Hillside, one of the country’s oldest continuously operating child-and-family services agencies, has announced that (pictured above, from left) Liz Roaldsen, Dr. Deborah C. Stamps and Carol Tegas have joined the agency’s Board of Governors in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.

Liz Roaldsen has served since 2023 as senior vice president of operations and customer experience at Paychex, where she oversees 6,000 employees serving the needs of 800,000 business customers. Prior to her current role, her three decades of financial leadership experience most recently included serving as head of enterprise business services at HSBC. where she was responsible for operations including global client service, credit and lending, and frontline tools to support clients across segments and channels; and as executive vice president and head of global operations at State Street Corporation in Boston. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Ms. Roaldsen holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a BA in Accounting from Belmont Abbey College. She has served on the non-profit boards of Year Up, Cradles to Crayons, and Hope and Comfort.

Deborah Stamps, EdD, MBA, MS, RN, GNP, NE-BC, CDE®, FADLN, FAAN, has almost 40 years of progressive healthcare leadership and is an internationally recognized authority on workforce development, diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, nursing education, and leadership. She is founder and chief executive officer of Deborah Stamps Consulting, LLC, and previously served in an array of nursing and leadership roles at Rochester Regional Health including Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Diversity Officer and founding president of the Rochester General College of Health Careers. Dr. Stamps is a 2023 Academy of Nursing Fellow, the recipient of the Center for Nursing NY’s Veronica M. Driscoll Award, and a 2024 inaugural Fellow in the National Black Nurses Association’s Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing. Dr. Stamps has held board positions at the YWCA, Planned Parenthood, St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, and the International Collaboration for Community Health Nursing Research. Her educational experience includes an AAS degree in Nursing from Monroe Community College, a BSN degree from SUNY College at Brockport, MS and the Gerontological Nursing Practitioner at Nazareth University, an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology, and an EdD from St. John Fisher University.

Carol Tegas is CEO of the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System, which collaborates with clinical and community organizations on areas including Medicaid redesign, healthcare system transformation, and improving health outcomes. As CEO, she also operates its Workforce Investment Organization, with a newly launched $118M NYS Career Pathways Training Program, while also administering the NYS-designated Greater Rochester Health Home Network. She has more than 35 years of experience in healthcare and non-profit strategic planning and governance, including most recently serving as executive director of Rochester Community IPA, a network of over 3,000 physicians and providers. Ms. Tegas holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. John Fisher College, and past credentials as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor. She currently is on the boards of the NorthStar Network Healthcare Business Academy Board of Advisors, the Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, Ronald McDonald House and the Council of Agency Executives.

“The contributions of our Board of Governors are critical to Hillside’s long-term strategic direction,” said Maria Cristalli, Hillside President and Chief Executive Officer. “We’re privileged to add the talents and perspectives of these accomplished professionals to our Board, where they will provide support to Hillside’s mission of service to youth, adults and families.”

Hillside’s Board leadership for the agency’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, will include James C. Haefner, Chair; Caroline A. Critchlow, EdD, Vice Chair; Christopher B. Eckert, Treasurer; Anne L. Komanecky, Secretary; and Jill Knittel, Past Chair.

Hillside staff, leaders, Board of Governors members and community partners came together last night for agency’s 188th Annual Meeting, a heartfelt and fun evening that looked back on a successful year, celebrated our people who made that year happen, and looked to an exciting future.

One highlight of the night was the presentation of the Chair’s Award to Jerry Ippolito, Director of Property, Food Services and Safety & Security. A 15-year Hillside veteran, Jerry used his speech to accept the award on behalf of all of Hillside — our program and support staff, our donors, our community partners and especially the youth, adults and families we serve.

Other highlights included:

• A stirring invocation and blessing by Christine Wagner, SSJ, who spoke of Hillside’s earliest days and the agency’s connections to the Rochester Female Charitable Society and other noteworthy community organizations;
• A family perspective delivered by Amanda Marie, who described the journey she experienced with her young daughter Emma — who joined Amanda for the evening — a journey that led to Amanda joining Hillside as a Family Peer Advocate;
• Remarks by Hillside President & CEO Maria Cristalli that described exciting progress in new community-based programs, the latest updates around the major transformation project in the works at our Crestwood Campus, and the 25th anniversary of our Developmental Opportunities Services program;
• Appearances by past Hillside leaders Dennis Richardson. former President & CEO; and Clyde Comstock, former Chief Operating Officer;
• and a sampling from the Stories of Hillside campaign, which has garnered nearly 6 million video views in social media since the campaign’s launch in July 2024.

