EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ...
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President .............................. Jason Mazzuca
Treasurer .............................. Gretchen Guenther-Collins Secretary .............................. Judy Disco |
In 2020, the Board of Directors provided over 600 hours of donated time and donated over $10,000 in support of our mission. |
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Jason Mazzuca – President: Jason is the Vice President of Care Management for Tri‐County Care, a Health Home serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jason has almost 30 years of experience working in that field. He has substantial experience in quality assurance systems, care management and individual rights advocacy. Jason has volunteered for various youth organizations in the Capital District. Committees: Executive, Governance, Program Committee. Guilderland Center, NY 12085. Affiliation: Tri‐County Care.
Gretchen E. Guenther‐Collins, J.D., M.S., CPA – Treasurer: Gretchen is a Tax Partner at Teal, Becker, & Chiaramonte, CPAs PC in Albany, NY. She is also a co‐owner of a gourmet food distribution company, Adventure in Food Trading Co. Gretchen is an alumna of Albany Law School and The College of Saint Rose. Gretchen has served as the past Treasurer for Mental Health Association of New York State and the Capital District Women’s Softball League. Gretchen is a Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Bar Association, and the NYS Bar Association. Association: Teal, Becker, & Chiaramonte, CPAs, PC; Committees: Audit & Finance Committee (Chair), Governance, Human Resources. Slingerlands, NY 12159. Affiliation: Teal, Becker, & Chiaramonte, CPAs PC.
Judy Disco - Secretary: Judy has over 30 years of experience in the not‐for‐profit world. This includes her position as Director of Family Support Services for the NYS Association for the Learning Disabled, Director of Administration for the NYS Coalition against Sexual Assault, and the Director of Administration for the Institute for Humanist Studies. She has been involved with social justice, women’s and LGBTQ issues, and served eight years on the Pride Center of the Capital District Board of Directors, the last three years as President. She has also served on the board of the Empire State Pride Agenda, Women’s Building Coordinating Council, and on the board of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and Shaker Heritage Society. Committees: Human Resources Workgroup (Chair), Governance. Delmar, NY 12054. Affiliation: Damien Center Volunteer.
Marz Albarran – Director: Marz has over six years of experience in healthcare, working with the NYS of Health Marketplace providing health insurance to all of NY State, working the NY Vaccine Hotline, and the Covid‐19 Testing Hotline projects. Marz has spent four years in the Learning and Development department as a Training Specialist training new hires how to do their jobs while recreating the curriculum being taught, as to be more effective. Marz created and implemented the internal auditing process of all Learning and Development training documentation. Marz is an HIV Advocate for those aging with HIV, specifically those perinatally infected (33yrs). An Artist. Marz also sits on the Consumer Advisory Committee run by the AIDS Institute (4yrs), co‐chair for Aging with HIV and Long‐Term Survivors subcommittee (3yrs), Youth ETE Committee (2yrs), and serves as a spokesmodel for HIVStopsWithMe.org Campaign (2yrs). Rensselaer, NY, 12144. Affiliation: Maximus.
Jeffrey Almonte‐Hallenbeck ‐ Director: Jeffrey began his career working with homeless individuals living with major mental illness in Boston. After completing his graduate work in Counseling Psychology at Northeastern University, he returned to the Albany area, where he continues a 35‐year career working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Jeffrey was active throughout the 90’s with ACT UP, both in Albany and in Boston. He was a founding member of Stop AIDS in the late 80’s, and a volunteer with the AIDS Council of Northeastern NY (now Alliance for Positive Health). A past President of the Albany Damien Center Board of Directors, he supported Perry and the Center in moving toward homeless housing as well as a trauma-informed model that the Damien Center has adopted. For the past 18 years, he has worked as the Clinical Director for Living Resources. He is married to his husband of 25 years with three sons, and lives to spoil two grandchildren. Committees: Program, Opioid Overdose Prevention. Albany, NY 12203. Affiliations: Living Resources.
George W. Clifford, Ph.D., MPA - Director: George was the AIDS Coordinator for New York City’s Office of Management and Budget in the late 1980s. He worked for Albany Medical Center as the administrator of the regional AIDS Treatment Center for 18 years, and was the Executive Director of Better Health for NENY, a DSRIP performing provider system managed by AMC. He has served as an officer and director on several different non‐profit boards. He is the recipient of the NYSDOH’s distinguished AIDS community service award and is a graduate of the Capital Region’s Chamber of Commerce Leadership Training Program. He received his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University at Albany, graduating with distinction. Committees: Audit and Finance and NAMES Project (Chair). Selkirk, NY 12158. Affiliation: Retired Healthcare Administrator.
