Victoria Schneps is the founder, President and Co-Publisher of Schneps Media, which began in 1985 with The Queens Courier. Schneps media has been a leading local media company serving New York City, Westchester, Long Island from Manhattan to Montauk and Philadelphia. Inspired by the power of the press during her advocacy work on behalf of her daughter Lara, brain damaged at birth, Ms. Schneps pursued her dream of being in the news business.

She started The Queens Courier in her Bayside living room, with a partner and a $250 investment .Today, Schneps Media comprises newspapers, magazines, websites and events. In partnership with her son Joshua Schneps, the company has expanded into more than 88 community newspapers including the Brooklyn Paper and the Brownstoner and magazines, powerful digital assets including news and community websites, email newsletters and social media channels as well as powerful networking events.

Additionally, Life’s WORC, the group she founded in 1971, has grown to serve over 1000 individuals with developmental disabilities and autism and its 58 million dollar not-for-profit organizations operate 50 group homes and 19 day programs and The Family Center for Autism in Garden City. Ms. Schneps continues to volunteer as a member of the board and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Life’s Worc the building will bear her name.

Ms. Schneps is the recipient of numerous awards for her dedicated community service and she is proud to have been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. She has received awards as Business Person of the Year by The Queens Chamber of Commerce, the Flushing YMCA, Grand Marshal of the Queens Hispanic Parade, and recognized by the Hindu and Muslim communities as well. She serves on the boards of the United Way of Long Island, Flushing Bank, Life’s WORC, Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens.

She is a proud graduate of James Madison High School and received her BS from New York University and her MS from Brooklyn College. Recently widowed and she is the proud mother of three surviving children, 4 step children and 15 grandchildren. She is passionate about her family, friends and the community.