Empowered Pathways
Who We Are
For years, the Peacemaker Program focused on helping individuals and families resolve conflict without effective tools, while WERC equipped women with the skills, training, and confidence needed to enter or re-enter the workforce. Recognizing shared values and mission, the two organizations began discussions in 2016—with support from the Community Foundation and NYCON—and merged in 2018 to form Empowered Pathways, Inc. Today, we honor more than 25 years of the Peacemaker Program and 30+ years of WERC’s legacy.
Our Journey
Empowered Pathways has a long history of assisting residents in the Mohawk Valley and surrounding region. Originally separate organizations—the Women’s Employment & Resource Center (WERC) founded in 1989 and the Peacemaker Program incorporated in 1994—we united in 2018 to increase our impact and effectiveness. Today, we provide a broad range of support services designed to empower individuals and families to navigate challenges, build skills, and move forward with confidence.
Our Mission
The mission of Empowered Pathways is to help people create self-directed solutions and move forward with their lives through education, advocacy, and empowerment.
Board of Directors
Meet the dedicated leaders who guide our organization and strategy:
- Deborah Kessler, President
- Christina Reilly, Vice President
- John Eckmair, Treasurer
- Tiffany Sestir, Secretary
- Trisha Barone
- Karen Korotzer
- Inesha Briggs
- Joanna Greco
- Sarah Wynn
- Marianne Reynolds
- Tara Capponi
Meet Our Staff
Our experienced team collaborates every day to deliver high-quality services across programs:
- Timothy Lyon, Executive Director
- Joanne Thompson, Executive Assistant
- Kerry Alexander, Court Coordinator
- Chris Boxall, SDMC Director
- Regina Brown, Youth Services Specialist
- Lillian Broedel, Community Impact Coordinator
- Jamie Tamer, Senior Court Coordinator
- Karizma Wadsworth, WERC Director
