Acacia Network’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council builds upon our commitment to diversity and allows for strategic collaboration to intentionally advance the imperatives of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the Network.
Comprising inclusive representation of staff from all entities of Acacia Network with a shared goal to cultivate transformative change across the organization, the DEI Council uses a collaborative and bold approach to implement focused initiatives and best practices with tangible impacts that are rooted in principles of equity.
The Council’s scope was expanded upon in October 2020, when Acacia Network created a committee dedicated to exploring and promoting ways to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment for individuals from the LGBTQ+ community and to analyze our current organizational policies and/or external initiatives with regards to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Named the “Trans-forming the Workplace Taskforce”, this committee aims to further our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work by fostering and promoting a workplace culture and environment that is inclusive and welcoming to employees and clients of diverse gender identities and expressions. As part of this work, the Taskforce has sought to identify and propose network-wide training opportunities around gender inclusion and diversity topics; evaluate Human Resources (HR) Policies to ensure that they incorporate gender inclusive language, practices, protocols, and procedures; and ensure that the Taskforce’s goals and deliverables are aligned with those of the DEI Council, among other key initiatives.
DEI Mission
Acacia Network is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to providing a platform to achieve equality for all persons of diverse backgrounds. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council will ensure that diversity in all its forms is respected and valued, and will cultivate and sustain a culture where our differences create solutions to meet the diverse needs of our employees and the communities we serve.
Acacia Network’s DEI Council promotes initiatives and best practices that foster an equitable, safe, respectful, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment.
Vision
To empower all members of our community to remove barriers caused by inequities, social injustice, and racial trauma and create an environment where all where individuals experience a sense of belonging.
Core Values
- Act with transparency, fairness, integrity, and honesty.
- Diversity in teams, services, and leadership.
- Equity in pay and enhanced employee engagement.
DEI Council Members
Katrina Jones, MS, PHR, SHRM-CP (Co-Chair, DEI Council)
Katrina Jones is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Talent Management for Acacia Network, Inc. and is the co-chair of Acacia Network’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, which cultivates a supportive and inclusive environment at all levels within the organization. A versatile and tested human resources professional with extensive experience, Katrina has a solid educational foundation which includes post-graduate training at Cornell University’s School for Industrial and Labor Relations where she earned a Human Resources Director’s Certificate, a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management & Organizational Development from Manhattanville College, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Communications from the College of New Rochelle, and an Associate’s degree in Computer Science and Office Information Systems from Pace University, earning each degree Summa Cum Laude. She is duly certified as a Human Resources Professional by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and is certified in the Prosci Change Management Methodology.
Dr. David C. Collymore (Co-Chair, DEI Council)
Dr. David C. Collymore is the Chief Medical Officer of Acacia Network, where he also serves as co-chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. He completed the B.S. – M.D. Accelerated Medical Program at Howard University and received a National Health Service Corps Scholarship and a W.K. Kellogg Community Medicine Fellowship during medical school. Dr. Collymore earned his medical degree at the age of 23 in May 2000. Additionally, he holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Health Care from George Washington University. Throughout his career, Dr. Collymore has received numerous accolades, including commendations from the New York State Senate and the Comptroller of New York City. He has been recognized as one of America’s Top Pediatricians and named a Top 40 Under Forty Achiever by The Network Journal. Dr. Collymore is actively involved in various professional organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Clinical Committee of the Community Health Care Association of New York State.
Melany Compres (Chair, Transforming the Workplace Taskforce)
Melany Compres joined Acacia Network in 2017, where she currently serves as the Director of Operations for the Office of the CEO, in charge of streamlining administrative and operational aspects at the Executive Level, while overseeing special projects and initiatives. She sits on Acacia Network’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council which cultivates a supportive and inclusive environment at all levels within the organization; she chairs the Transforming the Workplace Taskforce which focuses on promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion inside and outside the workplace. Melany began her career in social services at the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). She possesses a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, both from Lehman College.
