Deaf Awareness Month: Building Housing That Supports Connection and Choice

Priya Das

Business Strategy & Intelligence Leader

Priya Das serves as a strategic business leader specializing in business strategy, business intelligence, financial management and reporting, and organizational transformation.

Priya joined Triple C Housing in 2020, where she served through 2022, and returned to the organization in 2025. In her role as a Business Strategy & Intelligence leader, she partners with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to translate organizational priorities into actionable strategies, measurable goals, and sustainable operating practices. Her work includes strategic planning, performance management, business intelligence, executive and Board reporting, project and portfolio governance, process improvement, and organizational transformation.

With a Master’s Degree in Economics, she brings experience across healthcare and nonprofit organizations, working at the intersection of strategy, data, finance, operations, technology, and organizational priorities to improve performance and support sustainable growth.

Known for her analytical mindset, collaborative leadership, and results-oriented approach, Priya focuses on turning data into actionable intelligence and creating clarity around organizational priorities. She develops performance frameworks, dashboards, KPIs, and governance structures that connect people, processes, technology, and resources to measurable outcomes. She is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations build stronger systems, make informed decisions, and use strategy and intelligence to create meaningful and sustainable impact.

Pierce Wilkinson

Lead Facilities Technician

Pierce Wilkinson serves as Lead Facilities Technician, overseeing maintenance operations, property inspections, life-safety compliance, vendor coordination, and facility improvement projects. He is committed to creating safe, reliable, and well-maintained environments for the individuals and communities the organization serves. Pierce brings a hands-on, solutions-focused approach to supporting staff, residents, and the facilities team.

Credentials:

OSHA 30-Hour Certification

EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Certification

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Housing Quality Standards Specialist

Dharti Ray

Inclusion and Recruitment Specialist

Dharti Ray serves as the Inclusion and Recruitment Specialist at Triple C Housing Inc., where she supports the organization’s human resources and talent acquisition initiatives. In her role, she oversees recruitment efforts, employee onboarding, HR operations, and process improvements while helping strengthen inclusive workplace practices across the organization. Dharti is also leading efforts to modernize and streamline HR systems through digital transformation and enhanced use of HR technology platforms.

With over six years of experience supporting college student engagement and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Dharti brings a people-centered approach to HR and organizational development. Prior to joining Triple C Housing, she served as an Early Talent Recruiter at a staffing firm, where she supported internship and co-op recruitment programs for major pharmaceutical companies. Dharti holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Employment Relations from Penn State University. She is passionate about creating positive employee experiences and supporting Triple C Housing’s mission of empowering individuals and communities through compassionate services and support.

Deborah Kaufman, BA, CPRP

Partnership Programs Supervisor

Deborah Kaufman brings over 15 years of leadership and behavioral health experience in supportive housing, psychiatric rehabilitation, program development, and community-based services. In her new role as Partnership Programs Supervisor at Triple C Housing, Deb oversees partnership housing initiatives, staff support and supervision, regulatory compliance, and collaborative relationships with community stakeholders, referral sources, healthcare providers, and housing partners.

Deb has been with Triple C Housing since 2014, serving in multiple leadership roles including Services Coordinator and Program Coordinator for the Super Storm Sandy Block Grant Program. Throughout her tenure, she has played a key role in program implementation, service coordination, housing navigation, regulatory compliance, and consumer support services across Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. She has extensive experience managing program operations, conducting inspections and compliance oversight, coordinating with state and local agencies, and supporting staff development and service delivery.

Prior to joining Triple C Housing, Deb served as Director of Laurel House Middlesex, where she managed clubhouse operations, employment programming, fundraising initiatives, and community relations while ensuring compliance with Clubhouse International standards. Her background also includes admissions coordination and program development within behavioral health and community support settings.

Deb is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, strong community partnerships, and commitment to supporting individuals and families in achieving housing stability, recovery, and overall wellness.

Aqeel Daniels-Lundy

Real Estate Accountant

Aqeel Daniels-Lundy is a Real Estate Accountant at Triple C Housing, where he is responsible for overseeing property financial reporting, budget analysis, account reconciliations, and ensuring the financial integrity of a diverse real estate portfolio. Through his work, he helps support the organization’s mission by providing accurate financial insight that contributes to the long-term sustainability of affordable housing communities.

Beyond his day-to-day responsibilities, Aqeel is an active leader within Triple C Housing, serving on both the DL Leadership Team and the Cultural Competency Committee, where he collaborates with colleagues to strengthen organizational leadership, foster professional development, and promote an inclusive workplace culture.

