September 15, 2026 (ROCHESTER, NY): Today, Senator Samra G. Brouk (SD-55) honored Maria Cristalli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hillside, as her 2026 Woman of Distinction at a celebration attended by local community leaders and advocates.

For thirty five years, Cristalli has dedicated her career to strengthening the systems that support children, families, and communities. Since joining Hillside in 1991, she has held a variety of leadership positions before being named President and Chief Executive Officer in 2018. Throughout her tenure, she played a key role in major workforce investments to improve recruitment, retention, and staff development of roughly 1,600–2,000 employees, while serving as Chair of the New York State Coalition for Children’s Behavioral Health and remaining deeply committed to ensuring that young people and families have access to the care, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Under Cristalli’s leadership, Hillside has continued to expand and strengthen its services, providing mental and behavioral health care, education, residential treatment, and community-based support to young people and families, including those who have experienced trauma. Her work prioritizes prevention, early intervention, and meeting families where they are, while working to make care more accessible, coordinated, and responsive to their needs.

Cristalli has formed partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, government agencies, and other community organizations, expanding Hillside’s services into new regions while advancing programs that integrate mental health, education, and child welfare services.

In recognition of her exceptional work, Maria has been named a 2026 Athena Award Finalist; an honoree of the Rochester Business Journal Health Care Power List; recipient of multiple Rochester Business Journal’s Power 100 Community Influencer Lists; and achieved other accolades for her leadership and impact.

Through this work, Cristalli has helped make Hillside a trusted resource for communities across New York and beyond. Her impact can be seen not only in the success of Hillside, but in the young people who have found support and stability, the families who have received care during difficult moments, and the communities that are stronger because of the systems she has helped build.

Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55): “I was honored to recognize Maria Cristalli as a Senate Woman of Distinction. Her leadership at Hillside has made a lasting difference for countless young people and families across our community. Maria understands that supporting children means supporting the entire family and strengthening the systems around them. I am proud to recognize her as my 2026 Woman of Distinction and celebrate the compassion, vision, and dedication she brings to this work and the Rochester community every day.”

Maria Cristalli: "I am deeply honored and grateful to Senator Brouk for this recognition and proud to join past Women of Distinction honorees. Through my work at Hillside, I have had the privilege of connecting with countless children, adults, and families facing challenges that can make it difficult to reach their goals and thrive. I have seen firsthand the transformative impact of our family-driven services in the communities we serve. It is a true honor to accept this recognition on behalf of our 1,500 team members, whose compassion and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives of others every day."