Hillside Children's Center Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Hillside Children's Center has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, marketing, operations, finance, human resources, performance, and regional program management.

Committed to empowering youth and strengthening families, Hillside Children's Center delivers comprehensive behavioral health, crisis support, and educational services across New York State and Maryland to foster community resilience.

Leadership Roles at Hillside Children's Center

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Maria Cristalli
  • Chief Financial Officer - Christopher Peterson
  • Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Treasurer - Paul Perrotto
  • Chief Operating Officer - Elizabeth Nolan
  • Chief Marketing Officer - John Barr
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Mazie Tai
  • Chief Performance Officer - Darlene Ryan
  • Executive Director (Southern Tier Region & Snell Farm Children's Center) - Darcy Bailor
  • Maria Cristalli - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Maria Cristalli, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Hillside Children's Center, directs the overarching strategic vision for behavioral health and family support services. Cristalli oversees the integration of residential treatment programs and educational initiatives, ensuring alignment with the mission to empower youth across New York State and Maryland. By collaborating with the Board, the President & Chief Executive Officer drives long-term organizational sustainability and community impact. Maria Cristalli maintains a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, embedding these values into every facet of the service delivery model. Through rigorous oversight of program efficacy, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that resources effectively reach families in need. This leadership role demands constant adaptation to evolving healthcare landscapes, where Cristalli champions innovative approaches to crisis support and foster care, ultimately securing the future of the organization and the well-being of the populations served.
    Maria Cristalli

    Christopher Peterson - Chief Financial Officer

    Christopher Peterson, the Chief Financial Officer at Hillside Children's Center, directs the fiscal strategy and financial planning necessary to sustain behavioral health and crisis support programs. Peterson oversees the budgeting process, ensuring that capital is allocated to maximize the impact of educational services and foster care initiatives across New York State and Maryland. By managing financial risk and reporting, the Chief Financial Officer provides the transparency required for long-term organizational stability. Christopher Peterson collaborates with the executive team to evaluate the economic feasibility of new community programs and resource expansions. This role involves maintaining rigorous internal controls and ensuring compliance with all financial regulations. Through strategic investment in infrastructure, the Chief Financial Officer supports the mission of empowering youth. Peterson monitors revenue streams and grant funding, ensuring that the financial health of the organization remains aligned with the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all service areas.
    Christopher Peterson

    Paul Perrotto - Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Treasurer

    Paul Perrotto, the Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Treasurer at Hillside Children's Center, manages the treasury functions and investment strategies that underpin the organization's behavioral health and family resource programs. Perrotto oversees cash flow management and debt obligations, ensuring the financial liquidity required to support residential treatment and educational services across New York State and Maryland. By directing the corporate treasury, the Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Treasurer safeguards the assets of the organization. Paul Perrotto collaborates with the Board to align financial policies with the overarching mission of youth empowerment. This role involves analyzing long-term financial trends to inform strategic decision-making regarding program sustainability. Through the prudent management of capital, the Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Treasurer ensures that resources are available for community involvement initiatives. Perrotto maintains a focus on fiscal accountability, providing the necessary oversight to support the diverse range of services offered to families and individuals.

    Elizabeth Nolan - Chief Operating Officer

    Elizabeth Nolan, the Chief Operating Officer at Hillside Children's Center, manages the daily execution of behavioral health and residential treatment operations. Nolan oversees the logistical infrastructure required to deliver high-quality foster care and educational services throughout the regional footprint in New York State and Maryland. By optimizing internal workflows, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that clinical and support teams possess the necessary tools to serve youth and families effectively. Elizabeth Nolan coordinates with department heads to streamline service delivery, focusing on operational efficiency and safety standards. This leadership role involves monitoring program performance metrics to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and organizational goals. Through the implementation of scalable processes, the Chief Operating Officer supports the expansion of family resources. Nolan maintains a focus on resource allocation, ensuring that the operational framework remains robust enough to meet the complex needs of the communities served by the organization.
    Elizabeth Nolan

