Dr. Susan Fox
After a decade of visionary leadership, Dr. Susan Fox plans to retire as President & CEO of the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) by the end of 2026. She leaves behind a legacy defined by transformation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to equity and excellence. The WIHD Board of Directors has initiated a nationwide search for her replacement and Dr. Fox will retire once a new CEO is in place.
When Susan joined WIHD in 2016, she embarked on a listening tour—engaging board members, staff, and community stakeholders—to understand the organization’s strengths and challenges. From this foundation, she crafted a bold strategic agenda that would guide WIHD through a period of remarkable growth and innovation.
Among her most enduring accomplishments is the relocation of WIHD to a new, purpose-designed facility at 80 Grasslands Road. This move, years in the making, represents a cornerstone of her legacy—ensuring WIHD’s capacity to expand services, deepen community impact, and secure long-term sustainability.
“I feel so fortunate to have led this amazing organization for the past decade. I hope that I have made as big an impact on the organization and those we serve as they have made on me,” Dr. Fox said. “With the move to WIHD’s new home, the time is right for a new leader to take WIHD to its next chapter.”
Susan’s tenure was marked by her steady hand during the COVID-19 pandemic. She led WIHD through unprecedented challenges, establishing a vaccine clinic for people with disabilities, implementing telehealth, and ensuring financial and operational stability—all while protecting jobs and maintaining critical services.
Susan’s influence extends far beyond WIHD. She became a respected leader in the Westchester community, serving on boards and councils, advocating for disability rights, and earning recognition as a leader in the Westchester community. Her advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels has secured vital funding and elevated WIHD’s voice in policy discussions.
Through every initiative, Susan Fox has exemplified servant leadership, strategic foresight, and a deep commitment to the individuals and families WIHD serves. Her legacy is not only in the buildings, programs, and partnerships she helped create—but in the culture of excellence, compassion, and innovation she leaves behind.
Monica Sganga, Board Chair summed it up this way, “Dr. Fox has left an indelible mark on WIHD and we are grateful for her leadership this past decade. Her dedication to WIHD’s mission and her extraordinary energy and contributions have well positioned WIHD for the future. While we will be exceedingly sorry for her to go she is already laying the groundwork for a smooth transition and support for her successor. We wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.”
As one of 68 University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities and vulnerable children through professional education, direct service provision, and innovative research. First established in 1950, WIHD moved to Westchester County, NY in 1972 and has been a key regional resource providing a wide range of medical, dental, clinical and social services to individuals with disabilities, vulnerable children, families and professionals. At WIHD, everything we do is guided by our vision of a future in which all people, including people with disabilities and vulnerable children, live healthy and productive lives as full members of society. For more information, go to http://www.wihd.org.
