BOARD

Tara N. Burgess

Executive Director

& CEO

With Epic Since 2012


burgesst@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4114

  • About

    Tara has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit world including 10 years at a large Foundation.  She loves traveling with her husband and spending time with her 4 grown children and 3 young granddaughters.  


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Don't Let the Pidgeon Drive the Bus, Mo Willems

    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Supporting families through the parenting journey.  Parenting is Hard.  I know from experience. 


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Dawn Askew

Director of Parenting

Programs

With Epic Since 2021


askewd@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4139

  • About

    I joined EPIC after 16 years in preventive services; preventing children from going into foster care or assisting with their return to their parent's care.


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Fulfilling my passion of helping others and building a stronger community.


    Personal Mantra:

    Every day brings another opportunity


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    B.A in Health and Human Services                                                                 Masters in Business Administration


Monica Richardson

Director of

Family Engagement

With Epic Since 2012




  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Laura Bentley-Bouchard

Family Engagement Manager & Trainer

With Epic Since 2021


Bentley-BouchardL@epicforchildren.org


  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Lora Cooper

Billing

Specialist

With Epic Since 2022


cooperl@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4187

  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Laurie Ferris

Program & Facilitator Coordinator

With Epic Since 2019


ferrisl@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4127

  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Samantha Cortes

Program

Coordinator

With Epic Since 2022


cortess@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4129

  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Mark Hill

Program

Coordinator

With Epic Since 2012





  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Renee Perry

Program

Coordinator

With Epic Since 2020


perryr@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4126

  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Jane Sorensen

Family Engagement

Program Manager

With Epic Since 2003


sorensenj@epicforchildren.org

845-807-6332


  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Jennifer Majeski

Chief Financial

Officer

With Epic since 2011


majeskij@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4122

  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Jamie Rackl

Director of Professional Development

With Epic Since 2018


Racklj@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4140


  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Liz Vetrano

Director of

Development and Marketing

With Epic Since 2020


vetranol@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4130

  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Laura Carroll

Executive

Assistant

With Epic Since 2021


carrolll@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4115

  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Julanne Durkin

Staff

Accountant

With Epic Since 2018


durkinj@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4123

  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Marvel Miller

Administrative

Assistant

With Epic Since 2012





  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Jacob Emmanuele

Program

Coordinator

With Epic Since 2022


emmabuelej@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4133

  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Nina Littlejohn

Program

Coordinator

With Epic Since 2012





  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Emily Przylucki

Program

Coordinator

With Epic Since 2020


przluckie@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4141

  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Alexis Tabacchi

Program

Coordinator







  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


Sheana VanDyne

Program

Coordinator

With Epic Since 2022


vandynes@epicforchildren.org

716-332-4136


  • About

     EPIC was my first time working for a not-for-profit. I am amazed, and still am, at how hard everyone works and the passion they have for serving the community. It is humbling. 


    My Favorite Children's Book:

    Wide Mouth Frog, by Keith Faulker


    The most meaningful part of working at EPIC is:

    Knowing we make a difference in a family's life that can change the community and the future for the better.


    Personal Mantra:

    Be the reason someone smiles today.


    Certifications, Degrees & Awards:

    BS in Finance

    MBA

    Certified in Lean Management


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