Lisa Dunn Alford

Onondaga County Commissioner of Aging and Youth

Lisa Dunn Alford has been the Commissioner of Aging and Youth for Onondaga County since 2007.  Under Commissioner Alford’s direction, the Department has focused on partnering with local agencies and service providers to ensure the citizens of Onondaga County have easy access to programs and services designed to enhance their quality of life and strengthen our community. To this end, Commissioner Alford has led the department in increasing the use of data and technology to facilitate planning and reporting, as well as understanding trends and designing programs to meet the increasing diversity of need in Onondaga County. She also brings a focus on maximizing fiscal and human resources to streamline the delivery of services to those members of the community with the greatest need.

Commissioner Alford previously served as Child and Youth Services Director for P.E.A.C.E., Inc. of  Syracuse where she supervised the Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program from 1996-2007.  Her responsibilities included management of a $12 million early childhood education program, which served over 1,500 children and families, and required management of a staff of over 200 employees at 33 sites.

While in the Mid-West, Commissioner Alford served in several professional health and human services roles with the State of Ohio and the State of Illinois.  She received her undergraduate degree from Hampton University and Masters degree from The Ohio State University in 1987. Commissioner Alford also received a Certificate of Advanced Studies from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in 2001 and from the University of California’s Head Start Johnson and Johnson Management Fellows Program in 2005.

Community Service and engagement has been a cornerstone of her career.  Just a few examples are:

• Child Care Council of Onondaga County, 2001-2004.  Served as Co-Chairperson of the Board of Directors from 2002-2004
• OASIS Advisory Committee (educational program for mature adults), 2009-present
• Say Yes To Education Advisory Committee member, 2009-present
• Elmcrest Children’s Center Board of Directors, 2008-present
• NY Connects State Long Term Care Advisory Board, 2007-present
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Junior League of Syracuse, Inc.
• League of Women Voters – Syracuse Metro
• 2008 Junior League of Syracuse Community Service Award Recipient
• 2009 YWCA Academy of Diversity Achievers Award Recipient
• 2009 P.E.A.C.E. Inc. Champion of Diversity Community Service Award Recipient

In July 2009, Commissioner Alford was featured in a Neighbor's Profile article in the Post Standard:

lisa_dunn_alford_of_manlius_he