Barbara Faron
Barbara Faron has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Federation of Organizations since 1986. Under her steadfast leadership, Federation has grown from a small not-for-profit serving Suffolk County, to a multi-faceted social service agency serving NYC, Nassau and Suffolk County providing care to thousands of individuals each year while employing over 500 people. Beginning her career with Federation as a direct service worker in Federation’s Foster Grandparent program, Ms. Faron gained hands-on experience and a keen perspective on how to develop programs. In 1981 with funding from the NYS OMH, Ms. Faron was a pioneer in developing peer-delivered services utilizing the Senior Companion Program, a Federal program with local sponsors, to employ seniors with long histories of psychiatric hospitalization as stipend volunteers to work with their peers living in adult homes in Suffolk County, NY providing socialization and access to community resources. Throughout her tenure as CEO, Ms. Faron has been the catalyst for positive change within the agency and has helped Federation adapt and grow in an ever-changing healthcare system.
Ms. Faron was recognized for her accomplishments as a Top Female CEO by the Smart CEO Brava Awards, a Top CEO from Long Island Business News, a Future 50 Award winner for Fastest Growing Company and most recently a Power Women of Queens by Schneps Media. In November of 2022, Ms. Faron was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award during Federations’ 50th Anniversary Gala.
In late 2023, the area of Far Rockaway, Queens became home to a new 118-unit, nine-story supportive housing development in her honor titled the Barbara Faron Residence. Ms. Faron is a Licensed Master Social Worker and a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner. She holds a Master’s Degree in social work from the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare and has extensive experience in criminal justice, community organizing, aging, and mental health.