CAYUGA CENTERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the CEO
- Member of the CEO Solutions Team
A member of the CEO Solutions Team, Aimee began her journey at the agency in 2020 as a Care Manager in the Finger Lakes Hub and currently serves as the Auburn-based Executive Assistant to the CEO. The CEO Solutions team's responsibilities include administrative support and consulting to enhance organizational practices across the agency, facilitating the coordination of the Board of Trustees, and contributing to our mission of continuous improvement and excellence.
Job Titles:
- Deputy for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Andrea joined the Continuous Quality Improvement Department in November 2021 and previously served as Vice President of Quality, Child Welfare & Community Based Programs. In her role as Deputy for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Andrea leads the department's initiatives, training, and policy development to ensure that Cayuga Centers fosters an inclusive environment for all its employees and stakeholders.
Christina joined the agency in 2018 as part of the Continuous Quality Improvement department as a Compliance Specialist for the ACS NYC Program and was promoted to Assistant Director of Child Welfare Programs in 2020. She was later promoted to Director of Child Welfare Programs in 2021 and then to Assistant Vice President of Federal Programs in 2023. As our Compliance Officer, she leads our adherence to rules and regulations and oversees our Compliance Team.
Clayton joined the agency in December 2023 and has over two decades of experience as a Finance professional in the nonprofit human services space.
Clayton oversees the day to day operations of the Finance department and is focused on maintaining and enhancing the agency's financial health and viability.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the CEO
David Crespo joined the agency in 2018 and has fifteen years of experience working in human services as a social worker. Part of the CEO Solutions Team, David serves as the NYC-based Executive Assistant to the CEO. In addition to his overall coordination and logistical responsibilities, David provides a valuable front-line staff perspective and a comprehensive understanding of all agency programs.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Board Chair / President & CEO of ADHD & Autism Psychological Services and Advocacy / Utica, NY
Dr. Pesantez, who joined the organization in May 2022, leads the home, community, and school-based behavioral health services throughout New York State. This includes the five Upstate New York Behavioral Health Services Hubs and the NYC-based Article 29i department. Dr. Pesantez drives new initiatives in collaboration with NYC and NYS departments, emphasizing expansive clinic services.
Job Titles:
- Deputy of Florida Programs
Dr. Tamaru Phillips oversees Cayuga Centers' Florida programs. This includes our Parenting and Educational Programs, Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC) in Palm Beach, Treasure Coast, and Broward Counties, our anti-violence youth program in St.Lucie County, as well as lead the home, community, and school-based behavioral health services throughout South Florida.
Edward Myers Hayes has been President and CEO of Cayuga Centers since 1995, growing it into a multi-service national provider. Edward has a Master's in Public Administration from Russell Sage. He has been a prime mover in the growth of evidence-based practice throughout New York State. A conference speaker, and organizer for the initial Global Implementation Conference, he was a co-founder and first President of Advancing Evidence-Based Practice. He is a past member of New York State's Family and Children's Services Board.
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Job Titles:
- Attorney, Government Relations / Brooklyn, NY
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Board Co - Vice Chair
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President of UC Transitional Foster Care
Jessica oversees the Transitional Foster Care Program for Unaccompanied Children (UC-TFC). The program ensures the well-being and safety of unaccompanied children (ages 0-17) who cross the US border without a legal guardian while they await unification.
Jordan provides legal expertise and leads the support department that safeguards the well-being of our most vulnerable during incidents and investigations. He also ensures that the agency's policies are both equitable for employees and compliant with all contractual engagements.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal, Dake Junior High School / Rochester, NY
Job Titles:
- Deputy for Upstate NY Treatment & Support
- Member of the Agency
Kelly has been a dedicated member of the agency since 2006 and brings a wealth of experience and expertise. In her role as Deputy for Upstate NY Treatment & Support, Kelly oversees the Upstate New York Treatment Foster Care programs, Preventive Case Planning Services in Oneida County, the Youth & Family Resource Center, and the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Support Services programs.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President of Training
Lexie oversees the Training Department that supports staff and foster parents through the development and facilitation of online and in person training. She joined the agency in 2014 and spent 5 years in our Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Support Services programs and returned to Cayuga Centers 2021 to join the Training Department.
A driving force behind the agency's growth in New York City and nationwide in her ten-year tenure at the agency, Lorraine Sánchez is Cayuga Centers Associate CEO. She oversees several crucial programs, including treatment foster care in three states and several support departments. Lorraine also continues to represent the agency at public events and supports fundraising, advocacy, networking, and strategic initiatives.
Job Titles:
- Board Secretary Communications Manager, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce / Writer, Performer, and Social Organizer / Harlem, NY
Job Titles:
- Owner, DMJ Contractors / New York, NY
Job Titles:
- Area President, Gallagher / New York, NY
Job Titles:
- Student Development Counselor, Coordinator of Career Services, and Assistant Professor, Cayuga Community College ( Retired ) Skaneateles, NY
Job Titles:
- Managing Director & Partner - Oxford Harriman & Company / Haddad & Co
Job Titles:
- Board Treasurer / Director of Payment and Risk Operations, MetMGM / New York, NY
Job Titles:
- Life Coach / New York, NY
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer, Roundtable of St. Lucie County, Inc
Job Titles:
- Partner, FFT Partners and Professor Emeritus at Indiana University
Job Titles:
- Deputy for Federal Programs
Located in our New York City office, Troy has been an esteemed member of Cayuga Centers' executive leadership team since 2005. Troy oversees Federal Programs serving Unaccompanied Children (UC), including Home Study and Post Release Services (HS/PRS), UC-Transitional Foster Care, and UC-Long Term Foster Care.
Job Titles:
- Chief Human Capital Officer, Mainstay Life Services / Pittsburgh, PA
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President of Communications
Zoë Hutchinson joined the agency in 2020 and continues to enhance Cayuga Centers' internal and external communication efforts to support staff, foster parents, and programs nationwide. She has received recognition in Ragan's Top Women in Communications Awards in 2023. She is based out of the New York City offices.