The People Behind the Support: National Social Work Month

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

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 – Southern Region

My name is Amira Drake, and I am currently the Regional Director for the southern region for Triple C Housing. I am licensed by that state of New Jersey as a Licensed Professional Counselor as of July 2024 . I have my Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track from Rutgers University. I also have a Dual Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Psychology from Georgian Court and Rutgers University. I have 10 plus years of experience in the mental health field. I have a passion for wanting to help consumers with serious mental illness and/or substance use achieve their goals and provide any necessary help to aid them on their recovery journey. With my years of experience in the mental health field, I have worked with many different populations which has strengthened my skills as a clinician. I have experience supervising many individuals in different parts of their journey in becoming clinicians. Being a supervisor has been an amazing experience for me as I am able to aid while also learning from those that I supervise.

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 services. Starting her career at Triple C Housing as a Residential Counselor, Ashley quickly demonstrated a commitment to supporting individuals in need and fostering positive change. Over the years, she steadily advanced through the organization, taking on increasing responsibilities and playing an integral role in enhancing client outcomes.

Driven by a passion for helping others and a desire to expand her impact, Ashley returned to school to pursue a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University. This decision was inspired by her extensive experience in residential services, her recognition as the 2019 NJPRA Practitioner of the Year, and her commitment to enhancing support for individuals through a broader range of clinical interventions.

Through hard work, leadership, and a deep understanding of clinical practices, Ashley reached the role of Clinical Services Manager, where she now oversees the staff that deliver high-quality care to individuals in community support services. Ashley’s expertise, compassionate approach, and unwavering commitment to the mission of Triple C Housing continue to enhance the quality of care and support provided to consumers, ensuring a positive impact on their lives and long-term success.

Ryan Wilson
MS, LPC, NCC, CPRP

VP of Programs

Ryan Wilson has been a dedicated part of the agency since 2010, starting as a residential counselor and working his way through roles like Program Manager, Clinical Coordinator, and Clinical Services Manager. Now, as Vice President of Programs, he’s committed to ensuring quality care and supporting both staff and clients. With years of hands-on experience and leadership in mental health services, Ryan is passionate about making a meaningful impact in the community.

Alexx Kennedy
MS, LAC, NCC, CPRP

VP of Programs

With 15 years of experience in the mental health field, I currently serve as the Vice President of Programs at Triple C Housing. My journey with Triple C began in 2010 as an intern with UMDNJ-SHP, working with the Supportive Housing team. Over the years, I have gained experience across every services department, holding roles such as Senior Residential Counselor, Community Support Specialist (CSS), Services Coordinator, and Clinical Coordinator, before stepping into my current leadership position.

I am a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) with a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling – Clinical Mental Health track. Additionally, I hold credentials as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP). Beyond my role at Triple C Housing, I also work part-time as a private practice therapist.

I am an empathetic yet strong advocate for our consumers, committed to ensuring they receive the highest quality services that promote safety, happiness, stability, and independence while empowering them to live stigma-free lives. My passion lies in breaking down barriers to mental health care, housing, and essential support services, ensuring that marginalized individuals have the resources they need to thrive. In addition to overseeing service operations, I actively collaborate with our Development Team to build and strengthen external partnerships, expanding access to critical supportive services for those in need of low-income and permanent supportive housing. Through strategic initiatives and community-driven efforts, I strive to create a system that fosters long-term stability, inclusion, and self-sufficiency for the individuals and families we serve.

Marcus J. Kellam
MPA, MLS

Director of Community Engagement & Development

Marcus J. Kellam joined Triple C Housing, Inc. in June of 2020 and serves as the Director of Community Engagement and Development. He is responsible for the management and maintenance of Triple C’s 26 property portfolio, as well as the expansion of the portfolio. Prior to joining the agency, he served as a Project Manager for the Urban Affairs Coalition, a fiscal sponsor for non-profits in the Greater Philadelphia area, and the Special Assistant to the President and CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Marcus is a stanch supporter of affordable housing, utilizing a slightly broader definition of the term, and is truly passionate about helping other people, which was engrained in him on his road to becoming an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

Marcus obtained his Bachelor of Science in Geography from The Pennsylvania State University, Master’s in Public Administration from Strayer University, and his Master’s in Legal Studies from Pepperdine University. Outside of work you will find him spending time with his family, volunteering through two fraternities of which he is a member, and spending time outdoors.

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.

Chair

Anne B. Carrasco Quintana

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.

Family 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

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.

Vice Chair

Jorge Cruz

Vice President for Community Development-NJ Market
Citizens Bank

Jorge joins the growing Citizens Bank team to lead the growth and impact of the Bank’s community development platform throughout Citizens’ New Jersey footprint. Jorge brings nearly 30 years of extensive executive-level experience in defining, developing and leading strategic community development finance, grant-making, capital-raise and impact investment activity, particularly in developing and driving economic, racial and educational equity strategies in numerous low-income communities and with vulnerable populations. In this most recent role as LISC-New Jersey’s fourth Executive Director (the local arm of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and one of the 39 field offices operating within LISC’s national structure), Jorge led the annualized deployment of a combined $22MM in grants, loans, and investments into numerous markets.

Prior to joining LISC, Jorge served as New Jersey Community Capital’s first ever Chief External Affairs Officer. As a member of the executive team, Jorge led the capital-raise and management process for an estimated $30MM in diverse forms of grant, investment and equity capital on an annual basis for New Jersey’s largest CDFI.

Jorge’s work history also includes serving as Chief Strategy Officer for Jewish Renaissance (JR), a Middlesex County-based, multi-purpose nonprofit who currently serves nearly 30,000 low-income households. In his 11 years, Jorge was instrumental in building JR’s capacity nearly threefold. His prior work experience also includes serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation (now known as the Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corporation), one of Jersey City’s largest affordable housing developers and social service providers; and President of The Bruno Group (TBG), a public/non-profit sector management consulting firm for municipal, county and state government, non-profit agencies, public school systems, and corporations.

Jorge is a frequent speaker, coach and trainer on wide range of topics in nonprofit and public sector management. He serves on several boards and commissions, including as a Board member of the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits; and Triple C Housing, one of the State’s largest supportive housing developers. His thought leadership includes serving as a Steering Committee member of the “Doing Better Good Advisory Council”, a collaboration of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits – a joint effort to form a Trust-based Philanthropy platform formed and led by philanthropy and nonprofit leaders working together. Jorge has also been appointed to nine-member “Jegna Council”, a working group formed by the New Jersey office of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Council’s main purpose is to guide the grantmaking priorities of the NJ office within the three pillars of housing; maternal and child health; and public health infrastructure.

He has been the recipient of numerous awards & recognition.

Originally from Perth Amboy, NJ, Jorge lives in North Brunswick with his wife, Ivonne, and their 21-year-old 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.

The People Behind the Support: National Social Work Month

Recent Posts