Buffalo. New York — Community Action Organization of Western New York (CAO of WNY) is pleased to announce the appointment of Marie Cannon, DSW as its new President and CEO. Cannon was hired following an extensive nationwide search conducted by Catapult Executive Consulting. Cannon will replace Thomas Kim who stepped down as CEO and President in January 2024.

Dr. Cannon comes to the CAO of WNY with more than 30 years in the field of health and human services, including working in the CAO of WNY’s Head Start program from 1999-2001. Cannon most recently served as the Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Social Services, the largest department in the county with 1600 employees, a $618 million budget, and serving 27,000 people per month.

Cannon’s dedication to serving the community extends well beyond the walls of the Edward Rath Building. She is a member of Governor Kathy Hochul’s State Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, the 1st Vice President of the New York Public Welfare Association, Greater Buffalo Equity Roundtable, and was Co-Lead of the Erie County Child and Housing Task Forces in response to the pandemic.

“I’m thrilled and looking forward to working with the incredible and hard-working staff at the CAO of WNY. Our mission is and will always be to serve the people in the community. I’ve spent my professional and personal life dedicated to serving underserved communities and mitigating the impact of poverty on individuals and families. As head of the CAO of WNY I hope to use all our resources to help empower families to lead happy, healthy, and productive lives,” said Cannon.

Some of Cannon’s accomplishments include the following:

• Developed and implemented a local $10 million housing and rental assistance program by collaborating with several not-for-profits and establishing a single point of access.
• Successfully led in the procurement of $385,000 of foundation support for the development of a comprehensive housing plan.
• Developed and implemented a local $15 million childcare assistance program, which included direct support to childcare providers and school districts, and the development of the Virtual Learning
• Implemented a racial equity training initiative and established a Disproportionate Minority Representation
• Facilitated the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute’s Workforce Excellence

“Marie Cannon has been an exceptional Social Services Commissioner for Erie County. She is responsive, compassionate, and effective. Erie County’s loss is the Community Action Organization’s gain. I have every confidence that she will lead the CAO with the same leadership style that has made her so respected and valued. I look forward to her continued great work and know that the Community Action Organization is in great hands,” said CAO of WNY Board member and Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro.

“Cannon is the right person at the right time to lead the organization. Her extensive experience in the field of Human Services and her unwavering dedication to serving the community makes her the perfect fit for the CAO of WNY. I look forward to working with her as we move forward” said CAO of WNY Board President Judge Craig Hannah.

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Marie Cannon as the next CEO of the Community Action Organization of Western New York. Currently serving as the Erie County Commissioner of DSS; Marie’s skills, educational background, and extensive experience make her the ideal leader for this organization at this time,” said Community Action Organization of Western New York Board Member and Buffalo Common Council Majority Leader, Ellicott District Council Woman Leah M. Halton-Pope.

“Dr. Cannon’s expertise and background align perfectly with our mission to promote opportunities for low-income individuals, families, and communities to achieve and sustain self-sufficiency through advocacy, partnerships, access to services, and low-to-moderate income housing development. I eagerly look forward to seeing the organization, its employees, and our community thrive under her outstanding leadership,” said Halton-Pope.

Founded in 1965 following the passage of the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act, CAO of WNY has been on the front lines in the battle against poverty and helping people overcome the barriers to economic self-sufficiency. With this appointment Cannon becomes just the fifth person and the first woman to lead this organization.

“I’m so honored to follow in the footsteps of the incredible leaders who came before me. The CAO of WNY has been an important organization in helping individuals, women, children, and families overcome the pitfalls and the burdens of poverty,” said Cannon.

About Community Action Organization of Western New York, Inc.

The Community Action Organization of Western New York is a non-profit organization that serves thousands of families across the region. We use our combined expertise to lead the charge on mitigating poverty throughout low-income communities within our area by empowering our clients with the resources they need to become self-responsible.

Contact Information:

Community Action Organization of WNY Kevin R. Jolly,

Director of Communications and PR 716-215-5886

kjolly@caowny.org