WHITE PLAINS, NY –Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV), is pleased to announce that Rachel Chazin Halperin, J.D., L.M.S.W., will take on the role of CEO of the organization. Rachel has been the Chief Program Officer for the past several years and as such is intimately familiar with the day to day operations of the program. She is already a pivotal member of the leadership team and brings a vast array of internal and external expertise to the role. As a social worker as well as an attorney, Rachel is well suited to meet the challenges and opportunities that await.
“I am grateful to be chosen as the new CEO of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley,” said Rachel. “I have devoted my career to working on behalf of underserved and vulnerable populations and am honored for the opportunity to continue to advocate on their behalf as the leader of LSHV during these important and uncertain times.”
Speaking on behalf of the board, LSHV Board President Al Donnellan, Esq. said that: “We are confident that Rachel will continue to lead LSHV with the same passion and mission-driven insight as her predecessor. We look forward to working more closely with her to serve the community and to preserve justice for all of our neighbors.”
Rachel will be replaced as Chief Program Officer by Jill Bradshaw-Soto, currently the Attorney-in-Charge of LSHV’s Mt. Vernon Office. Jill has been with LSHV for over 20 years and brings a wealth of expertise, commitment and deep understanding to the work of the organization. In her new role, she will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the day-to-day running of LSHV’ snine local offices. In addition, LSHV will add two new positions to the leadership team-. Lara Kasper-Buckareff will be the new Chief Operating Officer and will lead and oversee agency-wide initiatives including Intake, Pro Bono, Government Grants and Technology Initiatives. Lara has most recently served as the Program Director and been with the organization for over ten years. Finally, Sheeba Mathia, will officially join the senior leadership team as the Chief Diversity Officer. Sheeba has been the Chief Diversity Officer on a part time basis for the past several years and this move to full time will ensure that a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)lens is guiding the leadership team and the organization overall.
About Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
LSHV is the only provider of free, comprehensive civil (non-criminal) legal services to low-income and disadvantaged individuals and families who cannot afford an attorney when their basic human needs are at stake. This includes urgent legal needs such as: housing emergencies, domestic violence, healthcare, children’s law and advocacy, disability and benefits, elder law, consumer fraud and more. Founded more than 50 years ago, LSHV serves the seven counties of the lower and mid-Hudson Valley (Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan), maintaining a staff of 160individuals working across ten offices throughout its service area.
For more information about Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, to volunteer, or contribute, please visit lshv.org, or contact Maureen Fox at 914-949-1305 x160 or mfox@lshv.org.
