About VeteransOutreach Center, Inc.
Based in Rochester, NY, our veterans’ center is a place where every veteran is welcome, no matter when, where, or how they served. Unlike other programs that come with restrictions, we proudly serve all who wore the uniform, offering no-cost services designed to meet real needs with compassion and respect.
Our one-stop shop provides everything from employment assistance to wellness programs , housing support , and more. We continuously adapt our programs to keep pace with the changing needs of veterans and foster strong, lasting relationships with those we serve, as well as with our generous community of donors. While we are not the VA, we are honored to be a trusted resource, always ready to guide veterans to the right support—even beyond our own services.
Learn more about the no-cost services available to you.
Our Team
Board of Directors
Bernard Schroeder
Chair
President
Lake Beverage Corporation
Ellen Adams
Vice Chair
Owner
Red Hot Dish Catering
Dylan Potter
Treasurer
VP
Howe & Rusling
Don Reeve
Ex Officio
VP
CIO Wegmans (Retired)
Joseph Catone
Secretary
Partner
USAP Agency, LLC
Ed French
SVPESL Federal Credit Union
Jessie Gregorio
Corporate Counsel
U of R Medical Center
Matthew Legere
Senior Manager
L3Harris Technologies
Jim Magee
CEOParadigm Environmental
Sean McNamara
ControllerPICS Telecom
Marvin Patterson Jr.
Military Tech
U.S. Department of Defense
Joe Robach
CEOGreece Chamber of Commerce
Yashira Rodriguez, MAOL
Associate Director, Spine Surgery & Sports Medicine
Saratoga Hospital Medical Group
Gregory Schneider
DirectorCoalition Greenwich
David Speer
Project ManagerLeChase Construction
Dr. Peter Ziarnowski
Clinical Psychologist(Retired)
Senior Leadership
Laura Heltz
Executive DirectorPublished Author
Laura Heltz is an Army veteran who spent eight years on active duty. Just before leaving the service, Laura earned her Master of Science in Business Administration from Baker College. Laura has worked with veterans for more than a decade, and in 2015, she was inducted into the NYS Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. Laura has co-authored two books – The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to the ASVAB and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the ASVAB. In 2019, she won the RBJ Woman of Excellence award. Laura has been a Girl Scout Troop Leader for eight years and lives in Penfield with her twins, Thomas and Sarah.
Allison Tursi
Senior DirectorHuman Resources
Allison brings over 25 years in human resources to her role at VOC, including significant experience in strategic leadership, employee relations, talent acquisition, and providing guidance and consulting support to senior executives. Her professional experience includes work in both for-profit and non-profit organizations, primarily in healthcare, education, and human services. Allison earned her BS in Communications from SUNY College at Brockport, is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and is pursuing her Workplace Mental Health Ally certification through Psych Hub and SHRM.
Joan Brandenburg, CFRE
Director of Advancement
Joan is a seasoned development professional with more than 15 years of experience in fundraising leadership. After a long and successful career in broadcast journalism, Joan made the transition to the non-profit community as a means to give back. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and received her CFRE certification in November 2019.
Haylee Horn
Chief of Staff& Administrative Projects
Haylee joined VOC in 2021 after receiving her bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Rochester. As a student, she spent much of her free time working with nonprofit and community service organizations on campus, and after graduating, she chose to continue her nonprofit work with Veterans Outreach Center. Haylee has served in multiple roles within the agency in her time here and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from SUNY Brockport with a concentration in nonprofit management. As the niece, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter of Navy, Air Force, and Army veterans, Haylee is always excited to support VOC’s mission of serving those who serve U.S.
Loni Wellman
Director of Programs
Loni Wellman is the Director of Programs for Veterans Outreach Center. With a robust background in program management, community outreach, and volunteer engagement, Loni has held significant roles, including Good Neighbor Program Director at Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and Volunteer and Events Manager at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. With a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree in History from Flagler College, Loni brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her 17 years in the nonprofit industry. In her free time, Loni enjoys the quiet moments at home, with her two pups, Mr. Oliver and Hamlet, and with her new husband, Justin.
Management Team
Mark Mccloskey
Behavioral Health Manager & Veterans Treatment Court Representative
Mark joined the Army right out of high school, serving eight years of active duty. During that time, he was deployed to Iraq twice and spent a year in South Korea. After being honorably discharged in 2009, Mark returned to school, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration and then his Master’s in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College. Mark is now a Licensed Master Social Worker focusing on Behavioral Health Counseling.
