NYSCRC Director

Doris Green has worked in the Aging and Disability field since 2002. She earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration from SUNY Brockport. Her experience includes developing programs in the areas of planning, advocacy and financial services for older adults and caregivers of persons with disabilities.  She rejoined Lifespan in January of 2016 as Director of the New York State Caregiving and Respite Coalition. In this role, Doris oversees a coalition of agencies that support caregivers throughout New York State.  The coalition identifies and communicates best practices for caregiver and respite programs and takes a lead role in the development of statewide volunteer-based caregiver respite initiative.

NYSCRC Respite Voucher Program Coordinator

Rebecca Hyde is a Western New York native who has lived and worked in various cities across the state, including Jamestown, Poughkeepsie, and Cortland. She has a BA in American Studies and an MFA in Intermedia Design. In recent years, while working as a freelance editor, she volunteered as co-coordinator of a church-based respite program for people with dementia and their families. When COVID shut down the respite program, she trained to become a leader of the Powerful Tools for Caregivers series. Rebecca also has experience working in long-term care. She joined the New York State Caregiving and Respite Coalition in April 2022. 

NYSCRC Administrative Assistant

Kristine Lawrence joined the Coalition in March 2022 as the Administrative Assistant to the team. We also welcome Carlie, her service dog. Kristine holds an a BA in Chemistry from the Rochester Institute of Technology and N MA in Adolescent Education/ Chemistry from U of R Warner School of Education. She has a wealth of experience in operations management and technology.

NYSCRC Assistant Director

Sharon Cackett has worked in the Aging field since 2011. She earned her Master’s degree in Higher Education and Policy Studies from SUNY Albany in 1994. Her experience includes care coordination, volunteer coordination in a hospice setting. Sharon has extensive experience a professional development trainer.  She joined Lifespan in November of 2016 as Education and Outreach Specialist for the Finger Lakes Region. Sharon currently serves the Assistant Director.

NYSCRC Marketing, Membership and Events Specialist

Diane Sopp-Sauro joined the Coalition in January 2023.
As a seasoned marketing professional, much of her career has been in the healthcare industry, primarily focused on the older adult community, and most recently as an Independent Marketing Consultant. Diane earned her BS in Communications from Emerson College. As important to her professional experience is her personal experience as a caregiver; we so appreciate her knowledge and expertise from both sides.

Assistant Director NYSCRC AmeriCorps
Senior Demonstration Program

Lisa Richards joined the Coalition in February 2023. Prior to joining the Coalition, Lisa spent almost five years working on a Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program grant at the Ithaca College Gerontology Institute. She also coordinated the programs and activities of a long-standing partnership between Ithaca College and Longview, a nearby senior living community. Before becoming interested in gerontology, Lisa spent 16 years in academic administration and communications management roles at Cornell University. 

Workforce Development Manager NYSCRC AmeriCorps
Senior Demonstration Program

Neely Shaw comes to us from the Jefferson County Employment and Training unit, where she spent 12 years as a Workforce Resource Assistant. She assisted with the overall operations of a career center, including the day-to-day supervision of the Unemployment Unit. Among her many responsibilities, she developed individual employment plans that enabled clients to meet work requirements and move towards self-sufficiency.

Outreach and Family Engagement Specialist
NYSCRC AmeriCorps Senior Demonstration Program

Stephanie Johnson is an experienced caregiver who has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the Utica area. As our Outreach and Family Engagement Specialist, she connects families in need of respite with resources in the six counties

Core Team Partners

Ann Marie Cook
Lifespan of Greater Rochester. President/CEO

Deana Prest
NYS Office for the Aging, Aging Services Program Analyst 3

Abbey Derepentigny
NYS Office for the Aging, Long Term Care Systems Analyst 1

Dr. Thomas Caprio
University of Rochester, Project Evaluation Consultant

Program Assistant NYSCRC AmeriCorps
Senior Demonstration Program

Alex Borgella is an Ithaca-area native who graduated from the State University of New Yor at Buffalo with a BA in Psychology. He worked as a team leader and COVID-19 contact tracer for the Tompkins County Health Department. He has great organizational and interpersonal skills that are a great asset as we work to build respite capacity in New York State.

Volunteer Coordinator NYSCRC AmeriCorps
Senior Demonstration Program

Renee Williams worked for six years at the Jefferson County Office for the Aging as an Aging Services Specialist and a Long-Term Care Coordinator. She was also the director of the Adult Day Respite Program for two years. The program, Respite Haven, has locations in Watertown and Clayton. We're lucky to have someone who is so passionate about respite