Championing
Equity

Our Mission

We simplify access to fully paid
one-on-one therapy

Our mission at With Grace is to eliminate any financial barrier that stands in the way of adolescents gaining access to excellent mental health care. We pay the full cost of one-on-one therapy. 

Our Story

Grace Nierenberg
Paying it forward

The founding of With Grace was inspired by Grace S. Nierenberg. Grace was one of a kind. 

Mother, wife, social worker, and aspiring rock star with an infectious laugh, Grace was a woman with passion for life, a compassionate spirit, and the instinctive ability to offer comfort or an emotional boost in just the right way, just when you needed it. From helping newly arrived immigrants find their way in New York City and senior citizens to age with dignity, to encouraging people to pursue higher education, throughout her career in social work, Grace’s eyes were always on the wellbeing and future of the people around her. 

At home, Grace was devoted to nurturing her three kids, each of whom, like kids everywhere, had their own sets of personal challenges and natural gifts. She showered them with love, offered them the best wisdom she knew how, and perhaps most importantly, she planted seeds of empowerment and resilience that have stayed with them, helping them navigate their own life paths. As the larger community of her kids’ childhood friends will tell you, Grace extended her warmth and mothering to them also on occasion. 

In 2008, Grace died too young after a hard-fought battle with cancer. But she left her children, Noah, Rachel, and Deborah, by then young adults, with a deep sense of being valued for their own unique qualities and supported in becoming their own best selves. That experience of nurturing and empowerment, along with their appreciation for their mom’s deep dedication to her career in social work, are the memories Grace’s children carry with them, and it’s what they want to share with the world. 

In 2021, Noah reached out to his sisters to suggest the idea of establishing a charitable organization to honor their mom’s memory and continue her legacy of active compassion. Rachel and Deborah loved the idea and immediately joined Noah in the effort, helping manage the newly formed organization as members of the board. The organization, With Grace, helps plant seeds of empowerment and resilience in adolescent-aged kids across New York City by paying for high-quality mental health care that can offer valuable emotional tools to a new generation navigating their own life paths.

 

Leadership

Annie Sullivan

executive director

Hired as Executive Director just as With Grace was founded in 2021, Anne Sullivan brings an entrepreneurial mindset together with a collaborative approach in her efforts to forge relationships with community-based organizations and mental health professionals across New York City, where she was raised. Having personally benefitted from therapy to help her navigate the emotional impact of significant dyslexia, Anne is a passionate believer in the power of mental health care. She is an engaging communicator who uses her background in performing arts, teaching, and education management to raise awareness about the value of mental health care. Anne earned a BA in Culture & Media Studies from Eugene Lang the New School for Liberal Arts and an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Public Engagement.

Danielle Fairbairn-Bland, LCSW, CAMS-II, CGCS

network manager

Danielle Fairbairn-Bland joined With Grace in early 2022 as Network Manager, with responsibility for leading assembling a highly qualified and diverse network of independently licensed therapists with experience treating adolescents. As a licensed psychotherapist, author, speaker, coach, and owner of Uplifting Hearts Counseling – a virtual mental health group practice offering mental health services to children, teens and families, Danielle brings a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to her work. Over the past 15 years, she has supported individuals impacted by trauma, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, and the criminal justice system, and she is passionate about shattering the stigma associated with mental health. Danielle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the State University of Stony Brook and a Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College School of Social Work. She has also completed advanced certification programs in Leadership, Family Development, Clinical Social Work, Anger Management, and Grief Counseling.

Our Board

Noah Nierenberg

founder & chairman of the board

As the COO of a successful tech company, Noah has been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to common societal challenges. Noah is a passionate individual who has dedicated his life to helping those in need. He believes that everyone deserves access to mental health resources regardless of their financial situation.

Rachel Winefsky

board member

Rachel is a public relations specialist working closely with clients primarily in the real estate sector. While her career has been focused on public relations, she completed a dual major in college in both public relations and psychology and is eager to support With Grace’s mission through her board work.

Deborah Nierenberg

board member

Deborah Nierenberg works in the technology sector helping startup organizations drive operational efficiency and commercial success. Most recently, she has been doing this in the Telehealth space at a company focused on improving access to quality health care. Understanding the impact of this from a personal and professional standpoint, Deborah firmly believes in the meaningful work With Grace is doing and is honored to be a part of it.

Jonathan Kutnick

board member

Jonathan Kutnick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a PhD Candidate at Smith College’s School for Clinical Social Work. Prior to pursuing his doctorate, he received a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University (2016) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Emory University (2011). Jonathan works in private practice with LGBTQ+ identifying individuals and serves as a Clinical Supervisor at the Institute for Human Identity (IHI), a non-profit LGBTQ+ affirmative psychotherapy center. He received training as a doctoral intern at the William Alanson White Institute (WAWI) for psychoanalysis, psychology, and psychiatry from 2019 – 2021. During this time, Jonathan completed WAWI’s Child & Adolescent externship training program. Jonathan’s work with youth includes employment as a Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist at the Sachs Center ADHD Clinic (2016-2019), and as a youth sports coach (2013-2016). As a consultant for Fordham’s HIV/AIDS Services grant, Jonathan delivered trainings on HIV/AIDS, Substance abuse & Harm reduction, LGBTQ+ competency, and Mental health to NYC case managers (2016 – 2019). Jonathan taught Assessment & Diagnosis as well during his time working at Fordham University. Before joining WGI’s board, Jonathan served as a consultant to help WGI develop its long-term support model.

Jessica Chait

board member

Jessica has dedicated her life to public service. She leads emergency food programs and policy at a non-profit in New York and has worked at non-profits here in New York City, as well as in Poland, and Zambia. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in Public Administration from New York University and resides in Manhattan with her husband. Jessica is also active in her local community, currently serving as First Vice Chair and Chelsea Land Use Co-Chair of Manhattan Community Board 4.