DHR Executive Team

Denise M. Miranda, Esq., Acting Commissioner

Denise Miranda was nominated by Governor Hochul in March 2024 to serve as the Acting Commissioner of the Division of Human Rights (DHR). The Division is dedicated to eliminating discrimination, remedying injustice and promoting equal opportunity, access, and dignity. Recently, under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit was launched by DHR to help communities combat prejudice and discrimination.

Prior to this, Acting Commissioner Miranda was appointed and Senate confirmed as the Executive Director of the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs for 7 years. Acting Commissioner Miranda has been actively engaged in the practice of law for nearly 30 years focusing her work on social justice issues and protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals. Prior to her appointment as Executive Director of the Justice Center, Acting Commissioner Miranda served for six years as Managing Director of the Urban Justice Center’s Safety Net Project (UJC) in New York City. UJC provides direct legal services, impact litigation, research and policy initiatives to achieve economic justice for low- and no-income New Yorkers. During her tenure Acting Commissioner Miranda facilitated free city-wide legal programs to ensure access to economic supports and federally subsidized housing for low- and no-income residents while also spearheading diversity equity and inclusion initiatives within the agency. In addition, Acting Commissioner Miranda also served as Co-Chair of the Public Housing Taskforce for the Women’s City Club of New York.

Acting Commissioner Miranda began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Bureau of the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office. Her extensive experience working with domestic violence survivors served as a foundation for her transition to civil practice working as a Senior Attorney with the Network for Women’s Services and later when she established her own private practice. She graduated from New York University and from St. John’s University School of Law, is a member of the Bar of the State of New York, and is admitted to the Southern and Eastern Federal District Courts. Acting Commissioner Miranda is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, 100 Hispanic Women of Westchester, Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, the Latina Mentoring Initiative, and a legislatively appointed member of the Westchester County Hispanic Advisory Board. She is an active volunteer in her community and resides with her family in Westchester County.

Shannon Cantiello, Executive Deputy Commissioner

Shannon Cantiello is the Executive Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Human Rights. As part of her portfolio, she oversees the execution of the agency’s mission and the implementation of agency program and policy and has brought with her over a decade of state government experience to the role.

Ms. Cantiello’s career includes serving as Chief of Staff for the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs and prior to that, Deputy Executive Director for the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. In those roles, she oversaw operations and policy initiatives to achieve the missions of those agencies and to offer collaboration with sister state agencies in pursuit of shared priorities. Ms. Cantiello began her state career with the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee where she served as a Legislative Budget Analyst focusing on the state’s Human Services portfolio.

Her other public service work includes a variety of community-based volunteer work, serving as a Wish Granter with Make-a-Wish, and a board member of several non-profits throughout her professional life. She earned a BA in History/Political science/Education from the College of Saint Rose and an MS in History and Public Policy from SUNY Albany. 

Belkis Alonso-Ortiz, Chief of Staff

Belkis Alonso-Ortiz was appointed Chief of Staff at the New York State Division of Human Rights in May 2024.  Prior to this, Ms. Alonso-Ortiz had been a practicing attorney in New York State Courts for more than 25 years. In 2005, she became Principal Court Attorney for Acting Judge John W. Carter, managing domestic violence cases, drafting legal decisions, and handling intricate evidentiary issues in high-profile cases, including eight double jury trials and procedural law changes while adapting to remote court operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following Judge Carter’s retirement, she worked as Principal Law Clerk for Judge James McCarty and Judge Timothy Lewis, focusing on courtroom procedures and legal updates for newly appointed judges. Previously, she served as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County, where she prosecuted complex felony narcotics cases and homicide trials.

Ms. Alonso-Ortiz has served on the Bronx County Equal Justice Committee reinforcing the Courts’ commitment to justice for the community and stakeholders of the court system. She has also served as a guest instructor for the Conference of Western Attorneys General, teaching prosecutors from Mexico oral trial advocacy with an emphasis on due process, and at Cardozo Law School and Hostos Community College teaching evidence.  Ms. Alonso-Ortiz is a graduate of Fordham University Law School.

Melissa Franco, General Counsel

In May 2024, Melissa Franco was appointed to serve as General Counsel for the New York State Division of Human Rights.  In this capacity, Ms. Franco advises the Commissioner on all legal matters affecting the Division.  She supervises the Legal Bureau, including the Adjudication and Policy Unit, the Litigation and Appeals Unit, and the Legal Records Management Unit. She also serves as the Division's Ethics Officer.

