An inclusive family center
About Our center
Complete Playground was born from a place of passion, necessity, and inspiration. Alex Reznik, the founder of Complete Playground, conceptualized the idea of an inclusive indoor playground and family center that can meet all the unique needs of a family aïŹ er struggling with finding places in New York City that would easily accommodate all three of his children. In 2018, Alex discovered that one of his sons was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His son began therapy, but Reznikâs family spent years struggling to find the right fit with appointments typically in remote locations, clinical atmospheres, and isolating for the child in therapy. It was upon the advice of a teacher that Alex was recommended to pair his sonâs therapy with inclusive activities- those with kids who have sensory disorders and those who do not. Within a few months, his son began to communicate, exploded right out of his shell, and grew into the incredible young boy he is today. Witnessing the life changing effects on his son lit a fire under Alex, and Complete Playground was born. All proceeds from Complete Playground go directly back into building our programs, scholarship opportunities, and strengthening the lives of NYCâs children.
Board of directors
Alex Reznik, the founder of Complete Playground, conceptualized the idea of an inclusive family center and indoor playground after struggling with finding places in New York City that would easily accommodate all three of his childrenâs needs. Alex discovered that one of his sons was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. For years after, Reznikâs family detested going to his sonâs therapy appointments due to their remote location and oïŹ en clinical atmosphere. Equally concerning, therapy instructors oïŹ en seemed unable to properly attend to his sonâs needs, leaving the boy and Reznikâs entire family frustrated and reluctant to return. After visiting several innovatively-designed indoor playgrounds throughout Europe, Alex began researching the availability of similar centers in NYC. He quickly realized that nothing came close to what he experienced abroad, nor offered adequate support for his son with ASD. Hence, Complete Playground was born.
Alex had previously established CompleteBody in 1995, which is the only privately owned gym chain in Manhattan.
Certified Public Accountant (practicing since 1997).
Bachelors in Accounting, Pace University.
Masters in Finance, Pace University.
Adjunct Professor with Baruch, Metropolitan and Kingsborough Community Colleges.
Prior experience:Â Â Grant Thornton LLP as a public auditor.
Proficient in:Â Â Auditing, Taxation, Management Consulting.
Industries of expertise:Â Real Estate, Computer Consulting, International, Wholesale/Retail Trades
Proud father of four children.
Natalia Lehman was born in Ukraine and raised in Belarus and Germany. She has a teenage daughter, who was a delegate from New York in 2022 and represented the USA at global childrenâs camp in Amsterdam. Back in 1991 in Germany, Natalia helped at a summer camp for kids from Chornobyl as a Youth Teaching Assistant.
Natalia holds a Masters degree in Psychology and Methodology of Educational Work in Educational Authorities from Belarusian State Pedagogical University, Minsk, Belarus. 2000-2002 she worked at the International Center âFamilyâ, Belarus as a psychologist. Since her teenage years, Natalia had an interest in beauty and cosmetology.
From 2005 to the present time she works at CompleteBody and for 5 stars hotels as an aesthetician. She likes to help teenagers fight skin problems and be confident, making them feel beautiful inside and out. Natalia has a passion for her job, loves to work with people, help them, and is quick to sympathize. She is very active and loves sports. Her other interests include literature, art, and traveling.
Board of Advisors
- Philanthropist with 15 years of experience in building international charity foundations, initiatives and campaigns. She is a co-founder and former Board Member of The International Association for Genetic Skin Diseases (CIS countries), Head of Charitable Programs of foundation âChildren Butterflyâ. She was the Head of Fundraising for the international fund âNaked Hearts Foundationâ focusing on children with autism. As part of an awareness raising campaign people with mental special needs appeared on federal TV channels for the first time.
Irina created the concept âLong Art â Long Philanthropyâ in collaboration with the Harvard Forest for the sculpture âThe Tree of Life Which Is Oursâ by Romolo Del Deo (USA) at the Venice Art Biennale 2022. Fundraising Volunteer in Khmer Cultural Development Institute in Cambodia and charity foundation For Ukraine
Harvard Business School, MS Journalism, MS History of Art, Moscow State University.
Dwana Franklin-Davis is the CEO of Reboot Representation. She is a collaborative and compelling visionary leading the Tech Coalitionâs pooled philanthropic investments that enable Black, Latina, and Native American women to graduate with computing degrees by 2025 and lessens the diversity gap in tech.
A lifelong technologist with a passion for increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech sector, Dwana joined Reboot Representation in 2019 after working in IT, software engineering, and leadership positions for Mastercard, May Department Store Companies, and IBM. Based in New York City, Dwana holds a BS in Management from Purdue University, an MS in Information Management from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Certificate in Project Management from Washington University in St. Louis.
