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.

Kim Gradisher is the Development Officer at Emotions Matter Inc.

With over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kim has led initiatives to improve overall health and well-being, address mental health, support underserved communities, and promote equitable access to care. Kim’s dedication to mental health advocacy is inspired by personal experience and lived experience and her commitment to making a difference for individuals impacted by BPD and other mental health challenges.

Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in Recreational Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a certificate in Women’s Leadership from Cornell University. She is currently pursuing her master’s and PhD in Psychology at Arizona State University.

In addition to her role at Emotions Matter, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, running, music, and exploring nature.

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.