Executive Team

Robert F. Cashel, LCSW
President & CEO

For more than 15 years, Rob Cashel has been President & CEO of FCA, where he is responsible for the multi-service human service organization with more than 200 staff. Rob has developed key partnerships in the community while also establishing formal relationships with numerous private and corporate foundations. Prior to this position, Rob worked for 23 years at Family Centers in the Stamford-Greenwich area. He began as a Clinical Social Worker and later rose to the role of Executive Vice President. In this latter role Rob initiated and managed a variety of programs and services including employee assistance programs for a variety of businesses. Rob is currently on the Board and Executive Committee of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA) and is also on the Board and Executive Committee of Norwalk ACTS. Rob has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Syracuse University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University. Rob is also a licensed clinical social worker, a certified marriage and family therapist, and a certified alcoholism counselor.

Chrissy received a master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University. She has 15 years’ experience working in clinical, research and managerial positions at a variety of non-profit organizations and academic institutions, including Columbia University and the City College of New York. Chrissy joined the Agency in 2013 and is currently responsible for securing government and private foundation grants, re-accreditation/licensing, strategic program development and oversight of a robust quality improvement plan at the Agency, including outcome development, measurement, and analysis. Chrissy also oversee the Agency’s electronic health record to ensure that it functions efficiently for employees, adheres to all regulatory requirements, and is optimized for outcome reporting.

Averi Dudek, PHR, SHRM-CP
Vice President, Human Resources

Averi holds PHR and SHRM-CP Human Resource certifications in addition to her many years of experience in Human Resources. Averi joined FCA as Director, Human Resources in 2011. Previously she worked in New York City managing the human resources department of an IT consulting company. Other prior Human Resources experience includes SAP, Wachovia, and Prudential Securities. She is an active member for the Society of HR Management (SHRM) nationally and is a member of the local Southern Connecticut chapter. Averi was awarded the Top In-House Recruiter award at the Fairchester Recruiting Summit in 2016. She holds a degree from Siena College in Albany, New York. Averi’s experience includes developing and executing recruiting & employee relations strategies that represent the organization’s culture and values with a focus on employee retention. She also oversees Administrative Services at FCA.

Omar Garro
Chief Financial Officer

Omar joined FCA in December 2020 with more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit finance, business administration, and process improvement in both the United States and South America. Prior to FCA, Omar was the Chief Financial Officer at Liberation Programs. Omar has a degree in Science in Industrial Engineering from the Pontific Catholic University of Peru and an MBA in Management from Sacred Heart University. He currently serves as a Board Member for the Center for Nonprofits at Sacred Heart University and was formerly Co-Chair and Treasurer of the Hispanic Council Advisory of Greater Stamford.

Mary Kate Locke, LCSW
Vice President, Youth and Family Empowerment

Mary Kate received a master’s degree in Social Work from SUNY Albany and has over 15 years of child welfare experience. Mary Kate joined FCA in 2005 and has held progressively senior positions during her tenure at the Agency. She is currently responsible for the overall operations of the Child & Family Development, ASPIRE and Adoption programs, which include two home visiting programs, an after-school program, and all adoption services, including domestic, foreign, and post-placement. Mary Kate is also actively involved in community efforts for collective impact. More specifically, she maintains a prominent role within Norwalk ACTS, working to promote the success of children and youth in Norwalk along the cradle to career continuum.

Ligia Masilamani, MPH
Vice President, Community and Behavioral Health

Ligia has a Master’s in Public Health and has worked at FCA for more than 20 years. During her years at FCA she has worked in several public health prevention programs, and for the last 11 years as the Director of the FCA Home Care program. In her current role, she leads a team that provides critical in-home services to fragile seniors and oversees the Senior Services Umbrella program provided by FCA as the Norwalk Municipal Agent for Elderly. In addition, during the COVID-19 crisis she has been overseeing the Crisis Counseling Immediate Service Program FEMA Grant awarded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. She also supervises the Community Health Workers initiative providing contact tracing and education to Norwalk residents.

Andrea Vakos
Vice President, Chief Development Officer

Andrea joined FCA in December 2017 and is responsible for leading the development and communications efforts of the agency. She brings to her role more than 30 years of fundraising experience in nonprofits throughout Fairfield County. Prior to FCA Andrea held leadership positions with the UConn Foundation, AmeriCares, Kids in Crisis, Girl Scout Council of SWCT, and Trinity Catholic and Central Catholic High Schools. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Merrimack College with a major in Marketing.