Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) in White Plains, recently announced that Barbara Finkelstein, the organization”™s CEO, and first woman to lead LSHV, has decided to retire effective Dec. 31. Following a long and ground-breaking career as a social justice advocate Finkelstein will take some time to consider how best to pursue her lifelong commitments to civil and human rights.
“It is with mixed emotions that I retire from my role as CEO of LSHV, an organization I feel such a strong affinity to, but this will give me the opportunity to work on economic, racial and social justice issues while also pursuing outside interests” said Finkelstein.
Since joining LSHV as its leader in 1995, the organization has grown tremendously under Finkelstein”™s direction, increasing its footprint to include seven counties and growing the staff to 160-persons in nine offices throughout the region.
Speaking on behalf of the board, LSHV Board President Al Donnellan said, “While we are saddened to see this passionate, mission-driven leader draw her time to a close, we are nevertheless grateful for the work Barbara has done over the years she has been with LSHV.”
LSHV is the only provider of free, comprehensive civil (noncriminal) legal services to low-income and disadvantaged individuals and families who cannot afford an attorney when their basic human needs are at stake. Founded more than 50 years ago, LSHV serves the seven counties of the lower and mid-Hudson Valley (Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan), maintaining a staff of 160 individuals working across 10 offices throughout its service area.
