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.

References

  • Angelica Perez-Delgado, President & CEO, Ibero-American Action League 

    Having had the pleasure of working under Christina Gullo's leadership, I can attest to her exemplary C-suite executive. She is known for her strategic acumen and courageous leadership. With extensive firsthand experience navigating today's ever changing organizational landscapes, Christina possesses a profound understanding of complex challenges and excels in implementing effective solutions and spearheading transformational strategies. Christina's leadership experience is underscored by a history of delivering impressive results and development of other executive leaders.


  • Jennifer Arbore, The Bonadio Group

    Christina is a transformational leader who fostered an environment where all leaders flourished. With a keen understanding of individual strengths and organizational dynamics, I have watched her catalyze growth and drive success at every level.

  • Dr. Sarah Ruback, CEO of St. Christopher's Inc.

    I met Christina at a conference. I was alone and brand new in my CEO role.  Chris immediately took it upon herself to support me both professionally and personally.  She assisted me with sound business, organizational, and technical advice in an efficient and proactive manner.  She can distill complex problems swiftly due her depth of experience, and because she is as caring as she is competent. 

    She coached me with key leadership tools, including introducing me to stoicism. This taught me that we don't control the world around us, only how we respond to what we are given. This helped me to be a more consistent positive, productive leader and person.  I have had several coaches in my development - Chris is the comprehensive best.

  • Keith J. Williams, Managing Partner, Consiliarium Group, LLC

    Michelle has been fantastic to work with! I found some of her strongest qualities are: strategic thinking, expert knowledge of the HR field, leadership in guiding a team and strong & fair negotiation skills. She also conducts business with the highest level of integrity. She will make any environment a better place to work!

  • Louis Guard, VP and General Counsel, Hobart & William Smith Colleges

    I hired Michelle in an interim HR leadership role initially as we continued our search for the AVP of Human Resources. Michelle quickly became a trusted advisor to senior staff and many other leaders at the Colleges. It was immediately clear Michelle has a wealth of experience and knowledge and handles challenging organizational problems in thoughtful ways. No issue or person is too small to matter. She is an ethical, values-driven, strategic thinker who adds value to the organizations she works with. It was for these reasons and her ability to develop meaningful relationships across the Colleges that we asked her to remain on as the permanent AVP of Human Resources for Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

  • Carol Love, Nonprofit Leadership Consultant

    Christina Gullo brings exceptional expertise to organizational analysis that engages and unites decision-makers around goal-setting, plan development and measurable results. Her track record speaks to the effectiveness of her highly communicative, values-driven leadership style, as well as her practical approach to tailoring process and content for individual organizations’ needs.

  • Laurie Baker, President & CEO at The Summit Federal Credit Union

    As Board Chair, I had the opportunity to work closely with Chris to address many issues that were affecting our organization as she assumed her new role of President & CEO. It was an honor. She is a smart, decisive, solution-oriented leader who is solely driven by making a difference. Her selfless approach to problem solving and unwavering commitment to getting the job done had a tremendous positive influence on the Villa of Hope. I’m forever grateful for her tenacity, grit, and transparent leadership.

  • Betty Richardson, President, Rewarding Solutions, LLC

    I had the privilege of working with Michelle for many years when she led the Human Resources function at the Villa of Hope. She is knowledgeable in all areas of Human Resources and skilled in making the right things happen for an organization in a timely fashion. Michelle has proven herself to be a trusted partner for managers as well as employees, and because of this trust and respect, she is able to coach others in supporting organizational change and making individual changes. Not only is Michelle an exceptional Human Resources practitioner and leader, she is a key member of executive teams. She contributes in identifying an organization’s strategic objectives and translating those into actionable, measurable tasks and processes. I highly recommend Michelle for senior level Human Resources opportunities.