    John Barr - Chief Marketing Officer

    John Barr, the Chief Marketing Officer at Hillside Children's Center, architects the brand strategy and public engagement initiatives that amplify the reach of behavioral health and educational programs. Barr manages all external communications, ensuring that the narrative surrounding foster care and residential treatment resonates with stakeholders across New York State and Maryland. By analyzing market trends, the Chief Marketing Officer identifies opportunities to expand community involvement and donor support. John Barr coordinates with the executive team to align promotional efforts with the broader organizational mission of strengthening families. This role involves developing digital campaigns that highlight the success of the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection. Through strategic outreach, the Chief Marketing Officer builds awareness for critical crisis support services. Barr maintains a consistent brand voice that reflects the commitment to diversity and inclusion, effectively positioning the organization as a leader in youth development and family resource provision.
    John Barr

    Mazie Tai - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Mazie Tai, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Hillside Children's Center, directs the talent acquisition and workforce development strategies essential for delivering behavioral health and crisis support services. Tai oversees the recruitment and retention of staff dedicated to foster care and residential treatment across New York State and Maryland. By fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce reflects the communities served. Mazie Tai manages employee relations and professional development programs, empowering staff to provide high-quality care to youth and families. This role involves aligning human capital strategies with the organizational mission to strengthen family units. Through the implementation of comprehensive training initiatives, the Chief Human Resources Officer enhances the capability of the team to handle complex behavioral health challenges. Tai maintains a focus on organizational health, ensuring that the staff remains motivated and equipped to drive positive community impact.

    Darlene Ryan - Chief Performance Officer

    Darlene Ryan, the Chief Performance Officer at Hillside Children's Center, architects the data-driven frameworks used to measure the efficacy of behavioral health, education, and family resource programs. Ryan oversees the collection and analysis of performance metrics to ensure that services provided across New York State and Maryland meet established quality standards. By evaluating program outcomes, the Chief Performance Officer identifies areas for improvement and innovation in foster care and residential treatment. Darlene Ryan collaborates with the executive team to translate data insights into actionable strategies that empower youth. This role involves maintaining rigorous reporting standards to demonstrate the impact of the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection. Through the continuous monitoring of service delivery, the Chief Performance Officer ensures that the organization remains accountable to the families and communities it serves. Ryan drives a culture of excellence, focusing on the optimization of programs to achieve the best possible results for all participants.

    Darcy Bailor - Executive Director (Southern Tier Region & Snell Farm Children's Center)

    Darcy Bailor, the Executive Director (Southern Tier Region & Snell Farm Children's Center) at Hillside Children's Center, directs regional operations and residential treatment services within the Southern Tier. Bailor oversees the implementation of behavioral health and educational programs, ensuring that the specific needs of youth and families in this region are met with high-quality care. By managing local partnerships and community involvement, the Executive Director (Southern Tier Region & Snell Farm Children's Center) strengthens the presence of the organization in the area. Darcy Bailor coordinates with the executive leadership to align regional activities with the broader mission of empowering youth. This role involves supervising the daily operations of the Snell Farm Children's Center, focusing on safety, compliance, and program efficacy. Through the effective management of regional resources, the Executive Director (Southern Tier Region & Snell Farm Children's Center) ensures that the commitment to diversity and inclusion remains a priority in all local service delivery.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Hillside Children's Center Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Hillside Children's Center?
    Hillside Children's Center is led by Maria Cristalli (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Christopher Peterson (Chief Financial Officer) and Paul Perrotto (Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Treasurer).
    Who is part of Hillside Children's Center’s executive team?
    The executive team of Hillside Children's Center includes leaders such as Maria Cristalli (President & Chief Executive Officer), Christopher Peterson (Chief Financial Officer), Paul Perrotto (Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Treasurer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Hillside Children's Center have?
    Hillside Children's Center has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Hillside Children's Center’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Hillside Children's Center includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Treasurer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer.