If you or a loved one needs help treating an opioid or other substance addiction, call our main New York City office at 212-566-5372 (LESC)
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Leadership

LESC Leadership: Adapting Opioid Treatment Programs to the Changing 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.

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 New York communities we serve. Our diverse team of professionals is instrumental in ensuring LESC operates effectively and efficiently today while strategizing for a more impactful future for our opioid 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.
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Lolita Silva-Vazquez, MA, LMHC

Vice President & Chief Program 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.

Gail Reid, Ba, CASAC

Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer
Ms. Reid joined LESC in 2021. She has over 25 years of experience overseeing substance use disorder and mental health programs. She is a strategic, results-oriented leader with a background in steering behavioral healthcare and non-profit organizations to improved outcomes and growth. She has expert knowledge of federal, state, and DEA regulations. She is also a Surveyor for CARF federal accreditation commission and a COMPA board member from 2008 - 2021. She has a BA in Social Work from Shippensburg State College and holds a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Her goal is to maintain audit ready preparedness and achieve the highest possible levels of service provision.

Program Directors

Ligia Alonzo-Mena

Executive Assistant to President & CEO

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Marie Blackman

Director of Franklin Avenue Residence

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Orlando Bosch

Divisional Director of Opioid Recovery Services

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William Bradley

Director of Medication-to-Abstinence Residence

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Ivelice Cacioppo

Director of Information Technology

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Richard Condina

Director of Opioid Recovery Services

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Carol Deng

Director of Dual Recovery Services

Frederick Emmel

Director of Opioid Recovery Services

Erick Harris

Project Coordinator at Pencer House

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Dimitri Kirlew

Director of Scatter Site Program

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Margaret Lai

Director of Continuing Day Treatment Program

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Merry Limbu

Director of Supportive Housing
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Marva Melendez

Director of Human Resources

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Althea Robinson

Director of Entitlements

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Yvette Sheard Scott

Director of Short-Stay Medication Residence / Pregnant Women & Infants Programs

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Despina Vougioukas

Director of Director of Vocational Services and HIV Early Intervention Program

Margaret Walker Hurst, LCSW

Su Casa Divisional Director of Residential Services

Dawn Wood

Director of Diversity Works

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Our Mission is to meet the unique and changing needs of New Yorkers experiencing critical life problems with substance use disorder, mental illness, and associated homelessness, with a person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-responsive approach to care. Using a wide-ranging health and human services network, we support their well-being and empower them to make healthy life choices.
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