EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ...
|
President .............................. Jeffrey Hallenbeck
Vice President ....................... Dan O'Connell Treasurer .............................. Gretchen Guenther-Collins Secretary .............................. Sharon Carter |
In 2016, the Board of Directors provided over 1,200 hours of donated time and donated $2,245.00 towards fundraising efforts. |
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Jeffrey Hallenbeck -- President -- is the Clinical Director of Living Resources Corporation. Has 20+ years in the field of mental health and very familiar with the local treatment community and has worked with individuals with HIV/AIDS. Volunteer experience with Stop AIDS, AIDS Council, and ACT UP. Member of Albany County Democratic Party, ACLU and Human Rights Campaign. Committees: Executive (Chair), Space Workgroup (Chair), Board Governance Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, PROS Workgroup. Albany NY 12206. Affiliation: Living Resources.
Dan O'Connell -- Vice President -- has 29 years’ experience in HIV services, having served in a number of increasingly responsible positions during this period with the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute. From 2013-16 Dan was the AIDS Institute's Director where he oversaw the statewide response to the epidemic, as well as programs for STD prevention and control, HCV services, as well as programs for LGBT health and drug user health. He has participated on a number of boards and panels, including serving as chair of the state's Interagency Task Force on AIDS and on the Executive Committee of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors. Committees: Strategic Planning. Albany, NY 12208. Affiliation: Retired Public Health Manager.
Gretchen E.. Guenther-Collins, J.D., M.S., CPA --Treasurer -- Gretchen is the Interim Dean of the College of Saint Rose Huether School of Business where she has served as a Professor since 2001. She is also a co-owner of a Gourmet Food Distribution Company, Adventure in Food Trading. 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. Committees: Audit & Finance Committee (Chair). Albany, NY 12208
Sharon Carter -- Secretary -- is a Grant Proposal Writer with and for the Schenectady Inner City Ministry, a 50 year-old ecumenical partnership of 50 congregations for ministries of social service and justice. She has a 20+ history with the Schenectady Damien Center - and started the Reiki program at Albany Damien Center 10+ years ago. She formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Hill Arts Center, a minority-managed non-profit which has been focusing on African American arts for 45+ years, and is a member of Schenectady Business and Professional Women, Inc. Schenectady, NY 12305. Committees: Board Governance, Strategic Planning Committee. Affiliation: Schenectady Inner City Ministry.
Gordon Hakim Collier, MSW, -- Director -- Gordon currently works as a Care Coordinator with the Alliance for Better Health- a collaborative network of providers and community based organizations, partnering to transform the delivery of health care with a focus on Medicaid members and uninsured individuals. This is a New York State Department of Health initiative called the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP). Gordon received his Master’s in Social Work from the University at Albany and has experience working with individuals living and coping with HIV/AIDS, mental health, and substance abuse. Committees: PROS Workgroup. Latham, NY 12110. Affiliation: Damien Center Volunteer.
Lakia Green -- Director -- is a trainer for the Professional Development Program of SUNY Albany, where she trains for the Office of Children and Family Services across New York State. In addition, Lakia is the founder of One Spark Consulting, a consulting company that caters to the business needs of nonprofit and grassroots social organizations. She has spent the last 20 years working on a variety of social issues, including community arts programs, college access for low-income youth, and HIV/STD prevention. Committees: Strategic Planning. Albany, NY 12210. Affiliation: One Spark Consulting.
Gary Guenther, RPA, FMA, -- Director -- Gary currently works as a consultant and has over forty-five years of comprehensive experience and increasingly responsible leadership in facilities operations, building systems and construction management. Gary has volunteer experience at the Capital City Rescue Mission, Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Committees: New Building Committee. East Greenbush, NY 12061. Affiliation: Guenther Consulting.
Brian Frasier, MS, CHFP -- Director -- is the Director of Finance at VNS of Northeastern New York. 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. Affiliation: Visiting Nurse Service of Northeastern NY, Schenectady, NY 12305
Paul Kosachiner -- Director -- has been a Damien Center volunteer since 1996; as a weekly volunteer for the Center's Smart Meals program and as a member of the board for the last nine years. He works as an Associate Internal Auditor for the New York State Department of Transportation. Its mission is to ensure that our customers - those who live, work and travel in New York State -- have a safe, efficient, balanced and environmentally sound transportation system. Committees: Audit & Finance Committee. Albany, NY 12203. Affiliation: NYS Dept of Transportation.
Jason Mazzuca -- Director -- is the Director of Medicaid Service Coordination for Living Resources Corporation and almost 25 years experience working with individuals who have developmental disabilities and dual diagnoses. He has substantial experience in quality assurance systems and individual rights advocacy. Jason has volunteered for various youth organizations in the Capital District. Committees: Strategic Planning Committee (Chair), PROS Workgroup. Guilderland Center, NY 12085. Affiliation: Living Resources Corporation.
Scott Prividera -- Director -- Performing as the Grande Duchess Ivanna, Scott started performing out at Club145 in Schenectady as Maxine. Scott performed and did benefits at the Club 145, Clinton Street Pub, The Blythewood, Eight Balls, Rage, Private Eyes, Clyde’s, Waterworks, Esther’s, Rumor’s and The Playhouse. He has been tirelessly involved with raising funds for AIDS since the late 1980’s along with her fellow performer’s Empress Champagne, Steven Gibbs (Dolly RIP), Hazel (RIP), Jack Jackson (RIP), Sheila, Brenda (Bruce RIP) Special Holiday, April Love, Aggie (David RIP), Crystal Rose (Ross RIP), Rachel Cummings, Sabrina (Billy RIP) and Lauren Michaels. Duchess along with Penny Larceny put together the first benefit for the Damien Center after the tragic fire and loss of the Albany Center. He is very excited about taking the next step and dedicating his time and energy to Development for the Damien Center and helping wherever and whenever he is needed most. He is the Administrative Assistant for the Assistant Commissioner and Chief Counsel of Legal Services at NYSDOT. Committees: Development. Loudonville, NY 12211. Affiliation: Community Volunteer.
