UTICA — Maria Cappoletti, of Manlius, formerly the chief operations officer at Kelberman, has been named the agency’s new chief executive officer. She has more than 25 years of experience in the field of intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, according to an announcement Monday afternoon.

“She brings an in-depth knowledge of key systems including New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Department of Health and New York State Education,” the announcement said.

In her new role, she will provide leadership through oversight of the operations, programs and clinical services at Kelberman.   

Cappoletti began her career as a board-certified music therapist in the Rochester-area specializing in intellectual and development disabilities with a focus in autism. She initiated the first music therapy program for children with students with developmental disabilities at Mary Cariola Children’s Center.

Throughout her career in music therapy, Cappoletti provided therapeutic services in various settings, including school districts, certified OPWDD residences, community settings, as well as working as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the Child Life Department at Upstate University Hospital, the announcement said. 

In 2006, she began working at Advocates, Inc., where she served in multiple capacities, participating in the leadership and growth of the organization in various areas, including outreach, family education, service coordination, person-centered planning, and implementation of self-directed services.   

Prior to her role as chief operations officer at Kelberman, Cappoletti worked at LIFEPlan Care Coordination Organization (CCO) NY, LLC., first, as director of program development and member and family relations. She later led the organization’s efforts to prepare for and achieve designation as an IDD health home care coordination organization, developing and implementing several of the organization’s key support departments. As the vice president of quality, she directed the organization’s comprehensive quality management initiatives including the implementation of the quality management plan, quality assurance functions, program regulatory adherence, customer satisfaction, and corporate learning and development, to support the delivery of services for 18,500 people with I/DD across the state.     

Cappoletti is a graduate of Nazareth College with post graduate experience in autism and sensory integration.   

Kelberman is a leading provider of autism services for children, adults, and families in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York. The organization provides comprehensive programming for people throughout all phases of life, from early childhood through adulthood, including home and community-based services, educational, clinical, residential, respite, and camp.

“Our goal is to meet people and families where they are in life and to support them every step of the way on their journeys navigating autism,” the announcement said, adding “the expert staff at Kelberman strive to empower the people and families we support with specialized, one-of-a-kind programs, resources, and wrap-around services, to live inclusive, enriching and fulfilling lives.”