Aspire of WNY is beyond thrilled and incredibly proud to announce that our very own Chief Human Resources Officer, Melissa Roth, has been named the first-ever recipient of the CP State Human Resources Impact Award! This prestigious honor was given to Melissa earlier in 2026 and recognizes an outstanding HR professional in the I/DD field who exemplifies excellence in leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to workforce development.
Anyone who knows Melissa knows that this award couldn’t have gone to a more deserving person. Her journey to the CHRO office is a testament to her dedication. Having started her career in direct support roles and working her way up, Melissa has seen the agency, industry, and WNY community from every angle.
“I started out in direct support, and I truly believe that every single role I’ve held has shaped how I lead today,” Melissa shares. “Every skill I learned along the way gave me a deeper understanding of what our staff needs and how I can best support the incredible people who do this work every single day.”
At her core, Melissa’s true passion is the humans behind the work. She operates with a heartfelt open-door policy, making it her daily mission to ensure that every employee feels heard, valued, and supported. Whether it is a quick check-in or a deep conversation, she is always there to talk things through.
Renee Filip, President & CEO of Aspire of WNY, captures Melissa’s unique magic perfectly:
“What I believe sets Melissa apart is how she approaches her work. She is cognizant of the role she plays and how her decisions can have a profound impact on the outcome of people’s careers. Her leadership is driven by genuine care, and she has championed an environment where diverse backgrounds and employee well-being are championed.”
Her fellow leadership team members echo that sentiment, noting the warmth and dedication she brings to the agency every day.
“Melissa is the very definition of a compassionate leader,” says Jennifer Ball, CFO. “As an agency leader, she brings so much heart and integrity to the leadership team. But beyond her professional skills, Melissa as a person is simply wonderful—she is someone who gives everything to her role while keeping us grounded and inspired.”
When she isn’t advocating for the workforce and cultivating an empowering culture at Aspire of WNY, Melissa pours that same fierce passion into the things she loves most outside of the office: her wonderful family and cheering on the Buffalo Bills.
Reflecting on the honor, Melissa remains as humble and community focused as ever. “My passion has always been for making sure people have a safe space to be heard,” she says. “I am just so incredibly grateful for the relationships I’ve built with team members throughout our agency and the community. This award really belongs to all of us.”
Please join us in giving a massive, exciting congratulations to Melissa Roth! Thank you for everything you do to make Aspire of WNY a workplace filled with heart, support, and innovation. Go Melissa, and Go Bills!
