Laura Cardwell, She/Her
Laura Cardwell joined NYSILC as Executive Director in June 2025. Prior to her role with NYSILC, she served with the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State (CDPAANYS), Consumer Directed Action of New York, and the Alliance to Protect Home Care as Director of Operations. She worked with consumers, independent living centers and other providers to expand and protect community-based services through grassroots and state level lobbying, coalition building, and education.
Prior to her work in disability rights, Laura worked in retail, as an English teacher overseas, and in the events industry. She has lived with combined type ADHD and skin picking disorder for as long as she can remember.
Laura lives in Troy, New York.
Amy Wink, She/Her
Amy has been NYSILC’s program coordinator since 2016, but has always worked in the nonprofit sector, developing particular expertise in event planning, fundraising, advocacy, and editing/proofreading. Her connection to the world of disability is personal as well as professional; she has invisible (mental health) disabilities and her adult son, Jonah, has glaucoma and severe autism with behavioral challenges. She enjoys singing, crafts, blogging, writing poetry, and playing in the woods.
Amy resides in Latham, New York.
Emily Bianchine-Cummings, They/She
Emily Bianchine-Cummings earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts from Gordon College in 2019. She has been the Community-building and Media Specialist of the New York State Independent Living Council, Inc. (NYSILC) since March 2020. Emily has been a Type-1 diabetic for over 25 years which was the reason she got into advocacy at a young age. They have a passion for filmmaking, photography, and creative design.
Emily resides in Troy, New York.