As of July 1, Executive Deputy Commissioner Willow Baer has assumed the role of Acting Commissioner of OPWDD. Having served as the second in command at the agency for the last year after returning to OPWDD from an interim position as Assistant Counsel to the Governor and from her role as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Willow Baer is well prepared to lead the agency as it meets the stated goals of its Strategic Plan. Prior to working with OCFS, Willow spent six years at OPWDD, most recently serving as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel.
Willow initially joined OPWDD in 2015 as an Associate Counsel after serving as General Counsel at the NYS Justice Center.
Willow has spent much of her career working to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families are afforded the best service system possible. Welcome, Acting Commissioner Baer!
ENYDDA 