Ms. Franco joined the Division as Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement in 2011. In that capacity, she was responsible for identifying potentially high impact cases and designing investigative plans to carry out Division Initiated complaints. Ms. Franco also oversaw the agency’s prosecuting attorneys. Prior to joining the Division, Ms. Franco worked in the King’s County District Attorney’s office where she served in various capacities including First Deputy Bureau Chief of a Trial Division, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Grand Jury Bureau, and a Senior Trial Attorney.

Ms. Franco holds a JD from Fordham University and BA in Psychology from the University of South Florida.

Lilliana Estrella-Castillo, Chief Administrative Law Judge

Bryan Bagstad, Deputy Commissioner of Administration

Bryan Bagstad joined the Division of Human Rights in August 2024 as Deputy Commissioner of Administration.  In that capacity, Bryan oversees Human Resources, Finance, and Fleet and Facilities for the Division.

Mr. Bagstad has nearly 20 years of administrative experience in New York State government, primarily in budget and finance capacities. He began his career with the NYS Office of Children and Family Services in 2005, where he spent more than a decade in various budgeting roles, including Budget Director.  Most recently, Mr. Bagstad served as the Director of Finance for Disaster Recovery Programs at the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

Mr. Bagstad is a graduate of the University at Albany with a double major in Psychology and Communication.

Daniella Jackson, Deputy Commissioner for Investigations

Daniella Jackson was appointed as Deputy Commissioner for Investigations in August 2024.  In this capacity, she is responsible for overseeing all of the Division's regional and satellite offices throughout New York State. Ms. Jackson provides supervision to all Regional Directors as they oversee Division investigations and execution of investigations relative to the violation of Human Rights Law. Furthermore, she is the primary liaison to law enforcement and similarly situated commissions, civic organizations, and entities from other states in the investigation of human rights violations, including the development of cooperative agreements with such entities to effectuate cohesive investigations.

Prior to joining the Division, Ms. Jackson served as the Chief of Planning, Research, & Staff Development at the Westchester County Department of Probation. In that role, she enhanced trainings for line staff, overhauled the academy training for new officers, designed surveys to build line staff input, and developed and implemented policies to align with new initiatives and growth such as being more trauma informed.  Prior to this, Ms. Jackson served as the Research & Grants Administrator for the City of Mount Vernon. She has been a board member of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus – Mount Vernon chapter since 2006 and served as chapter president 2022 – 2024. Daniella received her BA from Georgetown University.

Paula J. O’Brien-Soler, Esq., Deputy Commissioner for Legislative and External Affairs

Paula J. O’Brien-Soler, Esq. is an attorney with 28 years of experience in New York State policy development and advocacy.  Ms. O’Brien-Soler has served as Deputy Commissioner for Legislative and External Affairs since August 2024.  In this capacity, she oversees the agency’s communications, outreach, and legislative work.  Prior to joining the Division, she served as the Executive Director of the New York State Division of Consumer Protection, where she worked to advance consumer protection policy and advocacy.  Ms. O’Brien-Soler is a graduate of Russell Sage College and Albany Law School. 

Roslyn Watrobski, Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Engagement

Roslyn Watrobski joined the Division in November 2024 as Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Engagement.  In this capacity, she oversees Intake, Solutions Development, Internal Audit, Internal Controls, Information Services, and Training and Professional Development—units that facilitate the Division’s ability to serve its complainants and stakeholders more efficiently and effectively. Prior to joining the Division, Ms. Watrobski served the State in the Office of General Services in several positions, including Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner overseeing the State's 30 million square feet of owned and leased space, $17 billion in construction and design services, 1,500 centralized procurement contracts valued at nearly $27 billion, and a variety of other shared services for tens of thousands of OGS customers.  Previously, she served as Assistant Director of State Expenditures for the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC). Over the course of her career at OSC, Ms. Watrobski’s teams saved taxpayers over $100 million and identified hundreds of opportunities for agencies to improve their operations. She graduated magna cum laude from Siena College, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Victor DeAmelia, Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Intake

Victor DeAmelia has served as Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Intake for the Division of Human Rights since September 2024.  Prior to this, Mr. DeAmelia served as the Regional Director for the Division’s Albany and Binghamton regional office since 2012. In that capacity, he was responsible for supervision of agency investigators and determination of discrimination complaints in employment, housing and public accommodations. Mr. DeAmelia joined the Division as a Human Rights Specialist 1 in 1988.  Prior to joining the Division, Mr. DeAmelia worked as a staff attorney for the NYS Department of Health. He holds a BA in English from the State University at Albany and a JD from Albany Law School. 

