Our Team

Meet the dedicated individuals who drive our mission and make a difference every day.

Board Of Directors

Wendy Marchese - President

Wendy Marchese currently serves as the Board President of Catholic Charities, and whole-heartedly supports the organization’s dedication to improving the quality of life for families and individuals in Herkimer County. Wendy has been a member of the board since 2018 and was elected to the leadership role of Board President in 2023.

As a passionate advocate for those in need, she has worked to strengthen partnerships with local community agencies and increase support for Catholic Charities programs and initiatives. In addition to leading the board, Wendy has over 30 years’ experience in higher education and is currently the Director of Counseling Services at Herkimer County Community College. In her professional role at the College, she has collaborated with Catholic Charities for decades assisting and serving college students.

Wendy is also a member of the Historic Snells Bush Church Board of Directors. She loves traveling anywhere and everywhere with her family and especially enjoys assisting her niece with a corn maze on her brother’s dairy farm during the fall. She is an animal lover and likes walking and spending time with her dog, Leo.

James Walczak - Vice President

Jim has served as a Catholic Charities Board member for 10 years. He has served our Country as a United States Marine for 4 years, 13 months in combat in Vietnam. His career as a Physical Therapist/wound care specialist spanned over 48 years. He brings to the Board of Directors from his previous experiences, Virtues of Faith, Hope, Compassion, Honor, Courage and Commitment. These Virtues directly reflect the Mission of Herkimer County Catholic Charities of which he strongly supports and advocates for.

Maryel Wallace - Secretary

Maryel Wallace, a wife, mother to 3 adult children, proud to say a grandmother of six, and a self-proclaimed foodie who loves to bake- which is not surprising Maryel is retired teacher of 34 years with a Masters degree in Family and Consumer Science Education. After retirement Maryel was the Director of Religious Education at the Church of the Annunciation in Ilion, as well as Our Lady Queen of Apostles in Frankfort. Maryel continues to learn from the youth of her community as they are the further and hopefully they have learned a bit from her. Maryel is 100% Italian- according to Italians of any age, food is equivalent to love. It is the same love that makes her proud to be involved with Catholic Charities of Herkimer County. She is honored to serve on the Board, as Board Secretary since 2022.

Louise Leonard

Louise Leonard has been married for 50 years and has two married sons and two grandchildren. Louise has worked in multiple settings since she began her professional career as a teacher in 1977. In 1980 Sister Rachel Ricciardeli and Louise began Catholic Charities of Herkimer County which continues today as a strong and vital agency dedicated to helping the vulnerable and less fortunate. Louis has also worked in the field of Special Education as a CSE chairperson and Administrator. All of these experiences have provided her with invaluable insights into the needs of children and families who remain the focus of our Catholic Charities mission.

James Conover

James Conover has been a dedicated member of Herkimer County Catholic Charities Board of Directors for over 9 years. Jim is a US Air Force veteran, who has been involved in many community events and organizations for several years. He received his degree from MVCC, and was a Production Manager in local industry, retiring after 40 years service in 2004. He and his wife Judy have 3 sons, 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. They reside in the local community.

Rosann Caivana

Rosann Caivana serves as the Director of Operations at U.S. Care Systems, Inc., a licensed homecare agency serving thirteen counties in NYS. With over 25 years of experience in operations management, Rosann brings deep expertise in staff leadership, organizational efficiency, and healthcare service delivery.

Prior to her current role, she served as Vice President at a local staffing agency where she played a key role in strategic growth and workforce development. Her commitment to community is evident through her past involvement as a member of the Herkimer Rotary Club and over a decade of service as a religious education instructor at Our Lady Queen of Apostles.

Roseann has been serving on the Catholic Charities of Herkimer County Board since 2023

Maureen Scialdo

Maureen Scialdo is a lifelong advocate for families and underserved populations, with extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, early childhood education, and community outreach. She has directed multiple regional initiatives focused on family development, youth programming, and access to essential services. As a Board member, Maureen brings a hands-on understanding of community needs and a strong commitment to empowering others through compassionate, effective support. Maureen had been on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of Herkimer County since 2023.

Leadership Team

Maureen Petrie
Executive Director
mpetrie@ccherkimer.org

Jacqueline Ward
Director of Domestic Violence & Supervised Visitation Programs
jward@ccherkimer.org

Melissa Snyder
Director of Prevention & Recovery Services
msnyder@ccherkimer.org

Rae Raffle-Maxson
Director of RSVP Health & Assistance Programs
rmaxson@ccherkimer.org

Trisha Alford
Director of Runaway & Homeless Youth Programs
talford@ccherkimer.org

Megan Dischiavi
Domestic Violence Assistant Program Director
megandvp@ccherkimer.org

Jessica Tyrrell
Recovery Assistant Project Director
jtyrrell@ccherkimer.org

Taylor Money
Director of Safe Harbour & TREATY Programs
tmoney@ccherkimer.org

Tayley Borden
Assistant Director of Prevention Services
tborden@ccherkimer.org