Stephanie Fisher, MS LMHC CASAC - Director - - is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a master level CASAC (Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor). Stephanie has over 12 years in the field of developmental disabilities, counseling and addiction, which includes her current position as the Assistant Director of Clinical Services at Living Resources. Stephanie is an alum of SUNY Albany: she has conducted research on gambling addiction and scaffolding personal identities during her graduate work Stephanie has consulted with OASAS to update procedural forms, consult with agencies in the community for sexuality advocacy and trauma informed approaches. Stephanie provides clinical trainings and presentations in the community within a variety of topics and has participated in a number of committees to support people with inclusion and advocacy. She has knowledge and experience in quality assurance, policy writing, grants, and systems management in addition to her clinical work. Stephanie works closely with her therapy dog, Doctor Benjamin, who is a great support to the clients served in the community. Stephanie is a member of NYMHCA for New York counselors, American Psychological Association and American Counselors Association. Albany, NY 12205, Affiliation: Living Resources
Brian Frasier, MS, CHFP - Director: Brian is the Financial Operations Manager at Consumer Directed Choices. Brian has been working in accounting for not‐for‐profit organizations for more than 25 years, mainly in healthcare, but also with community action. Brian has served as treasurer for two church congregations for a combined 13 years, along with two terms on a church council. Years of creating and presenting financial statements to various boards have prepared Brian to be part of the Audit & Finance Committee. Mechanicville, NY 12118. Schenectady, NY 12205. Affiliation: Consumer Directed Choices, Inc.
Douglas Manion ‐ Director: Doug has 30 years of experience at the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute. He started as a fiscal reviewer working in a program unit helping funded providers, mostly nonprofits, to understand state and federal fiscal and contractual requirements. He continued as a program coordinator, oversaw contracts, and worked with funded providers on the implementation of HIV services. Then, as Director of Administration for the AIDS Institute, he worked as the interface between program and DOH in resolution of fiscal, audit, and contractual issues, implemented solicitations and procurements, provided nonprofit technical assistance, and centralized coordination for the processing of contracts and payments. He served as a director on two nonprofit boards, including a previous seat on the Damien Center board. Committees: Audit and Finance. Albany, NY 12203 Affiliation: Retired Public Health Manager.
Neiman Ortiz, MPA, ‐ Director: Neiman has over six years’ experience in the not‐for‐profit healthcare industry. This includes her current position as Special Project Manager & Operations Coordinator at Ellis Medicine. She has been involved in community outreach, and development of a diverse culture in the healthcare environment. During the pandemic, she helped identify and develop areas in which COVID testing could be provided to the underserved populations in Schenectady County. Neiman has been an active member in establishing the Diversity, Health Equity & Inclusion Committee and continues to strive for representation of all healthcare workers. Neiman holds a Master’s in Public Administration, with distinction. Neiman is also a volunteer for Sponsor‐A‐Scholar in the Capital Region, which works with high school students embarking on their higher education journey. Committees: Diversity, Health Equity & Inclusion (DEI) – Co‐ Chair. San Mateo, CA 94403. Affiliation: Ellis Medicine.
Samuel Pierre, MBA - Director: Sam has been part of Ellis Medicine since 2008, where he started working in the Dining & Nutrition Department and the Emergency Department while pursuing his undergrad degree, and went on to obtain his MBA from The College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. That’s when he became interested in health care operations, and now, he is the Director of Talent & HR Operations. Sam and his HR team fulfill multiple duties, including managing the hospital’s labor‐relations program, ensuring that all employees are treated fairly while holding people accountable, working with a core council that oversees diversity and inclusion efforts, and working with recruiters to acquire and retain top talent. Sam was a recipient of 2020 Albany Business Review 40 under 40 award. Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering in the community whenever possible, enjoys reading and learning, and experiencing new things. Niskayuna, NY 12309. Affiliation: Ellis Medicine.
Libby Post - Director: Libby is the President/CEO of Communication Services and Principal in Progressive Elections. A political consultant and lobbyist, Libby runs the NYS Animal Protection Federation and represents the network of NYS animal shelters. She runs local political campaigns and creates compelling messaging and mail for her candidates. She also works with public libraries across the country on funding initiatives. She was the founding chair of the Empire State Pride Agenda and president of the Pride Center of the Capital Region. She is the Advocacy Chair for United for Libraries, the national Trustees, Friends and Foundations organization for public libraries. Committees: Development (Chair). Menands, NY 12204. Affiliation: Communication Services.
Jonathan Wilkinson ‐ Jonathan is a Licensed Massage Therapist, who is Co‐Owner of Spa Virgo, located in the Center Square neighborhood in Albany, NY for 11 years. While in school for Massage Therapy, part of the curriculum required community service, and one of the places he could fulfill the requirement was at the Damien Center. While doing community service at the Damien Center, Jonathan knew he wanted to do more to serve this community. Jonathan served on the board of The Names Project from 2013 to 2015, and is also currently a Fire Commissioner for his local volunteer fire department in Fort Hunter, NY. Fort Hunter, NY 12060. Affiliation: Spa Virgo.
Gretchen E. Guenther‐Collins, J.D., M.S., CPA – Treasurer: Gretchen is a Tax Partner at Teal, Becker, & Chiaramonte, CPAs PC in Albany, NY. She is also a co‐owner of a gourmet food distribution company, Adventure in Food Trading Co. Gretchen is an alumna of Albany Law School and The College of Saint Rose. Gretchen has served as the past Treasurer for Mental Health Association of New York State and the Capital District Women’s Softball League. Gretchen is a Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Bar Association, and the NYS Bar Association. Association: Teal, Becker, & Chiaramonte, CPAs, PC; Committees: Audit & Finance Committee (Chair), Governance, Human Resources. Slingerlands, NY 12159. Affiliation: Teal, Becker, & Chiaramonte, CPAs PC.
Judy Disco - Secretary: Judy has over 30 years of experience in the not‐for‐profit world. This includes her position as Director of Family Support Services for the NYS Association for the Learning Disabled, Director of Administration for the NYS Coalition against Sexual Assault, and the Director of Administration for the Institute for Humanist Studies. She has been involved with social justice, women’s and LGBTQ issues, and served eight years on the Pride Center of the Capital District Board of Directors, the last three years as President. She has also served on the board of the Empire State Pride Agenda, Women’s Building Coordinating Council, and on the board of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and Shaker Heritage Society. Committees: Human Resources Workgroup (Chair), Governance. Delmar, NY 12054. Affiliation: Damien Center Volunteer.
Marz Albarran – Director: Marz has over six years of experience in healthcare, working with the NYS of Health Marketplace providing health insurance to all of NY State, working the NY Vaccine Hotline, and the Covid‐19 Testing Hotline projects. Marz has spent four years in the Learning and Development department as a Training Specialist training new hires how to do their jobs while recreating the curriculum being taught, as to be more effective. Marz created and implemented the internal auditing process of all Learning and Development training documentation. Marz is an HIV Advocate for those aging with HIV, specifically those perinatally infected (33yrs). An Artist. Marz also sits on the Consumer Advisory Committee run by the AIDS Institute (4yrs), co‐chair for Aging with HIV and Long‐Term Survivors subcommittee (3yrs), Youth ETE Committee (2yrs), and serves as a spokesmodel for HIVStopsWithMe.org Campaign (2yrs). Rensselaer, NY, 12144. Affiliation: Maximus.
Jeffrey Almonte‐Hallenbeck ‐ Director: Jeffrey began his career working with homeless individuals living with major mental illness in Boston. After completing his graduate work in Counseling Psychology at Northeastern University, he returned to the Albany area, where he continues a 35‐year career working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Jeffrey was active throughout the 90’s with ACT UP, both in Albany and in Boston. He was a founding member of Stop AIDS in the late 80’s, and a volunteer with the AIDS Council of Northeastern NY (now Alliance for Positive Health). A past President of the Albany Damien Center Board of Directors, he supported Perry and the Center in moving toward homeless housing as well as a trauma-informed model that the Damien Center has adopted. For the past 18 years, he has worked as the Clinical Director for Living Resources. He is married to his husband of 25 years with three sons, and lives to spoil two grandchildren. Committees: Program, Opioid Overdose Prevention. Albany, NY 12203. Affiliations: Living Resources.
George W. Clifford, Ph.D., MPA - Director: George was the AIDS Coordinator for New York City’s Office of Management and Budget in the late 1980s. He worked for Albany Medical Center as the administrator of the regional AIDS Treatment Center for 18 years, and was the Executive Director of Better Health for NENY, a DSRIP performing provider system managed by AMC. He has served as an officer and director on several different non‐profit boards. He is the recipient of the NYSDOH’s distinguished AIDS community service award and is a graduate of the Capital Region’s Chamber of Commerce Leadership Training Program. He received his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University at Albany, graduating with distinction. Committees: Audit and Finance and NAMES Project (Chair). Selkirk, NY 12158. Affiliation: Retired Healthcare Administrator.
