Team
Our team
Our dedicated and diverse staff with lived-experience works tirelessly to meet the needs of our participants. We not only employ people who use drugs, but we also center their voices when developing policy and programming. Learn more about them below.
Sam Rivera, Executive Director
Sam Rivera is the Executive Director of OnPoint NYC.
Sam is a highly accomplished leader with 32 years of progressive experience in social services, specializing in Criminal Justice and Reentry, HIV/AIDS, Harm Reduction, Recovery, and Mental Health. Sam has dedicated his career to addressing the harms inflicted by the War on Drugs and its impact on individuals affected by systemic racism, sexism, structural inequality, and mass incarceration.
As an Afro-Taino advocate and visionary, Sam combines decades of hands-on service provision with an unwavering commitment to social justice. His expertise and dedication have made him a sought-after speaker at national and global conferences and universities, where he addresses harm reduction, criminal justice reform, and nonprofit management. Under his leadership, OnPoint NYC has become a national model for harm reduction and overdose prevention, with Sam spearheading technical assistance initiatives to replicate its success across the United States.
Sam's thought leadership has garnered attention from major media outlets, including CNN, NPR, ABC, FOX, New York Times, and The New Yorker. He is also a co-author of several peer-reviewed articles that contribute to the fields of harm reduction and social services.
Before joining OnPoint NYC in 2020, Sam held leadership roles at prominent nonprofits, including The Fortune Society, Urban Coalition for HIV AIDS Prevention Services, and Exponents. His work has consistently focused on empowering marginalized communities and dismantling systemic barriers to health, safety, and justice.
In 2023, Sam was honored as one of Time magazine's 100’s Most Influential People in the World recognizing his profound impact on public health and social equity.
Dr. Brent Gibson, Senior Director of Information, Research, and Evaluation
Dr. Brent Gibson is the Senior Director of Information, Research, and Evaluation at OnPoint NYC.
Dr. Gibson joined OnPoint NYC in 2015 as a key member of the senior leadership team responsible for the collaborative development and implementation of the organization’s strategic vision. In his role, Dr. Gibson collaborates with government and academic scholars to conduct research and evaluation to improve the safety and well-being of individuals engaging in Harm Reduction services. He also oversees the Data and IT Departments.
Dr. Gibson earned his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2003.
Jason Beltre, Director of Community Initiatives and Impact
Jason Beltre is the Director of Community Initiatives and Impact at OnPoint NYC.
Jason is a dedicated leader with a deep commitment to community wellness and empowerment, and currently works to orchestrate transformative strategies to address health disparities and promote holistic well-being. With a background entrenched in HIV advocacy since 2011, Jason has relentlessly pursued avenues to enhance public health outcomes and foster community resilience.
Jason's journey in community health began with a focus on case management, care coordination, outreach, and establishing Health Homes to bridge individuals to essential care services. His unwavering dedication and expertise led him to OnPoint NYC, where he initially took on the role of Care Coordination Manager. In this capacity, he spearheaded HIV and Hepatitis C testing and treatment programs, revolutionizing access to vital healthcare services.
In 2021, Jason took on his current role as Director of Community Initiatives and Impact. Under his stewardship, OnPoint NYC witnessed the expansion of its Outreach and Public Safety Team into a fully-fledged department, amplifying the organization's reach and efficacy.
Adrian Feliciano, Jr., Director of Clinical and Holistic Health
Adrian Feliciano is the Director of Clinical and Holistic Health at OnPoint NYC.
Adrian is a lifelong Bronx resident who started his career in social services in 2005. With over 15 years of experience in social services, Adrian is passionate about working with underserved individuals in the same communities he was born and raised in. Throughout his career, Adrian has worked throughout the Bronx and Northern Manhattan in various social service roles. He has worked at OnPoint NYC since 2018, progressing from Director of Harm Reduction Services at Washington Heights Corner Project (WHCP) to his current role as Director of Clinical and Holistic Health.
In his spare time, Adrian enjoys being outdoors, camping, hiking, competitive sports, and raising his daughter Mya, which helps him maintain a balanced perspective in his work.
