Rise Board current composition - (1/7/2025)
Name: Nikki Mayers
Your current employer and position: Vieira & Associates CPAs, P.C. – CPA and Partner
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: 4 years
Board Positions held in that time: (committees, committee chair, officer, etc) Board Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, Executive Committee, Evaluation Committee
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: I was a victim of abuse when I was a child, so organizations that provide assistance to victims hits home for me. I wanted to be involved in any way to support the mission of RISE, it's my way to give back to others that are in hard situations.
What you enjoy most about being on the board: Our Board is very diverse with people from different backgrounds and professional experiences. Yet, we all have a common goal: to further the mission of Rise and serve the domestic violence community. I enjoy brainstorming with our board members and working together towards the common goal.
Name: Nick Simonik
Your current employer and position: Vestal Police Department / Police Officer
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: Under 1 year
Board Positions held in that time: (committees, committee chair, officer, etc) personnel committee and planning committee
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: I am passionate about helping victims of domestic violence in my current career and being a Rise board member allows me to further support victims in a different realm.
What you enjoy most about being on the board: I enjoy working with a team of board members that are all working to improve services and support for domestic violence victims.
Heather R Staley
Manager of commercial lines - Staley Agency Insurance
Member of rise 3 years
Board Positions held in that time: Fundraising and employees committee
I wanted to be a member because I believe helping families overcome domestic violence helps end the generational curse of what violence can do to our community.
I enjoy hearing the success stories of the families we serve. Each child that can grow up in a household free from violence is more likely to grow up to be a productive member of our community.
Name: Amanda Cronin
Your current employer and position: Senior Assistant District Attorney at Broome County District Attorneys Office
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: 2
Board Positions held in that time: (committees, committee chair, officer, etc) Chair of Nominating and Personnel committees. Member of Planning and Fundraising committees.
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: I have been passionate about domestic violence work since law school. Advocates and safe spaces like Rise are key in helping victims navigate the complex legal systems and ultimately achieve lifelong healing.
What you enjoy most about being on the board: my fellow board members. They are a great team committed to leading Rise to another successful 45 years!
Name: Maggie DiVita
Your current employer and position: SUNY Cortland Professor
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: In my third year
Board Positions held in that time: (committees, committee chair, officer, etc) Current VP of the Board, Chair Planning and Evaluation Committees, member Fundraising Committee
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: I wanted to give back to my local community and volunteering for such an important organization seemed a great way to do it.
What you enjoy most about being on the board: The camaraderie among the board members.
Name: Erica Robinson
Your current employer and position: Helio Health, Outreach & Marketing
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: 2nd year
Board Positions held in that time: Board Secretary, co-chair of fundraising committee, nominating committee, executive committee (committees, committee chair, officer, etc)
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: Unfortunately I grew up in a household with domestic violence. As I grew into an adult, I could see how much living in this environment affected who I am and how I feel about myself/relationships. I am very passionate about decreasing family violence and helping those who want to get out of unsafe/unhealthy situations.
What you enjoy most about being on the board: Meeting new people passionate about making changes and supporting individuals affected by domestic violence, the camaraderie, reaching goals to support the agency’s mission, making new friends.
Name: Leah Miller
Your current employer and position: UHS, Director of Clincal Services
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: 2
Board Positions held in that time: Fundraising committee, finance committee
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: As a survivor of domestic violence, I wanted to bring purpose out of what I went through and help others who are in similar situations.
What you enjoy most about being on the board: Feeling more connected to the community by helping bring much needed services.
Name: Sarah DiFabio
Your current employer and position: Director of Orthopedic Services at UHS
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: 3 years
Board Positions held in that time: (committees, committee chair, officer, etc) serve/served on Finance Committee, Fundraising Committee, Nominating Committee, Board VP (1 year), Board President (1 year)
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: I wanted to volunteer my time and be a part of a local organization thst has a large impact on community. When I saw that RISE was recruiting for board members, I started researching the agency. RISE’s mission resignated with me. As a community member who had lived in Broome County most of her life, I was shocked I hadn’t heard about RISE before and wanted to help spread the word about the amazing work being done right here in our community.
What you enjoy most about being on the board: The people I’ve gotten to meet and work closely with since joining the board has made a significant impact in my life. You rarely get to meet such a large group of selfless individuals working towards the same causes and I’m so happy to be apart of it!
Name: Tarah Kalogris
Your current employer and position: UHS Multi-specialty Manager with the Physician Practice Division
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: First Year
Board Positions held in that time: (committees, committee chair, officer, etc)
Fundraising Committee (I threw my name in for a second committee, nominating maybe? We’ve not met, I cannot remember!)
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: I value the opportunity to serve our community in a meaningful way. This provides me the opportunity to not only give back but encourage & engage others to do the same.
What you enjoy most about being on the board: Again , serving our community in a meaningful way and of course the amazing board members I am fortunate to serve with!
Name: Rose Olsen
Your current employer and position: Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, Talent and Education Director
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: 4
Board Positions held in that time: (committees, committee chair, officer, etc): Strategic Planning and Fundraising committee
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: I was looking for ways to volunteer my time and be more involved in the community!
What you enjoy most about being on the board:
It is a fantastic group of people making a difference In the community!
Name: Melissa Massaro
Your current employer and position: Director of Therapeutic Recreation & Leisure Services at Achieve.
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: 4
Board Positions held in that time: President: 2023, Vice President: 2022, Personnel committee co-chair. Fundraising committee
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: Domestic Violence has deeply impacted my own life. I wanted to give back to the community by supporting an agency that provides essential services to those experiencing DV.
What you enjoy most about being on the board: I love working alongside other local professionals that are passionate about the mission of Rise-NY. This board truly functions as a team and believes in the concept of “Think Globally, Act Locally.”
Name: David R. Williams
Your current employer and position: Levene Gouldin & Thompson, Attorney - Special Counsel
How many years you have been a Rise-NY board member: 2
Board Positions held in that time: (committees, committee chair, officer, etc) Co-chair, Personnel Committee (1 year)
Why you wanted to be a board member for Rise-NY: When I practiced Family Law, I worked with DV victims and prosecuted family offenses in Family Court, Small Claims Court, and in the County’s Integrated Domestic Violence Court (which is part civil/part criminal). It was a real eye-opener to see the subtle ways perpetrators exercise control over their victims. In and around the courthouses I often spoke with victim advocates from Rise and was continually impressed with the work they do and the important services Rise provides to our community. I left Family practice, but wanted to continue to contribute to Rise’s mission.
What you enjoy most about being on the board: I enjoy the people the most, including Rise employees. This Board is savvy, knows its role, and takes its responsibilities seriously; while we are a varied group of people, we are a great team.
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