Join Our Team! Hillside is hiring in all the regions we serve. To find an opportunity that matches your skills and interests, visit Hillside.com/careers today.

For the fourth consecutive year, Hillside leaders are among those named to the Rochester Business Journal Power 100 list of “people who are working to make an impact in Rochester” in 2025.

Hillside President & CEO Maria Cristalli and Heidi Schult Gregory, the agency’s Legal Advisor, are included in the 2025 list, as is Michael Stapleton, a member of Hillside’s Board of Governors and CEO of UR Medicine Thompson Health.

Ben Jacobs, RBJ Associate Publisher and Editor, praised the contributions and impact of the community’s “power players” represented in the Power 100.

“We are optimistic that the people and organizations listed here will play a large role in helping Rochester continue to move forward and grow into the best community it can be,” Jacobs said.

Hillside congratulates our honorees, and all the deserving recipients of this annual recognition!

Community support keeps Hillside Strong. Please donate today and support our mission. Thank you!

Hillside, one of the largest child-and-family-services organizations in the eastern United States, has increased the agency’s minimum pay to $18.00 per hour.

With annual raises totaling a 44 percent increase in minimum pay since 2021, Hillside remains committed to ensuring that compensation for the agency’s 1,600-member workforce reflects their hard work, expertise, and community impact.

“Because our revenues are tied to rates set by our funders, Hillside’s compensation journey must be gradual and ongoing,” said Maria Cristalli, President & CEO. “But we’re passionate in our commitment to investing in our employees, and we’ll keep advocating for increased funding, while working to improve pay and benefits each year.”

In addition to base pay, Hillside benefits include generous paid time off and 10 paid holidays annually; healthcare coverage that includes such benefits as medical, dental and vision; Flexible Spending Accounts; a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match; and more.

Hillside employees work in locations across Central and Western New York state, and in Prince George’s County, Maryland, in a broad range of service areas including direct care, clinical and education. The agency’s residential treatment and community-based programs support the needs of nearly 9,000 children, adults and families every year.

Hillside is hiring for a wide range of positions in all service locations. For more information, visit www.hillside.com/careers.

Eric Sterling, a teacher at the Andrews-Trahey School on Hillside’s Monroe Campus, was honored in February with the coveted Golden Apple Award by Rochester’s WROC-TV news team. The award, presented weekly, salutes excellence in the region’s teaching community.

An 18-year Hillside veteran who teaches mathematics to students in grades 4 through 12, Sterling was surprised by a February 4 visit from WROC to his classroom that had been arranged in advance once his nomination had been selected. In remarks to the news crew, he praised the “family environment” that makes being a Hillside teacher so enjoyable. He said the best parts of his job are “getting to know the students and building relationships,” and he thanked his students and colleagues “for making Hillside such a great place to be.”

Sterling’s Golden Apple nomination, prepared by his colleagues, described him as “an experienced educator, a life-long learner, and a team player. His knowledge of elementary and secondary education, curriculum, childhood development, learning characteristics of children and educational disabilities make him an asset to our school.”

The nomination continued: “Eric has dedicated endless hours outside of school to meet with and mentor less tenured staff. He creates engaging content to help students prepare and feel confident about the work they are doing and shares that work with his peers. Eric has always been able to differentiate his instruction and create learning opportunities to engage all students academically and socially.

“Eric is a professional who takes the time to listen, evaluate, and brainstorm. He is collaborative and has demonstrated this through his work with teachers, staff and students.”

Hillside’s array of services include five 853 schools that each deliver a NYSED-certified curriculum for youth in residential or day-treatment settings. In addition to the Andrews-Trahey School on the Monroe Campus in Rochester, Hillside schools are located on the agency’s other residential campuses in Chili, Bath and Auburn; and at the Halpern Education Center, a day-treatment site in Webster.

As part of an unprecedented act of generosity, entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Golisano today presented Hillside with a gift of $5 million in unrestricted funds.

At a morning ceremony held at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in Rochester, Golisano announced Hillside’s award as part of a $360 million combined gift to 82 organizations in Western and Central New York.

“I’m thrilled to provide support to the Upstate New York community, to the region where I built my life and my business.” said Mr. Golisano. “I know that there are many organizations doing great work and understand that running a nonprofit is not easy, facing both opportunities and challenges, like raising money. These awards are the result of relationships I’ve formed over the years. I am impressed with these organizations’ dedication and innovation. It is extremely rewarding to see what they have been able to accomplish with my financial support over the years. I hope this unexpected, unrestricted funding helps them build on their successes and broaden their impact.”

“All of Hillside is deeply grateful for this transformational gift,” said Maria Cristalli, Hillside President & Chief Executive Officer, adding that the award serves as “a profound testament to the impact of the work undertaken our staff every day, in collaboration with the youth, adults and families we serve.”

