From left to right: Edward Hayes, Lorraine Sanchez, Troy Brathwaite, Tamaru Phillips, Jessica Pesantez, Kelly Ware, Beth Palin, Sophia Okeke, Andrea Willis, Kim Belk, Lucas Netti, Zoë Hutchinson, Jessica Oliveira-Haddad, Cindi Pagan, Jessica Whitwood, Jordan Cruger, Aimee Del Favero, Ismael David Crespo
NEW YORK, NY – November 6, 2023 – Cayuga Centers, a family services agency, is pleased to announce its new executive leadership structure, the Leadership Council. This dynamic and diverse team brings together eighteen professionals with years of experience and a shared commitment to the organization’s mission.
The eighteen members of the Cayuga Centers Leadership Council include:
Lorraine M. Sánchez, EMBA – Associate CEO – A driving force behind the agency’s growth in New York City and nationwide in her ten-year tenure at the agency, Lorraine Sánchez assumes the role of Associate CEO. She will oversee several crucial programs, including treatment foster care in three states and several support departments. Lorraine will also continue representing the agency at public events and supporting fundraising, advocacy, networking, and strategic initiatives.
Troy Brathwaite, LMSW – Deputy for Federal Programs – An esteemed member of Cayuga Centers’ executive leadership team since 2005, will continue his oversight of 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.
Dr. Tamaru Phillips, LMFT – Deputy of Florida Programs will maintain leadership over Cayuga Centers’ Florida programs. This includes our Parenting & 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.
Dr. Jessica G. Pesantez, Psy.D – Deputy for New York State Behavioral Health – Dr. Pesantez, who joined the organization in May 2022, will lead 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 will drive new initiatives in collaboration with NYC and NYS departments, emphasizing expansive clinic services.
Elizabeth (Beth) Palin, CPA, EMBA – Deputy for Finance – Beth has served as the agency’s executive financial officer since 2012 and will continue to ensure the strategic and fiscal integrity of the organization under the new title of Deputy for Finance.
Andrea Willis, LMSW, MPH – Deputy for Diversity, 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 new role as Deputy for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, Andrea leads the new department’s initiatives, trainings, and policy development to ensure that Cayuga Centers fosters an inclusive environment for all its employees and stakeholders.
Sophia Okeke, MA, GPHR, SHRM CP – Deputy for Human Resources – A seasoned Human Resources leader, Sophia Okeke joins the agency with an impressive career of building and managing HR teams on a global scale. She will lead the Human Resources and Safety and Wellness Departments as Deputy for Human Resources to ensure that all staff are engaged and empowered to achieve Cayuga Centers mission and strategic goals.
Kelly Ware, MPA – Deputy for Upstate NY Treatment & Support – 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 will oversee 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.
Kim Belk, MPA – Compliance Officer – A compliance and risk expert, Kim Belk joins the agency with an extensive background working within nonprofits, international NGOs, and government agencies. Kim will serve as the agency’s Compliance Officer and will lead her team to ensure programs are in full compliance with all applicable regulations and we are achieving clean audits.
Lucas Netti, MPA – Quality and Effectiveness Officer – Lucas Netti will lead the team responsible for tracking our impact on the families we serve and other stakeholders, executing quality reviews of our service delivery, and tracking agency performance metrics through data analytics and modeling.
Zoë Hutchinson, 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 and programs nationwide.
Jessica Oliveira-Haddad, LMSW, as Executive Vice President of UC Transitional Foster Care, 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.
Cindi Pagan, LSCW, Executive Vice President of NYS Behavioral Health Services, has been with the agency since 1999 and leads evidence-based and resilience programs in Mohawk Valley, Central, and the Capital region, including Child and Family Treatment and Support Services.
Jessica Whitwoood, LCAT ATR-BC, Executive Vice President of NYS Behavioral Health Services, has been a dedicated leader at the agency since 2006. She leads evidence-based and resilience programs in Western New York and the Finger Lakes, including Children and Family Treatment and Support Services.
Jordan Cruger, Esq. takes on the role of General Counsel, providing legal expertise and leading the support department that safeguards the well-being of our most vulnerable during incidents and investigations, and ensuring that the agency’s policies are both equitable for employees and compliant with all contractual engagements.
Aimee Del Favero – Executive Assistant to the CEO – 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 on enhancing organizational practices across the agency, facilitating the coordination of the Board of Trustees, and contributing to its mission of continuous improvement and excellence.
David Crespo – 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.
Led by President and CEO Edward Hayes, the Cayuga Centers’ Leadership Council will oversee the executive decision-making for the agency. Remarking on the recent changes, Hayes says, “Creating an effective Leadership Council is key to our future strong functioning and sustainability.” The new leadership structure represents a move away from the use of the word “Chief” and an expansion of the agency’s executive suite with the new deputy system. The agency welcomes this robust and dedicated team to lead the organization through its next phase of growth and innovation.
About Cayuga Centers
Cayuga Centers is a nationally accredited and awarded 501(c)(3) non-profit human services agency headquartered in New York, NY. Founded in 1852, the agency has delivered quality services by following the agency’s core mission of helping individuals and families grow as independent, healthy, and productive citizens through quality counseling, out-of-home care, and support services. Cayuga Centers provides a continuum of support services nationally, with offices in over 15 cities. The agency specializes in providing individualized, culturally appropriate, and trauma-informed support to diverse populations. Cayuga Centers currently serves 10,000 individuals and families annually. Visit www.cayugacenters.org to learn about its services, how to become a foster parent, and employment opportunities.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jasmine Lawrence
Media & Community Specialist
