Allison Lake Takes The Helm at Westchester Children’s Association

The Board of Directors of Westchester Children’s Association (WCA) is proud to announce the selection of Allison Lake as the organization’s new executive director. Lake’s appointment, which is effective July 1, comes as the result of a four-month long retained executive search process. She replaces long-time executive Cora Greenberg, who is retiring. Lake joined the 104-year old advocacy organization in 1998 as program director and was promoted to deputy director, her current position, in 2008.

As deputy director, Lake oversaw all of WCA’s program initiatives, and also managed a number of core, administrative functions. One of her most important contributions to the field of youth development was the leadership role she played in the successful effort to raise the age of criminal responsibility in New York, known as the RTA campaign. The statewide RTA coalition worked for years to convince New York lawmakers to pass legislation that would end New York’s status as one of the last two states in the union to automatically prosecute 16- and 17-year-old adolescents in the adult court system. Finally, late last year, state policymakers agreed that the FY 2018 budget would include legislation that raised the age of criminal responsibility to 18. Now, under Lake’s experienced hand, WCA is well positioned to influence the complex process of implementing the new law.

Lake has deep experience working in the youth development field. Prior to joining WCA, she held positions with YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester, Associated Black Charities, and National Civic League. Her volunteer work speaks volumes of her commitment to giving back, starting with her Peace Corps service in West Africa and extending to a wide range of groups, including REACH Prep in Stamford, Greenburgh Public Library, Lois Bronz Children’s Center in White Plains, and Greenwich Academy.

Lake holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Amherst College and an MBA with focus on finance and international business from New York University. In her junior year at Amherst, she studied at The Institute for American Universities in Aix-en-Provence, France.

“I feel empowered by the unanimous decision of the board to offer me this significant position and am grateful for the chance to lead WCA into its second century,” said Lake. “I am also grateful to current ED, Cora Greenberg, for her leadership. She has been an outstanding mentor through the years. I am awed by her vote of confidence and support in my transition.”

Since 1914, Westchester Children’s Association has remained steadfast in its mission to improve the lives of Westchester’s young people by shaping policies and programs to meet their needs, and by keeping their well-being at the top of the public agenda. For more information about the WCA’s mission, initiatives, and events, please visit www.wca4kids.org.