The professionals at Bivona Child Advocacy Center

Mary E. Whittier
Executive Director

Mary E. Whittier is the Founding Executive Director for the Bivona Child Advocacy Center (Bivona), which is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive services to children suspected of being sexually or physically abused. Bivona partners with Child Protective Services, law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, Monroe County Law Department, Rape Crisis Services, Linden Oaks Sexual Abuse Treatment Services, Catholic Family Center and the Referral and Evaluation of Abused Children (REACH) Program at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. Bivona Child Avocacy Center evaluated 1,300 children in 2011 and over 7,500 children since its inception on August 1, 2004.

Ms. Whittier has worked with children and families for over 25 years and her professional background includes working as a teacher’s assistant for Hillside Children’s Center, as a Child Protective Services caseworker, and as a social worker for Golisano Children’s Hospital, which included being the forensic interviewer and administrator for the REACH Program. She spearheaded the development and formation of Bivona in 2001.

She has testified as an expert in court and conducted numerous presentations on child abuse, specifically sexual abuse. She sat on the Advisory Board for NCMEC/NY Branch for 2 years and volunteered there for over 22 years. Ms. Whittier was on the Board of the NYS Chapter of the National Children’s Alliance from 2000-2005 and rejoined the Board in 2010. She was awarded Social Worker of the Year award for Program Innovation in 2000, was the recipient of the Human Services Worker of the Year Award for the private sector in 2006, is the only female recipient of the Carl S. Hallauer award in 2008, and was nominated for the ATHENA Award in 2011.

Ms. Whittier holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Buffalo and an undergraduate degree in Social Work from Buffalo State College. She is married with two children.

Rachel Ayala
Data Analyst

Rachel Ayala joined Bivona Child Advocacy Center as Office Manager in January 2009 and transitioned into a new Data Analyst position in November 2010 where she coordinates with Bivona partner agencies to obtain case data and report on the agency’s statistics. Her previous experience includes seven years in medical office administration, accounting and management. She is a graduate of World Harvest Bible College.

She has a passion for music and has sung at a variety of community events including Hispanic Heritage Celebrations at City Hall, American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, Amerks hockey games at Blue Cross Arena as well as Bivona’s own events.  

“I have a love for people and a strong desire to reach out to those in need. In all my years in the work field my longing has been to merge my interest in business with my love for people. Bivona Child Advocacy Center has provided this very fulfillment.”  

Ms. Ayala is also an active volunteer of Faith Temple Church where she serves in both the music and youth departments.

Koralee Bernardo
Administrative Coordinator

Koralee Bernardo joined Bivona Child Advocacy Center in July of 2011. She recently returned to Rochester after spending two years in Tucson, AZ. Prior to moving to Arizona, Ms. Bernardo worked for five years at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Northern Arizona University.

Ms. Bernardo enjoys spending time with family, gardening, knitting and competing in half marathons.

“I look for career positions where my work strengths and interests merge with my passion to help vulnerable populations - and Bivona Child Advocacy Center fits the criteria. I am delighted to be a team member and associated with the agency.”

Donna Lipari
Special Events & Volunteer Coordinator

Donna Lipari joined Bivona Child Advocacy Center in April of 2010. She most recently was employed at Xerox Corporation as Community Relations Manager. She has a degree in Public Relations and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Ms. Lipari is a board member on the Women’s Council, an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance; a former member of the fundraising committee for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and a former member of the FIRST Robotics Regional Planning Committee.

“Bivona Child Advocacy Center and its partner agencies provide tremendous resources for our community in the fight against child abuse. I have the utmost respect for the work they do, and am proud to be a part of this incredible team.”

Patty Lovallo
Finance Manager

Patty Lovallo joined Bivona Child Advocacy Center in December of 2011. She has an extensive amount of corporate and not-for-profit experience and was most recently employed as Assistant Treasurer at General Signal Corporation. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University and her MBA from Harvard Business School.

Ms. Lovallo is very active in the community, currently serving on the Board of Directors of Catholic Family Center and Pittsford Youth Services. She is also enthusiastically involved with Transfiguration Church Social Ministry and Pittsford Relay for Life.

“I have always been passionate about serving my community. I look forward to using my finance and leadership skills to help make a difference in the lives of children and families served by Bivona Child Advocacy Center’s multidisciplinary team.”

Ms. Lovallo has two daughters and resides in Pittsford with her husband. She enjoys golf and paddle tennis in her spare time. 
 

Sue Page
Receptionist

Sue Page came to Bivona Child Advocacy Center in June of 2006 with a background in banking, but she’s glad to have made a switch in fields. In addition to greeting visitors, she spends time with the children who come to Bivona.

“I love children. They are all precious and if just sitting with them reading a book or playing a game makes them happy and safe, I know I did my job to make them feel wanted and safe.  ‘It’s all about the kids,’ I say.”

Ms. Page is a graduate of Nazareth Academy High School. 

Anna Potter
Program Manager

Anna Potter joined Bivona Child Advocacy Center in May 2010. As Program Manager, she is responsible for the coordination of activities with Bivona’s collaborating agencies providing the highest quality of care for the children and families needing supportive services. Creating awareness and education on the issue of child abuse are two of her utmost priorities.

Prior to joining Bivona Child Advocacy Center, Ms. Potter was the Regional Manager of the Rape Crisis Service. She has been a collaborating partner with Bivona since its doors opened in 2004, and has worked with victims and families of sexual assault for nearly 20 years.

Ms. Potter received her BA degree in Sociology/Psychology from SUNY Geneseo, and she is a certified sexual assault counselor/advocate. She also volunteers with Visiting Nurse Services.

“I have been directly involved with Bivona Child Advocacy Center since 2004 as a collaborating partner, providing the victim advocacy component to the team. In my professional career I have learned that staying focused on the victims’ needs is crucial to making a difference. It is with great enthusiasm and respect that I have this opportunity to work with the children who will look to Bivona to begin their healing process.”

Samantha Standing
Director of Development

Samantha Standing has spent her career in Rochester’s non-profit sector. Prior to joining the team at Bivona in November 2011, Sam served as Vice President of Develpment at the Jewish Home Foundation. In addition, she has had the pleasure of working in the Development Department at one of our partner agencies, Catholic Family Center, where she managed their annual fund program and special events.

Sam received her CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive,) an international credential, in 2011. She holds a B.S. in English from the College at Brockport where she majored in Creative Writing and minored in Communications and is actively involved in the Association of Fundraising Professionals Genesee Valley Chapter, serving on their Board since 2009, and as their President in 2012 and 2013.

"It is an honor to be a part of a team of professionals, volunteers, and donors who have a direct and measurable impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in our community. As a development professional, I have the distinct pleasure of connecting caring, dedicated donors to the mission and vision of Bivona, and demonstrating to these individuals the remarkable difference their support makes in the lives of thousands of young people each year."

Sam lives in Hilton with her husband and two daughters.