Staff

Executive Director

Deidra EmEl is the Executive Director of the Western New York Peace Center. Deidra is also a Trustee, Executive Administrator, and Program Coordinator of the Congregation of Israel (COI) Cultural Center, in which she is a co-founder. She is an educator, counselor, Community Health Worker, Maternal Child Health Specialist, herbalist, urban homesteader/farmer, and doula. She serves her community with grace, integrity, poise, and great appreciation and attention to what’s most important.

She received her Bachelors of Science in Sociology and a Certificate in Applied Sociology from Buffalo State College(2003). Deidra has been certified as a Childbirth Educator through The International Birth and Wellness Project and The International Childbirth Education Association(2009/2010), Certified Doula -Life Cycles Center(2009), Maternal Child Health Specialist (2014). She has been a birth activist, family advocate, and proponent for International women’s rights for over 20 years.

Deidra has worked hard and kept the WNY Peace Center going in more ways than we can say. She and her husband first became supporters of the Latin American Solidarity Committee (LASC) and IFCO/Pastors for Peace. Her son joined Camp Peaceprints in 2014 and she became a parent volunteer, every year, since! The administrative, financial, and general functioning aspects over the past many months could not have been accomplished without her. Deidra has inspired and balanced our efforts since she started as Office Manager, come Shero since February 2018. She is a wife and mother, caregiver and organizer, hard worker, and peaceful caring being. We couldn’t be more grateful to Deidra for all her selfless dedication and vision!

Contact her at director@wnypeace.org.


Office Staff

Shaina, Office Manager

She is a passionate and dedicated individual who centralizes people and community needs in the work that she does. Contact her at office@wnypeace.org.

Nicole, Executive Assistant

Nicole helps with administrative and outreach work, as well as serves as Chair of the Immigrant & Refugee Justice (IRJ) Task Force. Contact her at assistant@wnypeace.org.