Leadership

We are pleased to share with you who we are and what we do.

Operating from 51 sites plus many schools in Western New York, we are proud to offer a wide array of human services. We are highly rated by Charity Navigator, a testament to our focus on transparency, sound fiscal management and high quality services.

We are a beacon of hope for people through all seasons of life – including ensuring safety and nurture for children who are neglected or at risk of harm, reaching out to children and teens with intensive family therapy, getting young adults back on an education and career track, assisting an unemployed father with food for his family, and keeping seniors independent.

Thanks for visiting. Browse our services, discover how you can help your neighbors in need, and find opportunities to join us in our work. We are grateful for your interest and support.

Tony DeSimone
President & CEO

Tony DeSimone

President & Chief Executive Officer

Molly Ann Oliver

Chief Operating Officer

Chuck Hayes

Chief Communications & Development Officer

Robert Hasselbeck

Chief Financial Officer

Deneb Pirrone

Chief Compliance & Quality Officer

Cherie Sugg, PHR

Chief Human Resource Officer

Justin Fax

Senior Director of Practice Catholic Charities Behavioral Health

Julie Lulek

Senior Director of Nutritional Health

Emily Mehltretter, LMHC

Senior Director of Family Enrichment

Rikki Nawotka-Ace, LMSW

Senior Director of IRAP and Workforce Development

Elise Pogorzelski, LCSW

Senior Director of School Based Services

Melanie Ricketts, MSHS, MFT

Senior Director of Social Care

Most Rev. Michael W. Fisher

Chairperson | Bishop, Diocese of Buffalo

Alexis Agnello

Group Manager, M&T Bank Commercial Division – Buffalo

Thomas R. Beecher Jr., Esq.

Attorney, Phillips, Lytle LLP

Patricia Clabeaux

Executive VP/ Chief Human Resources Officer, Independent Health Association

Rick Cronin

Community Volunteer

John Daly

Managing Principal, Trautman Associates

Anthony Delmonte, Jr.

Vice Chairperson | Business and Professional Banking/Market Manager for Western and Central New York, M&T Bank

Joseph H. Emminger

Treasurer | Supervisor, Town of Tonawanda

Kevin Gannon

Sales Executive, Gallagher Insurance

Rev. Peter J. Karalus

Vicar General, Diocese of Buffalo

Jill D. Manka

Career Readiness Specialist and adjunct professor, Villa Maria College

Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD

Senior Associate Dean for Health Policy, Medicine, University at Buffalo 

Melissa Potzler

Chancellor, Diocese of Buffalo

Anne Ryan

Executive Director, Read to Succeed Buffalo

Esmeralda Sierra

Community Volunteer

Adam Sumlin, PhD

Assistant Professor of Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Steve Timmel

Community Volunteer

Kellie Ulrich

Secretary | Counsel, Magavern Magavern Grimm LLP

Robert M. Bennett

Tony DeSimone

President and Chief Executive Officer