Randi Rios-Castro - CEO

Randi Rios-Castro, CEO, has a heart for helping others, especially those with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges. For over 25 years, she’s poured her passion into serving this vulnerable community. 

In 2018, Randi brought her expertise to Jawonio, joining their Executive Leadership Team as Associate Executive Director. Prior to Jawonio, she spent six years as the Chief Operating Officer at Opengate in Westchester County dedicated to adults with IDD. Randi’s career trajectory included working for Westchester ARC, New York Hospital – Cornell Medical Center, and the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District. On October 1, 2025, Randi will celebrate her 5th anniversary as CEO of Jawonio.

Randi earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Roger Williams University and a Master of Science Degree in Leadership & Management from Manhattanville College. Her leadership roles include serving on the Policy & Legislative Committee for the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation; Hudson Valley Service Providers and as a Board Member of NYSID (New York State Industries for the Disabled). In a testament to her dedication, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins appointed Randi to the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council in October 2022.In 2025, Randi was honored by Congressman Mike Lawler as a “Woman of Distinction” in Rockland County, NY.

Throughout her career, Randi has empowered her staff to achieve big goals, making sure everything they do aligns with the organization’s mission. She truly fosters a sense of shared responsibility, always ensuring the highest level of quality care, innovation and service excellence. One of Randi’s ideas for creating job opportunities for people with disabilities was the creation of a Lego Resale store called Brick it Again.  The store opened in 2023 and has become a wonderful destination for children, schools, non-profits and families in the Hudson Valley Region to donate or purchase Legos in the community.  In, 2024 Brick it Again was honored by the Cerebral Palsy Association of New York State and received the award for Program Innovation.

Beyond her professional roles, Randi is incredibly generous with her time. She’s volunteered as a Board Member for both Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson and Yes She Can.  She currently volunteers for Meals on Wheels and is a member of the New City Rotary. Randi has a natural calling to human services, dedicating her entire career to making a profound difference in the lives of others.

Randi has an open-door policy for her staff, board members and the community and can be reached at Randi.Rios-Castro@jawonio.org