Everybody likes a smooth transition.
At The Retreat, a nonprofit organization that assists victims of domestic violence across Suffolk County, that sentiment reigns especially true.
At the end of next month Loretta Davis will step down as executive director at the East Hampton-based organization, ending her decade-long term in the position. But instead of just riding out the rest of her tenure, the ever-proactive Davis is taking measures to guarantee the new holder of The Retreat’s reins is well-prepared.
For the past two months, she’s been working closely with her soon-to-be successor, Cate Carbonaro, ensuring the transition from is as seamless and effective as possible. Carbonaro, former director of the William Randolph Hearst Public Advocacy Center at the Touro Law School in Central Islip, will officially start as executive director at the beginning of 2025.
According to a press release from The Retreat, Davis’s legacy includes the expansion of services at the Stephanie House Shelter at the Retreat, expansion of services at the shelter, the development of innovative programs, such as prevention education, the addition of legal services for clients, as well as expanding counseling services to include both virtual and in-person sessions.
“This job is all about relationships and collaboration,” says Davis. I let the board [of directors] know I wanted to step down back in January. The point was for them to have plenty of time.”
Board of directors co-chair Francesca Odell applauded Davis’s efforts over the past 10 years, saying the East Hampton resident has brought positive attention to The Retreat and its mission and is widely respected for both her knowledge of the issues behind domestic violence as well as unrelenting dedication to communicating the civilians, legislators, donors and victims. “She has established a strong base on which our new executive director will be able to innovate, build and grow,” Odell says.
The nonprofit formally announced Carbonaro as the new executive director of The Retreat in the beginning of October. A resident of Babylon, she received her juris doctor from St. John’s University School of Law and previously worked at the Legal Aid Society in New York City as a public defender in the Exploitation Intervention Project, representing criminalized survivors who have experienced gender-based violence, including domestic violence, and labor and sex trafficking.
“Joining The Retreat is a natural extension of this work, and I’m thrilled about the opportunity to lead such a respected organization that plays a critical role in empowering and healing our community,” she says.
Excited about her new role, Carbonaro says the transition effort she’s been working on with Davis, albeit unique, has been very positive.
“The past six weeks or so have been great for me,” she says. In addition to the already existing services The Retreat offers, Carbonaro says violence prevention education and awareness will be key components for her campaign. “The way we address the entire of cycle of violence, sexual abuse, people living in poverty, plus adding a lot more services for those survivors of labor and sex trafficking, those are some initiatives I’m looking to work on, while still keeping the ethos of The Retreat intact.”
Established in 1987 The Retreat has been a safe haven for families in crisis covering the East End, including East Hampton, Southampton, Riverhead, Southold and Greenport. According to Davis, the grassroots agency gets between 3400 and 3600 calls each year, servicing just over a thousand clients. To check out the organization’s impact for 2023, click here.
In addition to the numerous, comprehensive and totally free of charge domestic violence services, outreach and education programs provided for survivors (both children and adult), the Retreat has also established an 18-bed emergency shelter and opened its own thrift store, Retreat Boutique (opened since 2003 and located in the Bridgehampton Commons), revenues from which help sustain program services. With a staff of about 70, the nonprofit’s scope includes a 24-hour crisis bilingual hotline, parenting education, legal advocacy, financial management, the Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative and job readiness services.
“Loretta has cultivated a remarkable legacy at The Retreat,” Carbonaro says, “and I look forward to building on the incredible progress she’s made. I believe we can expand our programs, strengthen our advocacy, and deepen our impact on the lives of survivors, ensuring they have the resource and support to rebuild their lives.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call the Retreat’s 24-hour hotline at 631-329-2200.