Outside of Triple C Housing, Aqeel is the founder and president of 4th Quarter Elite (4QE), a youth mentorship and athletic development organization dedicated to preparing young athletes for success both on and off the field. Through mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement, he is committed to creating opportunities that empower the next generation to excel in sports, education, and life.

Nicholas Blackmon

Development & Operations Associate

Nicholas Blackmon serves as Development & Operations Associate at Triple C Housing, where he supports property management operations, housing development initiatives, and organizational projects that strengthen the agency’s affordable and supportive housing portfolio.  His work focuses on improving operational efficiency, supporting residents throughout the housing process, and helping advance initiatives that enhance service delivery across the organization.

Nicholas brings a diverse background in housing operations, residence life, event management, and customer experience.  Prior to joining Triple C Housing, he held leadership and operations roles within higher education and large-scale event organizations, where he supervised staff, coordinated complex operations, managed housing and residential communities, and delivered exceptional experiences for residents, students, and guests.  These experiences have shaped his collaborative leadership style and commitment to operational excellence.

A former collegiate football student-athlete, Nicholas earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Management at Walsh University.  He is passionate about continuous learning, servant leadership, and creating environments where individuals, families, and communities can thrive through safe, stable housing and responsive services.

Debra Paone Hettrick, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Chief Programs Officer

Debra Paone Hettrick joined Triple C Housing, Inc. in July 2026 as Chief Program Officer. She is a licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst- Doctoral (BCBA-D) with more than 25 years of experience in behavioral health.

Before joining Triple C Housing, Debra spent 20 years at the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, where she held a variety of leadership roles. Most recently, she served as Co-Director of the SHARE Program and Director of Consultation and Training at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center. Throughout her career, she has trained graduate and doctoral students to use evidence-based practices to enhance quality of life and to support individuals in achieving their goals. She has also provided consultation and training to a wide range of organizations, helping them strengthen services and improve outcomes.

Debra approaches her work with empathy, compassion, and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based services that empower individuals to live meaningful, fulfilling lives.

She holds a master’s degree in Psychology from Montclair State University and earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the City University of New York Graduate Center.

Trustee

Christopher Vas

Board Member, Triple-C Housing

Christopher Vas is a seasoned Business Banking Relationship Manager at M&T Bank, where he provides comprehensive financial solutions tailored to the unique needs of business clients. With a focus on commercial lending up to $10 million, Christopher offers expertise in deposit accounts, treasury services, merchant services, and wealth management. His client-centric approach and deep understanding of financial products allow him to deliver strategic guidance that supports business growth and long-term success. Throughout his career, Christopher has worked closely with several non-profits helping to enhance the communities he serves through volunteerism and utilizing his skillset in banking to contribute.

Prior to joining M&T Bank, Christopher spent over a decade at TD Bank, where he served as Vice President and Branch Manager. In this role, he led teams of over 15 employees to hit performance in sales, customer service, and compliance. His leadership was instrumental in navigating complex initiatives such as PPP loan programs and software testing for operational improvements. Recognized for his results-driven strategies, Christopher earned accolades including the Legendary Leader award in 2020 and consistently ranked in the top sales quartile.

Christopher began his banking career at Wells Fargo, where he rose to Assistant Vice President and managed daily operations, sales, and staff development. His early success was marked by top performance in customer service and compliance across the Northern New Jersey district. With over 19 years of experience in financial services, Christopher brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and dedication to every client relationship.

Trustee

Sandy Soriano

Board Member, Triple-C Housing

Sandy Soriano brings a wealth of experience from the hospitality industry, where she spent much of her career managing restaurants and food service businesses. Most notably, she owned and operated a gourmet takeout and catering business in Princeton, which became the second-largest food service provider to Princeton University after the university’s own dining services.

After retiring to care for her mother during her battle with multiple myeloma, Sandy transitioned into nonprofit work, driven by a deep belief in human dignity and the right to food, shelter, and respect. She has served on the advisory board of Elijah’s Promise and volunteered at their “pay what you can” café.

Her advocacy for survivors of domestic violence includes work with Women Aware, Younity (formerly Womanspace) and Dina’s Dwellings, where she served as Vice President of the Board.

Sandy has also been a long-time member of the Triple-C Family Advisory Board, contributing to community events like the annual Consumer Picnic with her homemade baked goods. She is honored to now serve on the Triple-C Board of Trustees, inspired by the organization’s unwavering commitment to its mission.

“The commitment and passion Triple-C brings to its mission inspires me.” — Sandy Soriano

Paul Kiley, BS, CPA

Controller
Paul Kiley serves as the Controller at Triple C Housing, Inc., bringing over three decades of accounting, finance, and executive leadership experience to the organization. Since joining Triple C in 2008, Paul has played a pivotal role in aligning the organization’s financial strategies with its mission-driven goals, overseeing all aspects of fiscal operations including budget development, grant compliance, audit oversight, and capital planning.

