Facebook Linkedin Envelope
Picture of Corey D'Arco
  • General

Top 7 ESS Benefits: The Perks of Employee Self-Service Systems

Uncover how ESS portals streamline tasks, boost employee engagement, and enhance data security — all while saving time.

Are you inundated with simple administrative requests from employees? Do you feel like you’re running a service desk?

If so, it’s time to invest in an employee self-service (ESS) portal to lighten your load.

ESS software lets employees access an HR portal anytime, day or night. Through this portal, they can easily check schedules, chat with managers, request time off, and handle other tasks on their own. 

Ultimately, it empowers employees can get the information they need without having to contact HR or wait for business hours. Convenient!

Not quite sold? Let’s dive into some key ESS benefits and check out the tools and features that can help both you and your workforce.

The Benefits of Employee Self-Service Portals

Employee self-service is an indispensable tool for organizations that want to streamline operations and stand out from the crowd in today’s competitive job market. 

ESS eliminates substantial administrative burden from the shoulders of your HR team, so they have time to focus on employee engagement and mission-driven initiatives instead.

And it’s not just HR that stands to benefit. It’s a real boon for employees as well. With critical functionality in one place, employees can access and manage information themselves, in their own time, with minimal intervention from HR.

So, how do these benefits manifest in practical terms?

1. Reduced Admin Time

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the chief benefit of ESS portals is reduced administrative burden for HR teams.

ESS software allows employees to handle routine admin tasks, including updating personal information, accessing pay stubs, and requesting time off (instead of the designated HR rep). 

This automation minimizes the need for manual data entry, allowing HR professionals to focus on more strategic initiatives. 

Learn More: What is HR Automation? Examples, Benefits, and Challenges

2. Streamlined Time Off Requests

Say goodbye to email chains, online forms, and paper time off requests. 

ESS portals display current paid time off balances and allow employees to easily request sick leave or vacation. Once an employee makes a request, management is promptly alerted to approve or deny it. 

This streamlined process automatically provides your HR department with a real-time log of all requests and responses, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.

3. Simplified Time Collection and Scheduling

Managing employee shift schedules, especially across multiple locations, can be a massive headache. If you’ve been sending out schedules via group text and tracking hours in a spreadsheet, it’s probably time to invest in a self-service platform.

An ESS helps take the logistical complexity out of scheduling and time collection. Employees can clock in, clock out, and check their upcoming schedules — all from one central platform. 

And if your ESS platform has a mobile app, they can do this all from their phone, too.

4. Easy Benefits Enrollment

Choosing the best benefits to support your workforce is a time-consuming task, and open enrollment season adds to the chaos.

An ESS portal can ease this burden by empowering employees to enroll in benefits themselves. The best ESS solutions automatically remind employees to select their benefits during the appropriate period and feature an easy-to-use wizard for self-enrollment. 

Even after open enrollment, employees can view their plan information, check spending account balances, and submit claims directly from the ESS homepage.

5. Improved Compliance

Nearly one in three organizations cite inaccurate employee data entered into the payroll system as a top compliance concern.opens in a new tab It’s imperative that employee information is accurate and stays on pace with changing regulations. 

An integrated ESS can mitigate compliance worries by nudging employees to update their personal data. This reduces the risk of compliance issues related to outdated or incorrect information.

ESS platforms also provide easy access to important documents such as W-2s and pay stubs, ensuring employees have the information required for tax reporting and other regulatory requirements. 

This proactive approach to data management and communication significantly mitigates compliance risks and supports compliance with ever-evolving regulations.

Learn More: HR Compliance 101: Fundamentals for HR Professionals

6. Better Communication and Engagement

Tired of sending emails into the void? ESS portals have got you covered. 

By streamlining communication, ESS portals help create a more connected and informed workforce, enhancing overall engagement.

Self-service solutions can centralize company announcements, policy updates, and critical documents without the need for multiple emails or meetings. 

And because they’re featured in the same place where employees clock in and request time off, important news is more likely to get noticed.

More sophisticated ESS portals will include in-platform messaging, recognition capabilities, and social collaboration tools for direct communication between employees and managers.  

