Agency Leadership

Jeffrey Friedman is a non-profit executive leader with over 25 years of progressive senior and executive level management experience in serving disadvantaged, at-risk, and vulnerable individuals and communities in the New York metropolitan area. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of CN Guidance & Counseling Services, a five-decade-enduring nonprofit organization providing comprehensive services to individuals and families on Long Island affected by mental health and/or substance use disorders.

As a results-producing leader (e.g., measurably improving outcomes, and reducing costs) with a passion for assuring sustained services for those in need, Mr. Friedman offers expertise in strategically assessing and addressing needs of nonprofit / health services organizations, individuals, communities, and high-needs populations, increasingly against a backdrop of fast-paced change in economic, political, and regulatory conditions. He is a leader who balances big-picture strategic planning with detailed day-to-day operations leadership and staff motivation. His daily practices encompass long-range sustainability planning, program visioning, and staff development. Leveraging more than two decades of experience, Mr. Friedman is also a seasoned grant strategist: attracting millions of dollars in funding to fuel health and human services for needed programs.

A leader with stamina, dedication, and an ability not just to endure change, but to lead it innovatively and collaboratively, he evokes strong inspiration, momentum, and results. Mr. Friedman’s expertise includes: partnership building, organizational steering, data-informed decision making, fiscal management and accountability, collaboration with boards of directors, developing and retaining staff, fundraising, managing grants, and prioritizing program evaluation and outcomes documentation.

Mr. Friedman has led staff sizes ranging from 40 to 300+ in exploring, pursuing, winning, and implementing relevant federal and foundation funding opportunities—including grants from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Office on Violence Against Women, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Mr. Friedman served and helped drive & inspire the missions of other non-profit groups including The Retreat in East Hampton, New York, the Federation Employment and Guidance Service in New York City and ARC [previously Association for Retarded Citizens] in Port Henry, New York.

Mr. Friedman earned a Master of Arts in Administration for Nonprofits from State University of New York at Plattsburgh (May 1995) and a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University (September 1992). He has led CN Guidance as Chief Executive Officer since October 2013.

Nancy Manigat has over 29 years’ experience in the social service and healthcare industry.  Currently, she is the Chief Operating Officer of Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services nonprofit organization serving over 7,000 residents of Long Island annually with mental health and substance use disorders.  Prior to joining CN Guidance in 2011, she was the Director of Mental Health Outpatient Treatment Services for Family and Children’s Association.

Ms. Manigat was the Associate Vice President for Stone Ridge Partners, a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and business management solutions in the healthcare industry.   For six years, Ms. Manigat specialized in improving business operations and the fiscal health of medical practices and hospital departments.  Ms. Manigat began her post graduate career at Mount Sinai’s Adolescent Health Center, where she held positions of increasing responsibility from direct clinical service to program and grant management.  It was at Mt. Sinai where Ms. Manigat used her expertise in the treatment of sexual trauma to co-author an article “The Health Care Provider’s Role in the Disclosure of Sexual Abuse:  the medical interview as the gateway to disclosure.”  Ms. Manigat also held various positions at Edwin Gould Services for Children.

In 2018, Ms. Manigat was a member of the Project Access Planning Committee that was responsible for the 2018 Initial Study on Inadequate Access to Mental Health/Addictions Care on Long Island.  She received two Long Island Business News awards – 2018 Top 50 Business Woman in Long Island and 2022 Executive Circle Award.  Also in 2022, Ms. Manigat was awarded the NYS Office of Mental Health’s Commissioner’s Community Cares Award – recognizing OMH partners that make a difference in their communities.

Ms. Manigat sits on the Advisory Board of NYU McSilver Institute’s Community Technical Assistance of New York Center which provides training, consultation, and educational resources to behavioral health agencies throughout the State.  She is also an active member of the Nassau Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. which is dedicated to public service with an emphasis on programs that assist the African American community.

Ms. Manigat holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Hampton University, a Master of Social Work from Hunter College and a Master of Business Administration in Health Care Administration and Policy from Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of New York.

Jean Bentley is an accomplished financial and accounting professional with over 25 years of experience. Recognized as a very meticulous and hard-working leader with a developed financial and operational focus, her strengths include financial reporting and analysis, budgeting, cost allocations, along with management of all financial and quality related processes, leadership and guidance to the financial team.

As Chief Financial Officer of CN Guidance and Counseling Services she manages budgets, that have increased from $15M to $62M under her financial leadership, oversees all financial reporting, financial planning, treasury services, annual audits and NYS Consolidated Fiscal Report as well as collaborates with the CEO to support overall organizational goals and objectives.

Ms. Bentley is very successful at implementing cost control measures while designing and streamlining processes that allow CN Guidance and Counseling Services to thrive. Jean is an expert in evaluating and improving processes to strengthen internal controls and compliance.  Also, she enjoys acting at a hands-on, day-to-day level.

By virtue of her commitment to fiscal sustainability, best business practices, and systems improvement, Jean is a member of the Finance and Audit Committees of CN Guidance & Counseling Services.

Prior to CN Guidance and Counseling Services, Ms. Bentley worked at NYSARC, Inc. – AHRC Suffolk Chapter, where she was responsible for meaningful financial reporting, operational efficiency, cash flow management and forecasting.

Ms. Bentley is an active CPA in the State of New York, and she is a graduate of Pace University with a BA in Business Administration. Ms.Bentley has a passion for helping companies strengthen their finance organizations and helping to position them for future growth, with this passion in mind she has been long involved in her community by providing financial advice at her church and preparing tax returns and served as the Treasurer of For the Kids Foundation of East Islip.