Executive Staff
Brooklyn Community Services employs over 500 people in over 35 programs throughout Brooklyn. We are proud of our professionalism, commitment to excellence and caring service to our clients in the Brooklyn community.
Janelle Farris,
Executive Director & President
Tel: 718.310.5607
jfarris@WeAreBCS.org
In 2018, Janelle Farris became our Executive Director and President. She began working for BCS as the Chief Operating Officer in the fall of 2013. In this position Ms. Farris was responsible for management of BCS programs, Human Resources and operations related to office and program relocation.
Janelle has extensive non-profit management experience. She worked as the Associate Director responsible for Operations at the Pratt Center for Community Development for nine years, and in January 2013, received a Post Master’s Certificate in Organization Development from The New School for Social Engagement. Prior to joining Pratt Center in 2004, Janelle worked for Common Ground, where she was Director of the largest single-occupancy supportive housing facility in the country, The Times Square. She has also worked at The Times Square Business Improvement District and New York City’s 1989 Charter Revision Commission.
Janelle holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Spelman College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.
Jodi Querbach,
Chief Operating Officer
Tel: 718.310.1015
jquerbach@WeAreBCS.org
In 2018, Jodi Querbach became our Chief Operating Officer, overseeing BCS’ 35 programs across Brooklyn. Jodi Querbach joined Brooklyn Community Services in 2004 and worked as the Director of Family Services, overseeing the Bedford Stuyvesant and East New York Family Centers. After many years of hard work and commitment to the families we serve, Jodi was promoted to BCS’s Deputy Operating Officer. She has over twenty years experience working with children and families in Brooklyn, and is a graduate of Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School for Social Work.
Neil Pierson Flynn,
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: 718.310.5605
nflynn@wearebcs.org
Neil Pierson Flynn is the Chief Financial Officer for BCS. Neil brings over 30 years of experience in the finance industry, with a particular expertise in business management strategies for nonprofits. Prior to joining BCS, he was vice president of operations and finance/chief financial officer for Boys & Girls Harbor, the Harlem-based multi-faceted education organization. He is also a former vice president of finance at Harlem United. Prior to that, he was the director of finance and administration and chief financial officer of Services for the Underserved. He has also been a director at KMPG. Neil holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in computer science from Siena College.
Maryclare Scerbo,
Chief Human Resources Officer
Tel: 718.310.5604
mscerbo@wearebcs.org
Maryclare Scerbo joined Brooklyn Community Services in 1997. As the Chief Human Resources Officer, Maryclare is responsible for all human resources strategic, operational, and administrative goals including overseeing employee relations, staffing, benefits, training and staff development. From 2006-2013 Maryclare held other human resources positions including Director of Human Resources. Before transitioning to Human Resources, from 2001-2004 Maryclare directed BCS’s 9/11 Community Response Center which was launched after 9/11 to provide comprehensive services to mainly low-income displaced workers throughout New York City. Earlier in her career Maryclare initiated and led BCS’s volunteer program.
Prior to joining BCS, Maryclare worked at AIDS Resource Foundation for Children in Newark, NJ as Director of Program Services. Maryclare holds a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. She also holds the Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certification.
Jennifer Swayne,
Chief Strategy Officer
Tel: 718.310.5718
jswayne@wearebcs.org
Jennifer Swayne, Esq., is an attorney who is passionate about empowering communities. Prior to her current role as BCS’ Chief Strategy Officer, Jennifer was BCS’ Legal Counsel. She has served at nonprofit organizations in various capacities that include providing legal services, policy advocacy, and project management consulting. Through roles with organizations such as the Education Delivery Institute and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, she brings a wealth of knowledge in healthcare access and education to BCS. Prior to her transition into the nonprofit arena, Jennifer was a Litigation Associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom LLP. Additionally, she has served on various boards, including as Board Chair for La Cima Elementary School (Brooklyn) and as a member of an advisory children’s subcommittee to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Jennifer, originally from Oakland, CA, has a J.D. from the New York University School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Senior Leadership
Program and Services
Angela Chiappara, Deputy Chief Operating Officer
Tel: 718.310.1011
achiappara@wearebcs.org
Angela is a New York state licensed LMSW who completed her graduate MSW at New York University. She has worked both in the US and overseas as a social worker, mainly in the areas of youth development, chemical dependency, homelessness and disaster recovery. Prior to becoming our Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Angela was the Division Director of Youth Services.
Information Technology
Adil Elkari, IT Director
Tel: 718.310.5628
aelkari@wearebcs.org
Adil Elkari is a highly accomplished information technology director with a proven track record of meeting BCS’s needs and delivering positive outcomes. Adil has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from City College of New York. Adil has also been certified as a system engineer by Microsoft, Cisco and Novell. During the last twenty years, Adil has been leading BCS’ IT team through critical organizational initiatives and projects.
Central Services
Themba Chirambo, Director of Facilities & Central Services
718.310.5723
tchirambo@wearebcs.org
Themba Chirambo joined BCS in 2014 and works as the Director of Facilities & Central Services. Themba has nearly 10 years experience working in Facilities Management and oversees over 20 sites for BCS. Originally from Zambia, Themba has a Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Peoples Friendship University of Russia and a MS in Facilities Management from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn NY.
