Diane Hewitt-Johnson

Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer, Diane Hewitt-Johnson, was recently elected to serve as the vice president on the board of directors for the state Community Action Association (NYSCAA). Having served as a NYSCAA Board member since June 2022, she has been able to provide input into the State Plan, provide representation at the state and regional levels as well as advocate for Community Action Agencies as a whole.

NYSCAA was created in 1987 to support the 47 Community Action Agencies across the state by providing professional development opportunities, technical assistance, and information. NYSCAA’s Board of Directors is made up of 20 members who are Executive Directors or key staff of NYS Community Action Agencies.

COI has been in existence since 1965 and is the federally designated Community Action Agency (CAA) in Chautauqua County. COI is tasked with providing innovative services to individuals and families to help them achieve economic security, while partnering with other agencies to ensure a comprehensive approach is taken to deliver holistic services.

“I am excited for the opportunity to utilize my various skills and experience to provide leadership to the NYSCAA network. In time, I hope my contributions will enhance Community Action’s mission of providing services that will move people from poverty to self-sufficiency. I am grateful to COI’s Board of Directors for the confidence and trust they have placed in me, not only as the CEO of COI, but their willingness to expand my role to provide leadership regionally, statewide and nationally when possible,” Hewitt-Johnson said.

Hewitt-Johnson began her career with the agency in 2003 as the Director of Economic Development for Chautauqua Opportunities for Development, Inc. She led the Health Services division at COI for nine years before being appointed Director of Operations in early 2018. She served as Interim CEO for six months prior to being selected as the agency’s CEO in Feb. 2019.

Hewitt-Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Houghton College and a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College, where she also received the Distinguished Leadership Award. She completed an Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Administration at Jamestown Community College. She resides in Jamestown and has owned a small business there since 2003.