THE VISION

Capital District Women Veterans’ founder is Christine Rem, COL (R), whose vision for starting the non-profit organization began after she retired from a 30-year military career in 2012. Upon retiring, Christine soon discovered that there is an overwhelming number of returning women veterans who are experiencing permanent or chronic homelessness.

​Relying on her military career experience and her extensive background in nursing, she believed that a startup organization centered on supportive housing and case management services to women veterans in need would make a difference in solving the problem.

In December 2015 Christine donated a property, in the memory of her husband  MAJ. Christopher Rem, to CDWV as their first service location named "CDWV Christopher House".

Read more about CDWV Christopher House in South Troy

​​Capital District Women Veterans Program, Inc
​BOARD MEMBERS

The Board of Directors is comprised of diverse, qualified and passionate people who jointly oversee the overall direction of the organization and its programs.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Christine Rem
COL (R), RN, DNS
​Executive Director & Case Manager
Retired Army Colonel, Registered Nurse, Doctor of Nursing Science 

Christine Rem is the founder of the Capital District Women Veterans, Inc. With an extensive background in nursing, and as a 30-year Army veteran, Chris is uniquely qualified to lead the organization with the initiation of the supportive housing program at Christopher House. 

Education: SUNY–BS Nursing; MS Nursing Administration. Russell Sage College–Doctor of Nursing Science Education & Leadership

Military: Retired Army Colonel–Active & Reserve Duty– US Army Nurse Corps

Experience: 30 years of military service including Reserve and six years of Active duty which included: two tours assigned to the 67th CSH (Combat Support Hospital) at the Würzburg MEDDAC (Medical and Dental Facility) Germany;  a tour assigned as the Clinical Officer in Charge of the U.S. Army Reserve Trauma Training Program at Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, NY;  a year assigned to Operation Iraqi Freedom attached to Civil Affairs Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (EPRT) in Ramadi, Iraq; and two tours as the nursing service senior officer with a Soldier Readiness Program (SRP) at Camp Robinson, N. Little Rock, Arkansas.

Civilian experience includes hospital positions as nurse manager and operations manager, NYS Dept. of Health public health preparedness representative and Russell Sage College Clinical Adjunct Instructor at Albany Stratton VA Medical Center.

Distinguished Award: The Bronze Star Medal, awarded to LTC Christine T. Rem, US Army Multi-National Corps–Iraq. For exceptional meritorious service during Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 1, 2007, to March 31, 2008.

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TREASURER- Executive Board Member
​Jane Kodela Cordts
​Jane Cordts has a 40 year professional career in banking and financial services, holding various senior management positions with several banking organizations. Ms Cordts retired from the former First Niagara Bank as Senior Vice President and Senior Director of Government Banking and Finance. In her non-profit work, most notably Ms Cordts was one of the original founders and Directors of the Business Network of Emergency Resources Inc, a non-profit corporation serving the northeast and mid-atlantic states, where she serves as Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. She supports numerous local charitable and non-profit organizations.

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Dianne K. Baldwin RN, BS, MSN, COL(R) 
​Col Baldwin has 30 years combined Active and Reserve Duty. Col Baldwin joined the Army through the Army Student Nurse Corps Program in 1970. Her Active Duty includes assignments at Fort Dix and 5th General Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany. Col Baldwin’s final Reserve assignment was as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel at a major Reserve Command. Col Baldwin held various civilian positions including Nurse Educator, Director of Nursing Services and Consultant Nurse for the NYSDOH Long Term Care Program as a Certified Federal Long Term Care Surveyor. Col Baldwin Lives in Rotterdam.

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ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR
​Joshua D. Bills AD
Joshua is the proud Gold Star stepson of Major Christopher Rem. He has an Associate Degree in Accounting from Hudson Valley Community College. Joshua manages the  administrative needs of the CDWV program and provides general organizational support as needed, including project-focused work. He was instrumental in managing the property that became Christopher House for a number of years. Joshua lives and works in Ballston Spa.

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