Vanessa Baird-Streeter is the next president and CEO of HWCLI

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Vanessa Baird-Streeter will be the next president and CEO of Health & Welfare Council of Long Island, effective Feb. 5.

The former deputy county executive of community recovery for Suffolk County, Streeter brings knowledge of government, non-profits, finances, fundraising, collaboration and more.

“Fighting for the underserved and creating a Long Island where all communities have an equal opportunity to thrive has been at the core of my lifelong personal mission,” Baird-Streeter said in a written statement.

“The fact that I can use my own voice and actions to cultivate leaders and represent those who do not have a seat at the table is a blessing and I am eager to bring that conviction, alongside the expertise of my 25-year public service career to the role of president and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island,” she added.

In her role in Suffolk County, Baird-Streeter served as facilitator of the county’s Police Reform and Reinvention Task Force. That experience, according to HWCLI, “has prepared her well for bridging divides between stakeholders and will serve” both the organization and the region.

Baird-Streeter worked closely with HWCLI on its 2020 Census work and knows the organization’s mission and values. In the county, she was responsible for initiatives that involve language access, veterans services and aging and many other community initiatives.

Born and raised in Wyandanch, Barid-Streeter went on to earn bachelor of arts degree from Dartmouth College with a double major in economics and education.

Earlier in her career, she worked in finance as a financial analyst for Goldman Sachs Investment Bank and subsequently serving as head bond buyer and portfolio analyst for KLS Professional Advisors.

Baird-Streeter takes the helm from Rebecca Sanin, now a Suffolk County legislator.