Laura Pennington Gawel Joins Pinnacle Community Services as President & CEO

As we begin our 125th year in service to the community, we are pleased to announce that Laura Pennington Gawel will now lead the organization as President & CEO. Ms. Gawel brings over 30 years of experience in human services administration, primarily in the field of developmental disabilities, and has previously served as Chief Operating Officer for agencies in Poughkeepsie and Erie County. She is a Niagara University alumnus, with a Master of Arts in Education and Disability Leadership.

Ms. Gawel is excited to join an agency that is established in the community and is known for having a family atmosphere. Her additional experience in mental health, traumatic brain injury, housing/residential supports, and employment/volunteer support services will help to further the Pinnacle mission. Her goal for the agency is to continue moving forward in supporting people in this community and growing in the systems Pinnacle knows well. 

“We have an established niche…we are going to build upon it and grow in Niagara and Orleans counties,” she states.