By Pam Robinson

January 5th, 2024

Read on Huntington Now

Former Suffolk deputy county executive Vanessa Baird-Streeter will become president and CEO of the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island.

The organization, based in Huntington Station, was previously led by Rebecca Sanin, who was elected to the Suffolk County Legislature, representing the 16th District.  It is an umbrella organization that works to represent the needs and interests of hundreds of nonprofit health and human service organizations on Long Island.

Baird-Streeter worked for Suffolk County for the full 12 years of former CE Steve Bellone’s term in office, which ended Sunday. Her work included managing the county’s communications response to Super Storm Sandy in 2012, and the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as leading a study to improve access for minority and women-owned businesses to county contracts, work on advanced language access improvements, and many other roles to improve access and opportunity for all.

“Vanessa Baird-Streeter has a long record of improving the lives of Long Islanders, advancing equity and serving as a strategic partner bringing multi-sector stakeholders together to develop solutions and improve people’s lives. She has been a long-time partner at HWCLI ensuring that Suffolk County achieved an accurate Census count, working closely with the nonprofit community throughout the pandemic and continually spearheading innovative strategies to meet human needs. I am ecstatic to know that she will be at the helm at HWCLI and look forward to the outstanding accomplishments she will achieve, with a great Board and great team to secure a brighter future on Long Island.”

The appointment takes effect Feb. 5.