---

Regina Calcaterra’s memoir Etched in Sand – A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island (HarperCollins Publishing, 2013) is a #1 international best-seller and a New York Times best-seller.  As a result of Etched in Sand’s messages of resilience, optimism, the plight of foster children, that no child is a lost cause and how we can all positively impact the life of a child in need, it has been integrated into college and high school curricula throughout the U.S. She is also co-author of Etched in Sand’s sequel which she wrote with her younger sister Rosie Maloney, Girl Unbroken- A Sister’s Harrowing Journey from the Streets of Long Island to the Farms of Idaho (HarperCollins Publishing, 2016).  Etched in Sand has been published in English, Spanish, Polish and Russian.

Overcoming a childhood of abuse, neglect and abandonment in Suffolk County, Regina rose to serve in several high-profile public-sector roles including being appointed the first woman Chief Deputy County Executive of Suffolk County where she led the County through a fiscal crisis and the immediate aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. At the onset of the Covid pandemic, she founded a woman-owned boutique law firm. Calcaterra Law PC practice areas include social justice, municipal representation, and complex federal and state litigation.

Honors & Awards

Regina has received numerous awards and honors in her legal career and advocacy efforts including being honored at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Gala (November 2024); awarded the Suffolk County Civic Service Award and Medal issued by former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (December 2023); 2020 Trailblazer Award by the National Law Journal; New York’s Top Municipal, State and County Superlawyers (2020-present) by Superlawyers, Inc.; Champion of Civil Rights & Social Justice Award (City & State NY, 2018); Woman of Substance Award (Seton Hall Law School, 2018); and Lifetime Achievement Award (Primi-Dieci Society, Italy-American Chamber of Commerce, 2015).

Not-for-Profit Board Membership and Advocacy

Regina serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Suffolk County; as a board member for The Felix Organization, which provides inspiring opportunities and new experiences to enrich the lives of children who are growing up in the foster care system; and as a member of the Board of Believers for You Gotta Believe, an organization that works towards permanency for older foster youth. Through You Gotta Believe Regina became a proud forever mom. She also served as a board member to the SUNY New Paltz Foundation Board for nine years.

Contact Regina at [email protected]

Follow Regina on, Facebook Author & Instagram for speaking events