Empower Advisory Council
The Empower Advisory Council is made up of volunteer subject matter experts from the community, who meet twice a year to share their perspectives with Empower. If you are interested in joining the Advisory Council and have expertise in one of the interest groups, please email us.
Dr. Alice Kozen, Advisory Council Chairperson
Jeff Paterson, Chief Executive Officer
Interest Group: Early Childhood Services
Board Co-Facilitator: Dr. Alice Kozen, Niagara University
Board Co-Facilitator: Patricia Wrobel, Niagara University
Board Co-Facilitator: Susan Kuznik
Staff Co-Facilitators: Sherri Kaminski and Mary Hoffman, Empower Children’s Academy
Brian Farrell, Starpoint Central School District
Cathie Contento, Niagara Falls City School District
Laura Westfall, Parent Network of WNY
Dr. Lynnette Haley O’Stewart, Niagara University
Dr. Mary Ellen Bardsley, Niagara University
Samika Sullivan, Niagara Falls Housing Authority
Stacy Lampman, Niagara County Health Department – Children With Special Needs
Susan Barlow, Parent Network of WNY
Susan Kuznik, Empower Board Member
Tanyetta Carter, Niagara University
Tomorrow Allen-Collins, Niagara Falls Housing Authority
Interest Group: Workforce Recruitment and Retention
Board Co-Facilitator: Noelle McCoy, Leadership Niagara
Staff Co-Facilitators: Brandon Jerla and Petrina Sciandra, Empower
Donald Jablonski, Niagara County Employment & Training
John Doran, Macerich/Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA
Kory Schuler, Niagara USA Chamber
Krista Macomber, Orleans Niagara BOCES
Olivia Linke, Univera Healthcare
Tiffany Cook, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
Maria Massaro, Niagara Falls City School District
Dr. Cindy Oberjosh, Niagara County Community College
Interest Group: Best Practices in Human Services
Board Co-Facilitator: Patrice Wells, Eisai US
Staff Co-Facilitator: Eric DesSoye, Empower
Kathy Granchelli, YWCA of the Niagara Frontier
Maureen Wendt, The Dale Association
Laura Pennington Gawel, Pinnacle Community Services
Sophia Roberts, Self-Advocacy Association of NYS – Western Region
James D’Angelo
Nikki Kmicinski, Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative
