Renee Fillette*

Executive Director

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3248

Renee Fillette is an executive bringing over 16 years of experience in child welfare, domestic violence, peer support, autism, behavioral health, homelessness, food insecurity, care management, substance abuse, Head Start, and education. At an early age, Renee found her passion while volunteering in soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters for the homeless. In 2003, she founded the first new foster care agency to be licensed in New York state in over 30 years. It was there at St. John Bosco that she learned about leadership and management of a non-profit and grew the agency from its original budget of $300k to nearly $2m serving high-risk children in community-based group homes. Several years later she served as the executive director at Grace Smith House, a Dutchess County-based agency for survivors of domestic violence. It was under her tenure that the agency expanded its services to offer a teen dating violence prevention program in all 13 school districts throughout the county. In 2014 Renee earned her doctorate in Public Service: Leadership and Management of Non-Profits and moved into a newly created position of Chief Operating Officer at Astor Services for Children and Families. During her time at Astor Renee led the restructuring of a $65m agency, major service expansions in the Bronx, and performance improvements to enhance the quality of care provided and the fiscal health of the agency.

Renee’s career has always focused on providing much-needed services to people in the most respectful, effective, and efficient way possible. Her work and travels have informed her about the devastating impacts of poverty, housing, and food insecurity, and the many systemic challenges that prevent people from achieving their greatest potential for health and happiness. It is her mission to connect with people, institutions, and social systems in a meaningful, compassionate, and transformative way. She feels deeply aligned with our mission at Dutchess Outreach and is looking forward to building on our strong legacy while supporting our staff to further their unique talents and honor their remarkable dedication.

Tara Whalen*

Assistant Executive Director

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3249

Tara grew up in Dutchess County, attended local schools, and has lived here all her life. She remembers as a young girl always wanting to help people less fortunate than her and felt a strong desire to make a difference. In 1997 Tara saw an ad in the Poughkeepsie Journal for a position at Dutchess Outreach. She was aware of the services they provided and was eager to apply. Back then it was not an online process to apply, it was personal and on her interview, she knew it was right for her. Tara started in the back office as an Administrative Assistant but has always had her feet up front, excited to help the people served by Dutchess Outreach. While working administration, Tara learned many necessary skills from former Executive Director, Brian Riddell who has been her mentor from day one. In her newest position as Associate Director, Tara feels a great deal of pride, but mostly gratitude to Brian Riddell for always believing in her and teaching her. As of 2022, Tara has been with the organization for 25 years!

Tara considers the clients she serves as her greatest teachers, however, as they have taught her more than any classroom ever could. Tara looks forward to learning so much more in her future at Dutchess Outreach.

Samantha Vacchio

Director of Finance & HR

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3247

Samantha comes to Dutchess Outreach with over ten years of fiscal management experience in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.  She has worked at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Grace Smith House, Hudson River Fruit Distributors, and in private practice. She is proficient in most areas of non-profit fiscal management, and the use of Quickbooks (yay!!).  She is the first administrator at Dutchess Outreach to use Quickbooks  – a major step forward for us.

Samantha has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (3.64 GPA).  She is meticulous, organized, efficient, kind and is able to multitask under pressure. I had the opportunity to work with Samantha when we were both at Grace Smith House, and I’m thrilled to be working with her again.

Jeanne Traugot**

Director of Development & Communications

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3246

As the Director of Development & Communications at Dutchess Outreach, Jeanne manages our existing grant and donor portfolio while increasing funding to support the growing needs of our programs. Jeanne also focuses on ensuring the organization’s communication efforts coincide with the organization’s mission and best represents Dutchess Outreach to the community.

Prior to joining Dutchess Outreach, Jeanne served as the Development and Volunteer Manager at Safe Harbors of the Hudson where her development and communications efforts enriched the organization’s housing, arts, and community programs. Prior to Safe Harbors, Jeanne was the Development and Communications Director for the ALS Association – Greater New York Chapter where she managed a million dollar fundraising initiative as well as the communications and advocacy outreach for the organization. Before joining ALS, she was the Senior Manager of Donor Relations at City Harvest, the largest food rescue organization in NYC, where she managed a portfolio of VIP donors, community partners and developed marketing strategies.

Jeanne was selected as a 2020 Hudson Valley Pattern For Progress Fellow working with a group of community leaders on pressing issues and solutions facing the region. Jeanne has a Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law with a concentration in Public Interest Law and a B.A. from the University at Albany.