Brian is the President and Founder of SHI , overseeing all business operations. With over 25 years of construction operations experience, he brings a strong track record of managing national-level construction teams. He has collaborated with prestigious clients such as Nobu, Hilton Corp, Hard Rock Casinos, and MGM Design Group. Brian is also a frequent speaker at industry events and a go-to resource for industry publications. Before founding his company, he was Vice President at Shawmut Design and Construction, where he built their restaurant, hotel, and retail divisions over 19 years.
Amy Beth is an operational consultant who specializes in educational programming, systems, and management. With over two decades of experience in the education industry and 15 years in leadership roles, she brings detailed knowledge of required policies and procedures, and supports teams to implement effective decision-making, strong communication, professionalism, and positive public relations.
Amy Beth is passionate about creating inclusive environments for staff, families, and children. She advises on best practices that will foster positive relationships and establish, and maintain welcoming company cultures. During the pandemic, Amy Beth felt it was socially responsible to attend Mindful
Schools to learn meditation and mindfulness practices to be able to support the changing dynamics within organizations.Alongside consulting, Amy Beth co-founded a company, Water Automation, where she applies her operational knowledge and experience in the launch of their first product aquaHALT.
Amy Beth received a Master of Science in Early Education with a focus on Literacy from Wheelock College (now Boston University), Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Modern Dance from Keene State College, a Director II Leadership Certification from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, and a NY State (birth through second grade) Teaching Certification.
Ralph Nader currently serves as Senior Vice President, Head of Talent at Mediabrands, the digital media arm of the Interpublic Group; where he leads a team of 50 individuals responsible for more than 3000 hires per year, across 7 Agencies. Ralph spent most of his career in the News and Entertainment Media industry where he held a number of leadership roles including Head of Talent at News America Marketing, a News Corp subsidiary; Director of Talent Viacom/CBS where he spearheaded digital recruiting across Viacomâs large portfolio of brands including MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and SpikeTV. Ralph joined Viacom after spending a number of years at NBCUniversal where he was responsible for talent acquisition across NBC News and NBCâs Digital properties; a portfolio that included Bravo, Oxygen, MSNBC, CNBC, Fandango.com, and some of NBCâs flagship News properties such as The Today Show, and Dateline. Prior to transitioning into the Media industry, Ralph was Director of Recruitment at Bench International, a boutique executive search firm within life sciences. Ralph also enjoys helping non-profit organizations, either through thought- leadership or volunteering opportunities, like Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Dress for Success, Taproot foundation, Jesra Foundation and many others.
Entrepreneur, Consultant, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategist (DEI), and Educator. Chair, NYAEYC DEI committee, engaging members and non-members in Courageous Conversations along with the other committee members. She was involved in helping to create The Harlem Playspace and Learning Center, the first Playspace in Harlem for families with newborns to three-year-olds. She has a Baccalaureate of Arts degree in Spanish and Hispanic Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and a Masters of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education.
She is a Professor and an early childhood consultant focused on supporting families with infants and toddlers. As Vice President of Operations of Sabree Education Services, a subsidiary of her event planning company, Sabree Special Events, LLC, training childcare providers who service families with infants and toddlers with a focus on historically underrepresented families. We co-facilitate classes for parents with their infants/toddlers and plan family oriented events.
She is the co-founder and CEO of Urban Kids Journeys, a nonprofit organization providing experiences for families with a focus of brain development and the power of play to historically underrepresented families. She is a partner for sister company Sabree Education Services Gambia, a NGO in Gambia focused on early childhood education in Gambia and working collaboratively with other countries in Africa on early childhood projects.
She is thrilled to be able to do now what she has always loved: Working with youth, from very young children to college age young adults.
Kathryn Menge is the founder and principal of a real estate company specializing in investment
properties and medium-term rentals.
With over 20 years of experience in the corporate world, she has led change management teams
through technology and process transformation projects on a global scale, impacting over 100,000
employees. Her career includes seven years at a Big Five consulting firm, six years in in-house PMO
and IT operations management, and over a decade of direct consulting. Her core responsibility has
always been to ensure smooth adoption and seamless transition, minimizing operational disruptions
and enhancing business performance.Peggy K Bilse is a NY based Registered Holistic Nutritionist focused on teaching
real health through lifestyle and dietary choices that are easy and delicious. She is
the Author of âKitchen Cures" (Penguin) and "Must Have been Something I Ateâ,
hosted her own cooking show and has been coined as the âIT Girl of Alternative
Healthâ by Dr. Oz himself. Peggy has been featured as a returning guest expert on
NBCâs TODAY Show, The Talk (CBS), and several other lifestyle television shows
and news networks. She writes articles for various media outlets and conducts
lectures across the globe inspiring and educating others on how to live a healthier,
happier and more vibrant life.Gabriel Sorgi is a seasoned leader with a passion for innovation and strategic growth in the food and beverage industry. With over two decades of experience, Gabriel has held various executive roles, including President of Retail Operations at Popup Bagels and CEO of Green & Tonic for Palm Ventures. Gabrielâs commitment extends beyond the boardroom as he actively volunteers at the Northern Westchester Community Center and mentors aspiring culinary professionals at the Culinary Institute of America, where he earned his Culinary degree.
