Leadership
Executive Officers
Maria Cristalli
President and Chief Executive Officer
Maria has held a variety of leadership positions since joining the agency in 1991. She is responsible for the overall leadership and administration of a team of nearly 2,000 individuals working for youth and families in New York and Maryland. Hillside is one of the largest family and children’s services agencies, and the most diversely funded and geographically diverse agency of its kind, in New York State.
Elizabeth Nolan
Chief Operating Officer
Elizabeth provides leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure that Hillside has the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and systems in place to insure growth, financial strength and operational efficiency.
Cindy Odom
Cindy owns executive-level responsibility for Hillside’s philanthropy and organizational positioning. As the leader of the Hillside Foundation and the agency’s Communications & Marketing team, she develops and executes wide-ranging programs that drive community engagement and secure ongoing support for Hillside’s mission.
Christopher Peterson
Chief Financial Officer
Chris’ responsibilities include providing comprehensive fiscal analysis and oversight for Hillside. As a member of the Chief Executive Team, he plays a lead role in charting the organization’s future and fiscal wellbeing.
Darlene Ryan
Chief Performance Officer
Darlene’s responsibilities focus on the models, practices, supporting tools and processes that drive positive outcomes for youth and families served by Hillside. She also leads Hillside’s Practice and Performance Excellence Group, which includes the Research, Business Intelligence, Quality, Risk Management and Data Integration teams.
Our Boards
Our Board members provide essential governance and input, informed by years of experience in leadership and community advocacy. We deeply appreciate their dedicated service.
HILLSIDE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OFFICERS
Richard J. Gangemi, MD
Chair
Jill Knittel
Vice Chair
James C. Haefner
Treasurer
Monica L. Monte
Secretary
Edward White
Past Chair
Maria E. Cristalli
President & CEO
GOVERNORS
Virginia Biesiada O’Neill
H. Todd Bullard
Nancy L. Castro, EdD
Caroline A. Critchlow, EdD
Christopher B. Eckert
Richard Feldman, PhD
Melissa N. Gardner
Cecilia Griffin Golden, PhD
Portia Y. James
Anne L. Komanecky
Duncan T. Moore, PhD
Richard C. Notargiacomo
Christopher J. Richardson, DO, FACOS
Leonard J. Shute
GOVERNORS EMERITI
Roger B. Friedlander
Robert B. Stiles
HILLSIDE FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OFFICERS
Anne L. Komanecky
Chair and Treasurer
Richard J. Gangemi, MD
Vice Chair
Maria E. Cristalli
Secretary
Regional Advisory Councils
With Hillside’s broad geographic reach, community-based perspectives are essential. Our Advisory Council members help us remain responsive to the diverse needs of the communities we serve.
BINGHAMTON
Tracey Fish
Melissa Hardesty
Jeffrey Jacobs
Suzanne McLeod
Carla Murray-Scott
Nicole Rouhana
GREATER BATH
Commander Jason Blencowe
Sergeant Michael Buchinger
Brooke Bradt
Deborah Daum
Edna Kayes
Tracey McCaughey
John McNelis
Jo Slovak
Teresa Stever
David Sutton
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Gable Barmer
Kirk Blackman
Gloria Brown
Henry Davis
Ayana Douglas
Mike Gorski
Howard Stone, Jr.
SYRACUSE
Jaime Alicea
Maritza Alvarado, MD
Amy Kremenek
Robert Linn
Vincent Love
Tim McDevitt
Lisa Mondello
Virginia Biesiada O’Neill
Jonathan Stadin