With a career that began in 1992 in healthcare financial management, Paul has successfully led financial operations for large-scale nonprofit and for-profit organizations across long- term care, hospice, and affordable housing sectors. His expertise spans Medicaid and Medicare cost reporting, complex financial analysis, multi-site budgeting, systems implementation, and regulatory compliance. At Triple C, he also provides leadership in human resources, insurance contract management, IT systems oversight, and capital development projects.

Prior to joining Triple C, Paul held senior leadership roles including Corporate Controller at Senior Health Management and Regional Controller at Integrated Health Services, where he managed the financial operations of dozens of healthcare facilities and led several high- impact audits and fraud investigations.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from West Virginia University Institute of Technology and earned his CPA license in 1994 (currently inactive). His deep commitment to financial transparency, operational efficiency, and organizational integrity continues to support Triple C’s mission of providing quality housing and services to communities in need.

Kimberly Ewell MA, CPRP

Chief Operating Officer
Kimberly M. Ewell is the Chief Operating Officer at Triple C Housing, Inc., where she has been a dedicated member of the Team since 1997. She began her journey with the organization as a part- time Residential Counselor and has since held a variety of direct care and administrative roles, including Program Manager, Clinical Coordinator, Director of Outreach Services, Director of Administrative Services, Director of Finance and Administration, and Director of Operations.

In her current role, Kimberly oversees the Information Technology, Facilities, Fiscal, and Human Resources departments, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight. She collaborates closely with the CEO and senior leadership to ensure the agency’s mission is fulfilled and that administrative systems support high-quality service delivery.

Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Rutgers University and a Master of Arts in Community Agency Counseling from The College of New Jersey. She was formerly a National Certified Counselor and has held certification as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) since 2005.

Her commitment to mental health and community support extends beyond her professional role. Kimberly served on the Board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Middlesex Chapter from 2009 to 2014, including time as Co-President and Treasurer. She also contributed to the United Way of Central Jersey’s September 11th Oversight Committee Mental Health Task Force, offering individual support to survivors.

With over 26 years of experience supporting children and adults with special needs, Kimberly is a recognized leader in the field. Her accolades include the IT Hero Award from NJAMHAA (2021), the Transformation Award from NJPRA (2010), and the Governor’s Housing Award for Promise House (2016). She is also an active presenter and collaborator with Rutgers University and other statewide initiatives.

Outside of work, Kimberly enjoys cooking, line dancing, and enthusiastically supporting her son at collegiate track and field events. Her passion for family, food, and movement reflects the same energy and dedication she brings to her professional life.

Amira Drake, MS LPC NCC

Regional Director

My name is Amira Drake and I am the Regional Director at Triple C Housing. I am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor for the state of New Jersey. I currently hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a dual Bachelor’s degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Psychology. I have been in the mental health field for 12 years. I have worked with many different populations throughout my career. I have worked with the DDD population. I have worked with the adolescent population. My extensive knowledge is in working with people with serious mental illness. My passion is always to help people who are in need and to create opportunities to help people integrate into the community.

Walee Jackson
SHRM-CP®, Community Scientist®

Senior HR Manager

Walee Jackson is an accomplished human resources leader and community advocate with over three decades of strategic HR and operational expertise. A SHRM-Certified Professional and globally credentialed international mobility and relocation expert, Walee brings a wealth of experience and accomplishments in employee engagement and organizational development across both corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Walee has held key leadership roles at Broadcom Inc., Providence Healthcare Diagnostics, and C&S Wholesale Grocers, where he championed workforce culture, managed large-scale HR operations, and led nationally recognized engagement initiatives. Walee is also the Vice Chairman of Jazz for Prostate Cancer Awareness®, and a passionate supporter of community-based health and wellness programming.

Walee holds executive and graduate certifications from Yale School of Management and Cornell University, respectively, and serves as a Community Scientist with the Rutgers Cancer Institute. His commitment to Triple C Housing is grounded in a mission-driven approach that emphasizes equity, service, and transformative impact.