7. More Sustainable and Reduced Waste

If you’re aiming to be a bit greener, ESS portals are a great tool to help.

As a fully digital solution, ESS portals cut down on waste by eliminating paper forms. HR teams and employees can interact and complete many tasks that used to require physical documentation. It’s a simple way to significantly reduce your paper consumption. 

Empower and Automate with Employee Self-Service 

Adopting an ESS portal isn’t just about cutting down on admin work — it’s about transforming how your team operates. 

Self-service solutions can help boost efficiency and accuracy, increase in employee engagement, and provide more peace of mind from knowing you’re on top of compliance. 

So, why not take the leap and see how an ESS portal can revolutionize your workplace?

Paylocity’s ESS provides secure, 24/7 access to Paylocity via a single, convenient HR portal, empowering employees with the information they need at their fingertips. Self-service solutions keep employees connected to the tools they need — and to each other — and power the automation you’ve been looking for.

Want to learn more? Request a Paylocity demo today!

More to explore:

Nonprofit Strategic Planning 2026

Christine Deska February 2, 2026

It has never been more important to have strong trusted leadership – both on your executive team and board – that can

No comment yet, add your voice below!

Add a Comment

Subscribe to our newsletter

Linkedin Envelope
(646) 397-4706

Trusted partners for the nonprofit community

© 2026 Nonprofit Resource Hub. All rights Reserved.

Kelli-Anne Cerini

MARKETING MANAGER

Kelli-Anne is the Marketing Manager of Nonprofit Resource Hub. She helps coordinate meetings, webinars, and works on the website, as well as designs flyers and graphics for the organization.

Kelli also works for Cerini & Associates, LLP and oversees all marketing and communications efforts for the firm. Kelli-Anne is heavily involved in firm operations, recruitment, and development. She work’s with the firm’s various services areas and management team to define and meet growth goals, as well as working to help organize and promote the Long Island and New York City Imagine Awards.

cerini and associates logo

Patricia Brett

BOOKKEEPER

Trish is the Bookkeeper of the Nonprofit Resource Hub. She is also the full time Bookkeeper of Cerini & Associates, LLP, beginning her career with Cerini & Associates, LLP in 1995, when the company was comprised of two partners, and two administrative staff members. Trish continues to be a part of the growing company of 8 partners and 60 staff members today.

cerini and associates logo

Ken Cerini

Managing Partner
Cerini & Associates, LLP

Ken is the Managing Partner of Cerini & Associates, LLP and is the executive responsible for the administration of our not-for-profit and educational provider practice groups. In addition to his extensive audit experience, Ken has been directly involved in providing consulting services for nonprofits and educational facilities of all sizes throughout New York State in such areas as cost reporting, financial analysis, Medicaid compliance, government audit representation, rate maximization, board training, budgeting and forecasting, and more. Ken has won numerous awards, and has been quoted in publications such as Newsday, Long Island Business News, the Long Island Press, and the New York Times. Ken is the editor for two of the seven newsletters published by the firm, including The Report Card, written for private schools, and The Special ED-ition, published for special education providers. He taught a graduate level nonprofit accounting course at LIU—CW Post.

Kristina Laino-Tortorice

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Kristina is a Graphic Designer at Nonprofit Resource Hub where she helps create promotional items, works on the website, and helps with the webinar recording edits and YouTube channel.

Kristina is also part of Cerini & Associates’ marketing staff where she works on the firm’s marketing and graphic design needs. Including, but not limited to maintaining the company website, social media presence, email blasts, designing the company’s newsletters, as well as handling design work/promotional ads for the annual Long Island and New York City Imagine Awards.

cerini and associates logo

David Goldstein

board counsel

David Goldstein is the founding Partner of Certilman Balin Nonprofit/Tax Exempt/Religious Organizations Practice Group. He represents international, national, regional and local not-for-profit and religious entities across a wide variety of nonprofit sectors. He serves on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Business Law Section, and is the Chairperson of the Not-For-Profit Corporations Law Committee of the State Bar Association’s Business Law Section.

Mr. Goldstein counsels and advocates for nonprofits and religious organizations in a wide variety of areas, including governance, compliance, regulatory matters, ethics, conflicts of interest, risk assessment and risk management, as well as operations and commercial matters. He represents clients (both individuals and organizations) in internal disputes, regulatory investigations and regulatory actions, as well as in litigation –and continually counsels his clients on how to avoid these entanglements.

Certilman Balin logo

Ken Cerini

Treasurer

Ken is the Managing Partner of Cerini & Associates, LLP and is the executive responsible for the administration of our not-for-profit and educational providers practice group. In addition to his extensive audit experience both at Ernst & Young, LLP, and Cerini & Associates, LLP, Ken has been directly involved in providing consulting services for nonprofits and educational facilities of all sizes throughout New York State.

Ken has won numerous awards, and has been quoted in publications such as Newsday, Long Island Business News, the Long Island Press, and the New York Times. Ken is the editor for three of the five newsletters published in-house by the firm, including: The Lesson Plan, written for school districts; The Special ED-ition, published for special education providers; and The NFP Advisor, written specifically for the nonprofit sector. He teaches a graduate level nonprofit accounting course at LIU—CW Post.

cerini & associates logo

Christine Deska

Co-Founder
BellesBoard & Nonprofit Sector Strategies

Christine cofounded Nonprofit Sector Strategies, a public benefit corporation dedicated to helping nonprofits maximize mission impact through strategic planning and board management services, in 2018. BellesBoard, its signature product, is a board governance software solution and mobile app that helps 10,000+ nonprofit leaders and boards grow efficiency, engagement and fundraising.

Christine brings more than 15 years of in-depth experience working in, and with, nonprofit organizations, foundations and the government. At the Columbus Citizens Foundation, Christine was Director of Programs from 2014 to 2016. While at AARP from 2006 to 2014, she led initiatives around older adult hunger, financial security and volunteer management, often serving as a media spokesperson. Christine created several scalable models at AARP including a successful member discount & engagement model.

Christine is the President of the Nonprofit Resource Hub (NRH), a trade association that provides valuable education, resources, and services to the nonprofit sector. Christine sits on the board of Hunger Solutions New York (HSNY), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the alleviation of hunger throughout New York State. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Queens Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Committee.

Christine received a BA in Communications from Manhattan College and an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College. When she's not working with inspiring nonprofit leaders, Christine keeps busy chasing after her two young daughters, Annabelle and Bianca, while also trying to play in a couple adult soccer leagues without getting hurt!

nonprofit sector strategies logo

Dan Lloyd

Founder & President
Minority Millennials Inc.

Dan Lloyd is a builder. A builder of networks incorporating diverse perspectives with 10+ years of experience in creating strategic public and private partnerships between communities, organizations, and their stakeholders. In 2017, Dan founded Minority Millennials Inc. to bridge the gap between policy & culture. It is a not-for- profit organization dedicated to helping young people of color access jobs, build wealth and become civically engaged. Standing firm on “Proof of Progress” the grassroots organization has been touted as leaders in tackling disempowering narratives around minority communities and mobilizing millennials & gen z with the tools needed to become the next generation of change-makers in society. In January, Daniel was recognized as one of the top 35 Non-profit founders to impact the world by Cause Artist. In July of 2020, Daniel was recognized by Long Island Business News as a Trailblazer of Diversity, received the Equity Foundation Award from the Urban League of LI and in 2019, was recognized by Gold Coast Bank as one of Long Island’s most influential millennials. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, a Master of Business Administration in Global Management from Westwood College, and a Master’s in Public Policy from Stony Brook University. His volunteer efforts include Council of Advisors to CDCLI, Town of Babylon Trustee on the Suffolk County Parks Committee, Member-at-large of the Central LI NAACP Branch and mentoring Wyandanch Elementary School 5th-graders.

