NYDIS Staff |
Ruth Yoder Wenger, M.A. , Executive Vice President.Ms. Wenger serves as Executive Vice President of New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), where she also represents Mennonite Disaster Service on the board of
directors, and manages day-to-day operations for NYDIS. She represents NYDIS among its partner organizations, such as NYC and NY VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), Citizens Corps Council,
Human Services Council, NYC Office of Emergency Management, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response. While serving NYDIS as Coordinator of Community
Outreach and Training (2007-2009), Ms. Wenger co-wrote the interfaith Disaster Chaplain training curriculum, coordinated and co-facilitated pilot training sessions, and assisted in editing and revising
curriculum modules.
Since 2008, Ms. Wenger has also served as Director of Training for National Disaster Interfaith Services (NDIN). A seasoned educator, she facilitates Disaster Chaplain and Spiritual Care Worker trainings, as well as trainings in disaster preparedness for religious leaders and congregations. She manages all aspects of training programs, including publicity, registration, logistics, and finances.
She also has coordinated STAR NYC (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience) since 2003. Where she has been training leaders of all faiths (or none) in the effects of trauma on individuals and communities, modalities for healing, and strategies to enhance resilience, as well as the role of unhealed trauma in perpetuating cycles of violence and victimhood affecting both individuals and communities.
From 2001 to 2003, Ms. Wenger was the Restoring Hope Project Manager in NYC for Mennonite Disaster Service, responsible for managing 9/11 funds from donors across the U.S. and Canada; organizing and facilitating retreats and workshops for leaders including listening groups, vision planning, and grant application guidance; and speaking and writing articles for donors and constituents across the U.S. and Canada on the impact of their donations.
For more than 20 years prior to September 11, 2001, she directed community-based education programs in the Northwest Bronx, including afterschool and evening program for children and teens, and high school equivalency and basic education classes for adults.
Ms. Wenger received her M.A. degree in education from Columbia University Teachers College, and her B.A. in English from Eastern Mennonite University. She is pastor of North Bronx Mennonite Church, moderator of the New York City Council of Mennonite Churches, and a member of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition. She is also a member of Spiritual Directors International.
Since 2008, Ms. Wenger has also served as Director of Training for National Disaster Interfaith Services (NDIN). A seasoned educator, she facilitates Disaster Chaplain and Spiritual Care Worker trainings, as well as trainings in disaster preparedness for religious leaders and congregations. She manages all aspects of training programs, including publicity, registration, logistics, and finances.
She also has coordinated STAR NYC (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience) since 2003. Where she has been training leaders of all faiths (or none) in the effects of trauma on individuals and communities, modalities for healing, and strategies to enhance resilience, as well as the role of unhealed trauma in perpetuating cycles of violence and victimhood affecting both individuals and communities.
From 2001 to 2003, Ms. Wenger was the Restoring Hope Project Manager in NYC for Mennonite Disaster Service, responsible for managing 9/11 funds from donors across the U.S. and Canada; organizing and facilitating retreats and workshops for leaders including listening groups, vision planning, and grant application guidance; and speaking and writing articles for donors and constituents across the U.S. and Canada on the impact of their donations.
For more than 20 years prior to September 11, 2001, she directed community-based education programs in the Northwest Bronx, including afterschool and evening program for children and teens, and high school equivalency and basic education classes for adults.
Ms. Wenger received her M.A. degree in education from Columbia University Teachers College, and her B.A. in English from Eastern Mennonite University. She is pastor of North Bronx Mennonite Church, moderator of the New York City Council of Mennonite Churches, and a member of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition. She is also a member of Spiritual Directors International.
Mr. Gudaitis is currently serving as the Chief Response Officer of New York Disaster Interfaith Services.
From 2003 to 2009 Mr. Gudaitis was the Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), NYDIS is a 501(c)(3) federation of faith-based human service providers, charitable organizations and faith communities that work in partnership to provide disaster readiness, response, and recovery services for New York City. NYDIS collaborates with local, state, and national agencies to facilitate the delivery of non-sectarian spiritual care, secular disaster human services planning and as well as providing mitigation education, preparedness training and risk communication to New York City religious communities, underserved victims and impacted neighborhoods. During his tenure, he raised over $14M in recovery funds with a staff of 28 and a volunteer Board representing 64 faith communities.
Since 2007 Mr. Gudaitis has served as the president of the National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN), and as a freelance consultant, recovery contractor, researcher and trainer. He speaks nationally and internationally on interfaith and inter-religious emergency management partnerships as well as disaster readiness, response, and recovery best practices.
NDIN is a 501(c)(3) consulting and training network of executives and program managers from local, state and regional disaster interfaith organizations - these subject matter experts provide resources, conference planning, consultants, researchers, training and speakers to help build disaster resilient communities.
Mr. Gudaitis has over 25 years of experience in chaplaincy, disaster emergency management, faith-based philanthropy, program management, and social services administration. From 1999 to 2003, he served as Associate Director of Episcopal Charities of the Diocese of New York, where he managed community-based outreach and youth grant programs - and, also directed diocesan 9/11 relief and recovery programs.
He has eight years of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) experience, having served as an EMT, EMT-I, and EMS Chaplain for rural and urban EMS companies in Tennessee and Connecticut. In addition to his advanced life support certifications, he received training in Mass Casualty Incident Command and Pediatric Trauma Care. From 1992 to 1996, he served as an EMS supervisor in Fairfield County, Connecticut. He is certified as a Disaster Chaplain as well as in Basic and Advanced CISM debriefing.
