Leadership Team

Mr. Button began his healthcare career as a licensed master social worker, and gained extensive experience in the clinical setting as a case manager, psychiatric crisis clinician and a children’s residential supervisor. During his tenure at Citizen Advocates he has held a variety of progressive leadership positions over the course of a decade. Mr. Button gained a broad understanding of the industry during his experience as the Director of Corporate Compliance and Quality Assurance, where he led the agency to achieve its first national quality accreditation in 2014.

Pursuing his passion for public policy, he left the organization briefly to work closely with state healthcare agencies in Albany as the State of NY transitioned providers from ‘fee for service’ to managed care. During his time in Albany, Mr. Button was responsible for overseeing a statewide regional planning initiative aimed at preparing providers for the move to value based care. He also served as a key liaison between the respective regions and State healthcare executives. While this experience provided him with valuable knowledge of the community behavioral health industry, his deep ties to the North Country were calling him back.

He returned to Citizen Advocates in 2017 to accept the COO position. As COO, Mr. Button was responsible for launching Northwinds Integrated Health Network, IPA and was instrumental in moving the entire network into risk-bearing contracts with managed care companies. Mr. Button’s expertise is in CCBHC, contracting, team building, public speaking, systems change and growth initiatives. He was elevated to CEO in July, 2020.

Prior to joining Citizen Advocates in 2021, Krista was a Senior Director of Human Resources Operations & Organizational Development for the Mohawk Valley Health System based in Utica. There she was responsible for the implementation and oversight of a rewards and recognition program, professional development, orientation, HR operations and workforce culture for over 4,000 employees. Prior to that, she held leadership positions in Compliance, Talent Development and Recruitment for Upstate Cerebral Palsy in Utica.

As Chief Human Resources Officer, Krista will support the enhancement of the department by partnering with employees to build positive, effective solutions that meet their needs.  She is also very tuned into national trends and the seismic shifts taking place in the labor market and using this knowledge to focus on solutions that promote workforce resilience. To achieve this, her priorities include improving the overall experience for employees, and creating an environment for them to develop their capabilities and offer upward mobility within the organization.

As Chief Financial Officer, Eileen is actively seeking out opportunities for expanded revenue streams, innovative programs, and managing the expenses that are often created as a direct result of a highly-regulated healthcare environment. This is in addition to being responsible for the sound fiscal stewardship of the organization on a day-to-day basis. 

Eileen has nearly 25 years of experience in fiscal stewardship at upstate New York non-profits. In addition to daily operations, she is experienced in evaluating the risks and benefits of new projects to help organizations thrive and grow. Most recently, she worked as the Vice President of Finance at East House in Rochester, an organization dedicated to supportive housing for individuals living with a mental health diagnosis or addiction.

As Chief of Staff, Jennifer is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day priorities for the Executive Leadership Team. In addition to her duties related to the Executive Team, Jennifer has management oversight of Information Technology, Support Services and Communications & Government Affairs. Prior to becoming Chief of Staff in 2019, Jennifer led a major initiative to modernize Citizen Advocates’ Electronic Medical Record system, known as NetSmart. Jennifer is familiar with the billing aspects of healthcare delivery, having managed the Billing Department for 11 years.

Dr. Frank first worked for Citizen Advocates from 2010 to 2017, when he left to serve as Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Canton-Potsdam Hospital. In addition to providing treatment services at Citizen Advocates Behavioral Health Clinics and Crisis & Recovery Center in Malone, Dr. Frank has direct oversight over other physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nursing staff.

As the Chief Integration Officer, Kati is responsible for leading Citizen Advocates’ efforts to strategically align services under three main areas: Health Operations, Community Living and Community Supports. This leading-edge, whole health strategy strengthens Citizen Advocates’ position as a leading provider of exceptional, high-quality clinical services, programs and community supports. In addition, Kati oversees the Population Health Team, which is charged with data analytics as well as the oversight of the Electronic Health Record development with a focus on transforming information into a meaningful resource and tool for the enhancement of health outcomes.

Kati has over a decade of experience in Strategic and Business Planning for Hospital Health Systems where she played a key role in affiliations and mergers, designed business plans supporting primary care expansion, and collaborated with system executives to shape organizational vision to drive profitability and sustain growth. In addition to her current role, Kati has served as Director of Behavioral Health Services for Citizen Advocates.

With a primary responsibility for financial strategy at Citizen Advocates, Karen is actively seeking out opportunities for expanded revenue streams, innovative programs, and managing the expenses that are often created as a direct result of a highly-regulated healthcare environment. This is in addition to being responsible for the sound fiscal stewardship of the organization on a daily basis. 

Prior to Citizen Advocates, Karen was the Chief Executive Officer for Adirondacks ACO in Plattsburgh. The organization works with healthcare providers, like Citizen Advocates, and insurers, who have a shared goal of improving healthcare outcomes while managing and taking financial responsibility for the quality and total cost of care. She also held several executive-level leadership positions in the Pacific Northwest with employed and independent physicians, physician/hospital organizations, independent practice associations, accountable care organizations and health insurance plans.