What We’re About
Empowering people with limited access to opportunities to build fulfilling lives and stronger communities through unconditional support.
NCIA is dedicated to empowering people who face significant life challenges. With a commitment to unconditional support and respect for human dignity, NCIA serves a diverse population, including people with intellectual, developmental and emotional disabilities, people re-entering society after incarceration, at-risk youth, and adults with complex needs.
Founded on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a meaningful life, NCIA offers a comprehensive range of programs designed to foster independence, skill development, and community integration. From vocational training and special education to residential support and employment services, NCIA provides the tools and resources necessary for people to overcome barriers and build fulfilling lives.
At its core, NCIA is driven by a mission to create stronger, more inclusive communities for those who have limited access to opportunities. Through an innovative approach and unwavering support, NCIA transforms lives and challenges societal norms, proving that with the right support, every person can contribute positively to their community.
We believe in promoting independence among the people and communities we serve. This means empowering people we support to take control of their own lives and make their own decisions while providing the resources and support necessary to achieve their goals. Independence leads to greater self-determination and ultimately improves the overall well-being of people and communities.
We believe in being responsible and accountable stewards of the resources entrusted to us by our funders, donors, and supporters. We are committed to using our resources in the most efficient and impactful way to benefit the people and communities we serve. Maintaining financial stability will further sustain our resources over the long term.
Our focus is supporting historically marginalized populations in underserved communities. These populations include but are not limited to persons with disabilities, persons who have been institutionalized, and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.
We support people overlooked people in our community who are facing complex circumstances. We believe everyone, regardless of challenges, deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling and independent life.
Walid is the Board Chair and the owner and Chief Strategist of Financial Management Strategies. He was elected as a board member is March 2022.
Walid Petiri was elected as a board member is March 2022. He is the owner of Financial Management Strategies, LLC (FMS) a Registered Investment Advisor established in 2000. He has over two decades of financial experience that covers virtually all areas of finance from tax, insurance, stockbroker, personal financial planning and personal banking to corporate credit, business planning, and consumer lending.
Walid Petiri was elected as a board member is March 2022. He is the owner of Financial Management Strategies, LLC (FMS) a Registered Investment Advisor established in 2000. He has over two decades of financial experience that covers virtually all areas of finance from tax, insurance, stockbroker, personal financial planning and personal banking to corporate credit, business planning, and consumer lending.
Carole Argo assumed the role of CEO in September of 2022 after seven years as COO at NCIA.
Carole Argo assumed the role of CEO in September of 2022 after seven years in the role of COO at NCIA. She is responsible for the overall operations of NCIA and has senior management experience in various industries.
Carole Argo assumed the role of CEO in September of 2022 after seven years in the role of COO at NCIA. She is responsible for the overall operations of NCIA and has senior management experience in various industries.
Lindsay was elected as a board member in April 2008.
Lindsay M. Hayes was elected as a board member in April 2008. Mr. Hayes was a Project Director for the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives. He is nationally recognized as an expert in the field of suicide prevention within jails, prisons and juvenile facilities. Mr. Hayes served as a technical assistance consultant/expert by conducting training seminars and assessing inmate and juvenile suicide prevention practices in various state and local jurisdictions throughout the country.
Lindsay M. Hayes was elected as a board member in April 2008. Mr. Hayes was a Project Director for the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives. He is nationally recognized as an expert in the field of suicide prevention within jails, prisons and juvenile facilities. Mr. Hayes served as a technical assistance consultant/expert by conducting training seminars and assessing inmate and juvenile suicide prevention practices in various state and local jurisdictions throughout the country.
Christine was elected as a board member in March 2010.
Christine Pahigian was elected as a board member in March 2010. Ms. Pahigian serves as the executive director of Friends of Island Academy located in New York, a nonprofit youth development agency providing voluntary transitional support services to young ex-offenders completing jail sentences.
Christine Pahigian was elected as a board member in March 2010. Ms. Pahigian serves as the executive director of Friends of Island Academy located in New York, a nonprofit youth development agency providing voluntary transitional support services to young ex-offenders completing jail sentences.
Deborah Kakaris was elected as a board member in March 2022.
Deborah Kakaris has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry and is currently a Senior Vice President and the Chief Information Officer at CFG Bank. Her experience ranges across banking and wealth disciplines and spans all facets of management including client service, operations, IT, project, strategic, budget and personnel. Deborah is also active in training, mentoring, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programs.
Deborah Kakaris has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry and is currently a Senior Vice President and the Chief Information Officer at CFG Bank. Her experience ranges across banking and wealth disciplines and spans all facets of management including client service, operations, IT, project, strategic, budget and personnel. Deborah is also active in training, mentoring, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programs.
Rhonda Pierce-Brooks was elected as a board member in March 2022.
Aaron was elected as a board member in June 2024.
Aaron M Bukowitz was elected as a board member in June 2024. Mr. Bukowitz recently retired from Offit Kurman, Attorneys at Law, where he held the position of CEO. As CEO, Aaron led the executive team responsible for managing the firm’s business operations and execution of the firm’s strategic plan. Prior to joining Offit Kurman, Aaron held executive management and engineering positions in several technology companies. Aaron is currently volunteering his time with several non-profit organizations.
Aaron M Bukowitz was elected as a board member in June 2024. Mr. Bukowitz recently retired from Offit Kurman, Attorneys at Law, where he held the position of CEO. As CEO, Aaron led the executive team responsible for managing the firm’s business operations and execution of the firm’s strategic plan. Prior to joining Offit Kurman, Aaron held executive management and engineering positions in several technology companies. Aaron is currently volunteering his time with several non-profit organizations.
Carole assumed the role of CEO in September of 2022 after seven years as COO. She is responsible for the overall operations of NCIA and has senior management experience in various industries.
The mission of NCIA’s Corporate Compliance & Quality Department is to foster an environment of continuous compliance and quality improvement throughout the entire organization. This is how NCIA measures, , analyzes and enhances our services, policies and processes.
The NCIA Corporate Compliance & Quality Department will provide ongoing feedback around the satisfaction of those using our services, internal processes & policy evaluation, and using data to drive imporovement and decision making.
“Compliance is making sure we do what is expected of us.”
The Corporate Compliance & Quality Department is responsible for the following throughout NCIA programs & services:
