Gino DeMaio, Chief Executive Officer

Gino DeMaio has been the Chief Executive Officer at Sound Community Services since 2015.

He has always had a true passion for grassroots development and implementing change based on his vision and bring clarity through action. His leadership style is about creating a shared vision and influencing those around him. Besides his influential leadership style, Gino also provides leadership coaching, education, and training to his team so they can be ready for the future, when opportunity presents itself.

Gino has been instrumental in creating a change at Sound Community Services by implementing a new vision, mission, and core values that are the staple of the culture that is now Sound Community. Under Gino’s leadership, the agency’s shifting culture has resulted in being voted a top workplace in Connecticut three years in a row.

Before accepting the position of Chief Executive Officer, Gino embarked on a 20-year distinguished leadership career with the State of Connecticut, working with Commissioners from DMHAS, DDS & DCF where he was instrumental in creating and implementing a forensic services division that permanently changed the way agencies work in collaboration to influence change. More notably, this division changed how individuals with Developmental Disabilities were handled when they encountered the Judicial, Probate and Mental Health Systems by changing standards and influencing outcomes around Competency to Stand Trial for these individuals.

These legal and clinical efforts reduced the recidivism rate and influenced and forever changed the lives of individuals with Developmental Disabilities who encountered the Judicial, Probate and Mental Health Systems. This development also led to the allocation of millions of dollars per year to divert individuals who would have otherwise been institutionalized or incarcerated without its development.

Over the past few years, Gino has received numerous awards relating to his leadership, including the Executive Director of The Year, the Distinguished Community Service Award, the collaboration of the year award, and the prestigious Employer Patriot Award from the Department of Defense.

Gino holds master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology and Human Services Administration. Additionally, Gino holds three Executive Leadership certifications from Harvard Business School and a specialization certification from Harvard in Executive Leadership. Gino is also a Certificated Executive Coach from the Center for Executive Coaching and is a member of the International Coaching Federation.

A lifelong learner, Gino also holds certifications in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Emotional Intelligence EQ-i2.0, Disc Personality Assessments for Leaders, and the Leadership Challenge, 5 Principles of Exemplary Leadership.

A servant leader through and through, Gino believes that we are put here on this earth to serve others because life is no longer meaningless when serving.