Our Leadership
Catherine M. Roberts
President and CEO
WNY, a human service organization whose mission aims to empower and enrich the lives of youth, adults and families by providing access to vital programs and services that meet the diverse needs and values of the communities it serves. She is also part-time Adjunct Professor of Economics at Houghton University: East Side.
Catherine holds an MBA, cum laude, from St. Bonaventure University, a Bachelor’s in Business, Management and Economics, cum laude, from SUNY Empire State College and a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. She has also earned two certificates from the Harvard Business School Executive Education program: Performance Measurement of Non-Profit Organizations and most recently, Nonprofit Financial Stewardship. She is also a graduate of the Health Leadership Fellows program through the Health Foundation for Western New York and Leadership Buffalo Class of 2017.
Catherine serves on many non-profit boards including: Trustee and Vice President of Persistence Prep Academy, Treasurer of Prevention Council of WNY, Leadership Buffalo, SUNY Empire State College Board of Governors, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Buffalo, Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo, WNY Advisory Council of BoardStrong, Women United Advisory Council, Women Who Lead WNY and the Smithsonian Committee of WNY Women Making History. She is also a member of the Junior League of Buffalo, Buffalo Association of Black Journalists, and the Buffalo Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Catherine is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Gamma Phi Omega Chapter and the Buffalo Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Named to Buffalo Business First’s Power 200 Women of WNY and Power 100 Business Leaders of Color, she has received numerous awards for her work and community service.
Administrative Team
Rachael Tarapacki
Director of Programs
Keri Socker
Chief of Staff
ALL-STAR Education Team
Ethel Wiggins
Elaine Fisher
Beatrice Love
Darrell Thompson
Avery Moore
Katrina Thompson
ALL-STAR Sports and Wellness Team
Vernon Duncan – Basketball Coach
Alicia Rainey – Line Dancing Instructor
Alex Hiltbrand – Swim Instructor
Daniel Bowen – Swim Instructor
David Washington – Lifeguard
Halsted Barton – Lifeguard
ALL-STAR Activity Monitors
Lashauntae Gray
Omolola Shittu
Adriana Viverette
Alicia Rainey
Victoria Jamison
Senior Outreach Specialists
Mae Bynum
Alra Staples
Facilities Team
Michael Daniels
Board of Directors
Rev. Terry King, Chairman
Chief Executive Officer
Saving Grace Ministries
Rich Jureller, President
Vice President of Community Relations
Buffalo Sabres
Robert Lowery
CEO and Consultant
RL Experience
Leroy Wiggins
Pastor | The Chapel
Cheektowaga Campus & Men’s Ministry
Brandi L. Haynes
VP, Adult Services
Community Action Organization of WNY
Byron C. Lockwood
Retired Police Commissioner
City of Buffalo