Amongst Walee’s industry acknowledgements include:

– Selected by the Global Corporate Challenge® as the #1 Team Manager – North America, the first awardee of this recognition;
– “Healthiest Employer Recognition” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal;
– American Heart Association’s “Fit Friendly” worksite award;
– Lehigh Valley Business “Healthy Heroes” award for Corporate Achievement; and
– One year of enthusiastic and rewarding employment with Triple C

Monica Williams
RN

Compliance Officer

Monica Williams is a dynamic healthcare leader with over 16 years of experience and a proven track record in compliance, quality, and operational excellence. Prior to joining Triple C Housing as Compliance Officer, Monica served as Vice President of Administration, Quality, and Culture, where she led cross-functional teams, implemented strategic initiatives, and strengthened organizational infrastructure. A Registered Nurse by training, she has also held roles as Director of Nursing and Director of Operations, bringing a holistic perspective to regulatory compliance, grant oversight, policy development, and staff education. Monica is passionate about building ethical, transparent systems that promote accountability, improve outcomes, and uphold the dignity of those served.

Ashley Williams
MSW, LSW

Clinical Services Manager

Ashley Williams is a dedicated and skilled professional with a strong background in clinical and community support services. She began her career at Triple C Housing in 2016 as a Residential Counselor, where she quickly demonstrated a commitment to supporting individuals in need and fostering meaningful, person-centered change. Over the years, Ashley advanced through several roles within the organization, taking on increasing responsibilities and playing an integral role in enhancing consumer outcomes and quality of care.

Ashley earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Kean University, which helped shape her understanding of human behavior, social systems, and recovery-oriented care. Driven by a passion for helping others and a desire to expand her impact, she later returned to school to pursue a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. Her decision was inspired by her extensive experience in residential services, her recognition as the 2019 NJPRA Practitioner of the Year, and her commitment to broadening the range of clinical interventions and supports available to individuals receiving services.

Through hard work, leadership, and a deep understanding of clinical practices, Ashley advanced to the role of Clinical Services Manager, where she oversees staff delivering high-quality care within community support services. Her expertise, compassionate approach, and unwavering commitment to the mission of Triple C Housing continue to strengthen the quality of care and support provided to consumers, helping promote recovery, stability, and long-term success.

Ryan Wilson
MS, LPC, ACS, NCC, CPRP

Director of Clinical Systems

Ryan Wilson has been a dedicated part of the agency since 2010, beginning his career as a residential counselor and advancing through leadership roles including Program Manager, Clinical Coordinator, and Clinical Services Manager. He earned his Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Rutgers University and has a strong foundation in psychiatric rehabilitation and behavioral health services. Ryan also brings additional expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), integrating evidence-based practices into program development and clinical supervision.

As Director of Clinical Systems, Ryan combines clinical expertise with programmatic leadership to strengthen service delivery, support staff development, and ensure high-quality, person-centered care for the individuals and communities served. He is passionate about building recovery-oriented programs that promote independence, empowerment, and meaningful outcomes.

Alexx Kennedy
MS LPC NCC CPRP

Vice President of Programs

Alexx is an accomplished Vice President of Programs with a proven track record in the mental health care sector. In addition to their leadership role, Alexx supports a private practice as a part time therapist, bringing strategic, clinical and lived expertise to their work.

Alexx has honed her expertise in nonprofit leadership by expanding partnership programs, stewarding new initiatives, and employing practical crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and evidence-based treatment into practice. Alexx is recognized for her ability to design, implement, and lead programs as a change agent, driving meaningful, community-centered outcomes by cohesively pulling teams together .

A dedicated and impactful professional, Alexx holds a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rutgers University’s School of Health Professions. Alexx’s work reflects a strong commitment to advancing equitable, high-quality mental health services and strengthening communities through compassionate, effective care. Impact matters and their involvement in 3CRU cross sector collaboration, improves outcomes by way of positive psychology.

Marcus J. Kellam, MPA, MLS

Interim President & Chief Executive Officer

Marcus J. Kellam serves as Interim President & Chief Executive Officer of Triple C, providing executive leadership for the organization’s affordable housing, supportive housing, and community development initiatives throughout New Jersey. In this role, he works closely with the Board of Trustees, leadership team, staff, consumers, and community partners to advance Triple C’s mission while ensuring organizational stability, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability during a period of leadership transition.

Since joining Triple C in 2020, Marcus has served in progressively expanding leadership roles spanning community engagement, housing development, property management, facilities, strategic partnerships, and organizational operations. Prior to his appointment as Interim President & CEO, he served as Director of Community Engagement & Development, where he helped strengthen the organization’s housing portfolio, expand strategic partnerships, secure public and private investment for affordable housing initiatives, and improve operational coordination across multiple departments.

Throughout his career, Marcus has worked across the affordable housing and community development sector in executive leadership, nonprofit housing development, public housing administration, grant management, and real estate investment. His professional experience includes roles with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the Urban Affairs Coalition, and private real estate development, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of housing policy, organizational leadership, capital development, governance, and community partnerships.

