Staff Leadership Team
JEFF PATERSON
Chief Executive Officer
Jeff’s Email | Full Bio (PDF)
Jeff joined Empower in 2014 as CEO. Jeff is involved in leadership roles with many organizations, including the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of WNY and the Person Centered Services Care Coordination Organization. He helps individuals live their best lives by building Empower’s capacity to do more things, in more places, for more people.
DIANE BAEHRE
Director of Program Operations and Quality Assurance Administration
Diane’s Email
Diane has been working in the developmental disability field since 1979 and joined the Empower team in 1999. She has a BA in Social Work/Human Services along with additional certifications and enjoys outdoor activities with her family. Diane helps individuals live their best lives by ensuring they are safe and free from neglect and abuse.
Rita Tweedie
Chief Financial Officer
Rita’s Email
Rita has been with Empower since 1989. She is an avid golfer who enjoys reading and spending time with family. Rita helps individuals live their best lives by ensuring the agency’s financial stability so that they have the services they need.
Kristin Minervini
Director of Human Resources
Kristin’s Email
Kristin helps individuals live their best lives by treating everyone with respect and providing encouragement, support and feedback. Kristin joined Empower in 2009 with an AAS in Office Mgmt & Admin from ECC, BS in Business Administration from UB. She enjoys spending time with family, including her husband, their daughters and their dog.
Elizabeth Cardamone
Director of Communication and Development
Elizabeth’s Email
New to the team (and Western New York area), Elizabeth began her career at Empower in 2016. Outside of work, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and 3 kids, reading, gardening and shopping. Elizabeth helps individuals live their best lives by raising money and awareness about developmental disabilities.
Eric DesSoye
Director of Managed Care Readiness
Eric’s Email
With a BA and a MA in Psychology, Eric has been in the developmental disability field since 1990 and has been with Empower since 1997. He enjoys spending time with his family, biking, traveling, and patronizing local eateries and cultural venues. Eric helps individuals live their best lives by empowering them to be happy, strong and independent.
Mary Hoffman
Educational Services Supervisor
Mary’s Email
With a BA and MS in Education, Mary has spent her career at Empower, and specifically in Empower’s Children’s Academy. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially boating, and looking after her two granddaughters. Mary helps individuals to live the lives they choose by providing superior preschool education.
William Krayss
Director of Community Housing
William’s Email
Bill has been with Empower since 2000 and has an AA in Liberal Arts from NCCC and a BA in Human Services Management from SUNY Buffalo State. When not working, Bill likes to spend time with family, including his wife, 2 daughters and lots of pets, coach baseball and soccer, and watch wrestling. He helps individuals live their best lives by modeling a positive outlook and work habits, and always looking out for ways he can be helpful.
Brandon Jerla
Director of Staff Development & Learning
Brandon’s Email
Brandon joined Empower in 2016 as quality assurance manager. He graduated summa cum laude from Buffalo State College and brings more than 13 years of experience in caring for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Brandon is certified to teach SCIP-R, CPR/First Aid/AED from the American Red Cross and the Cerebral Palsy Association of New York’s Training Collaborative. He enjoys spending time with his dog, Lincoln, playing golf and traveling with his wife.
Kim Kiely
Director of Job Training & Day Programs
Kim’s Email
Kim helps individuals live their best lives by being kind to everyone, including strangers, through random acts of kindness, and by providing job training and opportunities that help boost their self-esteem and reach their highest potential. She has been with Empower since 1990 and has been in the developmental disability field since 1979. When Kim is not working she enjoys spending time with her two beautiful daughters and two golden retrievers, camping, and taking family trips in the summer. Kim received her BS in education with a specialization in therapeutic recreation from The Ohio State University and a MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Empower Board of Directors
Thomas J. Caserta, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law
Susan Kuznik, Immediate Past President
Director of Special Education
Niagara Falls City School District (Retired)
Patricia Wrobel, First Vice President
Executive Director, Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, CM, Institute for Civic Engagement
Niagara University
Daniel Vitch, Second Vice President
Community Advocate
Stanley Fera, Treasurer
Branch Manager
KeyBank
Russell J. Petrozzi, Corresponding Secretary
Owner
Capitol Cleaners
Patrice Wells, Recording Secretary
Integrated Customer Account Manager
Eisai US
Kevin Burgess, LMSW
Lead Social Worker
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
Robert DiFrancesco
Principal
Niagara Catholic and Niagara Falls High Schools (Retired)
Alice Kozen, PhD
Associate Professor of Education
Niagara University
Marcus Latham
Teacher
Niagara Falls City School District (Retired)
Donald Napoleon
Owner
VSCO, Inc.
Richard Sawicki, DPM
Doctor of Podiatry
Empower Foundation Board of Directors
Donald Napoleon, Chair
Owner
VSCO, Inc.
Eric McGuire
Accounting Manager
Buffalo Sabres
Robert O’Leary
Vice President
Parkview Health Services, LLC