Dan O'Connell -- Vice President -- has 29 years’ experience in HIV services, having served in a number of increasingly responsible positions during this period with the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute. From 2013-16 Dan was the AIDS Institute's Director where he oversaw the statewide response to the epidemic, as well as programs for STD prevention and control, HCV services, as well as programs for LGBT health and drug user health. He has participated on a number of boards and panels, including serving as chair of the state's Interagency Task Force on AIDS and on the Executive Committee of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors. Committees: Strategic Planning. Albany, NY 12208. Affiliation: Retired Public Health Manager.
Gretchen E.. Guenther-Collins, J.D., M.S., CPA --Treasurer -- Gretchen is the Interim Dean of the College of Saint Rose Huether School of Business where she has served as a Professor since 2001. She is also a co-owner of a Gourmet Food Distribution Company, Adventure in Food Trading. 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. Committees: Audit & Finance Committee (Chair). Albany, NY 12208
Sharon Carter -- Secretary -- is a Grant Proposal Writer with and for the Schenectady Inner City Ministry, a 50 year-old ecumenical partnership of 50 congregations for ministries of social service and justice. She has a 20+ history with the Schenectady Damien Center - and started the Reiki program at Albany Damien Center 10+ years ago. She formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Hill Arts Center, a minority-managed non-profit which has been focusing on African American arts for 45+ years, and is a member of Schenectady Business and Professional Women, Inc. Schenectady, NY 12305. Committees: Board Governance, Strategic Planning Committee. Affiliation: Schenectady Inner City Ministry.
Gordon Hakim Collier, MSW, -- Director -- Gordon currently works as a Care Coordinator with the Alliance for Better Health- a collaborative network of providers and community based organizations, partnering to transform the delivery of health care with a focus on Medicaid members and uninsured individuals. This is a New York State Department of Health initiative called the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP). Gordon received his Master’s in Social Work from the University at Albany and has experience working with individuals living and coping with HIV/AIDS, mental health, and substance abuse. Committees: PROS Workgroup. Latham, NY 12110. Affiliation: Damien Center Volunteer.
Lakia Green -- Director -- is a trainer for the Professional Development Program of SUNY Albany, where she trains for the Office of Children and Family Services across New York State. In addition, Lakia is the founder of One Spark Consulting, a consulting company that caters to the business needs of nonprofit and grassroots social organizations. She has spent the last 20 years working on a variety of social issues, including community arts programs, college access for low-income youth, and HIV/STD prevention. Committees: Strategic Planning. Albany, NY 12210. Affiliation: One Spark Consulting.
Gary Guenther, RPA, FMA, -- Director -- Gary currently works as a consultant and has over forty-five years of comprehensive experience and increasingly responsible leadership in facilities operations, building systems and construction management. Gary has volunteer experience at the Capital City Rescue Mission, Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Committees: New Building Committee. East Greenbush, NY 12061. Affiliation: Guenther Consulting.
Brian Frasier, MS, CHFP -- Director -- is the Director of Finance at VNS of Northeastern New York. 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. Affiliation: Visiting Nurse Service of Northeastern NY, Schenectady, NY 12305
Paul Kosachiner -- Director -- has been a Damien Center volunteer since 1996; as a weekly volunteer for the Center's Smart Meals program and as a member of the board for the last nine years. He works as an Associate Internal Auditor for the New York State Department of Transportation. Its mission is to ensure that our customers - those who live, work and travel in New York State -- have a safe, efficient, balanced and environmentally sound transportation system. Committees: Audit & Finance Committee. Albany, NY 12203. Affiliation: NYS Dept of Transportation.
Jason Mazzuca -- Director -- is the Director of Medicaid Service Coordination for Living Resources Corporation and almost 25 years experience working with individuals who have developmental disabilities and dual diagnoses. He has substantial experience in quality assurance systems and individual rights advocacy. Jason has volunteered for various youth organizations in the Capital District. Committees: Strategic Planning Committee (Chair), PROS Workgroup. Guilderland Center, NY 12085. Affiliation: Living Resources Corporation.
Scott Prividera -- Director -- Performing as the Grande Duchess Ivanna, Scott started performing out at Club145 in Schenectady as Maxine. Scott performed and did benefits at the Club 145, Clinton Street Pub, The Blythewood, Eight Balls, Rage, Private Eyes, Clyde’s, Waterworks, Esther’s, Rumor’s and The Playhouse. He has been tirelessly involved with raising funds for AIDS since the late 1980’s along with her fellow performer’s Empress Champagne, Steven Gibbs (Dolly RIP), Hazel (RIP), Jack Jackson (RIP), Sheila, Brenda (Bruce RIP) Special Holiday, April Love, Aggie (David RIP), Crystal Rose (Ross RIP), Rachel Cummings, Sabrina (Billy RIP) and Lauren Michaels. Duchess along with Penny Larceny put together the first benefit for the Damien Center after the tragic fire and loss of the Albany Center. He is very excited about taking the next step and dedicating his time and energy to Development for the Damien Center and helping wherever and whenever he is needed most. He is the Administrative Assistant for the Assistant Commissioner and Chief Counsel of Legal Services at NYSDOT. Committees: Development. Loudonville, NY 12211. Affiliation: Community Volunteer.
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 for review.
After downloading and completing your application, you may e-mail the finished application to PerryJ@albanydamiencenter.org for review.
| online_board_app_2_ref.pdf |