Marcus has successfully secured and structured millions of dollars in public and private financing to support affordable housing development, organizational growth, and long-term asset sustainability. He is recognized for integrating housing development, portfolio operations, supportive services, financial stewardship, and strategic planning into a unified organizational approach that strengthens both mission impact and operational performance.

A frequent presenter on affordable housing, supportive housing, and community development, Marcus has contributed to industry conferences, statewide housing initiatives, academic partnerships, and federally supported learning collaboratives, including recurring presentations for SAMHSA-funded training initiatives focused on housing and behavioral health.

Marcus earned a Bachelor of Science in Geography from The Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Public Administration from Strayer University, and a Master of Legal Studies from Pepperdine University. He also completed executive education in Driving Nonprofit Performance and Innovation through Harvard Business School Executive Education.

As Triple C approaches its 50th Anniversary, Marcus is committed to working alongside the Board of Trustees, staff, consumers, and community partners to build upon the organization’s remarkable legacy while advancing Vision 2030, a strategic framework focused on expanding affordable housing opportunities, strengthening organizational sustainability, and preparing Triple C for its next generation of impact.

Advisory Board

Carleen J. Graham, Ph.D, RN

Associate Professor, School of Nursing

Dr. Carleen Graham is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Mental Health and Public Health Nursing Courses at Felician University, Lodi, New Jersey. Dr. Graham earned her Ph.D from Capella University. Dr. Graham’s research interests focuses on nursing workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing education, transitioning to teaching at advanced levels of nursing education, and interprofessional education and simulation, and the impact of covid-19 pandemic on new graduate nurses’ performance. She has over 33 years of professional clinical experience and my clinical specialties are mental health and emergency nursing. She is a past recipient of the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence Scholarship and served as a certified as a New York State Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner from 2011 to 2020. She has served as the Project Director for a HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) grant (2018 to 2020). Through her leadership and collaborative efforts, she ensured that a comprehensive program was created for underrepresented minority students (UREM) students as she enhanced the institution’s NWD opportunities. She also provided leadership in simulation for the medical and nursing students by working collaboratively with the School of Medicine on the development and implementation of an Interprofessional Education (IPE) curriculum. Through those innovative efforts, she ensured that meaningful sessions were created for the nursing and medical students in efforts to enhance the School of Nursing and the Health System’s IPE opportunities.

Honorary Members

Kenneth J. Gill, Ph.D.

Professor, Chair, Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Counseling Professions Associate Dean, Faculty Development Rutgers-School of Health Professions

Kenneth J. Gill, Ph.D., is founding Chairperson and Professor of the Rutgers Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions at Rutgers. He also serves as the Associate Dean of Faculty Development in the School of Health Professions and is co-director of Region II Mental Health Technology Transfer Center,. In his role as department chair, he oversees 50 staff and faculty, and supervises academic programs from the associate through doctoral levels. He is co-author of Psychiatric Rehabilitation (3rd ed., 2014) and People in Recovery as Providers: Building on the Wisdom of Experience (2010) and more than 70 peer reviewed articles and chapters. As a graduate of Columbia and Marquette Universities, he combines a background in measurement evaluation and statistics with his experience in psychiatric rehabilitation and academic administration to develop, implement, and evaluate, training, implementation, and dissemination projects aimed at supporting individuals with serious mental illness to live full lives in the community.

Advisory Board

Frank Greenagel

Greenagel Counseling Services, LLC

Frank Greenagel, MPAP, MSW, LCSW, LCADC, ICADC, CASAC, ACSW, CJC, CCS, is a clinical social worker who specializes in addiction & recovery treatment. He is licensed in NJ, NY, and PA. He is the Recovery Supervisor at Prevention Links and oversees the NJ Recovery High School in Roselle, NJ. He provides supervision to several social workers and peers in recovery. He also manages a large and diverse collection of interns. Frank drives up to Albany, NY, a few times a month in order to serve as the Consulting Therapist for the NY State Troopers EAP.

Frank is an adjunct professor at the Rutgers School of Social Work. He is also an instructor at the Center of Alcohol Studies. He writes a blog at greenagel.com. He conducts trainings and delivers keynote speeches around the country. He completed a Masters in Public Affairs and Politics in 2015.

Frank consults for a variety of treatment programs, universities, and law enforcement agencies. He regularly writes for a number of journals and trade websites. He is the President of the Rutgers School of Social Work Alumni Council. In 2018, the president of the NJ State Senate, Stephen Sweeney, appointed him to NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council.

Frank spent much of 2016-17 training police in NY, NJ, and PA on issues surrounding addiction and community policing for the Center of Alcohol Studies. He also trained over 1000 Corrections Officers and Therapists for the Department of Corrections in the first half of 2018.

