Leadership

Renee Hungerford
Executive Director / CEO

In 2020, Renee Hungerford joined the Community Action of Orleans and Genesee team as the Executive Director/CEO/CIO. Renee, a native of Buffalo, New York has been a resident of Orleans County since the early nineties and has raised three daughters in that community. Renee is a musician and patron of the Batavia Concert band of Genesee County thus has strong ties and understanding of the communities served by Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. Renee holds a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics and a Bachelor’s in Information Systems. She is committed to using data along with her training in population health and epidemiology to improve health outcomes in her community and to fix our broken healthcare system. Prior to her current role she was Director of Clinical Informatics, Quality, and Population Health at Oak Orchard Health. She also served in various leadership and analytics roles throughout a 30-year career in banking. Renee is a graduate of the 11^th cohort of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York Health Leadership Fellows. She is also a graduate of the 12-month WOMEN Unlimited LEAD program for high potential women and is a proud alum of the Leadership Orleans class of 2021. She serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA) and is a board member of the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS). Renee serves as Co-Chair of the Forward Leading Independent Practice Association Governing Board and a member of the VALOR Medical Reserve Corps. She is also a member of the Lyndonville Lion’s Club. Renee has always emphasized the importance of being “Part of the Solution.”

Tina joined Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in November 2023 as Director of Finance & Administration/CFO. Tina brings over 30 years of experience to the agency and a desire to help people and make a difference. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, and holds certification as a Plan Sponsor Professional and SHRM-SCP. Tina is a lifelong resident of Orleans County, raised her family here and currently resides in Waterport with her husband, Scott.

Tina Schleede
Director of Finance & Administration / CFO

Ryan

Ryan Lasal
Director of Community Programming

Ryan joined Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in May 2024 as the Strategic Director of Children’s Services & Special Projects. Through reorganization, he transitioned into the role of Director of Community Programming. A lifelong resident of Orleans County, Ryan is a dedicated executive leader with a passion for helping his community thrive. With extensive experience in strategic planning, innovation, and team collaboration, he excels in making positive changes through effective projects and initiatives. Ryan holds dual Master’s degrees in Strategic Leadership and Students with Disabilities from Roberts Wesleyan College. Now raising his family in the county, Ryan is committed to fostering community development and empowerment. He is excited to use his skills to support the mission of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and make a meaningful impact in his hometown.

Jackie joined Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in January 2022 as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Operations. During her career has she gained tremendous experience in change management and strategic leadership giving her a strong foundation to develop and lead highly productive and functioning teams. Jackie has been a lifelong resident of Orleans and raised her family here which led to her passion about giving back to the community and making a difference. Currently she serves on the GCASA Executive Board and is a member of the Orleans County United Way Board of Directors.

Jackie Dunham
Director of Operations / COO

Pam Wadhams
Director of Head Start

Pam began her journey with Community Action of Orleans and Genesee in 1993, participated in the UCLA Head Start Management Fellows Program in 2016 and moved into the Director of Head Start position in 2024. Her undergraduate studies in Sociology, with a concentration in Clinical Sociology, from Ithaca College and graduate work in Education at SUNY Brockport ignited Pam’s desire to support the whole child and their family as they prepare to enter and succeed in school. Pam and her husband chose to raise their family in Orleans County, where they were both born and raised, and have embraced countless opportunities to give back to their community. Pam currently serves on Orleans County Mental Health’s Community Service Board and is a regular volunteer at her church.

Our Promise

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Our Mission Statement

To provide services, with dignity and respect, that help people become self-sufficient.

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and have served low-income and disadvantaged families for nearly 60 years. Community Action programs are designed to empower as well as provide opportunity to those who are not yet self-sufficient.

This website is supported in part by Grant Number 93.569 Community Services Block Grant from the Office of Community Services and by Grant Numbers 02CH012464 and 02HP000600 from the Office of Head Start (93.600) within the Administration for Children and Families, both divisions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.