Our Leadership
Leadership Team
Ashley Dunn
Ashley Dunn joined CEE in January 2022. She holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy from Bay Path University in Massachusetts and a Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.
As a domestic violence survivor, Ashley believes in the need to elevate lived experience as lived expertise. She is passionate about the mission to end violence in our community and ensure that all individuals can connect to resources and seek safety.
William Montero
William Montero joined CEE in January 2017. As CFAO, he is responsible for all administrative and financial matters of the Organization. Bill came to us with 25 years of financial experience, most recently as Chief Financial Officer of Dental Associates of CT.
He brings a dynamic skill set which includes strategic planning, treasury management, financial reporting, analysis, and budgeting. He has the ability to work across all functional groups to solve operational and financial issues and facilitate balanced decisions. Bill holds a B.A. in Accounting from Western Connecticut State University.
Samantha Conetta Flynn
Samantha Conetta Flynn, Chief Development Officer (CDO). She holds a B.A. from Western Connecticut State University, a certificate in Fundraising from New York University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration through Marist College. Samantha has worked on various development teams, including other local nonprofits as well as national organizations based out of NYC, helping to grow their fundraising programs. She’s passionate about working for CEE because she knows her contributions to the organization are benefiting her own neighbors since she lives within our service area.
Abilene Ribeiro
Graduated with a Bachelors in Social Work and Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Abilene (Abby) has always volunteered throughout her life. She has offered her skills through faith base organizations helping the community through different projects ranging from music, theater, connection groups, psychoeducational groups, and community outreach. In addition, she has always provided support and counseling to any individuals she came across in her attempt to genuinely help others, which has always been a passion of hers.
Abby has worked as a Family Support Worker, Parent Educator, ESL teacher, and Director of Resource Center for Danbury Public School. Former Anti-human Trafficking Program Director, she was part of a Task Force in Palm Beach County, working directly with the sheriff’s Office and Victim Services. In addition, she worked closely with the FBI, joining forces in the fight against human trafficking. At CEE she had the opportunity to work as a Shelter Manager, and multilingual counselor, Manager of Counseling services and now as a Director of Client Support Services.
Working at CEE has allowed her to exert her passion which is to help others. She is honored and humbled for the opportunity to work at the agency. She is dedicated to continue to strive and provide assistance to those who are in need and wanting to live a life free from violence. She is certainly proud to be part of this incredible team, passionate about CEE’s mission and committed to helping the community we serve.
Cara Mackler
Board of Directors
Chairperson
Eric J. Eggan, Esq., Arbitration & Mediation, Eggan Law, PLLC
Vice Chairperson/Development Chair
Elaine Cox, Community Activist
Treasurer
Kelcey Hoyt, Chief Accounting Officer, Linde
Secretary
Glori Norwitt, Esq., Community Activist/Employment Law
Lori Berisford
Community Activist/Fundraising
Amanda Bristol
Tax Manager, Reynolds & Rowella, LLP
Erin Byrne
CEO, Sisu Communications/Owner, Cotton Candy Fabrics
Courtney Elliott
Manager, Partnerships at Cedar, Inc.
Dr. Paul Fiedler
Pathologist, Nuvance Health Medical Group
Susan Gessner
Community Activist/Communications & Marketing
Dr. Evan Hack
Pediatrician/Partner, Candlewood Valley Pediatrics
Greg Pepin
CPA, Partner, Reynolds & Rowella, LLP
Vicki Taylor-Bloch
Owner, At Home Design
Advisory Council
Deborah Backes
Owner, Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe
Brenda Berta
Community Activist
Wendy Wo Beurket
Community Activist
Pamela Chapman
Community Activist
Rebecca Ciota
Attorney, Rebecca L. Ciota Legal Group, LLC
LouAnn Daprato
Senior Loan Officer, Total Mortgage
Paul P. Dinto
President and CEO, Paul Dinto Electrical Contractors
Eric J. Eggan
Chairperson, CEE/Arbitration & Mediation Attorney, Eggan Law, PLLC
Hillel Goldman
Attorney, Collins Hannafin, P.C.
Kathy Graham
Vice President, Fairfield County Bank
Nancy Hawley
Community Activist
Barbara R. Manners
Selectman, Town of Ridgefield
Nancy Murphy
Community Activist
Mark Nolan
Partner, Nolan Enterprises
Kathy Pape
Community Activist
Karen Ross
Owner, Joe’s Salon & Spa
John Royce
Partner, Candlewood Inn, The Riverview & The Waterview
Stacy Singer-Schulman
Assistant Vice President/Community Development Officer, Savings Bank of Danbury
Paul Steinmetz
Director of Community Relations & Public Affairs, Western CT State University
Allison Stockel
Executive Director, The Ridgefield Playhouse
Eileen Walker
Community Activist
Ashley Dunn
President & CEO, CEE
Men’s Council
Eric J. Eggan, Esq.
Co-Chair, Arbitration & Mediation, Eggan Law, PLLC
Dr. Paul Feidler
Co-Chair, Pathologist, Nuvance Health Medical Group
Greg Pepin
C0-Chair, CPA, Partner, Reynolds & Rowella, LLP
Dr. William Begg III
Vice President of Medical Affairs, Emergency Department, Vassar Brothers Medical Center
John Berisford
President, S & P Global Ratings
Senator Richard Blumenthal
U.S. Senate
David Cappiello
President, Capitol Hill Group, LLC
Ethan Carey
Morning Radio Show Host, i95 FM
Dan Carter
First Selectman, Town of Bethel
Dr. Joseph Cleary
Retired Physician
Paul Dinto
President & CEO, Paul Dinto Electrical Contractors
Monte Frank, Esq.
Pullman & Comley Attorneys, LLC
Hillel Goldman, Esq.
Attorney, Collins Hannafin, P.C.
Irv Goldstein
CEO, Berkshire Broadcasting
Noel Hord
Co-Founder, The Hord Foundation
Reed Idriss, MD Emergency Medicine, Nuvance Health, Danbury Hospital
Matthew Knickerbocker
First Selectman, Town of Bethel
Joe Loth
Head Football Coach, Western Connecticut State University
Rudy Marconi
First Selectman, Town of Ridgefield
Gary Michael
Owner, Michael & Michael
Robin Montgomery
Retired Chief of Police, Brookfield Police Department
Stephen G. Rosentel
CPA, President, Leahy’s Fuels, Inc.
John Royce
Co-Owner, Fairfield Caterers
Thomas J. Saadi, Esq.
CT Commissioner of Veterans Affairs & Justice of the Peace
Andy Sachs
Realtor, Keller Williams
Fred Savenelli, LPC
Clinical Supervisor, Family Study Center
Jeremy Stein
Executive Director, CT Against Gun Violence
Paul Steinmetz
Director, University & Community Relations, Western Connecticut State University
Elvis Novas MNI Targeted Media, Danbury, CT
Andy Sachs Owner, Around the Town Realty, Newtown, CT
Annual Report
Success Story
Mr. Deluco
While working with Mr. DeLuco’s (name changed for privacy) 4th grade class there was a brief moment between activities where a young lady came up to our educator.
News & Press
Latest news about CEE, press releases, and more.
Safety Planning
Meet our Leaders
Our leadership team comprises a group of educated and experienced professionals who are passionate about building a safer community for all of us.