Board of Directors
President
Nettie Crossman
Nettie has served on the Safe board for 10 years, and has previously served on two other local agency boards, the Schenectady YWCA and the SCCU Begley Library Advisory Board.
Nettie is a retired educator, having worked as an English teacher and then librarian. She is a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University, in Durham, where she received her Bachelor's degree; and the University at Albany where she received her Master's. Nettie is active with her church, Grace Fellowship, and the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Besides her family, and her volunteerism at Safe Inc., Nettie's other great joy is vegetable gardening.
Treasurer
Cathy Lewis
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Fund Development
Pamela Carter
Pamela is a lifelong resident of Schenectady, New York. She finds great value and fulfillment in serving the community by helping others. She loves being part of Safe Inc. because it provides vital services to at risk youth in a supportive and caring environment. Pamela is a vegan who loves reading, yoga, walking and being positive. Most importantly she is a proud mom and nana!
Barbara Dworkin
Board Member
Barbara has had the honor and privilege of serving on the Safe Inc. board for over 20 years! She is very passionate in advocating for human rights for all and has been very active in helping new immigrants become assimilated into the Capital District.
Jennifer Whitson
Board Member
Jennifer has been a Safe, Inc. board member since July 2020 and serves as Chair of the Fund Development Committee. Jennifer comes to Safe, Inc. with a diverse career background that spans over 20 years in public and private event and communications management. In addition to her work for Safe, Inc., she is active in community service with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Jennifer attended public middle school and high school in Schenectady and is a graduate of SUNY, Buffalo State.
Katie Murphy
Board Member
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Brian Epstein
Board Member
An experienced entrepreneur with three successful technology ventures, Brian is currently the Vice President and General Manager of Deep Blue, A Comcast Business Company. Brian founded Deep Blue as a commercial Wi-Fi provider that evolved from the merger of WiFiFee and Deep Blue Wireless. In May of 2019, Deep Blue was acquired by Comcast Business. Previous to Deep Blue, Brian founded Vision Systems an IT Consulting Company that was sold to TAGSolutions and also Co-Founded Autotask, which is now part of Datto.
Brian serves on the boards of Passport for Good and Flowactive. He has received numerous awards and honors, including being elected President of Young Entrepreneurs Organization Albany Chapter, being selected to Capital District Business Review’s 40 Under 40 List, and being awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the Albany Center for Economic Growth. In 2012, Brian officially became an inventor after receiving a patent on Deep Blue Communications’ Searchshaper™ technology. Brian received a BS in mechanical engineering from Union College.
Constance DuVerney
Vice President
Connie has been a Safe Inc. Board of Directors member since 2018 and became Vice President in 2019.
She earned a B.S. from Hampton University, an M.A. from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, Reading Specialist Certification from SUNY @Albany and Administrative certification from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Connie retired from the Schenectady City School District after 37 years of service working as a reading teacher, academic intervention supervisor, assistant principal and elementary school principal.
In retirement, she enjoys visiting the elderly, volunteering at City Mission and ushering at Proctors Theater. At Safe Inc., Connie hopes to make a difference.
Joanne Coppola
Secretary
Joanne is a retired Family and Consumer Science Teacher, and still enjoys substitute teaching. Joanne also loves to spend time outdoors.
Monique Wade
Board Member
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Rev. Stanley Skinner
Board Member
Stanley retired in 2007 from the position of assistant executive director of the schenectady municipal housing authority. He currently lives in Middleburgh, NY and is a part time minister at the Preston Hollow Baptist Church.
Tom Anadio
Board Member
32 years working for not for profits in the human service field in the capacity of Director and executive director. Former VP of Franchising in a local agency focused on outplacement services for executive level clients. Owner of AHI specializing in residential custom remodeling.
Beverly Shutts
Board Member
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Dr. Deidre Hill Butler
Board Member
Dr. Deidre Hill Butler enjoys living in Schenectady. She is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Chief Academic Diversity Officer at Union College. Prof. Hill Butler is the former Director of the Africana Studies Program at Union College as well. She has made academic contributions to and received awards from multiple professional associations. She is on the leadership team for the Capital Region Anti-Racism Alliance and Cocoa house Inc. She is a member of the Duryee AME Zion Church in Schenectady; Delta Mu Omega Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; the Greater Albany Chapter of Jack and Jill of America; the Schenectady Silhouettes; and the Schenectady Chapter of the NAACP. She is married to Alan Butler Sr. the bonus mother to four adults and birth mother to two teenagers who attend Schenectady public schools. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve on The Safe Inc. Board.
Honorary Board Member - Marie Gorman