staff posing with picture frame

Team and Board

Meet the Team

CHERI ALVAREZ, CEO

Cheri Alvarez graduated from Canisius College with her Master’s Degree in Counseling Education and proceeded to commit her career to working in the Western New York non-profit community for the past 25 years. Prior to joining Compeer, Cheri served ast the Chief Operating Officer at YWCA WNY and the Chief Operating Officer at Cradle Beach. Her career also includes a leadership role at Catholic Charities where she served as the Coordinator of Closing the Gap (CTG), responsible for the oversight, development and implementation of Site Facilitators in the Buffalo Public schools. At Gateway-Longview she rose through positions, ultimately serving as the Director of Foster Care and Permanency Services. Cheri is a Business First “40 Under 40” awardee (2015), a graduate of the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York Leadership Fellows program as well as a graduate of the University at Buffalo’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Core Program.

CYNTHIA DORMAN, CFO

Cynthia loves working at Compeer; it has been a rewarding experience! The combination of the people and mission creates a work environment that is powerful and transforming; not only for our volunteers and clients, but for the staff, as well: “I am passionate about the work we do because friendship matters! To see a person live a better life because they now have a friend who they can spend quality time with is truly incredible. I know I am making a difference in our community by ministering to the needs of others, being a good listener, showing compassion and encouraging individuals to never give up on there dreams.”

KENDRA ELLIOTT, DIRECTOR

Prior to becoming Director of Compeer International, Kendra worked as the Executive Director of Compeer of Lebanon County in Lebanon, Pennsylvania for four years. She has over ten years of experience working at non-profit agencies such as Dress for Success and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Kendra completed her Bachelor’s of Business Management and Human Resources and her Master’s of Organizational Leadership and Development at Central Penn College. She has also completed multiple servant leadership trainings and serves her community volunteering in various roles.  She has been featured in Pennsylvania Business Journal, ABC News, Good Day PA, CBS News and multiple other media outlets for coverage of both her personal and professional journey and has been recognized by her county government as a strong community leader. She enjoys spending time with her family and is extremely involved in her children’s activities. She is motivated to lead by example and finds it extremely important to live a positive life! She is passionate about helping Compeer grow.
Sierra photo

Sierra Schwartz, Affiliate Relations Coordinator

With a deep passion for helping people and the community, Sierra is thrilled to join the Compeer team. She has extensive experience and success in healthcare marketing, digital marketing, and contact tracing. Sierra has a strong background in building client relations, with the ability to approach individuals in an emotionally and culturally aware manner. Her communication, computer, and creative skills have enabled her successes to this point. Sierra is committed to making an impact with her excellent interpersonal skills and drive to help affiliates and community members, making her a perfect fit for Compeer.

Bunny Skriboll

BERNICE SKIRBOLL, COMPEER’S FOUNDER

Bernice “Bunny” Skirboll founded Compeer nearly 50 years ago following a near-fatal automobile accident. Her long rehabilitation helped her realize the power of friendship, and she vowed to make a difference in other people’s lives. Skirboll served as executive director since Compeer’s inception. Under her leadership, Compeer grew from a small program to an internationally recognized mental health agency. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Rochester and has received numerous professional awards. Bernice wrote a book about Compeer, “Compeer: Recovery Through the Healing Power of Friends,” which the University of Rochester Press published in 2006. Bunny sits on the board of directors for Compeer Inc.

Board of Directors

Compeer Officers

Jessica Fuchs, Chair

Montante Solar

Vice Chair

Vacant

Gretchen Kelly, Secretary

PLEA Agency

Kenton Stancliff, Treasurer

Department of Homeland Security

Board Members

Mary Czopp

Child and Family Services

Michele Dill

Keller Williams

Dr. Ellen Grant

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Peter Heffley

Canisius College, Community Volunteer

Clifford Jackson

U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, Western District of New York

Rob Kubiak

Arthur Elliott Marketing Group

Michael Lignos

MTL Contracting Company

Paulette E. Ross, Esq.

The Coppola Firm

Bernice Skirboll

Founder, Compeer

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Copyright © 2024

Compeer’s Purpose:  We strive to empower communities worldwide to implement the Compeer model of nonclinical social engagement programs, fostering mental wellbeing through meaningful connections.

 

Values:  Compassion • Opportunity • Mental Wellbeing • Peer Affiliate Support • Equity & Belonging • Empowerment • Relationships

 

Compeer recruits, screens, and matches trained volunteers and mentors in one-to-one supportive friendship relationships with children, adults, military veterans and seniors who are striving for good mental health.

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