Our Team

Our Unite Us team is dedicated to improving outcomes in your community. To learn more about our commitment to to diversity, equity, and inclusion, click here.

John Paul Perez

Northeast Regional Network Director

Based in Rochester, NY, John Paul has an MBA from the University of Rochester Simon Business School as well as an MS MFT from Eastern Nazarene College. John Paul has 23 years of experience that spans across nonprofit leadership, clinical therapy, community engagement, and business development.

Chris Boerner

Regional Vice President, Northeast

Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, Chris has a BS in Economics from the University of Puget Sound. Chris has 20 years of experience in strategy, employee benefits, and entrepreneurship.

Yolanda Rayside

Network Health Manager

Based in New York, NY, Yolanda has an MPA from the NYU Wagner School of Public Service. Yolanda has experience working in health insurance, healthcare administration, and operations.

Marc Natale

State Network Director, New York

Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Marc has an M.S. in strategic leadership. Marc has experience serving in officer positions on the boards of several community-based organizations, as well as participating in collaboratives and committees across health, youth, and human services, both locally and on a state level.

Shannan Smith

Community Engagement Manager

Raised in New York’s Southern Tier and based in Rochester, NY, Shannan has an M.S. in reading and literacy education from SUNY Geneseo. Shannan has over a decade of experience in non-profit leadership and program implementation with a focus on youth and family services.

After 12 years of working at a cradle-to-grave organization, I found it disheartening that despite the wide range of services we provided, we weren't individually able to meet all of our member's complex needs; everything from car seats and transportation to behavioral and mental health services. We could guide folks to resources but these programs were not always in our wheelhouse. Unite Us enables organizations to focus on what they’re best at and connect with other providers to help meet community needs collectively. Coming from my background, I was thrilled to be able to contribute to the fluidity and collaborative nature of the Unite New York network and help community organizations work together, rather than in silos, to better serve clients.