MEET THE TEAM
Volunteers Dedicated To Making A Difference
SAMANTHA MORALES
FOUNDER / PRESIDENT
Samantha Morales founded Branches Long Island in October 2019. She is not new to helping the community though! She has done animal rescue for many years and previously worked as a veterinary technician. She also owns two businesses and is no stranger to hard work. With her humble, compassionate and easy going personality it’s no surprise Branches has grown into what it has today.
Samantha resides in Coram with her Husband Wayne and is a Mother of four beautiful children, Mollie, Jaxon, Myles and Roman. She has three dogs Kona, Gracie and Hoagie and has 15 chickens which she calls “her girls.”
When Samantha isn’t working or volunteering (which is rare)you can find her home with her family enjoying time outside together or taking a drive for ice cream.
As Sam always says “We got you always.”
STEPHANIE GENNETT
DONATIONS COORDINATOR
Stephanie Gennett is a retired EMT from FDNY EMS. After retiring she was looking for a way to give back to the community. When Branches Long Island was announced Stephanie became very involved in the fundraising section, eventually evolving into being involved in the day to day functions of Branches.
Stephanie is a mother of 2, 1 daughter and 1 son. Stephanie enjoys being a soccer mom. In her spare time she still helps out in animal rescue, which she has been involved in for the last 9 years. She enjoys spending time on the soccer field and at home with her own animals .
NICOLE BELL
BOARD MEMBER
Nicole Bell joined Branches looking for a way to help her community and give back after seeing how many people were in need of assistance. After seeing a segment on the news, she began to volunteer and found a passion for this amazing organization. She jumped in wherever she was needed and quickly grew into a Board member role. Predominantly working with volunteer coordination, she loves meeting and helping new people. She feels hopeful and overwhelmed by all the generosity she sees every day with the Branches Community Group.
Nicole currently works as a System Manager for a global retailer. She brings a diverse background in operations and strategic thinking. Nicole is a Mom to her amazing daughter, Avery. When she is not working or volunteering Nicole enjoys being home with her daughter and doing home improvements.
KATIE DUNPHY
CENTER MANAGER
Katie Dunphy started at first with Branches as a volunteer and was immediately eager to continue helping in any way possible. With our need and demand growing we hired Katie as Center Manager in Early 2021.
Since then Katie has built a great rapport with our members and loves the daily visits from everyone stopping in to say hello!!
She is the front face of Branches and with such a big heart Katie is a great fit with our organization!
Prior to joining the Branches team, Katie ran her own business for ten years. Bringing in a lot of experience and understanding of owning a business.
Katie is so happy to have In her free time and spends it with her son, Trey and her dog, Oliver.
GEORGETTE CADDLE
“GIGI”
EVENTS COORDINATOR
Gigi started with Branches in 2020 as a volunteer for the events processing team! She did not only volunteer but she sponsors several of our twigs during holidays and events! She was always willing to lend a helping hand to the organization any which way she could. Her passion for helping others branches back to when she was a young, single, teen mom that received help herself. Now, she finds great joy and happiness being able to pay it forward and give back!
Gigi has a kind warm heart that will help Branches shine further. Bringing in her experience as VP of Customer Relations for a Workers Comp auditing company along with her online women’s boutique. Her previous volunteer work as a PTA board member helped prepare her to organize large events.
Gigi resides out of Patchogue with her husband Jason, their 4 sons and their dog and cat! We as well as Gig are so excited to have her join our Branches family!
ANDREA TUFANO
CENTER STAFF MEMBER
Andrea joined the Branches Team in June 2021 bringing a wealth of knowledge in regards to mental health and community resources.
Andrea recently graduated from Empire State College with a degree in Community and Human Services and will be beginning her Masters in Social Work at Adelphi University in the Fall of 2021.
Andrea is a member of the community she serves, residing with her Fiancée in Middle Island.
When she is not working or going to school, or volunteering, you can find her enjoying time with her family and friends.
ROBIN DAVIS
CENTER STAFF MEMBER
Robin first started with Branches as our Shipt shopper back in November 2020, when covid started. She started working at Shipt and was motivated to make as many deliveries as she could because she knew so many could not leave their homes due to the pandemic This is where she found Branches. With a true passion to help others she became a staff member and quickly realized this is what she was meant to do. She loves interacting with everyone that comes by and helping any way she can.
With more than 5 years of office manager experience and a desire to do something different she decided to start her own home-based business making cakes. Delicious tasty cakes with a lot of love and personality in them! She then shifted her focus to her family once she had her first baby. Now she resides in Coram with her beautiful family of 3 kids, Chance, Elijah and Skylah.
MADISON TELESCA
“MADDIE”
CENTER STAFF MEMBER
Madison started with Branches in 2022 and quickly became part of the Branches family.
She has managed several businesses prior to working here, but never felt fulfilled.
Upon working here she realized she wants to go back to college to pursue a degree in Human Services to better her knowledge in this field.
When Maddie isn’t working at Branches she enjoys spending time with her dog Fish (yes her dog’s name is Fish) and with her family.
She enjoys art and music and wants to travel more with her boyfriend Matt.
HEATHER PFLEGER
BLESSING BOX COORDINATOR
Heather joined Branches in 2020. She was inspired by what the organization stood for and wanted to get involved. Heather has always had a passion for helping others and when she found Branches Of Long Island, it was a perfect fit.
Heather resides in Holbrook with her Husband Cliff, their son Logan and Havanese Maximus.
When Heather isn’t enjoying being a stay at home mom with Logan, she squeezes in doing the bookkeeping and accounting for two of the three businesses her and her husband own.
GENESIS RUIZ
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Genesis started with Branches as a volunteer during our annual Thanksgiving food drive. She immediately fell in love with Branches LI and their mission. Genesis is a Longwood graduate and has lived in this community for many years. She is currently working as an ultrasound technologist, so helping people in need has always been a passion. When Genesis is not working or volunteering she is spending quality time with her son. Meeting volunteers and building a relationship with them always puts a smile on her face.
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