Meet the Team
Administration
Carrie Whitwood, Executive Director
Carrie is the Executive Director at Ardent Solutions, joining the organization in 2001. She is responsible for the overall operations and management of the corporation. Through her tenure with the organization, she has been a part of the infrastructure transformation from a ‘collaboration’ to receiving NYS Incorporation and Internal Revenue Service 501c3 status in 2005. She is a member of a multitude of networks and collaborations which include but are not limited to: New York State Association for Rural Health, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York Board of Trustees, and the Allegany County Community Opportunities and Rural Development Corporation Board of Directors. Carrie is a 2009 graduate of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York’s Health Leadership Fellows Program and is actively involved on a local, regional, and State level to address rural health issues. To contact Carrie, please call 585-593-5223, ext. 1013.
Helen Evans, Associate Director
Helen is the Associate Director at Ardent Solutions, joining the organization in 2005. Prior, Helen was employed as a Public Health Educator at the local health department. Helen’s professional interests are health literacy, rural health equity, and fostering collaborations to address rural health disparities. Certified in CDCynergy Social Marketing, she is passionate about motivating community leaders to explore methods for improving the healthcare service delivery system and inspiring community members to achieve improved personal health. She is responsible for program development, oversight and evaluation, as well as agency marketing. Helen is the current President of the New York State Association for Rural Health Board of Directors working to strengthen health services for rural NYS residents. Helen earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education at SUNY Fredonia and is a graduate of the Health Leadership Fellows Program through the Health Foundation for Western New York. To contact Helen, please call 585-593-5223, ext. 1011.
Jose Soto, Systems Transformation Manager
Jose Soto began as an Alfred University Intern with Ardent Solutions in 2014. Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts and Science degree with a double major in Gerontology and Clinical Psychology, Jose has continued his tenure with Ardent Solutions volunteering as a financial literacy coach through the Service Collaborative of WNY. As an AmeriCorps member, Jose focused on assisting individuals with end-of-life decision making and caregivers resources and support. Beginning in March 2016, Jose joined Ardent full-time and is a Certified A Matter of Balance Coach, provides Volunteer Income Tax Assistance through the Allegany County United Way, Certified as a Powerful Tools for Caregivers Leader, and is a Child Passenger Safety Seat Technician. As well, Jose coordinates the Allegany County Walk with Ease Program.
Jose explains, “I am passionate about working at Ardent Solutions because this non-profit organization helps people from every demographic. It is a pleasure working alongside team members who are focused on keeping the community safe and healthy. Working at Ardent Solutions provides me the opportunity for professional growth and to help the community become healthy and vibrant!” To contact Jose, please call 585-593-5223, ext. 1012.
Jose explains, “I am passionate about working at Ardent Solutions because this non-profit organization helps people from every demographic. It is a pleasure working alongside team members who are focused on keeping the community safe and healthy. Working at Ardent Solutions provides me the opportunity for professional growth and to help the community become healthy and vibrant!” To contact Jose, please call 585-593-5223, ext. 1012.
Community Health Division
Larissa Jacobs, Age-Friendly Caregiver Coordinator
Larissa is the Age-Friendly Caregiver Coordinator at Ardent Solutions facilitating the Age-Friendly Community Clubs at Genesee Valley Central School and Wellsville Central School, an intergenerational education and social inclusion program. Larissa joined Ardent Solutions in March 2023. She earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education and her master's degree in Literacy from Alfred University. Previously, Larissa worked as a pre-kindergarten teacher in local school districts.
Behavioral Wellness Division
Jonah Crump, Trauma-Informed Communities Coordinator
Jonah joined Ardent Solutions in February 2023, as the first Trauma-Informed Communities Coordinator in Allegany County. Prior to joining Ardent Solutions Jonah worked as a Senior Social Welfare Examiner at the Allegany County Department of Social Services. Jonah earned his associate degree from Jamestown Community College in Human Services and is graduate from Leadership Allegany. Previously, Jonah worked as a Family Advocate at ACCORD Corporation and as a Youth Development Worker for the Olean YMCA. Jonah's current duties include facilitating the Trauma-Informed Communities throughout Allegany County Coalition and coordinates the Trauma-Informed Champions' Program.
Mobility Management Division
Gwendolyn Cooper, Mobility Management Operations Manager
Gwendolyn Cooper joined the Ardent Solutions Team in April of 2018, as the Mobility Safety Education Specialist. She gained experience in working with diverse populations while she was employed at the Cancer Services Program of Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties at the Allegany County Department of Health. From 2018-2019, Gwen led efforts to raise awareness and provide education on multiple programs through funding from the NYS Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, including the Child Passenger Safety Program, Distracted Driving Awareness, ATV Safety, Seat Belt Safety, etc. Gwen's new role as Mobility Management Operations Manager will enable her to plan and coordinate transportation services through ACCESS Allegany.
Becky Nelson, Mobility Safety Across the Lifespan Specialist
Becky Nelson is the Mobility Management Assistant with Access Allegany, a division of Ardent Solutions. Employed by First Transit and co-located at ACCESS Allegany as a Call Center Operator, Becky began her tenure in 2009, eventually joining the Ardent Solutions Team full-time in 2011, Becky focuses her attention on customer service and non-emergency medical transportation. She assists the public and the medical transit system with daily travel updates, trip itinerary planning, public transit outreach events and community education. She is passionate about being able to assist the public with their transportation needs and strives to achieve the safest and best opportunities for each person to reach their destination. She realizes the importance the public transit serves in this rural community in keeping the residents independent, healthy and safe.
