News

August 9, 2023

Unity House Announces Four New Board Members

Unity House has announced the appointment of four new board members: Drue Sanders, Erin Vickers, Frank Sarratori and Jill Winters. 

 

We are proud to welcome these four incredible leaders to Unity House,” said Carlo Fusco, Unity House board chair. “Each of them will add great value by sharing their expertise in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.”

Sanders is a native of Albany and founder of the eponymous Drue Sanders Custom Jewelers in Guilderland. She is also an accomplished leader in business and philanthropy. She volunteers for many civic and philanthropic organizations, designing jewelry and awards to advance worthy causes. Sanders has received numerous awards for her civic engagement, including the 2005 Governor’s Award for Excellence as a woman artist. Sanders is also a member of the Professional Women’s Network and has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations in the arts and social services, including Unity House and the former Bethany Hospitality Center, which merged with Unity House in 2012. 


As part of the account management team at CDPHP, Vickers is responsible for managing and administering medical plan benefits for a defined book of business. In addition to the health insurance field, Vickers’ expertise spans several industries, including telecommunications and security software, engineering and robotics, and learning management systems and educational software. She holds a New York State License for Life, Accident and Health. Recently, Vickers completed a certificate program at Cornell University, where she studied diversity and inclusion, and she is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in health care management at Southern New Hampshire University.


Sarratori is an attorney with Hodgson Ross. His decades of experience as a bank attorney and corporate executive have provided him with a diverse and multifaceted skill set. In this role, Sarratori provides his clients with a collaborative, strategic, and solution-oriented path to reach goals. He also provides legal and business advice and support for boards of directors, executive leadership, marketing, product development and sales teams. Together with his dedication to his work and clients, collaboration with colleagues, and his commitment to success, Sarratori consistently fosters growth in and creates strongholds for communities and partners with those working hard to reach their aspirations. Sarratori is also a lifelong volunteer and has served as board chair and director with the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and Unity House. 


Beginning her career in finance at The Troy Savings Bank, Rensselaer County native Winters is currently a vice president and senior portfolio manager at KeyBank Real Estate Capital. In her position, she oversees a team that covers Syracuse and the Capital Region, working directly with clients and analyzing needs to structure loans of adequate size that meet the needs of both the bank and borrowers. She earned a degree in business administration from The Sage Colleges and is part of a nationwide Real Estate Capital Team, with over three decades of professional expertise.


“Volunteers are vital to the fulfillment of the Unity House mission. Among the most dedicated of volunteers are those who serve on the Unity House Board of Directors. This dedicated team works individually and collectively to share their time, talent and treasure. They exemplify the highest commitment to the people Unity House serves,” said Unity House CEO Dave Bach.