Darren Port

CEO & Founder
Powered By Professionals

Darren is the CEO and founder of Powered by Professionals. After going through a personal loss at a young age, Darren has spent his life volunteering and giving back. He has used his 25 years of fundraising experience to successfully raise money and coordinate events for PBP’s clients as well as other national organizations and companies including the American Red Cross, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Make A Wish Foundation, the University of Maryland, Webstakes.com and Entrepreneurs Organizations (EO). As of 2022, he has helped PBP’s clients raise close to $200 million dollars towards fulfilling these nonprofits’ missions. Since founding PBP, Darren and the PBP team have launched 14 different charitable organizations in addition to working with over 100 nonprofits. Darren has also worked to expand PBP’s offerings from fundraising and event management to include board development, strategic planning, direct mail, back-office support, and more. Under Darren’s guidance, countless community members have been able to rise up from devastation and work with PBP to channel their grief and compassion into sustainable and popular foundations that continue to make a difference every day. His areas of expertise include corporate sponsorship solicitations, membership development, and public speaking. He has recently been solicited to speak to numerous corporations and organizations concerning the importance of philanthropy and charitable giving. Darren has been an influential member of the JDRF since 1993. He served as the Chair of the Long Island Walk in 1994 and 1995 during which he started the JDRF Young Leadership Committee that he ran for ten years. Darren was a member of the Board of Directors from 1996 – 1998 in addition to 2001 – 2006. As the Vice President of Fundraising, Darren was an integral part of the team that raised over $8 million for JDRF. An important aspect of fundraising and event planning is working with professional staff and volunteers. His own experience as a volunteer in leadership positions provides him with an understanding and sensitivity to management and lay leadership. Darren is a proud Terp and holds a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Maryland. He resides in New Jersey with his wife, Jill, and their daughters, Erika and Gabrielle. He is an avid sports fan and competitor as proven by his completion of eight New York City Marathons and the Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon.

David Goldstein

Partner
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP

David Goldstein is the founding Partner of Certilman Balin Nonprofit/Tax Exempt/Religious Organizations Practice Group. He represents international, national, regional and local not-for-profit and religious entities across a wide variety of nonprofit sectors. He serves on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Business Law Section, and is the Chairperson of the Not-For-Profit Corporations Law Committee of the State Bar Association’s Business Law Section. Mr. Goldstein counsels and advocates for nonprofits and religious organizations in a wide variety of areas, including governance, compliance, regulatory matters, ethics, conflicts of interest, risk assessment and risk management, as well as operations and commercial matters. He represents clients (both individuals and organizations) in internal disputes, regulatory investigations and regulatory actions, as well as in litigation –and continually counsels his clients on how to avoid these entanglements.

Kathleen Riviera

Executive Director & CEO
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center

Kathleen Rivera is the Executive Director and CEO of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center (the Guidance Center), Long Island’s premiere children’s mental health organization that focuses on bringing hope and healing to young people struggling with a wide range of emotional and substance use challenges. Ms. Rivera has been successfully managing the operations of the renowned 70-year agency, leading it successfully through the unprecedented youth mental health crisis, which continues to create an epidemic of anxiety, depression and fear among our children and adolescents. Ms. Rivera earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York and her Master of Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work. She has over 28 years of experience in the human services nonprofit sector and has dedicated the last 18 years specifically to serving children and families across Long Island and New York City. Her deep knowledge of clinical treatment, mental health policy and agency operations provides profound insights and perspective on the ever-changing landscape of mental health. She has fought tirelessly throughout her career to bring life changing therapeutic services, educational opportunities, and community-based supports to those faced with trauma, chronic illness, economic deprivation, and social injustice.

Minerva Perez

Executive Director
OLA

Minerva Perez, Executive Director, centers her work on the protection, empowerment, and celebration of our Latino community. Before joining OLA as Executive Director in 2016, she was the Director of Residential and Transitional Services for six years at The Retreat, where she ran a 24-hour crisis shelter for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Minerva is a sought-after speaker, regularly participating in panels and public forums focused on immigrant rights and women's rights. Minerva was named “Sag Harbor Person of the Year” in 2018, and in 2019 she was nationally recognized as one of NBC’s “Latino 20” for her leadership of OLA and its impact in our region. In 2019 Minerva also appeared on Fox News Channel’s The Story with Martha MacCallum where she discussed the ICE raids our community was experiencing at that moment and the Latino vote. Most recently, Minerva has led advocacy efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic such as working with Suffolk County officials to establish a coordinated response to meeting the needs of the homebound and hungry in Suffolk’s 10 towns; ensuring ongoing, regular access to food for East End families hardest hit by COVID; working with Suffolk County officials to provide free COVID-19 testing by bringing a mobile testing unit to a remote part of the East End; and launching Project Hope: Coping with COVID, a FEMA-funded New York State initiative that allows OLA to provide crisis counseling in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to the entire East End by hiring and training 20 new staff members. Minerva holds a BFA in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and lives in Sag Harbor, NY.

Patrick Bardsley

CEO
Spectrum Designs

As CEO, Patrick is in charge of the day-to-day running of Spectrum Designs and Spectrum Suds. He holds a Masters in Special Education, with a concentration in Behavior Analysis through Long Island University. A natural leader and born innovator, he spends most of his time securing future growth and relationships for the betterment and expansion of all of our social enterprises. Under Patrick’s leadership Spectrum’s businesses have generated annual revenues of over $5m and created more than 50 jobs in a neurodiverse workforce. Patrick brings an enormous skill-set that spans many disciplines, as well as over 13 years of experience working with people adults on the Autism Spectrum. Outside of his work at Spectrum Designs, New York State Industries for the Disabled and a member of the invite-only Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In 2019 Patrick graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business program and joined the Autism @ Work Employer Round table joining an international collection of cross industry employers and innovative leaders who run autism-focused hiring initiatives.

Sherry Radowitz, Ph.D.

Senior Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs
Molloy University

Dr. Sherry Radowitz is the senior director of grants & sponsored programs at Molloy University. During her 18-year tenure at Molloy, 375 grant awards have supported programs, academic services, scholarships, capital expansion, curriculum, research, and professional development. Her proposal development and grants management training has helped build capacity; internal and external collaborative efforts have launched new campus initiatives. Sherry aided the School of Education in gaining approval for its dual certification in early childhood/childhood education and served as early childhood consultant through 2018; she taught courses, organized annual conferences, and arranged student teaching placements. In 2015, she introduced the Empowerment Skills for Leaders course to nonprofit administrators on Long Island and subsequently in collaboration with Human Resources, she helped initiate the credential at Molloy co-facilitating six cohorts on campus. In 2016, Sherry received the President’s Distinguished Service Award. With 50 years in education and human services and degrees in psychology, child development and child & family studies, previous positions include senior vice president of community & agency services at United Way of Long Island, first executive director of Long Island Fund for Women and Girls, and deputy director of Child Care Council of Nassau and Child Care Council of Suffolk. Expert in nonprofit management and fundraising, Sherry has been consultant and dedicated volunteer for several nonprofits. For more than 10 years, she has been treasurer of the COPE Foundation, a grief and healing organization and a consulting partner for Molloy’s mobile clinic funded by Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

Sol Marie Alfonso-Jones

Program Director
Long Island Community Foundation (LICF)

Sol Marie has been with the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) since the Spring of 2009. As program director, she manages the Foundation’s competitive grantmaking programs in the areas of Education, Youth Development, and Community and Economic Development. She also leads the Foundation’s strategic initiatives, including ensuring an accurate census count, developing regional solutions to racial and economic inequities, advancing fair and affordable housing, improving the performance of minority-owned small businesses, and supporting an inclusive and representative democracy. Sol Marie has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, community building, program development, and evaluation. Prior to LICF, she worked at Sustainable Long Island where she directed the organization’s community revitalization and brownfield redevelopment programs. She also served as director of the Fight for Families Coalition at the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, an alliance of health and human service, community-based agencies working to enhance service delivery systems in Nassau County. Before her employ on Long Island, Sol Marie spent 17 years working in New York City: 12 years overseeing youth development programs at Sponsors for Educational Opportunity and five years as a community liaison in Governor Mario Cuomo’s Office of Hispanic Affairs. Sol Marie is an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare. She is a co-chair of Engage New York, a network of foundation leaders across the State working to advance equity, social justice, and civic and community participation, and chair of the Funders Census Initiative, a working group of the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation that mobilizes philanthropic engagement towards a fair and accurate Census. Additionally, she is on the Board of Directors of the Funders Committee for Civic Participation and the Regional Plan Association. In 2022, Sol Marie was elected to serve on the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council. She also is a member of a NYS Health Foundation advisory committee that informs its grantmaking to community-based, BIPOC-led, nonprofits addressing institutional food and/or Food As Medicine programs.

