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About Us
Meet Christina.
Christina Gullo was the President/CEO for Villa of Hope from 2010-2023. Celebrating 80 years, this nationally accredited, trauma-certified agency serves more than 4,000 people annually through behavioral health, care coordination, education, work-based learning and preventive programs.
During her tenure, Gullo led a fiscal turnaround and created transformational strategic plans to move from a residential provider for kids to the behavioral health organization it is today. She also initiated a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging strategy, and guided an extensive agency rebranding effort. Under her leadership, Villa completed construction and opened the Living Hope Treatment Center, a substance use detoxification program for ages 16 to adult; the only focused treatment beds available in Monroe County for those under age 18 as well as a capital expansion for outpatient mental health.
With a Master’s degree in Social Work from Marywood University and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology, Gullo’s background includes clinical, professional, and business experience. She began her career as a Social Worker for Catholic Family Center and was previously the VP Human Resources, VP Programs & Strategy, and Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer.
Gullo received Circle of Excellence Award in 2023, Women of Excellence by the RBJ in 2021 and was named an Athena Award Finalist in 2023 and 2014. She was also recognized in 2008 with the Up-and-Coming Businesswoman Award and was a 2005 recipient of the Forty under 40 Award.
Gullo recently authored Courageous and Authentic Leadership, co-authored Making Strategy Count in the Health and Human Services Sector and a white paper on Adaptive Change, chronicling the culture, leadership and strategy transformations at the Villa.
Gullo is proud to serve as a mentor to women in her career, many of whom have grown professionally and are now leading organizations in and beyond the Rochester community. Additionally, she serves as the Board Chair of the Geva Theatre in Rochester, NY.
Gullo grew up in Upstate New York and currently lives in Webster with her husband, daughter, two shelties and a cat. She loves to cook, exercise, travel and spend time with friends, her stepdaughter and son and their family, especially being a Nonna to two young step grandsons.
Resources written by Christina
Courageous & Authentic Leadership
Courageous & Authentic Leadership draws its inspiration from the Christina’s professional experience of being a leader and CEO in a career spanning over 25 years. Providing her personal journey of being a leader, the actions one can take to ensure this role is successful and impactful, and the qualities that will help inspire and shape an individual or organization. Purchase Christina’s book here.
Adaptive Change as a Result of Confronting the Brutal Facts
Christina co-authored this article defining and exploring adaptive change in as a case study of her time at Villa of Hope. Read Here.
Making Strategy Count in the Health and Human Services Sector
Christina co-authored a chapter of the eBook Making Strategy Count in the Health and Human Services Sector: Lessons Learned from 20 Organizations and Chief Strategy Officers regarding her strategy work at Villa. Purchase the book here.
Meet Michelle.
Michelle has more than 20 years’ experience in Human Resources and operations, specifically in non-profit (community based organizations) and higher education. She is experienced in supporting organizational transformation through Human Resources and executing on the hard decisions. Proven ability as a strategic partner and leader across multiple programs/services, with expertise at quickly aligning and operationalizing the strategy and structure of Human Resources with that of the organization. Michelle has experience in creating efficiencies through automation and integration of systems, compensation, regulatory and legal compliance, change management, leadership development, risk management and more.
Michelle holds a Master of Science in Management from Robert’s Wesleyan College, with a focus on strategic leadership.
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