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NPW 2021 New Board Members Bios

Donnovan Beckford
CEO, WestCOP

Donnovan P. Beckford is the CEO and executive director of Westchester Community Opportunity Program Inc., the nonprofit social services agency in Elmsford known as WestCOP. Since 1999, Beckford led the two-county Workforce Development Board, which links employers and job seekers at its One-Stop Career Centers. The agency under his direction has cultivated regional partnerships between businesses, service providers and the public education system.

Beckford received his MBA from Zicklin School of Business at City University of New York’s Baruch College and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from CUNY-Lehman College.

In 2016, he was awarded The Harold Fitzpatrick Community Leadership Award by African American Men of Westchester and The Business Council of Westchester for his innovative and visionary approach to improving the job environment for employers and employees.


Seth Diamond
CEO, Westchester Jewish Community Services

    Seth Diamond is the Chief Executive Officer of Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) one of the largest human service agencies in Westchester, providing care to people of all ages and diverse backgrounds who are confronting significant challenges. Agency experts provide mental health, trauma, disabilities, your, home care and geriatric services. Mr. Diamond assumed this position in June of 2018. Prior to joining WJCS, Mr. Diamond spent nearly thirty years in city and state roles primarily providing services to low income New Yorkers. Seth was Commissioner of Homeless Services under Mayor Bloomberg and spent 15 years at the city's Human Resources Administration overseeing the cash assistance, food stamp and employment programs. He also was Chief Operating Officer for MetroPlus, the health insurance arm of New York City Health and Hospitals. He also currently is an Adjunct Professor at NYU Wagner. Seth was awarded his undergraduate degree by Brown University, magna cum laude and graduated NYU School of Law.

    Karen Erren
    President & CEO, Feeding Westchester


    Karen C. Erren recently joined Feeding Westchester after an extensive nationwide search as their new President & Chief Executive Officer. The longtime food banker has more than fifteen years of nonprofit experience. Karen comes to Feeding Westchester from the Palm Beach County Food Bank in Florida where she served as Executive Director. Prior to joining the Palm Beach County Food Bank in 2017, Erren switched her focus from corporate America to the nonprofit world, serving as director of business development for Russ Reid in Pasadena, CA, a marketing and communications agency devoted to the growth of nonprofits. She has also served as development director of the Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock, where she tripled its annual income; executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Little Rock where she led double-digit revenue growth each year while strengthening its infrastructure and organizational processes; and director of resource development for City Rescue Mission in Jacksonville, FL. Erren received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Stephens College in Columbia, MO.

    Erren is known for her excellent problem solving, communication, and relationship-building skills, with success in fostering collaboration and building consensus. Her past experience demonstrates a history of creating and implementing goals that exceed targets through strategic planning, fiscal oversight, stewardship, and major gift procurement. It is this experience that has well-prepared her for this most recent leadership role. Since working in the non-profit sector, Erren’s career has been filled with purpose and reward. She believes that the key to professional success is a willingness to see yourself clearly.


    Brigitte Griswold
    Executive Director, Groundwork Hudson Valley

    As Executive Director of Groundwork, Brigitte oversees the organization's efforts to create sustainable environmental change in Yonkers through community-based partnerships that promote equity, youth leadership, and economic opportunity. Prior to joining Groundwork, Brigitte was the Director of Youth Engagement Programs for the Nature Conservancy, where she managed all education, volunteer, and employment programs for young people. During her thirteen-year tenure at The Nature Conservancy, she impacted the lives of millions of young people, raised over $14 million in support of youth programming, and launched promotional efforts which reached over 200 million viewers, readers and listeners.

    Brigitte is a 2009 Fellow of Green for All, a national organization dedicated to building an inclusive green economy, and a 2010 Fellow of the Center for Whole Communities, which promotes stronger connections between people, land, and community. Her work has been recognized by The Environmental Protection Agency, The National Park Service, Westchester County, and The City of Yonkers, and she has also received notable awards from The Conservation Fund, The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, The Edison Award Honoring Innovation and Innovators, The US2020 STEM Mentoring Award for Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships, and the Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Achievement Award for individuals who demonstrate creative strategies, courage in execution and leadership in achieving results. Brigitte holds a B.A in Communications and English literature from the University of South Carolina. 

    Judy Troilo
    Executive Director, The Loft

    Born and raised in Westchester County, Judy Troilo joined The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center as Executive Director in November 2014 and has worked tirelessly to elevate the LGBTQ+ community in Westchester. She brings a wealth of experience in both the not-for-profit sector and the arts and entertainment industry to her leadership position at The LOFT.

    During her time at The LOFT, Judy has significantly grown The LOFT’s capacity to deliver needed programs and services to LGBTQ+ people living in Westchester County and surrounding areas. Judy is a proud member of the Westchester County Women’s Advisory Board, Equality New York Advisory Committee, and has worked in countless other ways to improve the lives of people in Westchester County and New York State.

    Before Joining the LOFT, Judy was Executive Director for more than 10 years for an Albany-based New York statewide not-for-profit organization that assists thousands of disenfranchised individuals and families with health services, employment opportunities, and affordable housing.

    Prior to segueing into the not-for-profit sector, Judy worked in the entertainment industry for 15 years. For eleven of those years, Judy was with a major record label and was one of the youngest recording industry executives as well as one of the few female vice presidents at the time. Judy was instrumental in developing artists such as Melissa Etheridge and The Cranberries, and worked with other renowned artists such as Grace Jones, Tom Waits, and U2. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts (BFA) in NYC, Judy is also an artist, filmmaker, and musician.

    Judith Watson
    CEO, Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center

    Judith immigrated to the USA from Jamaica West Indies at age 7 and settled in White Plains. Upon graduation from White Plains High School, she joined the United States Army touring on active duty for 3 years, stationed on Ford Island in Hawaii. She then joined the Army Reserves where she served actively for 7 years ultimately achieving the rank of Sergeant E-5.

    Judith credits her disciplined nature and work ethic to the time spent in the United States Army.  Her desire to serve and help others was formed in the army and her interests turned to nursing.

    She completed her undergraduate studies at Pace University in 1994 earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Registered Nursing. She began her nursing career at the Greenburgh Health Center in 1994 which merged into the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center Inc. in 2005; where she has been employed  for a combined 25 plus years.

    To maximize her contributions to the Center, Judith entered a Master of Public Health Program at New York Medical College attending nights and weekends until graduating in 2007. Throughout her tenure, she has served in many capacities including varying levels of nursing, Executive Director of the Greenburgh Health Center site and Chief Operating Officer of the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, all of which has led to her current position of CEO. 

    The Mission of the health center is a reflection of her work, encompassing her passion for advocacy for others, concern for the health needs of the underserved and desire to help her community. Judith believes that there could be no greater satisfaction for her than playing a role in ensuring that the health care needs are met for all, particularly for the most vulnerable among us.

    Judith’s job responsibilities in addition to producing a public access television show, participation on a number of boards and serving as an adjunct professor, account for the lion’s share of her time; however, the remaining hours are reserved for her loving family and significant other, good friends, jogging, travel, movies and meditation.

    @ 2021 Nonprofit Association of Westchester, Inc. 

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