Suzette Gordon

President & CEO
SCO Family of Services

Suzette Gordon was appointed President & CEO of SCO Family of Services in July 2023. In this role, she assumes oversight of the agency’s extensive continuum of residential and community-based child welfare, early childhood, youth development, family support, special needs, and homeless services. Suzette joined SCO in January 2019 as the agency’s first Chief Legal Counsel wherein she represented SCO in all legal matters, provided legal guidance to the President & CEO and staff, oversaw SCO’s in-house legal services department and corporate compliance program, and served as the liaison for outside legal counsel to ensure that SCO complied with all applicable laws and regulations. In 2020, Ms. Gordon’s responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of the Human Resources department and Communications and Marketing departments. In December 2022, Ms. Gordon was promoted to Interim President and CEO of the agency and is credited with reimagining and strengthening SCO’s leadership team, improving program optimization, and ensuring cultural alignment with SCO’s mission, vision, and values. Suzette brings more than 20 years of legal, government, and non-profit experience in both the private and public sectors, with particular expertise in healthcare transformation and Medicaid redesign. Prior to joining SCO, she held the position of Compliance & Contracting Officer at SBH Health System’s Bronx Partners for Healthy Communities, where she designed and operationalized the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program’s compliance program and navigated organizational advancement toward an integrated delivery system. Previously, she served as Deputy General Counsel & Agency Chief Privacy Officer at the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. Earlier in her career, Suzette was a Trial Attorney at the United States Department of Justice, Civil Fraud Section. Ms. Gordon is a well-respected lecturer and author on healthcare privacy and the law and is a former board member of Primary Care Development Corporation. She received a BA in Political Science (highest honors) from NYU College of Arts and Science and received her law degree from NYU School of Law.

Tommy DiMisa

Director of Strategic Alliances
Philanthropy in Phocus

He brings over 17 years of expertise in strategic alliances with business owners and trusted advisers and is known as a selfless connector who consistently adds value to his networking partners, clients, and community. Tommy’s work at ADP, TriNet and CoAdvantage honed his expertise in PEO and HR outsourcing. During his time at Safeguard Global, Tommy helped businesses tackle the global need for easy and agile global employment outsourcing solutions. Through this variety of experience Tommy has become keenly aware of the options available in the HR & Benefits market positioning him as a consultant with Vanguard Benefits. Tommy’s passion for the nonprofit sector has made him a beloved philanthropic activist. Tommy created Philanthropy in Phocus, a project that provides support to nonprofits through networking opportunities, thought leadership, and a soon to be launched podcast series. Tommy sits on the boards of The Bayside Business Association, TSI CARES, The Health & Business Alliance, and TNG-THE Networking Group as “Chief Culture Officer” and The Lindy Loo Foundation.

Joshua Peskay

C3P0
RoundTable Technology

Joshua is usually one of the first people new clients of RoundTable meet. And this explains why so many of them go on to enjoy a long and profitable partnership with us. Friendly and enthusiastic, Joshua has been helping non-profit organizations get more out of their technology since the 1990s. Over the last three decades, he's helped thousands of nonprofits meet their goals and help people. He loves helping organizations think more strategically about their tech and make smart decisions.

Ed Probst

Secretary

Ed Probst is an Employee Benefit Specialist and seasoned veteran of the Insurance industry. Ed is a founding Partner of Vanguard Benefits (previously Vanguard Insurance Agency) which was established in 1999. He currently acts as President and is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization. Ed has a particular expertise and knowledge in the areas of Employee Benefits, Group Insurance, The Affordable Care Act, and ERISA. While throughout his career he has worked with clients in a vast array of professions he has carved a niche in working with the Non-Profit Sector.

