Katherine Maciol to retire in March after 10 years of service to the agency

TROY, NY – January 6, 2023 – The Commission on Economic Opportunity’s (CEO) Board of Directors Chairperson, Dr. Pat O’Connor, officially announced today that President/Chief Executive Officer, Katherine Maciol, will be retiring at the end of March 2023, and Vice President, Sue Rosa, will be stepping into the role. Katherine is retiring from CEO after ten years of service to the agency, and a lengthy career in mental health services, serving ten years as the Commissioner of Mental Health, prior to her time at the agency. Sue has been with CEO for more than three decades, working her way up from a case worker and program manager to HR Director and eventually, her current role as Vice President.

“We’re happy to see Sue step into this role.” said Pat O’Connor. “We’re confident that she will continue to build on the longstanding success of this organization. She brings decades of experience within the agency to her new leadership role and a true commitment to impacting the lives of the children and families we serve.  Katherine has been an amazing leader, and we thank her for her service.”

Recognized as a Workforce Leader by the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) during Hispanic Heritage Month, Sue Rosa will be the first Latina Chief Executive Officer of the Commission on Economic Opportunity. A native of the South Bronx,

with extensive roots in the City of Troy, she has dedicated her career to making a difference in the lives of others. Her personal journey embodies what the agency stands for. As a child, Sue was a recipient of services like those CEO offers and worked hard to become the first college graduate in her family. During her tenure at CEO, Sue has been dedicated to developing strong teams and creating robust programs and collaborations. She currently sits on the Board of Directors at The Arc of Rensselaer County, an agency close to her heart, and she is deeply committed to helping the communities CEO serves.

Retiring President/CEO Katherine Maciol notes, “For the past ten years it has been an honor to serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of CEO and to have had the opportunity to work with such an amazing team and Board of Directors. I am especially proud of the work we have done through our programs empowering individuals to build a better future. I am excited to hand the reins to Sue Rosa, a competent, compassionate, and dedicated leader, who will continue to build upon the valuable services CEO provides to Rensselaer County.”

During her time as President/CEO, Maciol built a strong leadership team at CEO. Focusing on community partnerships and collaborations as well as smart growth, the agency increased UPK programming in the county, and expanded CEO’s main campus in Troy to include the building of the Urban Training Center, and the under-construction Community Resource Center Bridge Building. The last few years of her tenure have been focused on leading the agency through the COVID-19 Pandemic and continuing to build collaborations with other nonprofits and community partners.

“As CEO’s Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer for the past ten years under Katherine Maciol, Sue Rosa has demonstrated the strong leadership skills needed to lead the organization,” stated Brian Williams, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors.  “Sue is a willing listener, a strong, caring advocate, and most importantly possess the passion for service to our community residents and families.  We are looking forward to Sue amplifying CEO’s significant positive impacts in Rensselaer County, continuing the work and visions of Katherine, and guiding the agency into the future.”

Sue Rosa will officially become the President/CEO of the Commission on Economic Opportunity on April 1, 2023. The leadership team plans on taking the next three months to ensure a smooth transition.

“This feels like a full circle moment to me,” said Sue. “I literally started in an entry level position and have worked my way through the ranks. I appreciate all the mentors who continued to help me grow along the way. I’m proud of the many roles in my life: mom, wife, and now CEO of CEO.”