The Center for Family Support is grateful that our commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive workplace is reflected in the leadership of our organization.
Alicia McGrath
Chief Executive Officer
Alicia McGrath began as Chief Executive Office of The Center for Family Support in 2023. Alicia has over 25 years of experience working in Social Service organizations. Prior to returning to CFS – where she worked as Assistant Executive Director until 2020 – she served as Executive Vice President of Mission Programs at Goodwill NY-NJ. She is a graduate of SUNY Empire State College, where she holds a BS in Public Affairs, Masters in Community Economic Development, and MBA. She is the Founder and Board President of 100 Hispanic Women Long Island and is a Board Member at the Better Business Bureau Foundation, Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities, and NYSID New York State Industries for the Disabled.
Linda Schellenberg
Chief Program Officer
Linda Schellenberg is the Chief Program Officer for New York and New Jersey Programs. She is responsible for all Residential, Community, and Self-Directed Program Services. She began working for The Center for Family Support in 2000. Linda is an LMSW and has a Master’s in Social Work from Stony Brook University. She began working in this field in 1995 as a Direct Support Professional. Linda is a leader in the field of self-directed and individualized services.
Sophia Okeke
Chief People and Culture Officer
Sophia became CFS’ first Chief People and Culture Officer (CPCO) in early 2025. As CPCO, she is a strategic leader, reimagining CFS’s people function, culture, structure, and policies. Sophia is an accomplished HR leader with 15 years of experience in building and managing HR teams within Human Services Organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and the United States. Most recently, she served as the Deputy for Human Resources at Cayuga Centers, a child services agency that supports children and families with intellectual disabilities, among other initiatives. Sophia holds a Master’s Degree in HR Management from Pace University, a Master of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Goldsmiths College, London, and a BA in Media Production from the University of Lincoln, England.
Radhina Hernandez
Chief Compliance Officer/Director of QA & Risk Management
Radhina Hernandez joined CFS in 2003 as a Residential Habilitation Supervisor. In 2005, Radhina transitioned into the Quality Assurance department and is now the Corporate Compliance Officer and HIPAA Privacy Officer. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree from Pennsylvania State University and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from MCNY.
Jim Noriega
Chief Technology Officer & HIPAA Security Officer
Jim Noriega is the Chief Technology Officer and HIPAA Security Officer for The Center for Family Support. Upon joining CFS in late 2008, he quickly worked to upgrade and enhance the agency’s IT infrastructure. Jim holds a Master’s Degree in Education and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. Jim is a member of the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board for the City of Yonkers and volunteers at his local church as lector and youth minister. Jim is a proud Persian Gulf War Veteran of the United States Army.
Diana Collins
Director of Community Services, NY
Diana Collins is the Director of Community Services overseeing Community Habilitation, Day Habilitation, Supported Employment and Housing Subsidy programs. Diana began her career with The Center for Family Support as a DSP in 1995. During her tenure at CFS, Diana has worked in a number of capacities, including supporting individuals in the MSC department for 18 years. Diana’s focus is to always provide support to the individuals from a person first perspective, prioritizing empathy and care at the forefront of all that she does.
Joanne Cropper
Senior Director of Training and Development
Joanne Cropper is the Director of Staff Development and Quality Improvement. Originally from England she began her career at a summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities. She started working with CFS in the residential department and has worked in several departments during her time with CFS. Joanne is an advocate for DSPs receiving the training they need to provide quality services to the people they support. She also oversees the CQL accreditation, ensure we are delivering on our mission to deliver person-centered support.
Nadine Daley
VP of Organizational Engagement, Innovation, and Advocacy
Nadine started at CFS in June 2007 as a residence manager in Staten Island. Today, she is CFS’ first VP of Organizational Engagement, Innovation, and Advocacy. As Nadine has encountered more and more of the individuals we work with, she felt that there was an opportunity for her: to touch the world. Nadine is a Board Member of The New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation (NY Alliance). She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Business and Leadership from the CUNY Graduate School of Professional Studies.
Gavin Gear
Director of Day Programs, New Jersey
As the Director of Day Programs in New Jersey Gavin directly oversees our Behavior Support team, Supported Employment Team and all Day Service locations in NJ. Gavin has over 30 years of experience in the ID/DD field having been a DSP, a group home manager, job developer, and behavioral consultant; he has also served in multiple administrative roles. For Gavin, everyday is an opportunity to enact positive change and enhance the lives of the people we serve as active members of their community.
Tranet Hymon
Director of New York Residential Services
Tranet Hymon has over 3 decades of experience working with Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Tranet Hymon joined CFS in 2003 as a Day Habilitation Supervisor. In 2004, Tranet transitioned into the Residential Department, she has held several roles in the department each with more responsibility. Tranet is passionate about supporting her staff to enhance their strengths and creating a culture where the people supported live a life that is meaningful to them.
Jennipher Solis-Paniagua
Director of Self-Direction
Jennipher for nearly two decades has served families in communities like that of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Jennipher holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree with a dual major in Psychology, Sociology and a minor in Women’s Studies. Jennipher’s been working in hands-on roles at CFS since 2009, in the Traumatic Brain Injury department and as Clinical Supervisor in both community and residential programs. In her role within Self-Directed Services, Jennipher is grateful for the amazing individuals and families she has had the chance to work with. Jennipher says she is blessed to work with “a wonderful team of professionals that share the same passion and vision” as her. And though she “lives and breathes CFS” as she says, she is blessed with a supportive husband and three beautiful children. To Jennipher family and unity is important and valuable “as that impacts how we serve our communities professionally and personally.”
Ted Traver
Director of Development
Ted joined the Center for Family Support in 2021. He has supported the fundraising and communications efforts of non-profits since 2009, including working at human services organizations since 2014. Throughout his time in the field, Ted has raised millions in support of vulnerable individuals and helped advance causes including environmental protect and college affordability. Ted received his Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) accreditation in 2019.
Sharon Albright
Assistant Director, Residential Services
Sharon Albright has been with The Center for Family Support since 2009. She has dedicated over 20 years assisting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Sharon is committed to seeing the Individuals thrive and achieve their greatest potential.
Yiranny Almonte
Program Director, Respite and Home Care and FSS Programs
Yiranny works on an array of different community programs, with what she describes as a “wonderful team of supervisors”. She oversees: Parent Training for Queens and Bronx; In Home Training for Queens; Service Coordination for Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island; and Family Reimbursement. She and her team provide exceptional services to all families with a developmentally disabled loved one.
Valerie Bowen-Townes
Assistant Director of New Jersey Residential Services
Valerie began working with CFS in 1998, starting as a group home manager. Over the years, Valerie has been a Crisis Intervention Trainer, Self-Advocacy Facilitator, and New Orientation Instructor. She has been Assistant Director of Residential Services since 2015. She loves providing quality service to people with intellectual disabilities and is grateful CFS and to the people that we serve for the opportunity.
Marilyn Bristol Mentore
Assistant Director of New Jersey Residential Services
Marilyn began her career with CFS in 2004 as a Direct Support Professional at our Elmwood Park residence. She was quickly promoted to residence manager at Lincoln Park, and became Assistant Director in 2010.
Karene Griffith
Assistant Director of Residential Services
Karene began working with CFS in 2009, starting as a Direct Support Professional who was new to the field. Over the years, Karene has held several positions within the residential department of CFS. She has been an Assistant Director of Residential Services since 2014 and is also an integral support in the nursing department. Karene feels she has learned as much as she as taught while providing service and support to the individuals under her care. She believes through her efforts each individual has a more meaningful life, evidenced by their growth and accomplishments while they strive toward their futures.