Ed holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the New York Institute Of Technology. Over the course of his career he has earned numerous professional designations including Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), Healthcare Reform Specialist (HCR), Chartered Healthcare Consultant (ChHC) and Registered Employee Benefit Consultant (REBC). He has also been a long-time member and supporter of the National Association Of Health Underwriters (NAHU).

Ed is very passionate about his work with charities and the community. He has volunteered his time as a youth baseball coach for over 25years and is well respected for his efforts. Currently he serves on both the Executive and Foundation Boards for the Cerebral Palsy Association Of Nassau County. He also volunteers his time for CP Nassau on their Forget Me Not Ball, 5K, and Networking Committees. Ed is also a member of TSI Cares and is currently President of the Bayside Business Association for which he has a been a member for 15 years. 

Christine Deska

President

Christine Deska is the cofounder of Nonprofit Sector Strategies, a public benefit corporation dedicated to helping nonprofits maximize mission impact. NSS provides strategic planning and board management services to small and medium-sized nonprofits. NSS has also created BellesBoard, a board management software platform and mobile app that helps nonprofit boards be more efficient.

Christine brings more than a decade of in-depth experience working in, and with, nonprofit organizations, foundations and the government. At the Columbus Citizens Foundation, Christine was Director of Programs from 2014 to 2016. While at AARP from 2006 to 2014, she led initiatives around older adult hunger, financial security and volunteer management, often serving as a media spokesperson. Christine created several scalable models at AARP including a successful member discount & engagement model.

 

Christine sits on the board of Hunger Solutions New York, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the alleviation of hunger throughout New York State. 

nonprofit sector strategies logo

Amy Fleischer

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Amy Fleischer brings more than 40 years of experience across the nonprofit, sports, and live entertainment sectors to her role as Executive Director of the Nonprofit Resource Hub. At NRH, Amy leads the organization’s mission to strengthen the nonprofit sector by expanding access to resources, fostering collaboration, and helping organizations navigate an increasingly demanding service landscape.

In her role, Amy is focused on building meaningful connections among nonprofits, businesses, and sector experts, ensuring that nonprofit leaders have the tools, knowledge, and relationships they need to succeed. As demand for nonprofit services continues to grow, Amy is deeply committed to advancing collaboration, shared learning, and sustainable solutions that support long‑term impact across Long Island and beyond.

Amy’s professional background includes marketing and sponsorship roles with nationally recognized organizations such as Live Nation, Feld Entertainment, the New York Islanders, and IMG. She brings this experience in partnership development, audience engagement, and strategic growth to her leadership at NRH, where relationship‑building and visibility are key to supporting the sector.

In addition to her work with NRH, Amy oversees fundraising, events, marketing, and public relations efforts for Harmony Healthcare Long Island and previously held a similar role with Long Island Select Healthcare. Her hands‑on experience gives her a deep understanding of the operational challenges nonprofits face and the importance of accessible, practical support.

Amy lives in Huntington and is a proud dog mom to Georgia. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with friends to experience live music and concerts around the world.

Nicole Frisina

BOARD MEMBER

Nicole Frisina is a Manager at Your Part-Time Controller, LLC (YPTC), where she brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit accounting, audit, and controllership services. Based in YPTC’s New York office, Nicole specializes in Controller and CFO-level support, financial management consulting, and strengthening internal controls for mission-driven organizations.

 

Throughout her career, Nicole has partnered closely with nonprofit leadership teams and boards to improve financial transparency, prepare for audits, and implement sustainable financial practices that support long-term impact. She is known for translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insights that empower organizations to make informed decisions and build trust with funders and stakeholders.

 

Nicole is passionate about expanding access to practical tools, education, and peer learning that help nonprofit leaders grow in confidence and effectiveness. She actively contributes to the sector as a presenter and thought partner, having spoken at events hosted by the Nonprofit Resource Hub, NYN Media’s OpCon and BoardCon, Nonprofit Westchester, the NYSSCPA, and as a featured guest on The Nonprofit Show with Julie Patrick.

 

Nicole holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting from Rider University. She resides on Long Island with her husband and two children and is deeply committed to supporting the nonprofit community through service, education, and collaboration.