Frank worked as the Recovery Counselor at both Rutgers New Brunswick & Newark for five years, where he oversaw recovery housing and coordinated student & alumni activities. In 2011, Rutgers won the NAADAC (National Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors) Organization Achievement Award. Rutgers is considered by many to have the strongest recovery college program in the world.

Frank served in the United States Army while studying history and English at Rutgers. He studied Shakespeare at the University of Cambridge in England, and taught English in Japan in 2003. Frank graduated with his MSW from Rutgers in 2006. He spent three years teaching English at Elizabeth High School and six years working as an outpatient counselor at Hunterdon Drug Awareness. He served on the NJ Governor’s Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse (GCADA) from 2011 to 2022 and was the Chairman of the NJ Heroin & Other Opiates Task Force. He served on the Board of Directors for Hazelden-Betty Ford from 2014 to 2017. He also served on the Board of Directors for NASW-NJ from 2018 to 2020.

In 2014, 10 years after he was granted an honorable discharge from his first contract with the Army, Frank was directly commissioned into the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a First Lieutenant. He helps soldiers that have experienced PTSD, substance abuse issues and tries to point them all in a positive direction. He served in Poland with the 3-278 Cavalry during the last four months of 2019. His last drill was in the spring of 2022.

Frank is an passionate sports fan who ardently follows the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is also an avid traveler, having been to six continents, 40 countries, 47 states and 44 baseball stadiums (every current MLB park and 13 that have since closed). Frank has run two marathons. During the spring and summer, he spends several hours each week on his flower garden. A true Anglophile, he’s played croquet since childhood. He has visited every major Civil War battlefield. He is a prolific reader of comics, drama and history. He has written three books, including a play about his time in the Army.

Frank is a near-obsessive hiker and Catskill 3500 club member #2998 (Winter #1340). He became an Adirondack 46er (#13,778) in October of 2021 and completed his Winter 46 in January of 2023. He finished the 48 White mountains in New Hampshire in October of 2022.

Frank climbed Mt. Fuji while living in Japan in 2003. He is proud to have achieved the summit of Mt. Washington in January of 2017 (crazily, it was his first winter hike). In March of 2018, he summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in a blizzard with a NY State Trooper. He climbed Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kosciuszko in 2019. He hiked the Northville Lake Placid Trail in 2020 and the Wonderland Trail in 2021. Frank achieved the summit of Mt. Rainier in August of 2022. He climbed Volcan Baru (Panama) in 2021 and Cerro Chirripo in 2023. He completed the W in Patagonia in February of 2023. Frank has taken hundreds of students, clients, soldiers, veterans, friends and family members on hikes.

Leslie Stivale
MA, CPRP

President/Chief Executive Officer

Leslie Stivale is the President/CEO of Triple C Housing, Inc., a non-profit community housing development organization (CHDO) and supportive services provider. As a vision driven, results oriented leader, Leslie has expanded Triple C’s supportive housing portfolio, leveraging multiple funding sources to develop high quality, affordable housing and provide supportive services for formerly homeless individuals, families and veterans.

Leslie possesses thirty five years of experience in behavioral health, human services, supportive housing and affordable housing development having worked within the private and non-profit sectors in senior and executive management. She holds a master’s degree from Montclair State University, a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, a certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from Rutgers Business School, and is a certified psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner (CPRP).

Leslie works closely with local, regional and state initiatives, and presents at national, state and local conferences with a focus on the social determinants of health and housing security. For over a decade, she served as the chair of the Camp Kilmer Collaborative to facilitate the Army Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) to build affordable and supportive housing opportunities to serve homeless families and veterans at the former military base. Leslie served in multiple capacities to facilitate the creation of the legally binding agreement and land transfer for affordable housing, working with Edison Township, the US Department of Defense, and the US Housing and Urban Development.

Among receiving numerous awards and recognition, in 2010, Leslie was appointed to the NJ Interagency Council for Preventing and Reducing Homelessness. In 2017, Triple C was awarded the Governor’s Excellence Award in Supportive Housing, and in the same year, Leslie was presented with the prestigious Mort Gati award by the NJ Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (NJPRA). Most recently, Leslie was recognized by the Supportive Housing Association of NJ with the Innovative Leadership Award.

Leslie is the chair of the board of directors of the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ, board member of the Edison Affordable Housing Commission, and past president of NJPRA.

lstivale@triplechousing.org

Advisory Board

Susanne Rainier

Retired Bureau Director, DMHAS

Susanne Rainier earned a MSW at Rutgers, then worked in the behavioral health field for over 35 years. She held various positions with the NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services overseeing community mental health and substance use services. Now retired, she enjoys volunteering to make New Jersey a welcoming place to live for residents from all walks of life.

