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CBS is proud to announce that Day Habilitation Manager of the Westchester Without Walls program, Frank DiMaggio, has been named a 2026 Forty Under 40 Mover and Shaker honoree. The award, organized by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, recognizes rising leaders under the age of 40 who are making a significant impact in their professions and communities. They will be honored during a ceremony on April 30 at Living Water Theater in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Since joining CBS five years ago, DiMaggio has distinguished himself as a visionary leader with an unwavering belief in human potential. In his current role, he oversees a group day habilitation program serving ten men with autism and other developmental disabilities, integrating them into the community through volunteerism, internships, and recreational activities. Under his leadership, program participants are not only seen as valued community members—they are celebrated as creators, contributors, and neighbors.
“The men love and look up to Frank. This isn’t surprising as Frank shows them daily that they are valued and are an important part of the wider community.”
From Idea to Comic Book: A Vision Brought to Life
Among DiMaggio’s most celebrated accomplishments is the creation of an original comic book series, which launched its first issue in late 2025. The project began with a simple but powerful question: what if everyone had the chance to design their own superhero? DiMaggio enlisted a longtime friend who is a concept artist in the gaming world, and facilitated a series of workshops where participants explored their interests, strengths, and imaginations—developing characters that reflect their unique perspectives. Those ideas grew into a full-fledged published comic book.
The comic book’s debut was celebrated at a Comic-Con style “Meet the Creators” event, where participants signed copies for fans, were applauded by their families, and raised over $1,900 through sales and donations. The event sparked an outpouring of emotion from families and staff alike.
“It was terrific to see all the talented young men celebrated… thank you for providing this proud moment for families.”
Building Community Connections That Matter
DiMaggio’s impact extends well beyond creative programming. He has forged meaningful volunteer partnerships with Stonewall Stables, a therapeutic riding organization, and the Southeast Museum in Brewster. At Stonewall Stables, program participants take on substantive roles caring for horses, and maintaining barns while at the Southeast Museum they assist with developing historical photographs and organizing artifacts. These are not token positions—they are genuine opportunities designed to build the soft and hard skills necessary for future paid employment.
His vision for the program also includes an innovative curriculum at the agency’s new Impact Center for Learning, where participants develop workplace soft skills that they then apply at job sites DiMaggio secures throughout the community. This integrated approach—combining classroom learning with real-world application—represents a forward-thinking model for disability services that goes far beyond traditional care.
“Frank doesn’t just serve people with unique abilities—he empowers them to reshape how society sees their abilities and contributions.”
A Leader Recognized at Every Level
DiMaggio joined CBS in 2020 and quickly rose through the ranks—from Residential Program Assistant to HR Recruitment and Retention Specialist—before stepping into the Day Habilitation Manager role in April 2024. In that capacity, he directly supervises fifteen staff members, sits on the agency’s Incident Review and Human Rights Committees, and serves as a liaison for families, care managers, and support teams across neighboring Hudson Valley counties.
“Frank is a dedicated and hardworking member of our team who truly deserves recognition for his efforts.”
Described by colleagues as visionary, innovative, compassionate, calm, and action-oriented, DiMaggio is already working to expand his impact further. What’s next? His dream is to establish a publishing company that will amplify the creative voices of people of all abilities for broader audiences. His work is a testament to what becomes possible when one person refuses to accept the limits others set for a community.
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