Vanessa Baird-Streeter

Vanessa Baird-Streeter ;is the President and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI), bringing decades of leadership experience in government, business, and community service. Under her guidance, HWCLI has strengthened its role as a convener of nonprofit agencies, corporations, and community stakeholders, working collectively to respond to the challenges faced by at-risk populations. Her leadership emphasizes policy development, direct service coordination, and strategic partnerships aimed at fostering equity and access throughout the region

A graduate of Dartmouth College with a double major in Economics and Education, Vanessa began her career on Wall Street as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs, working in the financial industry for ten years. She went on to serve in key leadership roles, including Director of the Ministry to Catholics of African Ancestry, Director of Communications for the Town of Babylon.

In 2012, Vanessa made history as the first woman of color to serve as Suffolk County Deputy County Executive. In that role, she oversaw major agencies and initiatives, including the Department of Human Services, Community-Based Interventions, Language Access operations, and the County’s MWBE/SDVOB Disparity Study. In 2020 Vanessa chaired the Suffolk County Police Reform and Reinvention Task Force, which produced New York State’s most comprehensive police reform plan, and led efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to expand testing in underserved communities, launch food distribution programs, and ensure equitable vaccine access.

Committed to service, Vanessa is a member of the Long Island Power Authority Board of Trustees, Associate Member of Jack & Jill of America-Suffolk County Chapter, founding member of 100 Black Women, Inc.-Suffolk County Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., former member of the Mother’s Club of Wheatley Heights, and Vice Chair of the Wyandanch Plaza Association.