Cayuga Centers Leadership
Embracing change, innovation, and opportunity.
Leadership Council
This dynamic and diverse team brings together eighteen professionals with years of experience and a shared commitment to the organization’s mission. Led by President and CEO Edward Myers Hayes, the Cayuga Centers’ Leadership Council oversees the executive decision-making for the agency.
Edward Myers Hayes
President and CEO
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.
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 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.
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 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.
Andrea Willis, LMSW, MPH
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 Samuels, MSW
Compliance Officer
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.
Cindi Pagan, LSCW
Executive Vice President of NYS Behavioral Health Services
Cindi 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.
Clayton D. Russell, MS, MBA, EA
Director of Finance
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.
Jessica Oliveira-Haddad, LMSW
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.
Dr. Jessica G. Pesantez, Psy.D
Deputy for New York State Behavioral Health
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.
Jessica Whitwood, LCAT ATR-BC
Executive Vice President of NYS Behavioral Health Services
Jessica 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.
General Counsel
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.
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 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.
Lexie Shutter
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.
Dr. Tamaru Phillips, LMFT
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.
Troy Brathwaite, LMSW
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.
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, 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.
Our Board of Trustees
Dr. Andy Lopez-Williams
Board Chair
President & CEO of ADHD & Autism Psychological Services and Advocacy
Utica, NY
James Loperfido
Board Co-Vice Chair #1
Business Consultant, JGL Management Consulting, Inc.
Auburn, NY
Dr. Rochelle Hinds
Board Co-Vice Chair #2
Principal Internship Coach with Columbia University’s Teachers College and Chief Executive Officer of R. Hinds Consulting Group
New York, NY
Richard Barbieri
Board Treasurer
Director of Payment and Risk Operations, MetMGM
New York, NY
Luther Isler
Writer, Performer, and Social Organizer
Harlem, NY
Joyce Akwaa
Assistant Principal, Dake Junior High School
Rochester, NY
Teresa Bishop
Chief Executive Officer, Roundtable of St. Lucie County, Inc.
Port St. Lucie, FL
Mikal Haddad
Managing Director & Partner – Oxford Harriman & Company/Haddad & Co.
New York, NY
Bonita Hagan
Albany, NY
Susan Hannigan
Life Coach
New York, NY
Hugh Lawrence, PA
Senior Staff Physician Assistant, Cardiac Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital
Wappingers Falls, NY
Marcos Martinez
Owner, DMJ Contractors
New York, NY
Jodi Morales, Esq.
At-Large Member of the Executive Committee
Criminal Defense Attorney, The Law Office of Jodi Morales
The Bronx, NY
Meg Osborne
Student Development Counselor, Coordinator of Career Services, and Assistant Professor, Cayuga Community College (Retired)
Skaneateles, NY
Peter Ranalli
Partner, FFT Partners
Thomas L. Sexton, Ph. D., ABPP
Partner, FFT Partners and Professor Emeritus at Indiana University
McLee Smith
Area President, Gallagher
New York, NY
India Sneed, Esq.
Attorney, Government Relations
Brooklyn, NY
Willette Walker, PHR, MAT, JD
Chief Human Capital Officer, Mainstay Life Services
Pittsburgh, PA
Become A Changemaker
Our teams have paved the way in children and family services for 170 years. We are proud to be leading practitioners in evidence-based models.