Compeer - About Us

Making friends.
Changing lives.

Compeer's Leadership Team

Peter M. Palermo III
President and CEO

As president and CEO, Pete Palermo III leads the strategic direction and manages the day-to-day operations of Compeer Inc. Palermo III has spent more than a decade managing and consulting to a wide range of companies and not-for-profit organizations, in his roles as CEO and president of Strategic Triangle Inc., managing director of Altreya Consulting LLC, founder of Civic Services Inc., and co-founder and partner of Hamilton Management Partners LLC. He has played a major role in the transformation of such organizations as an internationally renowned graduate business school, an industrial service company, a later stage high-technology start-up and an 80-year-old non-profit organization. He also spent more than a decade as a business operations strategist at Eastman Kodak Co. and Xerox Corp. Palermo III holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Economics from Allegheny College and an MBA from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester.

Mary Ellen Budny
Vice President of Customer Relations

Mary Ellen Budny serves as the main contact for existing Compeer affiliate locations. She is responsible for helping existing Compeer locations to serve more people, by sharing best practices and developing new funding streams. Budny holds a bachelor’s degree in General Studies-Social Science with a concentration in Psychology from the University of Rochester.

Johanna Ambrose
Coordinator, New York State Region

Ambrose is the primary contact for Compeer affiliates in New York. She helps strengthen and grow Empire State locations by providing support in such areas as volunteer recruitment, fundraising and program development. Ambrose earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the State University of New York, College at Fredonia.

Compeer's Founder

Bernice Skirboll

Bernice “Bunny” Skirboll founded Compeer more than 30 years ago, following a near-fatal automobile accident. Her long rehabilitation helped her realize the power of friendship, and she vowed to make a difference in other people’s lives. Skirboll served as executive director since Compeer’s inception. Under her leadership, Compeer grew from a small program to an internationally recognized mental health agency. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Rochester and has received numerous professional awards. Bernice wrote a book about Compeer, "Compeer: Recovery Through the Healing Power of Friends," which the University of Rochester Press published in 2006.

Organization Leadership Team Mission History Board of Directors Resources	Making friends. Changing lives.
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	Compeer's Leadership Team Peter M. Palermo III President and CEO As president and CEO, Pete Palermo III leads the strategic direction and manages the day-to-day operations of Compeer Inc. Palermo III has spent more than a decade managing and consulting to a wide range of companies and not-for-profit organizations, in his roles as CEO and president of Strategic Triangle Inc., managing director of Altreya Consulting LLC, founder of Civic Services Inc., and co-founder and partner of Hamilton Management Partners LLC. He has played a major role in the transformation of such organizations as an internationally renowned graduate business school, an industrial service company, a later stage high-technology start-up and an 80-year-old non-profit organization. He also spent more than a decade as a business operations strategist at Eastman Kodak Co. and Xerox Corp. Palermo III holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Economics from Allegheny College and an MBA from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester. Mary Ellen Budny Vice President of Customer Relations Mary Ellen Budny serves as the main contact for existing Compeer affiliate locations. She is responsible for helping existing Compeer locations to serve more people, by sharing best practices and developing new funding streams. Budny holds a bachelor’s degree in General Studies-Social Science with a concentration in Psychology from the University of Rochester. Johanna Ambrose Coordinator, New York State Region Ambrose is the primary contact for Compeer affiliates in New York. She helps strengthen and grow Empire State locations by providing support in such areas as volunteer recruitment, fundraising and program development. Ambrose earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the State University of New York, College at Fredonia. Compeer's Founder Bernice Skirboll Bernice “Bunny” Skirboll founded Compeer more than 30 years ago, following a near-fatal automobile accident. Her long rehabilitation helped her realize the power of friendship, and she vowed to make a difference in other people’s lives. Skirboll served as executive director since Compeer’s inception. Under her leadership, Compeer grew from a small program to an internationally recognized mental health agency. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Rochester and has received numerous professional awards. Bernice wrote a book about Compeer, "Compeer: Recovery Through the Healing Power of Friends," which the University of Rochester Press published in 2006.
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