About Us | CDS Life Transitions

Over 45 years ago, a group of local parents and families came together with a common vision to create better living opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Built on the foundation of compassionate and quality care, CDS Life Transitions was born.

Our History

1977

Where It All Began

Continuing Developmental Services, Inc. began with a group of parents whose goal was to ensure quality services would always be available for their children, no matter their ages. This later became known as CDS Monarch and further developed to form CDS Life Transitions, as we know it today.

1979

Commitment to Providing Rewarding Employment Opportunities

With the goal to provide employment opportunities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Unistel Industries’ was formed. Shortly after, Unistel’s growth opened the opportunity to develop a retail product, Salute Seasonings.

2007

Devoted to Supporting Unfunded Areas of Need

Coming full circle, with the support of various community partners and donors, the CDS Wolf Foundation was founded in 2007 with the goal to continue to provide unfunded services like Warrior Salute Veterans Services, for others in the community.

2010

A Passion for Helping Our Heroes

Upon seeing military personnel come home from war with limited support and with the goal to help struggling veterans successfully transition back into their communities, Warrior Salute Veteran Services was born.

2012

A Mission to Make Affordable, Quality Housing Accessible to All

The need for affordable housing for seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities became evident in New York State. As a result, CDS Housing was formed with the goal to provide quality, affordable housing opportunities for those in our community. We became the first non-profit developer building these affordable, accessible communities, including units set aside for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, veterans, families and seniors, in New York State.

2015

A Commitment to Improving the System

When it became clear that New York State intended to move to a Managed Care System, iCircle Services was created by providers with a passion for caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in the hopes of maintaining quality care and improving the lives of the people we serve. Even before the state was ready to make the change, iCircle began operating as a Managed Long-Term Care Plan for people with chronic illnesses. iCircle is provider and individual focused, with a commitment to quality customer service, which is why it has quickly grown to assist more than 3,000 people across 22 counties in Upstate New York.

2016

Dedication to Educating our Community

In an effort to provide professional development resources to our CDS Life Transitions team, the Allentoff Institute was formed. Today, a wide variety of classes are open to CDS staff, individuals we serve, and the community at large.

2022

Bringing Pharmacy Experience to Human Services

Building on its 45-year history of supporting people with a variety of needs, CDS Life Transitions expanded its affiliates to include CDS Rx Pharmacy, the first full-service pharmacy in the local human services landscape. CDS Rx is an integrated pharmacy service where the pharmacist, patient, and care manager work together for the best health outcomes. This patient-centered pharmacy model is at the heart of CDS Rx.

2023

At the Forefront of Major Changes

When New York State began the shift to Managed Care, Health Homes were created to handle service coordination for Medicaid eligible individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. CDS Monarch worked with a number of community partners to create Prime Care Coordination. CDS Monarch is proud to have ownership in a company which is committed to providing the best possible care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those already in the system, and those entering the system now.

We’re Just Getting Started

We’re not stopping here. We take pride in our innovative and forward-thinking approach to serve those with complex and diverse needs in our community. We are excited to continue to transform, evolve, and grow to help even more individuals in need throughout our community

Our Commitment

We take an innovative approach in championing our diverse community of organizations in providing compassionate, holistic, and exceptional support for the people we serve.

Why Work With Us?

We’re Courageous

We’re not afraid to step outside our comfort zone, and we face challenges with confidence

We Inspire

We are motivated daily by the people we assist

We’re Compassionate

We work to understand the challenges faced by the people we assist and empower them to overcome these obstacles

We Embrace Innovation

We constantly seek out new and different approaches to meet our mission

We Build Community

We share common values, mutual respect, joint responsibility, and ownership of our mission with all stakeholders

We Exemplify Professionalism

We conduct ourselves with responsibility, integrity, and excellence while upholding the highest standard of professional behavior

Our Team

Meet Our Senior Leadership

Andrew Sewnauth
Andrew Sewnauth, MBA, MDiv

President & Chief Executive Officer, CDS Life Transitions, Executive Director, CDS Monarch

