Leadership
Renee A. Filip
President & CEO
Welcome to Our Aspire Website!
We are proud of our 74-year history, during which time we have evolved into an agency filled with passion and commitment serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We provide the full scope of services, beginning with Early Intervention through palliative care – and all supports and services in between.
Our staff of over 1,500 caring and talented professionals are privileged to work with over 4,000 individuals. It is truly an honor to be entrusted with the growth and well-being of some of the very best people in Western New York!
During this pandemic – more than ever before – we realize that “we are all in this together.” It is our intention that you find this website helpful. I invite you to take a look around and explore. If you have suggestions, or are unable to locate the information you seek, don’t hesitate to contact us via the information on the site. We are eager to assist you in any way possible.
Thank you for your interest in Aspire. Stay safe and be well!
Jennifer Ball
Chief Financial Officer
“We can learn to see each other and see ourselves in each other and recognize that human beings are more alike than we are unalike.”
– Maya Angelou
Maria Torgalski
Chief Operating Officer
“There is always a danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the devotion come in – That we do it to God. To Christ. And that is why we do it as beautifully as possible.”
– Mother Teresa
Melissa Roth
Chief Human Resources Officer
“Leaders don’t look for recognition from others, leaders look for others to recognize.”
– Simon Sinek
Jenna Astridge
Director of Agency Outreach and Central Intake
“Leadership is an active, living process. It is rooted in character, forged by experience, and communicated by example.”
– John Baldoni
Mary Ann Coombe
Vice President of Day Habilitation Services
“Let your dreams be bigger than your fears, your actions louder than your words, and your faith stronger than your feeling.”
– M. Scott Peck
Cathy Voyer
Vice President of Educational Services
“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He (she) is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” – Ronald Reagan
Martha Farewell
Vice President of Clinical Services
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, compassion, humor, and style.”
– Maya Angelou
Susan Mentecki
Vice President of Residential Opportunities
“The secret of leadership is simple: Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there. People will follow.”
– Seth Godin
Carrie Spence
VP of Community & Independent living Supports
“Welcome the unexpected in life, learn to bend with grace, let yourself grow, be humble and never forget to look for the beauty change can bring”
– Anonymous
Chris Oberg
Vice President of Environment Safety
“Carpe Diem”
Dawn Kaufman
Director of Finance
“You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things”
– Mother Teresa
Bob Pettit
VP of Quality / Corporate Compliance Officer
“All is well since all grows better.” – Andrew Carnegie
Maria Torgalski
Chief Operating Officer
“There is always a danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the devotion come in – That we do it to God. To Christ. And that is why we do it as beautifully as possible.”
– Mother Teresa
Jennifer Ball
Chief Financial Officer
“We can learn to see each other and see ourselves in each other and recognize that human beings are more alike than we are unalike.”
– Maya Angelou
Melissa Roth
Chief Human Resources Officer
“Leaders don’t look for recognition from others, leaders look for others to recognize.”
– Simon Sinek
Jenna Astridge
Director of Agency Outreach and Central Intake
“Leadership is an active, living process. It is rooted in character, forged by experience, and communicated by example.”
– John Baldoni
Mary Ann Coombe
Vice President of Day Habilitation Services
“Let your dreams be bigger than your fears, your actions louder than your words, and your faith stronger than your feeling.”
– M. Scott Peck
Cathy Voyer
Vice President of Educational Services
“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He (she) is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” – Ronald Reagan
Martha Farewell
Vice President of Clinical Services
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, compassion, humor, and style.”
– Maya Angelou
Susan Mentecki
Vice President of Residential Opportunities
“The secret of leadership is simple: Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there. People will follow.”
– Seth Godin
Carrie Spence
VP of Community & Independent living Supports
“Welcome the unexpected in life, learn to bend with grace, let yourself grow, be humble and never forget to look for the beauty change can bring”
– Anonymous
Chris Oberg
Vice President of Environment Safety
“Carpe Diem”
Dawn Kaufman
Director of Finance
“You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things”
– Mother Teresa
Bob Pettit
VP of Quality / Corporate Compliance Officer
“All is well since all grows better.” – Andrew Carnegie