Concetta Ferguson has more than 35 years of hands-on experience, shares knowledge of the human services field and demonstrates successful leadership. She started at People Inc. as a volunteer in October 1986, and later joined the agency as a part time direct care employee. Concetta grew her career, transitioning her way from an entry level position to senior vice president in 2016. Currently, as chief innovation and program development officer, Concetta is responsible for and provides oversight of Admissions and Referral Services, Affordable Apartments, Community-Based Programs, Community Habilitation, Environmental Modifications and Adaptive Technology, Health Home Care Management, New Program Development, Personal Development Mentoring and Self-Directed Services, as well as Senior Living and Services for Older Adults. 

Additionally, Concetta provides leadership for our agency affiliations, including Deaf Access Services and Headway of WNY. She also provides oversight of our agency’s Residential, Day Programs and Home Care Clinical Services. In addition, the People Inc. for-profit divisions, Virtual Medical Care PC and People First Mobility LLC, are under Concetta’s oversight. 

As a strong advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and older adults, Concetta helps thousands of people to gain new opportunities for increased independence and community integration. Her experience with managing and driving positive change continues to promote continuous operational improvement for the agency, while building and strengthening relationships throughout the region.

Active in the community, Concetta is currently Secretary/Treasurer for City Honors Crew and serves on the grants and nomination committees for the City Honors Crew Board. She volunteers her time with the Buffalo Urban League and Seneca Street Community Development Corporation. Concetta has held leadership roles in St. Paul’s Cathedral Vestry and the Elmwood Village Charter School Board of Trustees, having served as treasurer and board president. She is also a former member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus. She also serves on the Board of Directors for WEDI, Buffalo.

Concetta is a proud member of Leadership Buffalo Class of 2022. In 2019, she received the Niagara Federation for Just Communities Community Leader Award for Community Service and was named a Buffalo Business First Health Care Champion in 2016. 

Additional accomplishments include her participation in the Health Leadership Fellow-Health Foundation for Western and Central New York and receiving National Center for Housing Management Tax Credit Specialist Certification. Concetta earned a master’s degree in Professional Leadership from St. Bonaventure University and a bachelor’s degree in Social Work/Exceptional Education from SUNY Buffalo State College. 

As a longtime People Inc. Employee Ambassador, Concetta is often found volunteering for various organization initiatives and community events, spreading the People Inc. mission and awareness of our agency supports. She resides in Buffalo, NY with her family.