Vice Chair

Anne B. Carrasco Quintana

Real Estate Attorney

Anne graduated from Rutgers School of Law – Newark with her Juris Doctorate and was admitted to the practice of law in New Jersey in 2009 and the New York in 2010.

Since graduating, Anne has worked at AmLaw100 firms, a large regional firm, and a Fortune 500 corporation. Over the years she represented large institutional clients in complex commercial litigation in Federal and State court cases, including labor, employment, mass/toxic tort cases, environmental law, judgment enforcement, mortgage loan servicing, foreclosure process management, RESPA, TILA, FRCA, and FDCPA claims.

Inspired by the strong women entrepreneurs in her family and seeing the need for attorney services that are collaborative and compassionate, Anne shifted her focus to helping individuals, families, and entrepreneurs achieve their personal and business goals.

Anne’s practice area focuses are real estate, trust and estates, and small business law.

Anne is passionate about empowering individuals, families, and entrepreneurs to build and protect their legacies and achieve their dreams by making the legal process less intimidating.

Advisory Board

Kristen Gilmore Powell
Ph.D., MSW, LSW

Associate Research Professor, School of Social Work
Associate Director, Center for Prevention Science
Director, Northeast & Caribbean Prevention Technology Transfer Center

Dr. Kristen Gilmore Powell is an Associate Research Professor with the Rutgers University School of Social Work and Associate Director of the Center for Prevention Science. She is also the Director of the Northeast and Caribbean Prevention Technology Transfer Center. Dr. Powell earned her Ph.D. from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Social Work, in 2013. Dr. Powell’s scholarship is focused on building the capacity of community-based organizations to mobilize, intervene, create systemic change, and, consequently, overcome social problems through effective prevention approaches within an empowerment framework. She has conducted research on community-level interventions, collaborations, coalition effectiveness, and prevention science for nearly 15 years. Her work is grounded in empowerment theory, team science, and models that help enhance the prevention workforce in their efforts to create community change that supports individuals to towards wellness and health. Dr. Powell currently serves as Principal Investigator and Investigator on multiple externally funded research projects. Much of this work focuses on how individual and environmental strategies can prevent the harmful consequences of substance use, particularly in communities identified with high need and existing health disparities.

Advisory Board

Alison Recca-Ryan
MSW, LCSW

Independent Consultant

Alison Recca-Ryan, Principal at Double R Consulting , a consulting and training firm focused on solutions to ending homelessness, since 2014. She has been providing consulting and training services on innovative housing and services strategies to organizations for over 30 years. Her work is grounded in practice having direct experience developing and or operating service enriched housing and implementing systems changes. Her expertise includes US HUD programs, affordable housing financing, supportive housing services and property management.

Prior to the development of Double R Consulting, Ms Recca-Ryan served as the Director of the NJ and Washington DC offices of CSH for 14 years, the Vice President of Behavioral Health at Easter Seal NJ for 13 years and Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of New Jersey.

Trustee

Bashir Jordan
MSW

School Social Worker
Plainfield High School

Bashir Jordan is a Social Worker with over 12 years of experience working with youth, adults, and families in residential, outpatient, inpatient, school and community settings.

Mr. Jordan obtained both his undergraduate and master’s level degrees from Rutgers University. Mr. Jordan has obtained his Master of Social Work degree and is a Certified School Social Worker for New Jersey Public Schools, and also highly trained in crisis intervention and trauma informed practices.

Mr. Jordan has experience working with children/adolescents who experience trauma, behavioral, and/or mental health challenges, and has worked with adults dealing with the impact of psychiatric and addictive illnesses.

Mr. Jordan is a member of New Jersey Association of School Social Workers and the Triple C Housing Advisory Board. Mr. Jordan enjoys traveling, visiting different sports stadiums, working out and spending time with his family.

Trustee

Emmy Tiderington
PhD, MSW, LMSW

Assistant Professor
Rutgers University
School of Social Work

Emmy Tiderington, PhD, LMSW, is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Associate Faculty at the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research at Rutgers. Prior to this appointment, she served as a clinical supervisor and social worker working in housing and case management programs for individuals with serious mental illness and other complex needs. Dr. Tiderington’s areas of expertise in homeless services research include the implementation and effectiveness of permanent supportive housing, Housing First and Moving On initiative service models, best practices for facilitating transitions out of homeless services, and mental health and substance abuse recovery in homeless populations.

