Villa of Hope President/CEO Christina Gullo Announces Voluntary Transition

Rochester, NY – Tuesday, August 2, 2022 —Villa of Hope President/CEO Christina Gullo announced she will be leaving her position on March 31, 2023. Gullo indicated the reason for her departure next year is to spend precious time with close family. Her daughter will be a senior in high school and was just 5 years old when Christina started her role at the Villa. After spending twelve years in her current position, it is important for Christina to be more present for her daughter at this important time in her life.

Gullo began her tenure as President/CEO at the Villa of Hope in 2010 and has overseen many agency milestones and accomplishments. These include:

• Transitioning program core services from residential, serving only youth, to today serving individuals, adults, and families in four core areas: Behavioral Health, Workforce Development, Care Coordination, and Education
• Implementing the Sanctuary Certified agency model focused on trauma-informed care and person-center services
• Ensuring a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging by overseeing many organizational assessments, staffing hires, and equity-focused strategies
• Providing strategic visions for the organization’s new services soon opening such as the Living Hope Treatment Center, Detox beds for ages 16 and up, and the upcoming Steven Center for Behavioral Health, an additional outpatient clinic on the main campus
• Overseeing a rebranding and agency name change from Joseph’s Villa to Villa of Hope in 2013
• Receiving several accolades including Women Leaders Magazine Top Women CEOs in 2022 and the Rochester Business Journal (RBJ) Women of Excellence Award (2021).

“On behalf of the Villa of Hope Board of Directors, we wish Christina the best of luck during this transition and are happy for her to be able to spend time with her family,” said Christopher Bell, Villa of Hope’s Board Chair. “Christina has been an extraordinary leader over the last 12 years, and we are grateful for her leadership. We want to let the Villa community know that our commitment to the mission, vision, values, and new strategic plan is as strong as ever. We have a dedicated and capable staff at the Villa that will continue building off of Christina’s work and continue to rebuild relationships, recover potential, and renew hope for everyone we serve.”

Christina will continue to be involved in community work and may even write a book during her short time outside the workforce.

The Villa of Hope Board will begin a search for the next President/CEO in the coming months and will work to ensure a smooth transition in leadership.