine Learning Group, Inc. influence your professional development? Your outlook as a mom?
I am lucky--I get to do important and good work for a cause I support! I love that my children get to learn about civic service in a fun and interactive way. And on a professional level, it has been intellectually rewarding to learn about so many complex non-legal aspects of running Alpine, such as strategic development, running a sophisticated capital campaign and overseeing the business side of real estate transactions.
6. What do you hope to teach your kids about autism? What do you hope they take away from watching their mom balance work and acts of goodwill?
Honestly, I beam when I hear my children brag about my role at Alpine. It gives me reassurance that they respect the work I do and they actually appreciate the meaningful impact it has on other people. It is even more reassuring to watch them enthusiastically participate in Alpine’s annual bike-a-thon fundraiser every year for the past several years. They take such pride in knowing that they are raising real money for such an important cause. If I can help them establish a lifelong habit of civic engagement, I have done at least one thing right.
I am lucky--I get to do important and good work for a cause I support! I love that my children get to learn about civic service in a fun and interactive way. And on a professional level, it has been intellectually rewarding to learn about so many complex non-legal aspects of running Alpine, such as strategic development, running a sophisticated capital campaign and overseeing the business side of real estate transactions.
6. What do you hope to teach your kids about autism? What do you hope they take away from watching their mom balance work and acts of goodwill?
Honestly, I beam when I hear my children brag about my role at Alpine. It gives me reassurance that they respect the work I do and they actually appreciate the meaningful impact it has on other people. It is even more reassuring to watch them enthusiastically participate in Alpine’s annual bike-a-thon fundraiser every year for the past several years. They take such pride in knowing that they are raising real money for such an important cause. If I can help them establish a lifelong habit of civic engagement, I have done at least one thing right.
"Honestly, I beam when I hear my children brag about my role at Alpine. It gives me reassurance that they respect the work I do and they actually appreciate the meaningful impact it has on other people."
7. Your super hero cape is showing. You have two awesome kids, an incredible education, a reputable and demanding career, and you help make the world a better place. What is your secret, how do you do it all? Magical dust? Twin? Do you ever have moments you want to scream and sit on the couch?
On any day when I get to conquer work and Alpine-related demands, hit the gym, spend quality time with my family, and enjoy a night out, I feel like I can conquer anything! Other days I feel less efficient, perhaps even unproductive. And I have come to realize that these highs and lows are ok, and part of the natural flow of my life. As long as I get to collect and connect with people on a consistent basis, I feel really good.
8. I’m curious Marcella, what’s next for you?
Last fall, I started to feel a little uninspired by the normal routine and so I resolved to say ‘yes’ to as many new personal and professional invitations as possible. This small change has been incredibly transformative and has given me a renewed appreciation of my city, friends and job. In keeping with this spirit of embracing new opportunities, I am investigating new organizations where I can get involved and dedicate my time as soon as my term with the Alpine board expires this fall.
Most importantly (and despite how wacky this may sound), I am genuinely excited to usher my children into their teenage years and watch them grow into themselves. My remaining time with them is fleeting and I treasure it!
9. I Admire U, who do you admire?
I admire and am extremely proud of the people in my large circle of close friends and family. Each of them has an equally impressive vivacious personality, commitment to family and community, ambitious drive and wicked sense of humor. Talk about being a spoiled child of life!
I admire and am extremely proud of the people in my large circle of close friends and family. Each of them has an equally impressive vivacious personality, commitment to family and community, ambitious drive and wicked sense of humor. Talk about being a spoiled child of life!
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