Jeanne grew up in the Hudson Valley and returned several years ago to raise her son in the same community she grew up in. Her young son keeps her very busy and she enjoys a wide-variety of outdoor activities with him.

Nyhisha T. Gibbs

Director of Community Engagement

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3250

Nyhisha T. Gibbs, brings a broad range of education, experience and enthusiasm to her position.  She was introduced to volunteerism at a young age and it has influenced and directed her path. It continues to be an integral part of her life.

Her role of managing the Dutchess Outreach “workforce” of over 1,000 volunteers each year is critical. Our vital and valuable volunteers are the heart of Dutchess Outreach and are managed with professionalism, timeliness, patience and charisma.

Nyhisha is a Brooklyn (East New York) native who resides in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Nyhisha received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University (Raleigh) and her Masters of Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice (NYC, the Excellence in Nonprofit Management Certification from Adelphi University (NY) and her certification in Fundraising Activation for Rising Executive Leaders of Color (Cause Effective Leadership (Cohort 4).

Teresa Brennan*

Receptionist

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3243

Teresa was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, in which she still resides. Working at Dutchess Outreach has given her a certain sense of satisfaction. It has enabled her to combine her clerical skills with her natural desire to help people in need. Teresa is looking forward to being a member of the Dutchess Outreach team for many years to come.

Stacy Dedring*

Director of Operations & Advocacy

Tess Connors***

Lunch Box Manager

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3096

Tess comes to us with a diverse background in cooking, instructing, farming, and so much more. She has worked around the country holding positions such as chef instructor, chief of operations, culinary director and farm manager. Tess has a holistic approach to her work with people and food that is aligned with the ideals of Dutchess Outreach.

Tess earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the City University of New York in Food Service Administration for Emergency Services, and a Master’s Degree in Disaster Resilience Leadership Sciences from Tulane University, School of Social Work. She is excited to develop new opportunities in our community meal program, while supporting the meal services already in place.

Keith Wood

Assistant Lunch Box Manager

He/Him – [email protected] // ext. 3096

Keith has been with Dutchess Outreach since August, 2021 when he was recruited to fill in for Danielle who was planning a maternity leave. Although this was his first job in the non-profit sector, Keith instantly adapted to working with a variety of volunteers and managing unpredictable donations of food.  He has been highly sensitive to the needs of our guests and keenly interested in providing delicious food.  He is compassionate and kind, without exception, and a wonderful cook. He takes most pride in the meals he prepares for the afterschool programs, and we have learned that the children have never enjoyed their food as much as they have since Keith has been preparing it.  When I asked Keith what his secret was, he simply smiled and said, “I cook with love.”

Keith has been working in kitchens for over 25 years including a variety of fine dining restaurants in Dutchess County. Keith also attended the Culinary Institute of America, and grew up in Poughkeepsie. We feel tremendously fortunate that Keith will be staying with us as a full-time team member.

Rich Oszip

Lunch Box Dishwasher

He/Him – [email protected]

Carley Franklin-Hughes

Farm, Market & Community Garden Manager

She/Her,  [email protected]

Kimberley Mazzuca

Development & Communications Coordinator

She/Her,  [email protected]

Kim comes to Dutchess Outreach with a background running from reporting to office management, and finally to non-profit development work. But across this spectrum Kim has always loved getting to know and help others.

She is very excited to be a part of and share Dutchess Outreach’s values, and the core belief that everyone deserves nutritious food, dignity, and access to any help they may need.

Kim was born and raised in the Hudson Valley and still lives there with her Husband and Indiana Jones (their cat, not Harrison Ford)

Ariel Bevier

Retail Recovery Coordinator

She/Her,  [email protected]

Ariel comes to Dutchess Outreach with a wide variety of experience helping others. A true people person, she loves interacting with others and finding out what they need most, and how to best make sure they get it.

Always one to step up and help, Ariel is Dutchess Outreach’s first Retail Recovery Coordinator, and rescues food from many local grocery stores for our Food Pantry. Every pound of food she picks up is such a help, and Dutchess Outreach is thrilled she is here!

Ariel lives in the Hudson Valley with her daughter and loves watching horror movies in her spare time, even when it isn’t spooky season (it is always spooky season!)