Nena Siverd
Vets With Pets Program Manager
Nena has 28+ years of experience in Employment & Training programs with non-profit agencies in Rochester. Of those, 21 years have been working at VOC, serving a diverse socio-economic veteran population. Nena is the proud daughter of a Korean War Purple Heart Marine and comes from a long line of veterans. She loves animals (especially her two dogs and four cats), spending time with family and friends, watching Boston teams (especially Red Sox and Patriots), and horseback riding!
Kristin Calcagno, MS, CASAC
Advanced Supportive Services Manager
Kristin has been a part of the Veterans Outreach Center team for 7 years. She worked as a Case Manager with Rochester Veterans Treatment Court for over 6 years and now oversees the Supportive Services Team at VOC. Kristin is an Advanced Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) with 11 years of experience in the field. She has worked in substance use treatment, Drug Treatment Court, and on the Veterans Crisis Line. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Criminology/Criminal Justice and her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Niagara University. As the daughter of an Air Force Veteran, Kristin is passionate about serving Veterans.
Tim Fox
Controller
Tim joined VOC as Controller in June 2017 and brings more than 15 years of not-for-profit accounting experience. His father is a Navy veteran, and his uncle is a Marine veteran who served in Vietnam. Tim graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from RIT. He currently lives in Fairport with his three sons and one daughter.
Tim also holds the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt in Isshin-Ryu Karate with more than 40 years of training and teaching experience.
Jeff Klein
Wellness Programs Manager
Jeff served honorably in the Navy from 1987 until 2009. He served at Ground Zero after 9/11 and earned the Defense of Liberty Medal with the World Trade Center Device. He is a retired Road Patrol Sergeant, serving with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy, Investigator, and Sergeant for over 21 years, where he retired as the Supervisor of the Community Services Unit. Jeff spent several years volunteering in his children’s schools before joining the Veterans Outreach Center as a Residential Case Manager in 2019. Jeff founded and organized, “They Stepped Up to the Plate” where he seeks to honor surviving members of Negro League baseball. He received US Congressional Recognition for his efforts. Jeff lives in Mendon, NY, with his wife and 3 children, where he was elected to the HFL Board of Education and served as President of HF-M Rotary. He also coached youth baseball for 9 years. Jeff is an avid hiker and an Adirondack 46er. He enjoys spending time with his family hiking, camping, and attending live music concerts.
Lisa Schrader
Residential Community Manager
Lisa has over fifteen years’ experience in the field of mental health, with an emphasis on severe and persistent mental illness, dual diagnoses, and LGBTQ populations, and has worked with a consultant to write research summary reports on psychometric scales for physicians. A Trauma Informed Care trainer and Diversity and Inclusion advocate, Lisa has also served on multiple councils for DE&I and was a Change Team Member for St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. Lisa holds a BS in Psychology and has been a part of the VOC team since 2020. An avid music fan, Lisa enjoys attending live music concerts and traveling.
Kari Donnelly
Assistant Residential Director
Kari started at VOC in July of 2022 as a residential case manager; she has an associate’s degree in criminal justice and an associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She is a mom of three boys and lives in Groveland, NY. Kari loves to be outside, whether it is watching the kids play sports or enjoying a long walk in the woods. Family is everything to Kari, and she loves to hike, ride four-wheelers, and spend Sundays at her mom’s for dinner. She has always enjoyed working with and helping others, which brought her to VOC.
Michele H. Martell
Advancement Manager
Michele has a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from Walsh College in Troy, Michigan. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she has lived across the U.S. and overseas, and has a strong background in sales, writing, and operations. Michele has also worked as a Department of Defense civilian, contractor, and volunteer on several military installations. During her off-time, Michele enjoys music, volunteering at the city animal shelter, working out at the gym, and spending time with her kids and rescue dogs who reside with her in Irondequoit.
Lloyd Hall
Residential Services Manager
Lloyd Hall is a Marine Corps veteran who spent ten years on active duty. While on active duty, Lloyd served as a Legal Service Specialist and deployed to Iraq in 2009. After the military, Lloyd worked in the food service distribution industry for seven years as an Operations Associate, Selector, and Loader. Lloyd started at VOC in July of 2023 as a Peer Support Specialist and was eventually promoted to his current position. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and watching the History Channel.
Chief Happiness Officer
Kuma
Kuma – He/Him – 5 yo Kuma is a Golden Retriever that was handpicked from his litter to be a service dog. After many long hours of training for over a year, he ended up failing because he barks at other dogs in public, and he just wants to play! He enjoys having his hips rubbed and Crunchy O’s. He dislikes peanut butter and the vet.