Staff

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Christian Hoffman is the Director of Communication at Community Missions in Niagara County, the largest private provider of basic human needs and of mental health services in the area. Since joining the Mission in February 2013, Mr. Hoffman has garnered unprecedented media coverage for the agency, launched several new initiatives, and helped secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding.  He resides in Cheektowaga with his wife, Toni, and two children, Elliana (6) and Jack (3). He has served on the Board of Family Promise of WNY since 2014. 

Kelli Cavo currently works at Via Evaluation which provides grant writing and program evaluation services in Buffalo.  She has a background in Human Resources and Fund Development and has held Director of Development jobs at the WNY Women's Foundation and Gerard Place.

CJ Van Note is a Manager with BS&P CPA’s and Consultants working in all areas of taxation. CJ has been in the tax industry since she graduated from Niagara University with her MBA in 2012. CJ is passionate about helping the people in the City of Buffalo in any way she can including serving as treasurer of Family Promise of WNY.  CJ used to serve on the board of Dog Ears Bookstore and Café and volunteers with many organizations through her firm.  CJ has been on the board of Family Promise since November of 2015 and currently resides in Lake View with her husband.  

Kristen Luppino-Gholston is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Daemen College. Prior to coming to Daemen as the Director of Civic Engagement in 2018, she held positions with WNY Women’s Foundation, Catholic Charities WIC, and Child and Family Services Haven House.   A community social worker by training, Kristen focuses on macro-level work to promote safe, just and healthy WNY communities. Kristen was named one of Buffalo Business First’s “40 Under 40” in 2017. She resides in Buffalo with her husband and two daughters.    

Steve Blass is a Field Agent for New York Life where he sells Life Insurance, Annuities, Long Term Care Insurance, and Disability Insurance. Steve has a Bachelors of Science in Childhood and Special Education from Daemen College and a Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Medaille College. Steve brings fundraising and development skills and knowledge from previous work experiences to the board. Steve has been helping Family Promise of WNY since 2014 and on the Board since 2017. 

 Michael Lynch, LMSW, is an assistant clinical professor for field education at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. Lynch works with the field department connecting students to meaningful agency placements. He has spent a number of years working with the field department in various capacities, including as a faculty liaison and a field educator. Additionally, he brings experience working in a variety of social work settings including urban education, program development, child welfare and community collaborations.   Michael lives on the west side of Buffalo with his wife, Meghan, and his son, Hugo. Michael has a strong commitment to social justice and equity and pursued helping at Family Promise after hearing about their mission and the impact the work is having on the community. 

Marissa Desiderio is the Program Manager of Case Management Services with Child & Family Services of Erie County. Prior to Child & Family Services, Marissa was a Supervisor with Say Yes to Education Buffalo and Catholic Charities. She has been working with children and families for over 15 years in various capacities. Marissa is also a clinical social worker who maintains a small private practice. 

Courtney Sullivan holds the position of Leadership Giving Officer at Canisius College where she connects alumni and friends of Canisius with philanthropic and engagement opportunities with the college. She graduated from Medaille College with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and received her Master of Science in Communication and Leadership with a concentration in Non Profit Management from Canisius College.   

 Keith Preston is a certified public accountant (CPA) in New York State specializing in providing audit and attestation services to small and medium sized businesses particularly in the manufacturing and construction industries.  He also audits a wide variety of employee benefit plans for private and public companies. Prior to auditing, Keith worked in small business consulting and taxation and specialized in providing tax preparation, attestation, and consulting services to a variety of closely held private companies and individuals.  In his spare time he enjoys reading, music, hiking and being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.  

Katherine Dibble is a Pro Bono Staff Attorney at ECBA Volunteer Lawyer's Project, Inc.  Her interest in joining the Board of Family Promise stems from both her personal and professional life.  As an attorney, she has had the opportunity to be on all sides of difficult situations, and has had to counsel people through some of the most trying parts of their lives.  In these moments, she has realized how important it is to have robust support systems in place to help anyone and everyone who needs a hand.  As a life long Buffalonian, she could not be more proud to be part of a community that fosters places like Family Promise and protects the most vulnerable people in their most vulnerable moments.  She finds having some small role in assisting in the mission of Family Promise to be a privilege.