Adrian has a B.A. in Communication and Psychology from Marist College.
Pia Marcus, Director of Overdose Prevention
Pia Marcus is the Director of Overdose Prevention at OnPoint NYC.
Pia was born and raised in NYC and began working in Harm Reduction in 2015. She returned to the U.S. after two years in rural Rwanda to become a 2015-2016 Global Health Corps Fellow in Washington, D.C. where she worked as an Outreach Case Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at HIPS.
Pia joined OnPoint in 2016 as an Outreach Case Manager. In 2020, she became OnPoint NYC’s Director of Syringe Access and Program Innovation, playing both leadership and direct service roles in the launch and operation of the first two Overdose Prevention Centers in the United States. In 2024, Pia became the Director of Overdose Prevention, directing OPC services and all internal and external training related to overdose and drug-involved medical emergency intervention. Pia currently lives in Washington Heights, proudly serving the neighborhood her father and grandfather grew up in.
Brittney Vargas-Estrella, Director of Operations
Brittney Vargas-Estrella is a proud Bronxite and Boricua driven by a deep commitment to building equitable systems that uplift historically marginalized populations, including individuals who use drugs, engage in sex work, experience homelessness, and/or have been impacted by the criminal-legal system.
As the Director of Operations at OnPoint NYC, the largest harm reduction organization on the East Coast, Brittney plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization's strategic direction and operational excellence. They lead the development and execution of administrative and operational strategies, optimizing systems to ensure sustainable organizational expansion.
As the Interim Director of Low-Threshold Services, Brittney is instrumental in programmatic oversight and reporting for OnPoint’s low-threshold services, ensuring they remain participant-centered, impactful, and responsive to evolving needs. Their leadership reflects a steadfast dedication to fostering systems of care that are inclusive, effective, and transformative.
Brittney holds a B.A. in Psychology from Manhattan College and has lived expertise.
Clarett Blandino, Associate Director of Low Threshold Services, East Harlem
Clarett Blandino is the Associate Director of Low Threshold Services at OnPoint NYC.
She is a proud Dominican from the Bronx with nearly 10 years of experience in harm reduction and a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by underserved populations.
With a compassionate heart and a strong belief in the power of connection, Clarett supports individuals who hide their substance use due to cultural stigma. At OnPoint NYC, she combines a warm, open arms approach with tough love, ensuring everyone she works with feels valued, understood, and empowered to seek the help they need. Through her leadership, Clarett strives to create a safe, inclusive space for healing and growth where individuals can take meaningful steps toward positive change.
Clarett is pursuing a degree in Sociology with a concentration in Urban Studies, Education, and Social Inequality.
Samantha Corso, Associate Director of Mental Health
Samantha Corso is the Associate Director of Mental Health at OnPoint NYC. While finishing her studies, Samantha first learned of harm reduction during an on-campus Narcan training conducted by the Washington Heights Corner Project staff. This experience inspired her to become a therapist, educator, and activist with a commitment to the ethical treatment of people who use drugs.
As Associate Director of Mental Health at OnPoint NYC, Samantha oversees low-threshold individual and group mental health counseling services. Her goals are to continue to reduce barriers to therapy and approach service delivery creatively.
Samantha is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University.
Brandon Munoz, Associate Director of Outreach and Public Safety
Brandon Muñoz currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Outreach and Public Safety Team at OnPoint NYC, where he leads initiatives that extend the organization’s harm reduction efforts into the broader community. For a decade, Brandon has built a distinguished career in harm reduction, working across various roles in organizations dedicated to public health and safety for people who use drugs. His tenure at OnPoint in particular began in 2019 when he joined our Outreach and Public Safety Team as a Field Services Manager.
Brandon’s passion for participant engagement and his commitment to meeting individuals where they are reflect the core principles of harm reduction. He specializes in creating safer public spaces and addressing the unique needs of marginalized populations, including people who use drugs, engage in sex work, or are unhoused.
Martha Ruiz, Associate Director of Low Threshold Services, East Harlem
Martha Ruiz is the Associate Director of Low Threshold Services at OnPoint NYC’s East Harlem location.
