Mary E. Whittier
Executive Director

Mary Whittier is the Founding Executive Director for the Bivona Child Advocacy Center.

Ms. Whittier has worked with children and families for over 25 years and her professional background includes working as a teacher’s assistant for Hillside Children’s Center, as a Child Protective Services caseworker, and as a social worker for Golisano Children’s Hospital, which included being the forensic interviewer and administrator for the REACH Program. She spearheaded the development and formation of the BCAC which is housed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children/NY Branch in Rochester, New York.

She has testified as an expert in court and conducted numerous presentations on child abuse, specifically sexual abuse. She sat on the Advisory Board for the NCMEC/NY Branch for 2 years and has volunteered there for over 22 years. Ms. Whittier was on the Board of the NYS Chapter of the National Children’s Alliance from 2000-2005. She was awarded Social Worker of the Year award for Program Innovation in 2000, the recipient of the Human Services Worker of the Year Award for the private sector in 2006 and the Carl S. Hallauer award in 2008.

Ms. Whittier holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Buffalo and an undergraduate degree in Social Work from Buffalo State College. She is married with two children.  

Rachel Ayala
Office Manager

Rachel Ayala joined Bivona Child Advocacy Center as Office Manager in January 2009. Her previous experience includes seven years in medical office administration, accounting and management. She is a graduate of World Harvest Bible College.

Ms. Ayala is an active volunteer of Destiny Generation youth services at Faith Temple Church in Brighton.

“I have a passion for people and a strong desire to reach out to those in need. In all my years in the work field my longing has been to merge my passion for business with my passion for people. Bivona Child Advocacy Center has provided this very fulfillment.”

Lindsay Bureaux
Special Events Manager

Lindsay Bureaux joined Bivona Child Advocacy in May of 2008 when the Special Events Manager position was first created. Prior to this, her past work included event planning and marketing in both the private and not-for-profit sectors.

Her work was recognized in the Democrat & Chronicle’s Young Professional Spotlight in March of 2009.

Ms. Bureaux is a volunteer with the Rochester Red Cross, and is a team co-captain for the annual MS Walk held by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

She earned a BS in Business Administration, majoring in marketing, from the University of Dayton in Ohio.

“I enjoy the variety of projects I get to work on daily (planning events, fundraising, giving tours of the agency, recruiting volunteers, assisting with PR/marketing efforts, etc.). Being able to bring people together to raise money and awareness for child abuse allows me to feel that I’m truly contributing something meaningful to the community.”

Brian Klingensmith
Finance Manager

Brian Klingensmith joined the Bivona Child Advocacy Center team in May of 2010. Prior to this he was a
Senior Accountant at Kasperski Owen & Dinan CPAs, LLC.

Mr. Klingensmith is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in accounting. He resides in Fairport, N.Y., with his wife and two young daughters.

“I appreciate working for an agency that is instrumental in the organization of a variety of services for these child victims, and I look forward to contributing to the success of Bivona Child Advocacy Center.”

Donna Lipari
Special Events Coordinator

Donna Lipari joined Bivona Child Advocacy Center in April of 2010. She most recently was employed at Xerox Corporation as Community Relations Manager. She is pursuing a degree in Public Relations and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Ms. Lipari is a board member on the Women’s Council, an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance; a member of the fundraising committee for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and a former member of the FIRST Robotics Regional Planning Committee.

“Bivona and its partner agencies provide tremendous resources for our community in the fight against child abuse. I have the utmost respect for the work they do, and am proud to be a part of this incredible team.”
 

Sue Page
Receptionist

Sue Page came to Bivona Child Advocacy Center in June of 2006 with a background in banking, but she’s glad to have made a switch in fields. In addition to greeting visitors, she spends time with the children who come to Bivona.

“I love children. They are all precious and if just sitting with them reading a book or playing a game makes them happy and safe, I know I did my job to make them feel wanted and safe.  ‘It’s all about the kids,’ I say.”

Ms. Page is a graduate of Nazareth Academy High School.

Anna Potter
Program Manager

Anna Potter joined Bivona Child Advocacy Center in May 2010. As Program Manager, she is responsible for the coordination of activities with Bivona’s collaborating agencies providing the highest quality of care for the children and families needing supportive services. Creating awareness and education on the issue of child abuse are two of her utmost priorities.

Prior to joining Bivona, Ms. Potter was the Regional Manager of the Rape Crisis Service. She has been a collaborating partner with Bivona since its doors opened in 2004, and has worked with victims and families of sexual assault for nearly 20 years.

Ms. Potter received her BA degree in Sociology/Psychology from SUNY Geneseo, and she is a certified sexual assault counselor/advocate. She also volunteers with Visiting Nurse Services.

“I have been directly involved with Bivona since 2004 as a collaborating partner, providing the victim advocacy component to the team. In my professional career I have learned that staying focused on the victims’ needs is crucial to making a difference. It is with great enthusiasm and respect that I have this opportunity to work with the children who will look to Bivona to begin their healing process.”