Andrew Sewnauth joined CDS Monarch in 2005 when he began his career as a direct support professional and has served in numerous capacities since his start. He is the Executive Director of CDS Monarch, with responsibilities for all day-to-day operations as well as administrative functions. As Chief Executive Officer for CDS Life Transitions, he supports all affiliates through strategic leadership.
Kate Wagner
Kate Wagner

Executive Vice President of Operations, CDS Life Transitions

Executive Director, Prime Care Coordination

Kate Wagner started with CDS Monarch in 2012 as a registered nurse and worked her way up to Vice President of Operations for CDS Monarch and Warrior Salute Veteran Services. Ms. Wagner has overseen the care and support of more than 1500 people with IDD, gaining expertise in administration and leadership, nursing and clinical services, facilities, quality management and driving systemic improvements. She has a keen focus on the delivery of services to the individuals and families Prime Care Coordination serves and appreciates the role of PCC in their lives.
Sharon Marble
Sharon Marble, MSM

Chief Operating Officer, iCircle

Sharon Marble has been with CDS since 1987. She has held a variety of roles in direct care and leadership of OPWDD services. Sharon was integral in forming and operationalizing iCircle. In 2014, she became the Chief Operating Officer of iCircle where she is responsible for oversight of all operational procedures, systems, and controls.

Richard Ferrari
Richard Ferrari

Senior Executive Advisor

Richard is a seasoned financial executive with a proven commitment to CDS Life Transitions’ perennial success and the individuals the organization serves.
Judy Consadine
Judy Consadine, CPA, MBA

Chief Accounting Officer

Judy Consadine earned a Bachelors of Science in Economics from the University of Rochester and a Masters of Business Administration in Accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She joined CDS Life Transitions in 2000. She has 25 years of experience in finance, and hold a CPA license in the State of New York. Judy oversees all financial operations for CDS Life Transitions.
Tom DeRoller
Tom DeRoller

Executive Director, CDS Wolf Foundation

Tom DeRoller joined the CDS Wolf Foundation in 2017. He has over 10 years of experience in fundraising and development.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Greg Gribben
Gregory Gribben, Esq.

Board Chair

Mr. Gribben is a Partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP. He joined the Board in 2016.

Mark Peterson
Mark Peterson

First Vice Chair

Mr. Peterson is the Rochester Practice Leader, Lawley Insurance. He previously served in 2016-2017. He rejoined the Board in 2021.

Jennifer Carlson
Jennifer Carlson, MPA

Second Vice Chair

Mrs. Carlson is CEO at Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency. She joined the Board in 2016.

Patrick Manuel
Patrick Manuel

Treasurer

Mr. Manuel is President/Partner at Novem group. He joined the Board in 2022.

Richard Yarmel
Richard Yarmel

Secretary

Mr. Yarmel is a Partner at
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP. He joined the Board in 2016.

Bill Woodard
William Woodard

Mr. Woodard is a retired financial executive. He joined the Board in 2016.

Jean Lowe
Jean Lowe

Ms. Lowe is the a retired nonprofit executive. She joined the board in 2016.

Glenn Pezzulo
Glenn Pezzulo

Mr. Pezzulo is a Partner at Barclay Damon, LLP. He joined the Board in 2019.

Timothy Pope
Tim Pope

Mr. Pope is CEO at
Ironwood Heavy Highway, LLC. and CEO, Terry Tree Service, LLC. He joined the Board in 2021.

Timothy Thaney
Timothy Thaney

Mr. Thaney is a Partner at
DeJoy, Knauf & Blood LLP. He joined the Board in 2018.

Daryl Tiffin
Daryl Tiffin

Mr. Tiffin is Manager of Compliance & Information Security, BCM One. He joined the Board in 2022.

Ready to make a difference?

Transform your passion into a rewarding career. Explore job openings at our diverse community of CDS Life Transitions organizations.

VIEW CAREERS

Our Impact

“When my parents envisioned a better life for my younger brother, Carl, CDS Monarch was there. And more than 20 years later, CDS is still here! The whole spectrum of his care is managed by CDS-not just the care that he receives now, but in the future as well.”

Our Roots