White Plains Woman Named Head of County Youth Bureau

A White Plains woman is the new director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau, County Executive Robert Astorino announced this week.

Iris Pagan will take over for Mary Kate Cabaleiro, who had been serving as interim director of the program. Cabaleiro will now serve as assistant director.

“What’s remarkable about Iris is her personal story,” Astorino said. “She worked her way up from a G.E.D. in high school to a Ph.D. from Columbia. She is a great example for kids, and adults too, of how hard work and perseverance pay off.”

A former teacher with the French American School of New York, Pagan is a graduate of Pace University and holds a master's and doctorate from Columbia Teachers College. She is fluent in Spanish and has worked in other positions within the Youth Bureau in the past.

In her new role, Pagan will "lead the county's efforts to partner with non-profit agencies to provide programs and services that encourage healthy lifestyles
and position youngsters for success in life", according to a statement from the county executive's office.

“Our youth need to know that the community cares about them and that the help they need to build skills to succeed is available,” she said. “Developing youth is not a matter of money. It’s more a matter of exposing kids to positive encouragement whether in the form of programs or just one person being there for them.”

Astorino also announced three other new appointments:

• Jennifer M. Wacha of New Rochelle, the former director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), has been promoted to deputy commissioner of Emergency Services.
• Dennis Delborgo of Mamaroneck, who has worked in Emergency Services since 2005, has been promoted to director of the OEM division.
• Francesca K. Bossey of Yonkers, who has more than two decades of business and financial experience within the private sector, has been appointed deputy budget director.

“These positions are key to the operation of our county government on a day-to-day basis and during emergencies, such as Hurricane Sandy,” Astorino said. “Jennifer, Dennis and Francesca are all proven managers who will serve the county well.”