Board of Directors
*Veteran
Senior Leadership
Laura Heltz
Executive Director published author
Laura Heltz is an Army veteran who spent eight years on active duty. Just before leaving the service, Laura earned her Master of Science in Business Administration from Baker College. Laura has worked with veterans for more than a decade, and in 2015, she was inducted into the NYS Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. Laura has co-authored two books – The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to the ASVAB and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the ASVAB. In 2019, she won the RBJ Woman of Excellence award. Laura has been a Girl Scout Troop Leader for eight years and lives in Penfield with her twins, Thomas and Sarah.
Alec Andrest
Director of residential services
Alec joined the Marine Corps in 2006 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, returning home in 2011 and serving honorably until 2014. After his return, he entered financial services and started his own planning business where he began veteran advocacy work. In 2016, Alec joined Veterans Outreach Center as the Residential Manager overseeing the Emergency, Transitional, Supportive Living, and PSH programs. In 2018, he was promoted to Director of Residential Services, securing a position with senior leadership and a more active role in strategic planning and resource acquisition for the agency.
Haylee Horn
Chief of Staff & Administrative Projects
Haylee joined VOC in 2021 after receiving her bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Rochester. As a student, she spent much of her free time working with nonprofit and community service organizations on campus, and after graduating she chose to continue her nonprofit work with Veterans Outreach Center. Haylee has served in multiple roles within the agency in her time here and is currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration from SUNY Brockport with a concentration in nonprofit management. As the niece, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter of Navy, Airforce, and Army veterans, Haylee is always excited to support VOC’s mission of serving those who serve U.S.
Allison Tursi
Senior Director of Human Resources & Administration
Allison brings more than 25 years of human resources experience to her role at VOC. During her career, Allison has gained significant experience in employee relations, talent acquisition, leadership and workforce learning and development, as well as providing guidance and consulting support to senior management. Her professional experience includes work in both corporations and non-profit organizations, primarily in the staffing, healthcare, security, and education industries. Allison earned her BS in Communications from SUNY College at Brockport, is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and is currently pursuing her Workplace Mental Health Ally certification through Psych Hub and SHRM.
Joan Brandenburg, CFRE
Director of Advancement
Joan is a seasoned development professional with more than 15 years of experience in fundraising leadership. After a long and successful career in broadcast journalism, Joan made the transition to the non-profit community as a means to give back. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and received her CFRE certification in November 2019.
Loni Wellman
Director of Programs
Loni Wellman is the Director of Programs for Veterans Outreach Center. With a robust background in program management, community outreach, and volunteer engagement, Loni has held significant roles, including Good Neighbor Program Director at Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and Volunteer and Events Manager at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. With a Master's Degree in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor's degree in History from Flagler College, Loni brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her 17 years in the nonprofit industry. In her free time, Loni enjoys the quiet moments at home, with her two pups, Mr. Oliver and Hamlet, and with her new husband, Justin.
Management Team
Mark Mccloskey
Behavioral Health Manager & Veterans treatment court representative
Mark joined the Army right out of high school, serving eight years of active duty. During that time, he was deployed to Iraq twice and spent a year in South Korea. After being honorably discharged in 2009, Mark returned to school, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration and then his Master’s in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College. Mark is now a Licensed Master Social Worker focusing on Behavioral Health Counseling.
Kristin Calcagno, MS, CASAC Advanced
Supportive Services Manager
Kristin is an Advanced Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) with 10 years of experience in the field. She has worked in substance use treatment, Drug Treatment Court, and on the Veterans Crisis Line. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Criminology/Criminal Justice and her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Niagara University. Kristin has been a part of the VOC team for 6 years and is the daughter of an Air Force Veteran.
Jeff Klein
Wellness programs Manager
Jeff served honorably in the Navy from 1987 until 2009. He served at Ground Zero after 9/11 and earned the Defense of Liberty Medal with World Trade Center Device. He is a retired Road Patrol Sergeant, serving with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy, Investigator, and Sergeant for over 21 years where he retired as the Supervisor of the Community Services Unit. Jeff spent several years volunteering in his children’s schools before joining the Veterans Outreach Center as a Residential Case Manager in 2019. Jeff founded and organized, "They Stepped Up to the Plate" where he seeks to honor surviving members of Negro League baseball. He received US Congressional Recognition for his efforts. Jeff lives in Mendon, NY with his wife and 3 children, where he was elected to the HFL Board of Education and served as President of HF-M Rotary. He also coached youth baseball for 9 years. Jeff is an avid hiker and an Adirondack 46er. He enjoys spending time with his family hiking, camping, and attending live music concerts.
Nena Siverd
Employment & Training Manager
Nena has 28+ years of experience in Employment & Training programs with non-profit agencies in Rochester. Of those, 21 years have been working at VOC serving a diverse socio-economic veteran population. Nena is the proud daughter of a Korean War Purple Heart Marine and comes from a long line of veterans. She loves animals (especially her two dogs and four cats), spending time with family and friends, watching Boston teams (especially Red Sox and Patriots), and horseback riding!
Tim Fox
Controller
Tim joined VOC as Controller in June 2017 and brings more than 15 years of not-for-profit accounting experience. His father is a Navy veteran and his uncle is a Marine veteran who served in Vietnam. Tim graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from RIT. He currently lives in Fairport with his three sons and one daughter.
Tim also holds the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt in Isshin-Ryu Karate with more than 40 years of training and teaching experience
Lisa Schrader
Residential Community Manager
Lisa has over fifteen years’ experience in the field of mental health, with an emphasis on severe and persistent mental illness, dual diagnoses, and LGBTQ populations, and has worked with a consultant to write research summary reports on psychometric scales for physicians. A Trauma Informed Care trainer and Diversity and Inclusion advocate, Lisa has also served on multiple councils for DE&I, and was a Change Team Member for St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. Lisa holds a BS in Psychology, and has been a part of the VOC team since 2020. An avid music fan, Lisa enjoys attending live music concerts and traveling.
Canine Team
Hans
Hans is our resident pet for vets and resides at Richards House, our emergency shelter for homeless veterans. After being rescued from a kill shelter, Hans has been helping provide support to veterans at Richards House and has made a name for himself around the South Wedge neighborhood!