Stephanie Fisher, MS LMHC CASAC - Director - - is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a master level CASAC (Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor). Stephanie has over 12 years in the field of developmental disabilities, counseling and addiction, which includes her current position as the Assistant Director of Clinical Services at Living Resources. Stephanie is an alum of SUNY Albany: she has conducted research on gambling addiction and scaffolding personal identities during her graduate work Stephanie has consulted with OASAS to update procedural forms, consult with agencies in the community for sexuality advocacy and trauma informed approaches. Stephanie provides clinical trainings and presentations in the community within a variety of topics and has participated in a number of committees to support people with inclusion and advocacy. She has knowledge and experience in quality assurance, policy writing, grants, and systems management in addition to her clinical work. Stephanie works closely with her therapy dog, Doctor Benjamin, who is a great support to the clients served in the community. Stephanie is a member of NYMHCA for New York counselors, American Psychological Association and American Counselors Association. Albany, NY 12205, Affiliation: Living Resources
Brian Frasier, MS, CHFP - Director: Brian is the Financial Operations Manager at Consumer Directed Choices. Brian has been working in accounting for not‐for‐profit organizations for more than 25 years, mainly in healthcare, but also with community action. Brian has served as treasurer for two church congregations for a combined 13 years, along with two terms on a church council. Years of creating and presenting financial statements to various boards have prepared Brian to be part of the Audit & Finance Committee. Mechanicville, NY 12118. Schenectady, NY 12205. Affiliation: Consumer Directed Choices, Inc.
Douglas Manion ‐ Director: Doug has 30 years of experience at the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute. He started as a fiscal reviewer working in a program unit helping funded providers, mostly nonprofits, to understand state and federal fiscal and contractual requirements. He continued as a program coordinator, oversaw contracts, and worked with funded providers on the implementation of HIV services. Then, as Director of Administration for the AIDS Institute, he worked as the interface between program and DOH in resolution of fiscal, audit, and contractual issues, implemented solicitations and procurements, provided nonprofit technical assistance, and centralized coordination for the processing of contracts and payments. He served as a director on two nonprofit boards, including a previous seat on the Damien Center board. Committees: Audit and Finance. Albany, NY 12203 Affiliation: Retired Public Health Manager.
Neiman Ortiz, MPA, ‐ Director: Neiman has over six years’ experience in the not‐for‐profit healthcare industry. This includes her current position as Special Project Manager & Operations Coordinator at Ellis Medicine. She has been involved in community outreach, and development of a diverse culture in the healthcare environment. During the pandemic, she helped identify and develop areas in which COVID testing could be provided to the underserved populations in Schenectady County. Neiman has been an active member in establishing the Diversity, Health Equity & Inclusion Committee and continues to strive for representation of all healthcare workers. Neiman holds a Master’s in Public Administration, with distinction. Neiman is also a volunteer for Sponsor‐A‐Scholar in the Capital Region, which works with high school students embarking on their higher education journey. Committees: Diversity, Health Equity & Inclusion (DEI) – Co‐ Chair. San Mateo, CA 94403. Affiliation: Ellis Medicine.
Samuel Pierre, MBA - Director: Sam has been part of Ellis Medicine since 2008, where he started working in the Dining & Nutrition Department and the Emergency Department while pursuing his undergrad degree, and went on to obtain his MBA from The College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. That’s when he became interested in health care operations, and now, he is the Director of Talent & HR Operations. Sam and his HR team fulfill multiple duties, including managing the hospital’s labor‐relations program, ensuring that all employees are treated fairly while holding people accountable, working with a core council that oversees diversity and inclusion efforts, and working with recruiters to acquire and retain top talent. Sam was a recipient of 2020 Albany Business Review 40 under 40 award. Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering in the community whenever possible, enjoys reading and learning, and experiencing new things. Niskayuna, NY 12309. Affiliation: Ellis Medicine.
Libby Post - Director: Libby is the President/CEO of Communication Services and Principal in Progressive Elections. A political consultant and lobbyist, Libby runs the NYS Animal Protection Federation and represents the network of NYS animal shelters. She runs local political campaigns and creates compelling messaging and mail for her candidates. She also works with public libraries across the country on funding initiatives. She was the founding chair of the Empire State Pride Agenda and president of the Pride Center of the Capital Region. She is the Advocacy Chair for United for Libraries, the national Trustees, Friends and Foundations organization for public libraries. Committees: Development (Chair). Menands, NY 12204. Affiliation: Communication Services.
Jonathan Wilkinson ‐ Jonathan is a Licensed Massage Therapist, who is Co‐Owner of Spa Virgo, located in the Center Square neighborhood in Albany, NY for 11 years. While in school for Massage Therapy, part of the curriculum required community service, and one of the places he could fulfill the requirement was at the Damien Center. While doing community service at the Damien Center, Jonathan knew he wanted to do more to serve this community. Jonathan served on the board of The Names Project from 2013 to 2015, and is also currently a Fire Commissioner for his local volunteer fire department in Fort Hunter, NY. Fort Hunter, NY 12060. Affiliation: Spa Virgo.
JOINING THE BOARD ...
Interested in becoming a member of the Damien Center Board of Directors? Download the Board Member Application Form by clicking here or on the PDF icon below.
After downloading and completing your application, you may e-mail the finished application to PerryJ@albanydamiencenter.org .
After downloading and completing your application, you may e-mail the finished application to PerryJ@albanydamiencenter.org .
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