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. 

CJ Van Note is an In-Charge Senior 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, serving on the board of Dog Ears Bookstore and Café located in South Buffalo and volunteering 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. 

Lee Evans is an Attorney at Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady, LLP where he practices workers’ compensation defense law. Lee received his J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo’s School of Law, and his B.A. in Political Science and Government and Art History from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. He has served on the Board of Trustees for Family Promise of WNY since 2012.

Kristen Luppino-Gholston is the Director of the Saffrin Center for Sustainability and Civic Engagement at Daemen College. Prior to moving to Daemen, she was at the WNY Women’s Foundation, Catholic Charities WIC, and Child and Family Services Haven House.  She has been working with and for the women of Western New York for nearly 15 years. A community social worker by training, Kristen does macro-level work to promote safe and healthy WNY communities by building collaborations, increasing opportunities, educating, researching, and promoting justice. Kristen is a member of the SUNY at Buffalo Chapter of the Rho Kappa Social Work Honors Society and was named one of Buffalo Business First’s “40 Under 40” in 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. 

Kandy is a member of Crossroads Lutheran Church  and a church council member for three years.  As a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School and a Certified Club Manager, Kandy spent  her early career in the hospitality industry and country club management in Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania. Her passion for ecology and the environment has led her to further studies at Erie Community College in Environmental Science. Currently, Kandy is an accomplished yoga instructor at the Himalayan Institute, Canterbury Woods Retirement Community, Maryvale Community Education and previously an adjunct yoga instructor at the University at Buffalo. Kandy embodies yoga philosophy throughout her daily life and is a passionate animal advocate, naturalist, and volunteer for numerous area non-profits including Family Promise, BuffaloNiagara Waterkeepers, Friends of Night People, and Second Chance Boxer Rescue. 

Jamie Owens is self-employed in handyman and horticultural services and also serves as a construction manager for Fuller Center Disaster Relief. Jamie is an ordained elder in Presbyterian USA and a member of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church . Jamie hopes to be an asset to Family Promise drawing from his experience in construction, facility management and property maintenance. Jamie lives in Orchard Park with his wife Susana and their four dalmatians . 

Steve Blass is a Field Agent for the Knights of Columbus 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.

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.