Our Leadership Team
Deb Rosen
President/CEO
585-461-0110 ext. 1120
As President and CEO, Deb oversees agency strategy and performance, ensuring that all activities are aligned with the agency’s mission and vision. Deb received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and has practiced as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Wisconsin and New York State. Deb has extensive experience as a human services leader, having held numerous leadership positions in governmental and nonprofit organizations. Deb has focused significantly on the needs of children and families involved in the child welfare and mental health systems and brings a family systems perspective to the agency’s work across the lifespan. Deb has also been deeply engaged in the marketing, fundraising, governance, and public policy components of agency leadership.
Betsy Bringewatt, PhD
Chief Program Officer of Child and Family Services
585-506-3069
Betsy oversees a wide range of programs that serve children and families in our community. Betsy came to JFS with years of experience providing consultation and evaluation for programs that support children and families, primarily around early childhood, children’s mental health, child welfare, and parenting. She has a Master’s in Social Work and a Ph.D. in Social Work and Sociology from the University of Michigan. Her dissertation involved a qualitative analysis of how children diagnosed with mental health disorders learn about and experience their diagnoses, and how parents can be supported in this process.
Barbara Connor
Chief Administrative Officer
585-506-3056
After volunteering at several local non-profits, Barbara knew her calling was to work for a non-profit agency. Fast forward 25 years, Barbara is so very thankful to continue being part of the JFS Family. She is responsible for overseeing the administrative operations within the organization including human resources, marketing and policy oversite.
Kristen Lang
Chief Financial Officer
585-506-3066
Kristen earned her Masters of Science in Accounting at the University of Buffalo in 2005. She was an auditor at Lumsden CPA of Buffalo, NY from 2005 until 2013 when she joined the JFS Family. Kristen lives with her husband and two boys on their micro farm with chickens, sheep, dogs and a couple of goldfish. She loves running, hiking and being outside with her boys. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my community in my daily work and I love finding ways to stretch the greatest amount of good out of each dollar.”
Carly Layton
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
JFS Media Contact
585-645-2825
Carly has managed PR, communication, and marketing programs for local and national clients at agencies in New York City and Rochester and has led marketing teams for some of Rochester’s largest child and family-serving organizations. She is an experienced PMP certified project manager with 20+ years leading successful programs in the non-profit, CPG, consumer tech, B2B, higher education, and health sectors
Dee Schwartz, LMSW, C-ASWCM
Chief Program Officer of Aging, Essential and Inclusion Services
585-506-3072
Dee is a licensed Master of Social Work as well as a certified advanced social work case manager. Dee has over 10 years of experience working at Jewish Family Service, previously as a care manager and then as a director. Dee believes that all individuals and families of all abilities should have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. This is accomplished by developing and overseeing programs that promote compassion, inclusivity, trust, responsiveness, accessibility, and in partnerships with the community. Dee is a member of the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly Program (GRAPE), and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Heather Starks, LCSW
Clinical Director
585-562-9771
Heather has spent her career as a social worker in the child and family serving systems across the Greater Rochester area, providing supervision and direct clinical services to a diverse population of youth, adults, parents, and families. Heather utilizes a holistic, collaborative, person-centered approach focusing on individual strengths and needs coupled with developing skills and resilience. Heather is highly skilled in areas of mediation, conflict resolution and life transitions. Heather draws upon a trauma-informed approach and training that includes Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and Functional Behavioral Approach. As a trained yoga teacher, she incorporates mindfulness and overall mental wellness with individuals. At JFS Heather provides leadership to the counseling center, clinical consultation to staff and community partners and sees individuals for counseling.
Staff Directory
The JFS Helpline is available for anyone in the Rochester area who has a need, connecting them to resources such as food, basic needs, mental health & wellness, support for parents & families, and aging services.
Call 585-461-0114 Mon-Fri; 8:30 am-5 pm, email helpline@jfsrochester.org, or fill out our online form. Our team will respond within 24 hours.
| Name | Title | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lauren Baer | JFS Aging Care Management Supervisor | 585-506-3068 |
| Danielle Banach | JFS Aging Care Manager | 585-506-3077 |
| Danielle Betts | Administrative Assistant | 585-506-3075 |
| Talya Brea | NORC Director | 585-288-3442 |
| Betsy Bringewatt | Chief Program Officer of Child & Family Services | 585-506-3069 |
| Brittney Colf | Mental Health Counselor | 585-504-1475 |
| Oni Colon | Program Director, Pencils & Paper | 585-736-4610 |
| Barbara Connor | Chief Administrative Officer | 585-506-3056 |
| Hannah Dworsky | Administrative Coordinator | 585-506-3064 |
| Leslie Friedman | Clinical Social Worker | 585-504-1473 |
| Rachel Glazer | Licensed Social Worker | 585-504-1660 |
| Linda Haddad | Administrative Assistant | 585-506-3063 |
| Mandy Hartman | Director of Housing & Literacy Services | 585-216-1887, Ext 2 |
| Kristen Lang | Chief Financial Officer | 585-506-3066 |
| Carly Layton | VP of Marketing & Communications | 585-645-2825 |
| Cathy Little | Baby Safe Sleep Coordinator | 585-506-3057 |
| Shannon Megna | Volunteer Coordinator | 585-371-6759 |
| Shawna Peterson | Nurture Coordinator | 585-380-6082 |
| Marcie Redding | Play Therapist | 585-504-1472 |
| Deb Rosen | CEO | 585-506-3076 |
| Mary Rotan | Warehouse Coordinator | 585-736-4610 |
| Dee Schwartz | Chief Program Officer of Aging, Essential & Inclusion Services | 585-506-3072 |
| Ruthie Seablom | Program Coordinator, Pencils & Paper | 585-736-4610 |
| Marisa Severino | Social Coordinator | 585-216-1887, Ext 4 |
| Sharon Shafrir | Accessibility & Inclusion Director | 585-506-3062 |
| Chele Smith | EISEP Aging Care Manager | 585-506-3073 |
| Lauren Solomon | JFS Aging Care Manager | 585-506-3065 |
| Heather Starks | Clinical Director | 585-562-9771 |
| Valentyna Tabachuk | Registered Nurse Specialist – NORC | 585-562-9500 |
| Daniella Vatch | BFC Director, Care Manager | 585-736-4526 |