With nearly 30 years of experience in social services and a 26-year history at OnPoint NYC, Martha has dedicated her career to supporting marginalized communities, particularly people of color facing multiple disparities.
Martha brings lived experience and a participant-centered approach rooted in unconditional, non-judgmental support. She has extensive expertise in harm reduction, HIV/HCV prevention, and case management from her many leadership roles at OnPoint NYC.
Prior to her current role, Martha served as the Access to Care and Treatment Manager, where she supervised case managers, facilitated staff training, and collaborated with external organizations to expand client services. She also has experience as a Project Coordinator, Case Manager, and HIV/HCV Navigator.
Martha holds a B.A. from the College of New Rochelle.
Michele Sosa, Associate Director of Evaluation and Quality Assurance
Michele Sosa is the Associate Director of Evaluation and Quality Assurance at OnPoint NYC.
Michele is a woman of transgender experience from Puerto Rico who became involved in the field of HIV prevention in 1999 due to her experience losing friends to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She was inspired to start the Positive Health Project, Inc. (PHP) and worked as a peer educator providing outreach to transgender sex workers in Manhattan. She went on to work for the New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE) for 12 years before joining OnPoint.
Michele was honored with the Award for Courage and Promise in the Translatina Community from the Hispanic AIDS Forum, as well as the P.R.I.D.E. Award for outstanding contribution and service to the Boricua LGBT communities.
Michele is passionate about empowering the Hispanic community in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and engaging in education, support, and advocacy for transgender community members.
Susan Spratt, Associate Director of Clinical Services
Susan Spratt is the Associate Director of Clinical Services at OnPoint NYC.
A committed healthcare professional, Susan develops clinical strategies to expand access to essential health services for people who use drugs, engage in sex work, and other New Yorkers in need. She began her work in harm reduction as a volunteer at the Lower East Side Harm Reduction Center before joining OnPoint NYC in February 2020 as the Hepatitis C (HCV) Care Coordinator, connecting clients with critical treatment and resources.
Previously, she gained valuable experience in marketing and customer engagement, where she collaborated on expanding outreach channels and building strong client relationships. Now, with nearly five years at OnPoint NYC, Susan leads clinical programs focusing on harm reduction and community-centered care.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English - Drama and Theatre from McGill University and remains dedicated to creating safer, healthier communities in New York City.
Michael Taylor, Associate Director of Human Resources
Michele Sosa, Associate Director of Evaluation and Quality Assurance
Michele Sosa is the Associate Director of Evaluation and Quality Assurance at OnPoint NYC.
Michele is a woman of transgender experience from Puerto Rico who became involved in the field of HIV prevention in 1999 due to her experience losing friends to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She was inspired to start the Positive Health Project, Inc. (PHP) and worked as a peer educator providing outreach to transgender sex workers in Manhattan. She went on to work for the New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE) for 12 years before joining OnPoint.
Michele was honored with the Award for Courage and Promise in the Translatina Community from the Hispanic AIDS Forum, as well as the P.R.I.D.E. Award for outstanding contribution and service to the Boricua LGBT communities.
Michele is passionate about empowering the Hispanic community in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and engaging in education, support, and advocacy for transgender community members.
Michele Sosa, Associate Director of Evaluation and Quality Assurance
Michele Sosa is the Associate Director of Evaluation and Quality Assurance at OnPoint NYC.
Michele is a woman of transgender experience from Puerto Rico who became involved in the field of HIV prevention in 1999 due to her experience losing friends to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She was inspired to start the Positive Health Project, Inc. (PHP) and worked as a peer educator providing outreach to transgender sex workers in Manhattan. She went on to work for the New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE) for 12 years before joining OnPoint.
Michele was honored with the Award for Courage and Promise in the Translatina Community from the Hispanic AIDS Forum, as well as the P.R.I.D.E. Award for outstanding contribution and service to the Boricua LGBT communities.
Michele is passionate about empowering the Hispanic community in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and engaging in education, support, and advocacy for transgender community members.