Mr. Gudaitis holds a Master of Divinity degree from the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church and a B.A. from Kenyon College. He completed CPE training through the Healthcare Chaplaincy at Beth Israel Medical Center. He has served on many local and national boards and committees in a variety of capacities, including: the board of directors of NYC VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster); the board of directors of the Human Services Council of New York City; Citizens Corps Council of New York City; the Working Group on Citizen Engagement in Health Emergency Planning at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Center for Biosecurity; the FBI Wounded Warrior Wellness Working Group; Domestic Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Council of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) and has represented ERD on the Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee of National VOAD. And, the Advisory Board of the Haiti Earthquake Hope & Healing Fund.
Currently, Mr. Gudaitis is a member of the Faith-based Caucus of the International Association of Emergency Managers; Advisory Board of the Mt. Sinai Hospital Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine; Guest Lecturer and Advisory Board member for the Metropolitan College of New York, Emergency and Disaster Management Program; Research Associate at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California; the Mass Fatality Preparedness Advisory Board at the University of California, San Francisco. Most recently, he was appointed to the New York State Respond Commission by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
In addition to many professional accolades and personal honors, under the leadership of Mr. Gudaitis, NYDIS received the 2007 Ready New Yorker Award for outstanding commitment to Emergency Planning and Disaster Education from the New York City Office of Emergency Management. Mr. Gudaitis has received the Individual Award for Excellence in Preparedness and Planning from National VOAD. In 2013, he was given the President’s Award for Servant Leadership by Lutheran Social Services of New York
From 2003 to 2009 Mr. Gudaitis was the Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), NYDIS is a 501(c)(3) federation of faith-based human service providers, charitable organizations and faith communities that work in partnership to provide disaster readiness, response, and recovery services for New York City. NYDIS collaborates with local, state, and national agencies to facilitate the delivery of non-sectarian spiritual care, secular disaster human services planning and as well as providing mitigation education, preparedness training and risk communication to New York City religious communities, underserved victims and impacted neighborhoods. During his tenure, he raised over $14M in recovery funds with a staff of 28 and a volunteer Board representing 64 faith communities.
Since 2007 Mr. Gudaitis has served as the president of the National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN), and as a freelance consultant, recovery contractor, researcher and trainer. He speaks nationally and internationally on interfaith and inter-religious emergency management partnerships as well as disaster readiness, response, and recovery best practices.
NDIN is a 501(c)(3) consulting and training network of executives and program managers from local, state and regional disaster interfaith organizations - these subject matter experts provide resources, conference planning, consultants, researchers, training and speakers to help build disaster resilient communities.
Mr. Gudaitis has over 25 years of experience in chaplaincy, disaster emergency management, faith-based philanthropy, program management, and social services administration. From 1999 to 2003, he served as Associate Director of Episcopal Charities of the Diocese of New York, where he managed community-based outreach and youth grant programs - and, also directed diocesan 9/11 relief and recovery programs.
He has eight years of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) experience, having served as an EMT, EMT-I, and EMS Chaplain for rural and urban EMS companies in Tennessee and Connecticut. In addition to his advanced life support certifications, he received training in Mass Casualty Incident Command and Pediatric Trauma Care. From 1992 to 1996, he served as an EMS supervisor in Fairfield County, Connecticut. He is certified as a Disaster Chaplain as well as in Basic and Advanced CISM debriefing.
Mr. Gudaitis holds a Master of Divinity degree from the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church and a B.A. from Kenyon College. He completed CPE training through the Healthcare Chaplaincy at Beth Israel Medical Center. He has served on many local and national boards and committees in a variety of capacities, including: the board of directors of NYC VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster); the board of directors of the Human Services Council of New York City; Citizens Corps Council of New York City; the Working Group on Citizen Engagement in Health Emergency Planning at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Center for Biosecurity; the FBI Wounded Warrior Wellness Working Group; Domestic Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Council of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) and has represented ERD on the Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee of National VOAD. And, the Advisory Board of the Haiti Earthquake Hope & Healing Fund.
Currently, Mr. Gudaitis is a member of the Faith-based Caucus of the International Association of Emergency Managers; Advisory Board of the Mt. Sinai Hospital Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine; Guest Lecturer and Advisory Board member for the Metropolitan College of New York, Emergency and Disaster Management Program; Research Associate at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California; the Mass Fatality Preparedness Advisory Board at the University of California, San Francisco. Most recently, he was appointed to the New York State Respond Commission by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
In addition to many professional accolades and personal honors, under the leadership of Mr. Gudaitis, NYDIS received the 2007 Ready New Yorker Award for outstanding commitment to Emergency Planning and Disaster Education from the New York City Office of Emergency Management. Mr. Gudaitis has received the Individual Award for Excellence in Preparedness and Planning from National VOAD. In 2013, he was given the President’s Award for Servant Leadership by Lutheran Social Services of New York
• Jeremiah Dameron, Recovery Program Incubation
• Michelle Johnson, Recovery Coordinator
• Matt O’Connell, Office Manager
• Marco Riquelme, Information Technology
• Transform-US - The Child’s Warehouse
• Dan Compitello, Executive Director
• Lyle Huneke, Warehouse Manager
• Lev Tobias, Warehouse Manager
• Michelle Johnson, Recovery Coordinator
• Matt O’Connell, Office Manager
• Marco Riquelme, Information Technology
• Transform-US - The Child’s Warehouse
• Dan Compitello, Executive Director
• Lyle Huneke, Warehouse Manager
• Lev Tobias, Warehouse Manager