Lisa Willets, Mobility Management Assistant
Lisa Willets joined Ardent Solutions in February 2020, as the Mobility Management Assistant. Lisa coordinates the ACCESS Allegany Call Center responding to riders questions and requests. She assists riders with itinerary planning for trips using the public bus system, tracks riders needs and utilization of the bus system, and assists with quality assurance and reporting. Lisa is a Wellsville Central School graduate and worked 16 years for Ames Department Store before being employed at Kleiser Ford and Wellsville Ford for 18 years. Lisa is a lifelong resident of Wellsville, New York and is dedicated to making transportation accessible to everyone.
April White, Mobility Management Assistant
April White became ACCESS Allegany's Mobility Management Assistant in January 2023, where she is the friendly voice for those seeking information through the ACCESS Allegany Call Center. April has extensive experience in customer service and health care. Before joining Ardent Solutions' team, she was employed as a receptionist at a Jones Memorial Hospital Medical Practice and at Cuba Memorial Hospital. April then went on to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Children's Division
Robin Fuller, Early Childhood Development and Education Coordinator
Robin Fuller is the Allegany County Early Childhood Development Community Coalition Coordinator, joining Ardent Solutions in 2020. Robin completed her Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education and Psychology. Later she went on to complete her Masters of Education in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy. She has a deep passion for Early Childhood Advocacy and the betterment of children in school and life. Robin was a childcare director for 23 years and Parent-Teacher trainer and educator. Currently, Robin is the champion for the Allegany County Imagination Library, site coordinator for The Every Bottom Covered Program, and is a certified facilitator for Common Sense Parenting and ROSE (Reach Out, Stay Strong, Essentials for mothers of newborns) program, and has made inroads with state policy makers advocating for early childhood development funding and improved services for families with young children.
David Chambers, Program Manager
David Chambers is the Program Manager for the Southern Tier Child Advocacy. Dave accepted the position of Program Manager at Ardent Solutions in May 2020 Dave began his career in human services providing direct care to families since 2008. Past employment experience includes working for Healthy Families Allegany Cattaraugus for 6 years before joining the CAC as a Family Advocate and then Program Coordinator. He is responsible for the oversight, coordination, and direction of the day-to-day operations at the CAC, as well as provides public education and community awareness regarding child abuse issues and the purpose of the CAC.
Erin Spring, SafeHarbour Coordinator
Erin Spring started her tenure with Ardent Solutions in May 2020, as a Case Manager at the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center, after being employed as a Family Advocate for the CAC. Erin has a Bachelor of Science in Community and Human Services. Prior to joining the CAC, Erin was a member of the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center's Multi-Disciplinary Team for 10 years.
Today, Erin is the first Allegany County SafeHarbour Coordinator, leading a Coalition of individuals concerned about Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Human Trafficking. Erin specializes working with youth who are at high risk of, or who are survivors of, sex trafficking, including helping prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking and aiding youth out of the sex trafficking industry.
Today, Erin is the first Allegany County SafeHarbour Coordinator, leading a Coalition of individuals concerned about Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Human Trafficking. Erin specializes working with youth who are at high risk of, or who are survivors of, sex trafficking, including helping prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking and aiding youth out of the sex trafficking industry.
Hope Wienk, Case Manager
Hope Wienk joined the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center as a Case Manager in November 2022. Prior to her employment with Ardent, she worked as a Case Manager at the Seneca Nation of Indians and as a Homeless Intervention Specialist with Connecting Communities in Action. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a bachelor's degree in health and human services.
Brittni Bowen, Mental Health Therapist
Brittni Bowen joined the Ardent Solutions team in 2021, as the Mental Health Therapist at the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center. She gained experience using trauma focused therapies while employed at the Seneca Nation Behavioral Heath Unit. Brittni believes that everyone should have a safe & healing place to work through life’s traumas & is thankful for the opportunity to provide that to children & families in the Cattaraugus & Allegany counties.
Sherry Weirich, Case Manager
Sherry Weirich is a Case Manager with the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center. Sherry began work with Ardent in July 2020 as a Family Advocate, after retiring from her previous job as a Senior Employment Counselor in Allegany County. As an Advocate, Sherry enjoys having the ability to connect her clients and their families to services and resources that can assist them with meeting their basic needs and healing from the effects of trauma.
Mercedes Lasher, Family Advocate
Mercedes Lasher joined the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center in March 2022 as a Family Advocate. Mercedes earned her associate degree from Jamestown Community College in Human Services in Psychology. Prior to joining Ardent, Mercedes worked as a Complex Mental Health Technician at Beacon Health, and as a Domestic Violence Community Educator at ACCORD Corporation.
Nicole Barton, Family Advocate
Nicole Barton is a Family Advocate at the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center. Nicole started working for Ardent in September 2022. Prior, Nicole worked as a daycare assistant at local daycare provider and as a CPS/DV liaison for Connecting Communities in Action. Nicole has extensive experience educating people about the cycle of domestic violence, building rapport and collaborating with CPS and other local agencies to refer children and families to appropriate resources, and facilitating safety plans and emergency support.