Jacqueline L. Spratt, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Prosecutions and Enforcement

Jacqueline L. Spratt has served as the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Prosecutions and Enforcement since September 2024.  In this capacity, she supervises the Division’s Prosecutions Unit and Housing Litigation Unit attorneys, guiding their work in the administrative hearing process and in litigating fair housing claims in state court. Previously, Ms. Spratt had served as Director of the Housing Litigation Unit since December 2023.  She joined the Division as a Senior Attorney in 2016. Prior to joining the Division, Ms. Spratt spent nearly a decade with the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice.  She has also served as an Assistant United States Attorney with the Eastern District of New York, worked for the New York Prosecutors Training Institute, and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.  She received her JD from the University at Buffalo School of Law.

Julia Day, Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Investigations

In October 2024, Julia Day was appointed Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Investigations.

Ms. Day joined the Division of Human Rights in 1978 as an investigator, later serving as supervising investigator. In 2005, she became Regional Director of the agency’s Rochester/Syracuse office.

Prior to joining the Division, Ms. Day was a radio news reporter and broadcaster, primarily at WDKX radio. Ms. Day holds a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Rochester.

She is a frequent speaker for community groups on issues relating to discrimination and the Human Rights Law, and has often conducted training on the Human Rights Law, investigation techniques, and conciliation. Ms. Day serves on the Board of Trustees of the Rush Public Library, and is Deputy Chair of the Rush Conservation Board. She is also a published playwright whose work has been performed at several venues in Rochester, NY, and often includes human rights related themes. 

Erin Sobkowski, Acting Deputy General Counsel

Erin Sobkowski has served as the Division’s Acting Deputy General Counsel since May 2024.  In this capacity, she is responsible for proposed legislation and supporting memoranda, rule-making and other regulatory functions, and drafts guidance, policies and legal opinions for use by the agency.  Ms. Sobkowski joined the Division in 2008 as a Senior Attorney in the Prosecutions Unit.  In 2010, she joined the Division’s Office of General Counsel.  Prior to joining the Division, Ms. Sobkowski was an associate attorney with the Labor and Employment department at Chamberlain D’Amanda.  She holds a JD from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a BA from the same institution.

Chelsea L. John, Director of Fair Housing Investigations

Chelsea L. John, Esq. has served as the Director of Housing Investigations with the New York State Division of Human Rights since November 2022. Ms. John previously worked as an attorney investigator with the Law Enforcement Bureau of the New York City Commission on Human Rights, a civil attorney and organizer with Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), and as an adjunct professor with CUNY School of Law. Ms. John is a graduate of CUNY School of Law and the University of Colorado. In her free time, Chelsea organizes with Jewish justice organizations in New York City. 

Ricardo Aguirre, Senior Director, Division Initiated Action Unit

Ricardo Aguirre has served as the Senior Director of the Division Initiated Action Unit since September 2024.  In that capacity, he is responsible for identifying potentially high impact cases and designing investigative plans to carry out Division initiated complaints.  Prior to joining the Division, Mr. Aguirre served as Counsel and Legislative Director to New York State Assembly Member Inez E. Dickens and Counsel to the New York State Secretary of State.  He served in the United States Marine Corps, is a retired NYPD sergeant and a retired practicing attorney.  Mr. Aguirre is a graduate of Herbert H. Lehman College and Fordham University School of Law. 

Ron Zacchi, Senior Director of the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit

Ron Zacchi (all pronouns welcome) joined the Division of Human Rights as Senior Director of the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit in September 2024. Prior to this role, Ron Zacchi served as Governor Hochul's Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs, where they played a pivotal role in advancing transformative policies and securing increased funding for the LGBTQ+ community, addressing long-standing inequities caused by discrimination.

Before their tenure in the Governor's Office, Ron Zacchi was the Director of External Relations for the Division of Human Rights and began their career in state government as part of the Empire State Fellows program with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. They were later promoted to Assistant Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Throughout their time in public service, Ron Zacchi has been deeply involved in shaping key LGBTQ+ policy changes in New York State, including the ban on conversion therapy, protections for transgender individuals, legalizing gestational surrogacy, and the passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and the Gender Recognition Act (GRA).

Ron Zacchi’s career in public service began with their leadership in the LGBTQ+ community, where they notably served as Executive Director of Marriage Equality New York (MENY). Under their leadership, MENY spearheaded a successful statewide grassroots campaign that ultimately secured equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in New York State.

Ron Zacchi holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University and an Executive MPA from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, where they were honored with the Hagedorn Scholarship.