Senior Leadership Team

Sue brings with her a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience in the OPWDD world. She previously served as the CEO and President of CP State for many years, where she worked closely with CP State affiliates, oversight agencies, and policymakers to advocate for services and secure funding to support people with developmental disabilities.

Leah joined Empower in January 2026 as Chief Operating Officer, where she leads agency operations and program strategy in support of Empower’s mission. She brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit and government systems serving individuals with developmental disabilities, children, and families. Her work has spanned residential and day services, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and cross-sector collaboration. Leah is committed to strengthening systems that promote dignity, opportunity, and community inclusion. She earned her PhD as a Presidential Fellow at the University at Buffalo’s Graduate School of Education and serves as a Research Fellow at the University at Buffalo’s Community Health Equity Research Institute.

Patrick joined our team in 2020, in 2022 he became our Chief Financial Officer where he is the top financial official for the Agency. Patrick comes from years of experience in the Accounting and Hospitality Industry. 

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 from Niagara University in Strategic and HR Management. She was promoted to Director of Human Resources in 2022. Petrina was a Buffalo Business First 30 Under 30 Honoree in 2023.

Dana started with Empower in 2025, she comes with years of experience in the field of Long-Term Care first overseeing a Licensed and Long-Term Home Health Care Program. She has been the Administrator of an Adult Home and Assisted Living Program meeting the needs of elderly individuals who are aging. Other experience includes Quality Assurance and Training in the field of working with people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Dana is committed to making a difference in the lives of the people we support and she is committed to reaching personal and organizational goals for Empower.

Carol joined our team in 2025 with many years of experience in the Human Services field. She has played a lead role in the success of various agencies she has worked for and has brought the mentality of "we are better together" when working to accomplish goodness for the agency and for the people we support. Carol proves her leadership skills when dealing with any issues that may arise in her division.

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. 

Kory was the President and CEO of the Niagara Chamber of Commerce where he advocated on behalf of the business community by working with local, state, and federal elected officials on sound policies and legislation. He also create the Chamber's Legislative Agenda, which highlights some of the major issues we work on. He serves as a strong advocate for Empower to receive Federal and State funding.