Our Treatment Center in NYC Leadership Team

LESC Leadership: Adapting Drug Treatment Programs in New York to the Unique Needs of Clients

In our pursuit of fostering love, energy, safety, and compassion for our clients, leadership plays a pivotal role in our opioid treatment programs at LESC. Our visionary leadership team operates with a person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-responsive approach, utilizing a vast network of health and human services to nurture and empower individuals struggling with opioid addiction toward healthier life choices.

LESC senior management and leaders understand that programs must adapt to the changing needs of our clients. Our LESC Board of Trustees draws from many years of experience in not-for-profit, government, and business to help us steer the organization so that we remain a beacon of hope for those individuals struggling with addiction, substance use disorder, mild mental health concerns, and associated homelessness.

About

LESC Executive Team

We are a team of believers with over 100 years of combined professional experience. We are dedicated to guiding the most effective operation of LESC for the communities we serve through our drug treatment programs in New York. Our diverse team of professionals is instrumental in ensuring LESC operates effectively and efficiently today while strategizing for a more impactful future for our substance use disorder treatment programs.

Valerie Walters, MBA

President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Ms. Walters joined LESC in 1995 as the Vice President of Human Resources. As President and CEO, she is making a difference in the lives of the individuals served by expanding supportive housing, increasing the organizational budget, and adding four new programs. She previously held administrative- and director-level roles at SCI Business School/WAE Corporation and American Business Institute (ABI). Ms. Walters earned her MBA in Organizational Behavior and Management at C W Post, Long Island University, a BA in Business Management from Herbert H. Lehman College, and holds certifications in Human Resources, Executive Leadership Support for Non-Profit Management, and Methods of Occupational Instruction.

Cargil L. Bernard, BS

Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Bernard joined LESC in 2021. He brings a wealth of experience advising nonprofits in financial management and fiscal operations, governance, budgeting and cost management, risk management, and taxation. Prior to joining LESC, he served as the Chief Financial Officer in a privately held real estate management and development company that specializes in public and private housing management. He received his BS in Accounting with Honors, from Medgar Evers College, City University of New York. He has completed several certifications in taxation, executive management, and leadership. Having worked in real estate management, development for low-income housing for the last 25 years, he is repose with unique skills in real estate management with an emphasis in tax credit financing.

Carol Deng, LCSW, SIFI, CASAC-Advanced

Interim VP & Chief Program Officer

Ms. Deng is a bilingual and bicultural Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than a decade of experience advancing culturally responsive behavioral health services for underserved communities across New York City. She specializes in mental health, substance use, and co occurring disorders, and has led interdisciplinary teams in developing, implementing, and strengthening programs that address complex community needs. With over five years of leadership experience, she has overseen quality improvement, compliance, and workforce development initiatives, while also providing clinical supervision to social workers and mentoring MSW interns from CUNY and private universities. Carol has served for six years on the CUNY Human Services Department board, contributing strategic insight to ensure academic and training programs remain aligned with the evolving behavioral health landscape. Carol also maintains a private practice where she treats individuals with complex mental health needs using evidence-based, culturally grounded approaches.

Lolita Silva-Vazquez, MA, LMHC

Chief Compliance Officer

Ms. Silva-Vazquez joined LESC in 2006. She is a seasoned clinician, administrator and leader with over 30 years of experience in various progressive roles with vulnerable populations, including individuals with emotional and developmental disabilities, women and children affected by domestic violence and adolescents and adults with substance use disorders. At LESC, she continues to focus on advocacy, education and improving treatment services for individuals with substance use disorder and their families. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical / Community Psychology from Marist College and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Jacqueline Vargas, MA

Vice President of Human Resources

Ms. Vargas joined LESC in 2007 in the role of Human Resources Director and was promoted to Vice President of Human Resources in 2013. She brings over 25 years of Human Resources experience from several well-respected social service organizations, including New York Foundling and Lexington Vocational Services. Her goal is to add value to our dedicated and caring staff in their effort to improve the lives of individuals and our communities. She holds a Masters Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Brooklyn College and is a member of both Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and Human Resources Professional Association of Non-Profits (HRPANO). She is fluent in Spanish and proficient in American Sign Language.