Paula Tusiani-Eng, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Emotions Matter Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to educate, support, and advocate for those impacted by borderline personality disorder (BPD).

She received her Master's in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in 2001 and her Master's in Social Work from Adelphi University in 2014.  She received her Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Adelphi University in 2019.

Paula is co-author with her mother, Bea Tusiani, of Remnants of a Life on Paper: A Mother and Daughter's Struggle with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).  She lost her younger sister, Pamela Tusiani, who suffered from BPD at the age of 23 in 2001.

Her passion for BPD education, resources and advocacy is in her sister's memory to help others survive and thrive with BPD with access to mental health care needed to achieve a meaningful recovery.  Paula lives with her husband and four children in Garden City, New York.

Sara Rosenberg Bio

As Associate Director of Strategic Growth and Operations, Sara Rosenberg

brings both lived experience and a deep passion for building community to

her work at Emotions Matter. Having navigated her own recovery from BPD,

she shares her story to offer hope and connection, and to ensure that the

voices of people with lived experience remain at the heart of the

organization’s mission.

Sara first joined Emotions Matter in 2018 as a volunteer and later served as

Board Co-Chair, where she helped lead strategic planning, strengthen

fundraising and events, and expand the reach of programs. Along the way

she facilitated peer groups, supported in-person events in New York City,

and played an important role in moving programming into the virtual space

during the pandemic, including the launch of the BPDFest Conference and

the Emotions Matter Art Shows. Each step deepened her commitment to the

organization and her belief in the power of connection to transform lives.

In 2025, after years of dedicated service, Sara embraced the opportunity to

join the staff. Alongside her role at Emotions Matter, she also works in

finance, where she partners with high-net-worth individuals on innovative

investment opportunities. For Sara, Emotions Matter is more than an

organization. It is the place that gave her hope and purpose, and it remains

the heart of her life’s work: creating spaces where people feel seen,

supported, and empowered to thrive.

Christina Byrnes serves as the Bookkeeper for Emotions Matter.  She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in accounting from Fordham University and a Master’s of Science degree in secondary education from St. John’s University.  She has over twenty years of experience working as a secondary mathematics educator.  Christina is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Emotions Matter team to connect and empower those impacted by Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and to raise awareness about BPD.

For years, Alyssa has dedicated herself to the healing process and is in recovery from borderline personality disorder (a diagnosis that she received in 2018). Part of Alyssa’s life worth living includes being a peer facilitator and trainer as a part-time staff member with Emotions Matter where she can use the skills of making meaning and contribution within the BPD community. She appreciates the opportunity to foster and develop emerging leaders living with BPD as the next empowering step on their journey.

Since 2022, Alyssa has volunteered with the Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC) on their social media committee because Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a treatment that greatly benefited her own life. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys playing guitar, creating memes, practicing yoga, and playing with her adorable cat (Sky).

She is grateful to be part of the Emotions Matter team! You can reach her via email at peers@emotionsmatterbpd.org.