Leadership Team

As the director of education, training and advocacy, Josephine Crisostomo is responsible for advancing LifeWay Network’s educational and advocacy initiatives. A graduate of Syracuse University with a background in community engagement and mental health, Josephine has focused throughout her career on ensuring that New Yorkers have access to culturally responsive services and information to make informed choices on their health. Before joining LifeWay, Josephine worked at the New York City Mayor’s Office implementing social-emotional and trauma-informed crisis management programming for youth, parents and educators.

As the director of safe housing, Twanna ensures that relationships are established and maintained with LifeWay’s partners and collaborating agencies, creates meaningful programs for residents, and leads the safe house team to deliver quality services to residents. She is a graduate of Empire State College with a BA in human services and a master’s degree in social work from Touro College. She brings more than 25 years of experience in social work and believes that healing is a collaborative endeavor that requires honest caring without judgment. Rather than adopting one methodology for all individuals and issues, she draws from various methods to create a tailored approach for each individual and situation. As a director, she is warm, open, encouraging, and direct. She considers herself an active director, combining experience and education.

As the director of finance and technology, Jeannie Colangelo is responsible for managing the fiscal and system functions to ensure smooth and efficient operations of the organization, as well as support organizational growth and program development with financial planning models. Jeannie also leads the development of the organization’s technology roadmap, including the identification of appropriate systems to meet growing organizational needs. Jeannie left the corporate world for LifeWay Network because of her strong desire to help women who have been trafficked become strong, connected and free. Jeannie has a bachelor’s degree from Purchase College.

As the executive director, Marion Kendall takes a vision and makes it a reality through sound strategy development. She intuitively sees the threads of opportunity that wind through an organization, brings them together into a coherent whole, and helps others extend their thinking. She is an inspirational leader who tells stories that inspire action while at the same time is grounded and respected as a credible voice in decision making, finding strategic financing partners, and establishing governance boundaries. Marion earns a seat at the table wherever she serves. Marion holds a master’s degree in education from Columbia University, a master’s degree in social work from Yeshiva University, and is a Ph.D candidate.