Throughout his career, Gabriel has demonstrated a relentless dedication to excellence, whether itâs spearheading the launch of new concepts, streamlining operations, or fostering community engagement. His leadership at organizations like Starr Restaurant and Restaurant Associates underscores his ability to drive results while nurturing teams and building strong corporate infrastructures. With a blend of strategic thinking, financial acumen, and a heart for philanthropy, Gabriel Sorgi continues to make a meaningful impact in both the food & beverage world and his local community.
Dana Serruto is a Vice President in the External Investing Group (XIG) at Goldman Sachs, based in New York. Dana is a member of the Public Markets Investment team, supporting the XIG long-only equity manager platform for the firm’s private and institutional clients. Dana joined XIG in 2019 and has been with Goldman Sachs since 2017. Dana received a BA from the University of Virginia in 2017, with a major in Economics and an minor in Sociology.
Dana cherishes a close relationship with her older brother Mark Paul Serruto, who is a person with autism. Growing up with Mark has inspired Dana to becomes more involved in the neurodiverse community and help other families with children with disabilities. In college, Dana was an active volunteer with the local Special Olympics, and was a part-time caretaker for a child with severe autism. She currently sits on the Goldman Sachs Disability Network Steering Committee.
Team
- Mrs. Nikki Samson Caguioa is an educational specialist with over 24 years of experience teaching students from the toddler level all the way up to university. Nikki has a Masterâs degree in Early Childhood and Special Education, a Masterâs degree in Educational Management, a Bachelorâs degree in Mathematics and Computer Applications. She holds a New York State Professional Certificate in both Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She is also a Certified Montessori Teacher and taught in Montessori Schools in Manhattan as Toddler Head Teacher for 16 years.Currently, Nikki continues to teach children in the Financial District. She is a mother to two children, aged 11 and 8 who are both music & art enthusiasts. In her spare time, she enjoys bringing her two children to different attractions at the seaport where she calls downtown her home.
- Kristian Perez Holds both a Black Belt in both American Goju Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Starting his Martial Arts journey at the age of 6, Sensei Perez has been involved in Martial Arts for over 20 years. He has also trained extensively in Boxing, Kickboxing, Judo, and MMA. Kristian continues to train Karate under his Sensei, Dr. Alberto Gotay as well as Kioshi Jonas Nuñes Jr. to further his knowledge in the Martial Arts. Kristian holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. His hobbies include playing guitar, competitive gaming, and weight lifting.
Katheryn Linares Began her Martial Arts journey at the age of 10. She began her training under Kioshi Jonas Nuñes Jr. of Americas Finest Organization in the style of Shindo Ryu Karate, MMA, Kobudo, and Kickboxing. With over 10 years of experience, Sensei Katheryn holds both a black belt in Shindo Ryu Karate and MMA Kickboxing. Katheryn continues her training under Kioshi Jonas Nuñes Jr. in the style of Shindo Ryu Karate as well as Dr. Alberto Gotay in the style of American Goju. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. Her hobbies include reading, rhetorical writing, and exercising.
- Raymond has been involved with gymnastics and acrobatics for 20 years. He used these skills in his performing artist career which has allowed him to tour and perform around the world. Notable companies he has performed with include Cirque du Soleil, Disney, Universal Studios and Celebrity Cruises. He began teaching these skills to others and loved how it made others feel about themselves. Mr. Silos has experience teaching with all age ranges of children through adults and seniors. He also has experience teaching those with special needs. No matter the age, Mr. Silos takes great care to listen and learn what each student needs to give a personal approach to learning and having fun.
June has worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for six years in school-based, early
intervention, and outpatient settings. She received her BA from Emory University in sociology
and predictive health and went on to receive her MS in occupational therapy from Columbia
University Medical Center. She is interested in the intersection between research and
intervention and recently completed a second masterâs degree from Columbia University
Teacherâs College in neuroscience and education. Her master's thesis focused on the effect of
an occupational therapist-led community-based playgroup for young children on playfulness and
frontal EEG asymmetry. She is passionate about play-based therapy and incorporates
DIRFloortime principles into every session including following the childâs lead and building on
passions and interests. She has experience with many different treatment approaches as well
as formal training in Learning/Handwriting Without Tears, reflex integration, DIRFloortime,
sensory integration, interoception, and therapeutic listening. Among her certifications include the
Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration as well as the Safe and Sound protocol. She loves
forming meaningful connections with children, young adults, and their families, and hopes that
clients leave sessions feeling regulated, confident, and in control of their bodies. June works as
a full time OT at Rebecca School in Manhattan. She offers individual therapy sessions at Bloom
Occupational Therapy and play groups at Complete Playground.
Join Complete Playground Team
- Operating Mode:9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
- Address:30 Broad St, New York, NY 10004
- For ĐĄontact:(212) 248-3030
- Email:info@completeplayground.org