The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York is pleased to announce that Lisa Alford has been named vice chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Ms. Alford joined the board in 2012.
“The Health Foundation supports such critical work in our community, particularly around improving the health and well-being of older adults and children affected by poverty,” said Ms. Alford. “I am thrilled to take on this new role and to support such a committed and vital community partner.”
Ms. Alford is the commissioner of the Onondaga County Department of Adult and Long Term Care Services in Syracuse, NY, whose mission is to provide support to improve the quality of life and overall well-being for adults and those with long term care needs.
As Commissioner, she is responsible for a department that is comprised of the Office for Aging, Adult Protective Services, NY Connects, the Long Term Care Resource Center, the Veterans Service Agency and Mental Health.
“We are so pleased that Lisa is expanding her leadership with the Health Foundation, bringing her substantial experience in public sector health to bear in her role as vice chair,” said Nora OBrien-Suric, PhD, President of the Health Foundation. “She is a tremendous leader in our community and a true champion for the people of Central New York.”
Active in the community, Ms. Alford is vice-chair of the Women’s Fund of Central New York, and a member of the Board of Directors with the American Heart Association and the OASIS Senior Education Program. She is a member of Governor Cuomo’s New York State Behavioral Health Advisory Council, the League of Women Voters, the CNY Population Health Improvement Regional Advisory Committee and the Junior League of Syracuse. Ms. Alford is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., an international community service organization.
She has received widespread recognition and was honored with the Community Service Award from the Junior League of Syracuse Inc. She has received the Champion of Diversity Community Service Award from P.E.A.C.E., Inc.; won the Diversity Achiever Award from the YWCA of Syracuse-Onondaga County; and was the recipient of the Interfaith Works Racial Justice Award.
A resident of Manlius, NY, Ms. Alford holds a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Hampton University and a master’s degree in audiology from The Ohio State University. She earned a certificate of advanced studies from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a certificate from the Head Start Johnson & Johnson Management Fellows Program at the University of California Los Angeles. Additionally, she earned an executive certificate from Georgetown University in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare: Multi-System Integration.
