The team transforming early childhood development.
Rachel Bonsignore
DIRECTOR
For the past 20 years, Rachel Bonsignore has prioritized community engagement and policy change advocacy to improve the lives of children and families and has actively contributed to national, state, and regional alliances. As the Director of Liftoff, she oversees all aspects of the alliance’s strategic and impact agenda. A graduate of Dickinson College, she also completed a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from St. John Fisher College. Bonsignore previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Community Health Initiatives at The Children’s Agenda in Rochester, N.Y.
Amy Miranti
COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE
Amy Miranti is responsible for a combination of day-to-day operations, technology and communication tasks for our initiative. Amy spearheaded the launch of Liftoff’s social media presence in Fall 2020. She also serves as our administrative liaison to our Steering Committee and community partners. Amy is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo with a degree in Political Science and minor in Spanish.
Megan Battista
LEARNING AND ADVOCACY COORDINATOR
Born and raised in Buffalo, Megan Battista has spent her career working towards equity for vulnerable communities in Western New York. Megan started her career as an elementary school teacher and an instructional coach at a Title I school in Buffalo. Five years serving as a foster parent and foster parent mentor inspired her to transition to a role in child welfare, recruiting and supporting placements in adoptive homes for young people at risk of aging out of the system. Megan holds a Master of Social Work from the University at Buffalo where she spent her time in the program learning about and engaging in systems level change and advocacy. Megan’s role as the Learning and Advocacy Coordinator at Liftoff WNY will focus on expanding Liftoff’s network of partners, advocating for policy change, and facilitating meaningful learning experiences that increase awareness and understanding related to Early Childhood Development in the WNY region.