Erik Alicea
Erik Alicea is the Director of Human Resources at Acacia Network, and is also a member of the Transforming the Workplace subcommittee of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council of Acacia Network. Prior to joining the Acacia Network, Erik served in various roles within several non-profits and community-based organizations, including Phipps Houses and Good Shepherd Services. In addition to his professional career, Erik partners with organizations to volunteer his time advocating and speaking to LGBTQ+ youth, and dedicates time to pride events throughout New York City. He is a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He is currently enrolled in Rutgers University advancing his education.
Lorraine Coleman
Lorraine Coleman serves as Acacia Network’s Senior Vice President of Development Policy and Planning, responsible for building upon our Supportive Housing portfolio and exploring expansion opportunities. Lorraine has a strong background in program oversight, quality improvement, and policy development, and has been working in the behavioral health and supportive housing fields for 15+ years. Prior to joining Acacia, Lorraine supervised downstate supportive housing programming for the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). Lorraine has been an active member of the Supportive Housing Network of New York (SHNNY) and the New York City Continuum of Care on HUD funding (NYC CCOC). She holds a Master’s in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Gotfred Effah
Gotfred Effah is Shift Supervisor and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council Member. He is a native of Drobo- Ghana, born in the Drobo and raised in Berekum-Ghana. Among his accomplishments, Gotfred led a PCUSA team that designed and support a maternity ward in Ho Ghana, was instrumental in the adoption of leadership development initiatives for women and children in the USA network program, now spanning more than three networks. He previously held roles at Affinity, Montefiore, MTA, and Monroe College. Gotfred received his Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration degree from the Catholic University of Ghana, a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Monroe College, and is pursuing a Master of Health Informatics from the University of Maryland.
Talanda Jackson-Franklin
As Vice President of Social Services for Acacia Network, Talanda Jackson-Franklin oversees the agency’s Supportive Housing (SH) and social services portfolios, which include OMH-licensed Community Residences and Apartment Treatment Programs, as well as OPWDD-Certified Residences and SH Programs funded by DOHMH, OMH, OASAS, COC, HUD, HRA and HASA. A skilled administrator with an extensive background in supervised residential settings, supportive housing, and day habilitation programs, Talanda holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration on Human Resource Management, as well as a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Long Island University (LIU) and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the College of New Rochelle.
Keith Martin
Keith Martin currently serves as the Senior Administrator of OTP at Acacia Network. His career spans over 30 years, during which he has served in several capacities, from his early beginnings as a community youth worker to his advancements as a social worker and addiction counselor. Keith earned his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and his Master’s in Social Work with a specialization in addictions study form the State University at SUNY Stony Brook. Keith also enjoys a fantastic collegiate career where he received numerous awards and scholars including All American candidate, three-time recipient of MVP honors and academic excellence honors.
Caroline J. Morales-Colón, Esq.
Caroline Morales, Esq. joined Acacia Network’s Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) as its Corporate Compliance & Privacy Officer in January 2022. With a longstanding career in public service, she brings to Acacia extensive experience conducting investigations and administrative hearings, and is well versed in Litigation, Employment law, Corporate and Labor Law. Prior to her role at Acacia Network, she served as a Staff Attorney for BronxWorks, and held various positions within key government entities in Puerto Rico, including the Puerto Rico Treasury Department and the Puerto Rico Office of Government Ethics.
Keith Rasmussen
Keith Rasmussen is the Executive Director of Seedco, an Acacia Network affiliate that provides workforce development and benefits access to underserved communities at the national level. Keith possesses over a decade of management and operations leadership experience, along with expertise in service delivery, human resources, oversight of multiple program models and systems, knowledge of job recruitment and retention, and experience in a variety of program-evaluation techniques. Before joining Seedco in 2012, Keith held leadership positions at ResCare, Goldman Sachs and Deloitte & Touche. He studied business administration at Brooklyn College, CUNY.
