Crisis Hotline (716) 433-6716
Staff

Our purpose is to bring comfort to the community

CEO

Kathleen Granchelli

granchelli@ywcanf.org
716-433-6714 x212

Kathleen A. Granchelli has been CEO of the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier for the past 27 years. The YWCA supports the women and families of Niagara County with its mission of eliminating racism and the economic empowerment of women. Under Kathleen’s tenure, the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier has secured over $20 million in grants to expand programs and services in Niagara County and northern Erie County. The YWCA has been recognized for visionary housing, domestic violence, economic self-sufficiency programs and social enterprise programs and for its ability to leverage funding to bring critical programs to the local community. Funding for new programs has included state and local investment dollars for comprehensive domestic violence and sexual abuse prevention, early childhood and school age childhood programs and over $6 million for the adaptive re-use of “Carolyn’s House” a historic facility in Niagara Falls providing supportive transitional and permanent housing for homeless women and children. In 2015, the YWCA merged with the Tonawanda’s Affiliate to become the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier. The YWCA’s newest project is a 2022 adaptive reuse of the former YWCA Tonawanda’s facility to include permanent housing and a social enterprise café.

Prior to becoming CEO at the YWCA, Kathleen was an Assistant Vice President at Goldome Bank and Key Bank in Buffalo and a Legislative Assistant to Congressman John LaFalce. Kathleen received her BS and MPA (ABD) at SUNY Brockport and is also a graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School program for State and Local Government. Kathleen is a Leadership Niagara Graduate, a member of the Niagara County Work Force Investment Board, a Trustee of YWCA USA Retirement Fund, former President of the YWCA’s of New York State, a Niagara University St. Vincent DePaul and St. Louise de Marillac Awardee and a New York State Woman of Distinction. Kathleen and her husband Richard live in Lockport and have four grown children.


Vice President of Programs

Mary Brennan Taylor

mbrennan-taylor@ywcanf.org
(716) 433-6714 x215

Mary Brennan-Taylor is the Vice President of Programs for the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier and has served in this role for 17 years. Mary has over 35 years of management experience working in the non-profit, public, and private sectors; including ten years as a District Representative for Congressman John LaFalce, ten years in bank marketing as Assistant Vice President at Marine Midland Bank, and 17 years of direct service working with marginalized populations in Niagara County.

Mary received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Niagara University, and is an active community volunteer, serving on the Boards of Niagara Hospice, Lockport Community Television and lecturer on the topics of Women’s History and Patient Safety. Mary serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University at Buffalo Department of Family Medicine and is the recipient of the Buffalo Business First Woman of Influence Award and Lockport High School Distinguished Alumni award. She is a lifelong community advocate for the most vulnerable members of the community, and has decades of experience in the implementation of direct services and community collaborations.


Vice President of Housing

Kathy Jackson

kjackson@ywcanf.org
716-433-6714 x218

Kathy Jackson is the Vice President of Housing at the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier. She is a lifelong resident of Lockport and graduate of SUNY Brockport with a BA in Sociology. She has been employed by the YWCA for sixteen years, fifteen as Domestic Violence Safe House Manager and one year as VP of Housing. Kathy also volunteers her time for a number of efforts, including the Board of Directors for the Eastern Niagara United Way as well as a campaign volunteer for several years, Life Member and former President of Lockport Junior Service League, Board of Directors and volunteer for Lockport Meals on Wheels, and Board Member for Lockport Catholic Schools and Member of the DeSales Move of Faith Committee.


Vice President of Human Resources & Operations

Sylvia Baptiste

sbaptiste@ywcanf.org
716-433-6714 x213

Sylvia Baptiste is the VP of Human Resources & Operations at the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier. Sylvia has been with the YWCA for 31 years. During her years with the YWCA, Sylvia worked in the fiscal department and grant compliance for both the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier and Carolyn’s House LP. Sylvia received Human Resource Generalist training which includes policy and procedures for the agency. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and was active in the Niagara County Region of the Department of Labor Job Service Employer Committee (JSEC). Sylvia also volunteers with the Covenant United Church of Christ in Gasport NY on their Finance Committee and is an active Member of the AM Lockport Toastmasters.


Vice President of Finance

Kelly DeMatteo

kdematteo@ywcanf.org
716-433-6714 x221

Kelly DeMatteo is the Vice President of Finance at the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier and has served in this role for seven years. Kelly has a Bachelor of Arts degree and over 30 years of finance, accounting and budgeting experience in both the non-profit and private sectors. At the YWCA, Kelly is responsible for all grant billing at the YWCA, through New York State, Niagara County and private foundations. Kelly’s financial experience and knowledge helps the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier to run according to budget guidelines and guarantees that all financial reporting is completed in a timely manner.


Children’s Services Director

Debbie Rogalski

drogalski@ywcanf.org
716-433-6714 x214

Debbie Rogalski has been with the YWCA for 23 years, currently serving as the Children’s Services Director. In this role, Debbie oversees the School Age Child Care programs located in several sites throughout the County. She is also responsible for the implementation of policies and procedures for the camps, grant completion and management, as well as curriculum development. Debbie has a BS in Psychology from Canisius and is certified in Basic Life Support and Heart Saver First Aid. She is a huge fan of big, fluffy dogs!


Community Engagement Specialist

Brittany DePietro

bdepietro@ywcanf.org
716-433-6714 x241

Brittany DePietro is the Community Engagement Specialist at the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier. In this role, she manages all events, social media, website content, fundraising, and serves as a liaison to the Board of Directors. Prior to this role, Brittany served as the program manager for the Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement/IMPACT at Niagara University, engaging students in service-based learning with organizations throughout Western New York. She also serves on various community committees, most recently for the Niagara County Poverty Conference, Project Connect Niagara, and the South End Housing Initiative. She has a MS in School Counseling and a BA in Psychology and Sociology from Niagara University. She resides in Niagara Falls with her husband and son.

Domestic Violence Counselor and Court Advocate

Abigail Cornish

(716) 433-6714 ex.225 | (716) 334-0086

Building & Grounds Keeper Carolyn’s House

Alan Biano

(716) 278-9662

Payroll/Accounts Payable

Alexis Muntz

(716) 433-6714 x217

Building & Grounds Keeper – Cottage Street

Dennis Dalrymple

716) 433-6714 ex.236

John Pound Administrative Assistant

Ashley Flowers

(716) 478-4750

Case Manager/Counselor – Carolyn’s House

Tabitha Janese

(716) 278-9662 ex.20 | (716) 385-2432

Case Manager/Counselor – North Tonawanda

Jessica Jolley

(716) 343-3129

Accountant

Nicole Kemp

(716) 433-6714 ex.220

Housing Navigator

Pamela McKinney

(716) 433-6714 ex.226 | (716) 261-5466

Front Desk Representative Cottage Street

Jackie Pratt

(716) 433-6714 ex.210

UPK & Early Childhood Programs Director

Jennifer Reardon

(716) 478-4750

Rape Crisis Program Supervisor

Rachel Sandle-Sacco

(716) 433-6714 ex.235

Children’s Services Assistant

Megan Severance

(716) 433-6714 ex.232

Carolyn’s House Youth Counselor

Allison Taylor-Ohar

(716) 243-9052

Safe House Supervisor

Susannah Watson

(716) 433-6716

Domestic Violence Counselor

Lauren Weigand

(716) 433-6714 ex.216 | (716) 245-1917

RRH-Homeless Prevention Specialist

Melinda Zimmerman

(716) 278-9662 ex. 21 | (716) 523-5094