Treasurer

Matthew Mayo
MSW

Program Coordinator
Institute for Families, Rutgers University

Matthew is a 2014 MSW graduate of the Rutgers School of Social Work with a concentration in Management and Policy. He began working with the Institute for Families as a second-year intern with service providers and consumers utilizing funding from the Ryan White Care Act and the Sandy Child and Family Health Study through the Office of Research and Evaluation. Currently, Matthew serves as a Program Coordinator for Grow NJ Kids Training Services at the School of Social Work. Matthew serves the community as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties; and as the fundraising chair for its Leadership Council.

Emeritus

William Waldman
MSW

Lecturer and Executive in Residence
Rutgers University
School of Social Work
Former Commissioner of New Jersey
Dept. of Human Services

Mr. Waldman is Professor of Professional Practice Emeritus at Rutgers University School of Social Work. He served as Professor of Professional Practice at the School since January, 2001. From July 1998 to December, 2000 he was the Executive Director of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) in Washington, DC. APHSA is a non-profit organization whose members include the health and human service agencies in the 50 states, as well as many agencies in counties, municipalities and US territories. Its purpose is to develop, promote and assist its members in the implementation of sound public human services policies.

Mr. Waldman was employed by the State of New Jersey from July 1987 to June 1998 during which time he served as a Director of the Division of Youth and Family Services – the state’s child welfare agency, as Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services and as Commissioner of the Department and a member of the cabinet for three Governors of New Jersey.

The Department of Human Services is the largest public agency in New Jersey and his responsibilities included administering a $7 billion budget, managing a workforce of 19,000 employees and serving over one million residents of the state. The Department encompassed seven (7) operating divisions which included the Medicaid program, services to the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, the child welfare program, all public welfare programs as well as services to the blind and visually impaired and the deaf and hard of hearing. He also had responsibility for eighteen (18) institutions including psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, children’s residential facilities and a residential program for the blind.

From May of 1975 until July of 1987 Mr. Waldman directed the Middlesex County, New Jersey Department of Human Services. In this capacity he was responsible for the administration of numerous county- based human services programs, managed a staff of sixty-five (65) employees, and administered a budget in the amount of $8 million.

Mr. Waldman was employed from October of 1965 to May of 1975 with the Essex County Welfare Board in Newark, New Jersey. He began as a caseworker and advanced through a series of progressively responsible supervisory and administrative positions including the administration of the County’s food stamp and employment and training programs.

Mr. Waldman has been the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career, serves on various boards of directors of community agencies, has made numerous presentations at professional conferences, the New Jersey Legislature, the US Congress, foundations and business and industry groups; and, consulted for both government and private agencies.

Chair

Jorge Cruz

Executive Director of LISC New Jersey

Jorge Cruz is the executive director of LISC New Jersey, overseeing a longstanding community investment program that has directed over $169 million to support economic opportunity in New Jersey. With a background deeply rooted in impact investing and community development, Jorge previously served as Vice President at Citizens Bank, focusing on financial services for underbanked communities and leading their Community Reinvestment Act strategies. His extensive career spans nearly three decades, including roles as chief external affairs officer for New Jersey Community Capital and executive director of Garden State Episcopal CDC. During his tenure at LISC, Jorge managed annual commitments exceeding $22 million, pioneering initiatives such as the New Jersey CDFI Capital Growth Fund and LISC’s Entrepreneurs of Color Fund.

He also played a key role in establishing the New Jersey Child Care & Early Learning Fund and expanding LISC’s Financial Opportunity Center model across new communities. Outside of work, Jorge actively contributes to local organizations, serving on boards including Triple C Housing and La Casa de Don Pedro. He volunteers on advisory councils such as the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and the Jegna Advisory Council for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Jorge holds a B.S. in sociology from the College of New Jersey and resides in North Brunswick with his wife, Ivonne, and their son, Sammy.

Secretary

Robin Stephenson

Peer Support Specialist

I worked in the mental health field for twenty or thirty years, first as a patient/client and then as a professional. I served in The Skills Building Unit of the habilitation center called “The Club”, on New Street in New Brunswick where I worked in The Skills Building Unit as a prevocational counselor in preparation to transition club members into paid positions within the community. I supervised club members in the care and maintenance of the facility, and conducted a Current Events Group.

I, also, worked in Laurel House under Tom Malamud on Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick as Director of Membership Support Services. I was in charge of encouraging Members in the care and maintenance of the facility and grounds, and often, I was responsible for a daily lunch program, supervising grocery shopping, cooking, and cleanup. I’ve served as a trustee on The Board of Triple C Housing for many years and I am currently Secretary on The Executive Committee.

Deaf Awareness Month: Building Housing That Supports Connection and Choice

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