Giamara M. Rosado, Esq.
Giamara M. Rosado, Esq. is the Senior Vice President/Executive Deputy Counsel of Acacia Network, Inc. and its affiliates, where she assists the Chief Legal Officer in overseeing all legal matters, including litigation, compliance, and risk management, for over 100 related entities. Giamara plays a critical role in the Office of Legal Affairs to ensure corporate responsibility to State and City agencies and contract management for all Acacia’s related entities. Giamara holds a Juris Doctorate from the City University of New York School of Law, a Bachelor of Arts from The Pennsylvania State University, and has completed executive education at Columbia Business School for Nonprofit Professionals. She is a Board Member of the Bronx Women’s Bar Association.
Shary Enid Sánchez, Esq.
Shary Enid Sánchez joined Acacia Network as Deputy Counsel in 2022. As a member of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), she focuses on Acacia’s housing branches, assisting with landlord/tenant matters, as well as reviewing and negotiating leases, among other legal matters. She also assists with litigation claims and case management. Shary has practiced law for 12 years in the public interest field, with varying areas of expertise involving civil litigation, including housing and family law. She is admitted to the Bar of the State of NY, the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of NY and the United States Supreme Court.
Angel Santini
Angel Santini joined Acacia Network in 2016 after working with its affiliate, the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly (IPRHE) for more than a decade. He currently serves as Acacia’s Vice President of Special Projects, Events & Cultural Programs, in charge of overseeing the planning and fundraising efforts for diverse special initiatives across the network, including cultural and senior programming, as well as regional initiatives across Upstate New York and Puerto Rico. Prior to joining Acacia Network and to his work as an events planner for IPRHE, Angel served as Ambassador for the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau and worked in the Cultural Affairs Department for the New York Office of the Puerto Rico Governor. In addition to his deep commitment to arts & culture and to preserving the cultural traditions of his native island, Angel’s career has been dedicated to promoting initiatives and programs that provide opportunities to advance the wellbeing of Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities at large.
Amarilis Soler
An energetic and enthusiastic leader with more than 25 years in nonprofit management, Amarilis serves as Assistant Vice President for Acacia Network Housing, the division that oversees our transitional housing portfolio and homeless services. Prior to Acacia, Amarilis served as Associate Executive Director of the International YMCA, managing programs sponsored by the U.S Department of State. Amarilis immigrated from the Dominican Republic at age 15; the strong values, love and support from her family allowed her to develop a strong sense of empathy, connection to others and desire to give back. Amarilis holds a bachelor’s from Hunter College and a master’s from The New School University in Policy Analysis and Management. She is a fellow of the “We Are New York Program”.
Royce M. Trujillo, DHA
Royce M. Trujillo is an experienced Quality Improvement professional who presently serves as Senior Compliance Administrator at Acacia Network, where he oversees clinical quality and compliance within Acacia’s Behavioral Health Division and manages the implementation of processes that seek to improve the quality of service to our patients. Prior to his tenure at Acacia, he provided direct care to patients and their families as a Technical Nurse and Patient Care Assistant. Royce holds a Doctor of Healthcare Administration Degree from HBCU Virginia University of Lynchburg, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on Medical Emergencies, and a Master’s in Health Leadership Administration (MHA) from Western Governors University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Alton Wilson, MS, MBA, PMQ, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Alton Wilson has over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare field and is a native New Yorker, born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. Presently the Director of Talent Acquisition at Acacia Network, he brings experience working in large, multi-site organizations and healthcare networks such as START treatment and recovery centers, Services for the Underserved (S:US), Montefiore Healthcare System. He holds a master’s degree in Social Work from NYU, master’s degree in Human Resources from Capella University, and master’s degree in Business Administration (Cum Laude) from the Jack Welch Management Institute. In addition, he holds several HR credentials such as PHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM- Talent Acquisition Specialist credential, and SHRM- People Manager Qualification credential.