Senior Leadership and Board

Diane has been working in the developmental disability field since 1979 and joined the Empower team in 1998. She served as Chief Quality Officer, Corporate Compliance Officer, and Director of Program Operations before being appointed Executive Director in 2022. She has a BS in Social Work/Human Services.

Patrick Cosgrove

Kim has been with Empower since 1990 and has been in the developmental disability field since 1979. Kim has a BS in education with a specialization in therapeutic recreation, and an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Petrina joined Empower as Human Resources Assistant in 2018 and was promoted to HR Manager in 2020. During that time, she earned an MBA. She was promoted to Director of Human Resources in 2022.

Pamela Dunn

Bill has been with Empower since 2000 and has an AA in Liberal Arts from NCCC and a BA in Human Services Management from SUNY Buffalo State. From Direct Support Professional to a variety of supervisory roles, Bill took on the role of Director of Community Housing in 2016.

Christian has held communications leadership roles in political campaigns, government office, and the non-profit sector. Prior to joining Empower he was the Director of Communications for an area US Congressman. Christian holds a dual BS Degree from Roger Williams University in Marine Biology and Business Management.

Rebecca is a native of Buffalo, NY, who began her journey in education by teaching 2nd and 3rd grade in Brooklyn. She has a dual master's degree in Childhood Education and Special Education. Over the course of a decade, Rebecca taught and assumed leadership roles in Brooklyn, and most recently as the Director of Special Education at Buffalo Collegiate Charter School.