Board of Directors – Home of My Own® of WNY

We would like to thank our board of directors for their contributions to Home of My Own of WNY. Their perspective, expertise and time is much appreciated. As we continue grow as an organization, we will add to our board in areas that help us accomplish our mission and reach our goals. If you feel you have something to add and would like to invest the time with us, please contact us at info@homeofmyownofwny.org. Thanks for your interest!

Connie Stives

A small business owner of a technology company for 28 years, living in Williamsville, NY, Connie is a Founding Director of Home of My Own of WNY. She was inspired to pursue Home of My Own of WNY after having visited many similar inclusive communities in other parts of the country. Connie has a wealth of experience in several aspects of the Erie County communities, including helping those with IDD.

Connie currently serves on the Board of GiGi's Playhouse Buffalo and is a past board member and Treasurer of the Williamsville School District SEPTSA (Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association) Board. She also served six years on each of the following boards where she served one year as President on each: Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives, Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce, and Bornhava, a non-profit school for children birth to age 5 with disabilities. She is a past recipient of the 40 Under 40 award through Business 1st and served as a Judge for that and for DECA for several years.

Ellen Pachioli

Ellen Pachioli is a Founding Director of Home of My Own of WNY who currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors. Ellen is the mother of two adult daughters with IDD. She was also the legal guardian for 17 years of her sister, also with IDD, until her death in 2020.

Ellen has been advocating for her sister and daughters for most of her life. She is a member of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. Finding appropriate housing, employment and transportation are ongoing challenges Ellen faces as she helps her family members become independent and happy adult citizens.

In a previous life, Ellen worked as a computer programmer and project manager for Marine Midland Bank and prior to that, she worked as a scientific programmer for IBM.

Hon. Mary Carney

Mary Carney is a Judge in Erie County Family Court currently presiding over matters primarily related to custody and access of children, family offense and paternity. Mary Carney joined the Advisory Board of Home of My Own of WNY after being drawn to its mission which is deeply personal to her and it speaks to her profound sense of inclusivity and justice.

Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Kenyon College in 1993 and her Juris Doctor degree from SUNY Buffalo School of Law in 2000. Before entering law school, Mary worked as an administrator at The Gow School dedicated to children with learning differences. There she gained firsthand experience with children and families facing and overcoming adversity. The school’s emphasis on integrity and character made an indelible impression upon Mary who carries these principles into her present work.

Mary has served her community in many ways over the years. She has served as Director of Yogis in Service (an organization that offers free access to the tools of yoga and meditation to underserved communities) and as a Director of the Erie County Bar Foundation (which assists lawyers in crisis). She is co-chair of the Erie County Family Court’s Disproportionate Minority Representation (DMR) Committee (which focuses on eliminating disparity for children of color in the child welfare system),co-chair of the Erie County Family Court’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Committee (which focusses on eliminating disparity for LGBTQ+ youth and families) and finally Chair of the Erie County Family Court’s Muslim and Immigrant Community Committee (which focusses on providing resources and education to our refugee and immigrant community).

Karen Cuddy-Miller

Karen Cuddy joined the Advisory Board of Home of My Own of WNY in the spring of 2020 after recognizing that the Mission, Vision, and Values represent a natural “next” extension of her 38+ year career in education.

Karen's experiences include 18 years as a special education teacher and 15 years in educational administration in Western New York. Throughout her career, she was a passionate advocate for students and families; possessed a determination to overcome obstacles; and was guided by a moral compass focused on doing the right thing – both in the classroom and as an educational leader. She continues to hold true to this compass in the heart of her work with this organization, as well as in her continued work as a consultant for a number of school districts within the Western New York area.

The tagline for our organization says it all: “On my own, but not alone.” As our students leave the realm of public education and move toward adulthood and independence, the focus of providing life opportunities that include safety, health and well-being, independence and membership among friends, are desires we have for ALL of our children.

Mark Carney

Mark Carney has represented clients in complex litigation matters for over thirty years. He is well versed in bringing matters before virtually all levels of the court; from local municipal courts to New York State’s Appellate Court and Federal District Court. Mr. Carney is experienced serving a myriad of legal needs for clients including:

Matrimonial and Family Law;
Business Litigation;
Corporate Law;
White Collar Criminal Defense; and
Civil Litigation.

Mr. Carney was appointed as General Counsel to the Erie County Water Authority in 2021 and he previously served as Vice Chairman of the ECWA’s Board of Commissioners.

John A. Monson

John Monson has been a leader in the WNY safety & health community with over 30 years of experience in the construction, municipal, and general industry sectors. He currently serves as Safety Director for Manning Squires Hennig. He has served on the Home of My Own property development committee for over 4 years and joined our Board of Directors in December of 2024. John has been an advocate in the Down syndrome community and Special Olympics for the last 18 years. He is a graduate of Buffalo State College with a BS in Environmental Geoscience.

John also serves his community as an active firefighter/EMT and past chief of the Union Fire Department, Committee Member of BSA Troop 616, and is a member of the WNY Safety Conference Board of Directors. He is a recipient of the 2024 Western New York Safety Conference Edward J. Waring Distinguished Service Award and the 2009 Niagara Frontier American Society of Safety Professionals Safety Professional of the Year award.

Leah Marchewka

Leah became active with Home of My Own of WNY and it’s early days, lending her background in marketing to help fulfill the goals of the nonprofit - to assist in making a dent in the housing crisis for individuals with disabilities in WNY. Leah brings 20+ years of marketing experience to the nonprofit as well as 5 years teaching in high school and higher education, 10 years on the board for the Down Syndrome Parents Group of WNY and participation in a variety of advocacy activities for individuals with disabilities.

She is the mother of a daughter with down syndrome who is in her 20s. Having always been fully included throughout school, her daughter‘s expectation was to continue to be an integrated part of the WNY community, including the hope of living independently with friends. Participating with Home Of My Own of WNY in hopes of creating more residential living opportunities for individuals with I/DD is a natural extension for Leah when working towards the goals her daughter has for her adult life.

Paul Glauber

Paul is a proud University at Buffalo engineering graduate. For the last forty years his small business developed custom industrial packages. The business was recently acquired by a larger firm where he is currently employed .

Paul is involved in his community in many ways. Currently he is a member of the Clarence Rotary Club and Chairman of the Glen Park Joint Board. He currently volunteers in activities in his local community. Paul has been a member of the UB Engineering Society and volunteer mentor for students in the program.

Paul is the father of an adult daughter with IDD. She is currently living independently with many supports in place. Finding her housing where she among peers, accepted and safe is his primary goal.

Gretchen White

Gretchen is a mother of three children including a daughter with special needs. She also has a degree in communications and has worked in the graphic design field for the past 30 years. She recognizes the ongoing need for housing for people with disabilities and was eager to help with the mission of Home of My Own® of WNY.

Gretchen also serves on the board of the Down syndrome Parents Group of WNY and has helped with marketing and design of various local non profit organizations over the years including GO Bike Buffalo, The Niagara Group of the Sierra Club and SUMMIT.