Tayo Akanni
President
Shirley N. Quitugua
Vice-President
Chris Brown
Interim Treasurer
Maureen Conway
Secretary
Philister Sidigu
Christopher Brown
Charles Gall
Phyllis Jenkins
Alaine Martin Gallanosa
Sr. Liz Schille, RGS
Mary Vradelis
Interim Executive Director
Tayo Akanni, President
Tayo is a Finance Executive with 15+ years of finance leadership experience spanning FP&A, strategic finance, and corporate finance across healthcare, technology, SaaS, and investment banking. Before his corporate career, Tayo served in the United States Army, leading missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and later as a Business Consultant with the United States Peace Corps in Senegal — where he supported economic development, public health initiatives, and community capacity building across West Africa. Those experiences instilled a mission-driven discipline and a deep commitment to service that he carries into every organization he joins.
Maureen Conway, Secretary
I am a retired Senior Docket and Records Specialist. I worked 40 years in the legal field. I joined the Gracenter Board about four years ago. Prior to that, I volunteered at the center playing bingo and enjoying lunch with the residents. Gracenter ensures women substance recovery, self reliance and independence.
Sr. Liz Schille, RSG, Board Member
I became familiar with the Gracenter Program in 2003. Being familiar with 12 Step work, it was an attractive choice to join the Board of Directors when invited. The changes and successes of the clients and the strengthening of the Program are inspiring and sustain my commitment.
Alaine M. Gallanosa, Board Member
I am a Senior Analyst in Health and Benefits Consulting at Willis, Towers, and Watson. I support complex client accounts, assist with renewals and open enrollment, and am the primary contact for clients and carrier partners. My favorite part of this role is the problem-solving and the relationships that are built.
I joined the board because I would like to give back to community. Several years ago when I attended the Gala for the first time, I was touched by the stories of the women of Gracenter, both the graduates, the staff, and the Sisters, and their hard work and commitment. Life presents us with changes and challenges that sometimes blindsides us. Having gone through several and rising “above the ashes”, it’s my goal in life to empower women; instill in them the confidence, self-worth, and the resilience needed to exist in today’s world. It really does take a village. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without my faith in God and the support of those who honestly and truly cared about me.