HORIZON CORPORATIONS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF ANNE CONSTANTINO, PRESIDENT AND CEO, AFTER 37 YEARS WITH ORGANIZATION
Buffalo, NY (January 17th 2023) – Today Horizon announced the retirement of Anne Constantino who has served as President and CEO since 1994 with a remarkable 37 years of service at the organization. Anne will step down in June 2023.
Anne’s contributions throughout her career have impacted countless patients and community members locally, statewide, and on a national level. When Horizon’s first addiction clinic opened in 1986, Anne was hired as
a Senior Counselor. As the years progressed and the company grew, she moved into clinical and operations leadership roles to help meet the increasing community need for behavioral health support.
After being appointed as President and CEO in 1994, Anne and her team worked tirelessly to sustain a continuum of care in Western New York that included opening additional outpatient facilities for mental health and addiction treatment, as well as the first public residential treatment center, Horizon Village, in Sanborn, NY.
Throughout Anne’s leadership, Horizon expanded to serve more counties throughout New York State, created innovative and sustainable support services for patients, families and community members, and became a leader in exceptional person-centered treatment, while also making Horizon a best place to work and receive care. A motto that Anne has consistently voiced to her team and publicly is, “There will be no waiting,” to ensure that the behavioral health care industry continues to advocate for patients who deserve access to quality care and life changing services no matter where they are living. Horizon has grown to 20 locations throughout Western New York and a tele network available throughout the state, while also operating two residential and inpatient campuses in both Erie and Niagara Counties.
During her tenure, Anne has served on countless county, state, and national boards while also being an active member on several industry-specific committees. She is the founding member of Value Network, IPA and sits on the NYS Governor’s Opioid Settlement Funds Board, which she will continue to serve on after her retirement.
“I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with a great team and to build a company that helps people and sets a standard for service excellence,” said Constantino. “My work has been meaningful, sometimes difficult, and sometimes heartbreaking, but always rewarding. My life has been filled with love, friendship and fun. I am grateful, happy and excited about the future, both for Horizon and myself!”
Erin DiGirolamo has been appointed CEO of the Horizon Corporations upon Anne’s retirement. Erin has been an integral part of the leadership team since 2006, serving as CFO and currently as COO. Erin’s roots are in finance as a CPA, but she is highly regarded in the behavioral health care industry as a skilled and thoughtful executive. “I could have learned under no one better than Anne. She is a dynamic leader and has been a generous mentor and friend. Together with our most capable senior staff team, it will be an honor to continue the legacy she created,” said DiGirolamo.
Brandy Vandermark-Murray currently serves as Sr. VP of Operations overseeing operations for all patient services. She is a licensed mental health counselor who has served in various clinical and operational leadership positions over 16 years at Horizon.
“Anne has created an amazing organization, an organization I am incredibly proud to be a part of and love. She has demonstrated servant leadership and cultivated a culture of teamwork,” said Vandermark-Murray. “It is a privilege and honor to continue building on the work she has done. We are forever grateful for the work she has done for our community.”
Horizon’s Board of Directors and Senior Leadership team have been actively developing the succession plan for many years and are excited about the future leadership team for Horizon.
“Horizon and Western New York have been blessed by the leadership of Anne throughout the 37 years of her stewardship,” said Pete Grum, Chair of Horizon’s Board of Directors. “The direct impact she has had on the countless lives of people in Western New York as they navigate the diseases of mental health and addiction have left us all in a healthier community. Her leadership in the industry through advocacy and best practices will continue to benefit this community for decades to come. On behalf of the Board of Directors, and on a personal note, Anne will be leaving Horizon as a better organization and with the people and resources to continue her vision into the future.”
About Horizon
The Horizon Corporations, which includes Horizon Health Services, Horizon Village and Horizon Health Alliance, is the 8th largest not-for-profit in WNY. With over 800 employees and $70 million in annual revenue, Horizon
is a fully comprehensive behavioral health treatment provider operating 196 inpatient beds for addiction treatment and 13 outpatient counseling and psychiatry practices in Erie, Niagara, and Genesee Counties. Horizon was founded in 1975 and has been voted one of the “Best Companies to Work for in New York” for 14 consecutive years.
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Horizon Corporations
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Christina Pearl Director of Corporate Communication
- January 19, 2023
- 716-831-2700
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