Board of Directors

Meet the Board

Cassandra Van Cott

President

For the past several years Cassandra has been an active Board member helping to review board policies and coordinate fundraising events. She initially joined the Board as the COVID-19 pandemic was subsiding and our community organizations found a renewed purpose in getting in-person gatherings back. Cassandra found the Youth to be welcoming and other active Board members demonstrated their tireless work ethic to bring the Youth Center into the community, into the next decade, and growing the mission to meet the needs of more youth.

Cassandra has worked in the Community Development Department for the Village of Saranac Lake, for a regional economic development organization, and now currently holds the title of Teller for the Adirondack Bank. In her free time she enjoys trail walks with her two dogs, xc skiing, playing ice hockey, going to 'secret' Adirondack beaches, and traveling to see her family and friends in her hometown of Buffalo, NY with her husband.

Diane Roberts

VP & Treasurer

Diane, a graduate of North Country Community College, has been a part of the SLYC family for over 15 years. While attending school she fell in love with Saranac Lake’s beauty, community, and charm. After acquiring her Bachelor’s degree from Potsdam and Master’s degree from Plattsburgh, she and her husband travelled and worked all over the country. Upon retiring in 2009 they returned home to the Adirondacks. In 2010, due to her passion for working with teens for 25 years, Diane began volunteering her time at the youth center. It was then that she accepted the position of Youth Center Director.

Since passing the torch back in 2017 she has remained an active member of the youth center board, serving as treasurer and volunteering her time and knowledge for the benefit of both the youth and community at large. She is an avid dog lover and rescuer, a home renovator (she is currently on her 4th home “reno”), and is honored to help the Youth Center continue to expand and grow into the future.

Peggy Wiltberger

Secretary

I was asked to join the SLYC board in 2004 when looking to the Center to be the non-profit sponsor for the Saranac Lake Skatepark Committee. Though the Rotary
Foundation stepped up to sponsor the Skatepark, I remained on the SLYC Board,
gradually assuming more responsibilities as needs arose, serving as Treasurer and
President. After 12 years of work, the SL Skatepark was completed, having received the top Tony Hawk grant award for that funding period for its grassroots effort, location and quality design.

I had moved to Saranac Lake from Buffalo in 1993 with my husband and two pre-school aged children to cross country ski. Skiing remains a passion. I was an avid runner, until my knees dictated otherwise. I am an ADK46er and enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing and swimming. I am also a curler with the LP Curling Club.

As a registered nurse I worked 14 years for High Peaks Hospice, and 4 years for the SL Health Association. I served nine years on Board of High Peaks Hospice, 3 as president. I am currently on the Board of SL Health Association, also having served 3 years as president. I am a consumer representative for North Country Home Services Quality Assurance Committee.

Forrest Horton

Youth Representative

Operating tiredly as a teenager, I, Coat (but known more prominently by the youth as Forrest), was chosen by the director Brittany, to join the board as a Youth Representative. I initially worried my role might be unneeded for the new brand, but Brittany is very persuasive—so, thank you, Brittany!
As a representative, my role most days is helping Brittany and other staff—whether it involves revising a piece of writing, offering the “honest” feedback only a teenager can provide, or simply acting as a reliable body double during the chaos of the afternoon into the early evening. When I’m not collaborating with staff, I’m usually practicing solo at the billiards table; one of the most frequently used activities in the entire center, or typing away with a computer in my lap. Since the staff and I share a passion for writing, it’s a constant topic of conversation.
Currently, I’m working on a Lyrical Essay Sequence Album regarding mental health and the teenage experience (I’ll let you have fun Googling those words together 😅). At the moment, I have approximately 1/8th of it complete!