Founded in 1837, Hillside provides community-based services, education, and residential treatment to positively impact lives, in partnership with youth and families who have experienced trauma. In 2023, the agency provided services to nearly 9,000 youth, adults and families throughout Western and Central New York, as well as in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

An opinion piece by Hillside President & CEO Maria Cristalli was published last week in New York Nonprofit Media, a leading statewide media outlet highlighting critical issues related to not-for-profit organizations. The article, “The crisis in New York’s child welfare system must be addressed,” identifies the urgent need for increased support of child welfare services in communities statewide.

Cristalli’s message calls for increased funding for additional beds in residential treatment facilities, as well as a multi-pronged strategy that includes expanded levels of care; increased training for staff to deal with the most severe cases; a renewal of community partnerships involving communities, local organizations, and state authorities; and greater coordination with healthcare systems, to provide early detection and diagnosis that can enhance preventive measures.

“It’s time to reevaluate and recalibrate our approach, ensuring that all children—regardless of the complexity of their needs—receive the care they deserve,” Cristalli wrote. “The time for action is now. Our children can’t wait.”

Hillside, one of the largest and most programmatically diverse child-and-family-services agencies in the United States, provides a broad array of residential treatment, community-based and educational services to nearly 9,000 youth, adults and families every year. The agency is a leading voice in local and state advocacy for child welfare services.

Community support keeps #HillsideStrong. Make a donation to Hillside today.

An Open House event on Thursday, October 26, officially launched Hillside’s new Family Opportunity Center at the Hillside offices located 215 Wyoming Street, Syracuse 13204.

The Family Opportunity Center (FOC) is a site-based, drop-in program where enrolled families can benefit from supports including a wide range of parent education resources; short-term, on-site mental health counseling; and informed guidance on accessing supplemental services in the community. Children are always welcome at the Center, with play and homework spaces available with parental supervision.

Eligibility is open to caregivers of children up to 21 years of age, regardless of insurance status. There is no charge for these services, which are funded by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

Among those present at the Syracuse Open House event were Elizabeth Nolan, Hillside Chief Operating Officer; Jean Galle, Hillside Vice President for Community-Based and Developmental Opportunities Services; Kim Kromer Murphy, FOC Program Manager; and Charlene Griffin, Program Manager for the OCFS Bureau of Program and Community Development.

“Parents and families can face challenges caused by a wide range of behavioral, social, mental health and even economic factors, and addressing those challenges early helps prevent them from becoming more serious,” Galle said. “The Family Opportunity Center is an important interventional resource that will provide essential supports for families in need. We’re excited to bring this to the community, as another way of helping families heal and thrive.”

Once enrolled in the program, families can drop in without an appointment during regular FOC business hours of 11am to 5pm Tuesdays through Fridays. The Center is also open by appointment from 5pm to 7pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, and one Saturday per month from 9am to 1pm.

A second Center is planned to open at Hillside’s Mustard Street location in Rochester.

For specific times, to make an appointment, or for enrollment information, call Hillside at 888-514-4455 or 315-703-8700.

Community support keeps #HillsideStrong. Make a donation today.

Two members of Hillside’s Practice & Performance Excellence Group (PPEG) are among the co-authors of a recently published article in Children and Youth Services Review, an international, multidisciplinary journal that focuses on disadvantaged or otherwise vulnerable children, young people, families and the systems designed to support them.

The article, “Evaluation of sustainable, blended learning workforce education for suicide prevention in youth services,” was co-authored by Hillside’s Laura Maggiulli, PhD, LMSW, Director of Research and Business Intelligence; and Joan Aiello, Senior Business Intelligence Analyst. Other authors included Sarah Donovan, Pedro Centeno, Sydney John and Anthony Pisani.

The article describes the implementation and evaluation of InPlace Learning, a blended learning workforce education approach for suicide prevention training across 25 programs at Hillside. The purpose of the program evaluation was to evaluate the feasibility of this approach as well as education outcomes for staff, including knowledge, self-efficacy, and transfer of learning. Findings from the evaluation indicate that InPlace Learning is a feasible and acceptable approach to suicide prevention workforce education in youth services with a positive impact on educational outcomes for staff.

Suicide prevention is a key area of focus at Hillside, both in the form of practice and research. Hillside has partnered with leading international organizations dedicated to that focus.

Within Hillside, the PPEG team applies research and analysis to support the development and implementation of evidence-based and best practices at the program level.

Community support enables Hillside to pursue innovative solutions that benefit the youth and families we serve. Support Hillside’s mission today.