External Relations and Advancement
External Relations and Advancement
Kristina Reintamm, Acting Director, External Relations and Advancement
Tel: 718.310.5614
kreintamm@wearebcs.org
Kristina Reintamm has over ten years of experience working in non-profit marketing, development and volunteer management. At BCS, she has launched large-scale volunteer initiatives and public education events and served as the liaison for the New York Times Neediest Cases Campaign. Kristina holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Binghamton University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Baruch College.
Volunteer Program and Outreach
Asea Thompson, Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
Tel: 718.310.5678
athompson@wearebcs.org
Asea Thompson has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design and a Master of Regional Planning. While in graduate school, Asea became interested in the holistic and participatory approach to community development, which led her to be actively involved in her community as a activist and volunteer. Asea lived and served as an AmeriCorps member with RTNYC in Red Hook Brooklyn where she came in contact with BCS during her service project. After co-hosting the 1st POP Up Thrift Shop with BCS at the East New York Clubhouse , she became intrigued with BCS’ mission and inquired how she could be of further assistance. Asea Thompson, Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, brings a wealth of experience in community organizing and a passion volunteerism, and continues to be an active member of the Brooklyn community.
Program Divisions
Early Childhood and Family Services
Emily Rios, Division Director
Tel: 718.310.1029
erios@wearebcs.org
Emily Rios, LMSW, MS.Ed, is a graduate of Columbia University School of Social Work and Bank Street College of Education. Emily oversees the BCS Family Child Care Network, Duffield Children’s Center, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and our Family Services programs. Prior to this position, Emily was the Clinical Supervisor at the BCS East New York Family Center for Structural Family Therapy. As an advocate for families and children, Emily has dedicated her career to supporting vulnerable families and children. Prior to joining BCS, Emily has worked at JBFCS, Child Development Center, Albert Einstein College Child Development and Kingsbridge Heights Community Center Early Head Start.
Afterschool Education
Mary Silver, Division Director
Tel: 718.310.1031
msilver@wearebcs.org
Mary Silver has extensive experience as a visual artist and art educator. She has over 11 years experience in the fashion industry as a textile designer and has spent the past 12 plus years as an art educator working with preschool age to high school students. Mary holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design/Illustration from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.
Community Supports for Individuals with lntellectual Disabilities
Rose Sauls, Division Director
Tel:718.943.4241
rsauls@wearebcs.org
Rose Sauls joined Brooklyn Community Services in 2007 as the Medicaid Service Coordinator Supervisor. Rose oversaw the MSC unit and supervised 5 Case managers. In 2015, Rose was promoted to Director of Medicaid Service Coordination. Rose continued to oversee the MSC unit and supervised 3 MSC supervisors. In 2016, Rose was promoted to Division Director for Community Supports for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and oversees 5 programs and their directors. In addition, Rose chairs the Incident Review Committee, MSC Committee and the Human Rights Committee. She has over fifteen years of experience working with individuals with disabilities and mental illness. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University School of Social Work. She is a licensed social worker and SIFI trained.
Health & Housing
Orlando Mendoza, Division Director
Tel:718.943.4241
omendoza@wearebcs.org
Orlando Mendoza comes to us with more than 15 years of experience in field of behavioral health. Mr. Mendoza specializes in the realm of chronically homeless, serious and persistent mentally illness, and chronic substance addiction. Additionally, Mr. Mendoza possesses expertise in supportive/supported housing, outpatient mental health, addiction rehabilitation, and consumer advocacy. Mr. Mendoza holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from York College.
Board of Directors – Executive Committee
Mr. David O’Connell – Chair –
Strategic Growth Manager, Compass
Mr. Shawn V. Austin – Vice Chair –
SVP, A&H Distribution and Marketing, Liberty Mutual
Mr. Andrew L. Hamm – Treasurer –
Business Management, Citigroup Prime Finance
Ms. Wendy Scarlett – Secretary –
Vice President, Commercial Banking Business Development, Popular Bank
Board Members
Ms. Alexis Blane
Consultant, Governance & Global Policy
Mr. Peter Cahill
Associate General Counsel, Ernst & Young, LLP
Ms. Elizabeth Christensen
Sales Representative, Skurnik Wines & Spirits
Mr. Eric Ceresnie
Managing Partner, Arch Street Management
Ms. Michaela Angela Davis
Image Activist, Writer, Conversationalist, CNN Contributor
Mr. Dave R. Frederick
Vice President, Voya Investment Management
Mr. Alan Gallo
EVP, Global Business Services, American Express
Mr. Christian B. Hylton
Partner, Land Use & Government Relations, Phillips Nizer LLP
Ms. Tamika Joseph
Client Partner, Twitter
Mr. Mike Kelly
Executive Vice President, PVH Corporation
Mr. A.J. Lawrence
Data Focused Revenue Growth Executive
Ms. Juliet Lewis
Manager, Brooklyn Public Affairs, Con Edison
Mr. Ian E. Scott
Founder, Scott Legal, P.C
Ms. Stefanie Lynn Straker
Early Childhood Education Specialist
Mr. Steve Victore
Chairman, CallahanCo
Mr. Stephen Z. Williamson
Law Office of Steve Williamson, PLLC
Mr. Neal A. Zephyrin
Vice President, Credit Industriel et Commercial
