Pictured above: Our staff gathered in front of the scenic overlook at Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango. Not pictured: Nikki Poles.


PRESIDENT & CEO

Melanie Littlejohn, MBA

NIKKI POLES
Executive Assistant

COMMUNICATIONS

KATRINA M. CROCKER
Vice President of Communications

JULIET R. MALOFF
Director of Communications

Leila R. Moghadasi
Communications Associate
(THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2025)

Cory Schad
Digital Communications Officer

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

FRANK M. RIDZI, PHD
Vice President of Community Investment

DARRELL D. BUCKINGHAM
Senior Program Officer

COLBY CYRUS, CAPM
Senior Program Manager

ELISIA GONZALEZ
Grants Manager

DANIELLE M. JOHNSON
Senior Director of Grants & Programs

Kanischa Miller
Program Associate
(THROUGH JUNE 11, 2025)

QIANA WILLIAMS
Senior Program Officer

DEVELOPMENT

THOMAS M. GRIFFITH, AEP®, CAP®, CHFC®
Vice President of Development

ELIZABETH GAGNÉ
Philanthropic Services Officer

TORI HART
Philanthropic Services Officer

JAN L. LANE, CAP®
Senior Philanthropic Advisor

MONICA M. MERANTE, CAP®
Senior Director of Philanthropic Services

PRAGYA S. MURPHY, CAP®, MBA
Director of Development & Impact Investment

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

KIMBERLY P. SADOWSKI, CPA
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

GERIANNE P. CORRADINO, SHRM-CP
Human Resources & Operations Officer

SARAH EDLUND
Office Manager

DANA C. FIEL
Finance Manager

JENNY E. GREEN
Director of Information Systems & Strategy

Liz HARTMAN, CPA
Senior Director of Finance

DAVONA LAWRENCE
Finance Associate

DANA E. LYONS-CANTY
Special Projects Officer

YEISHA NÚÑEZ-DENSON
Accountant

SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT SUCCESS

AHMEED H. TURNER
Vice President of Scholarships & Student Success; Executive Director of Say Yes Syracuse

Deraretu Abubeker
Scholarships & Student Success Manager

News & Stories

Publications March 26, 2026

Nicholas & Agnes Renzi

Over five decades, Nicholas and Agnes Renzi quietly invested in the Cortland community they called ...

Publications March 26, 2026

Teresa Motz | Legacy Gift Continues Mission of Hope and Healing

Throughout her life, Teresa Motz brought people together with creativity, compassion and an unwavering belief ...

hand holding growing money
Publications March 23, 2026

New York State Estate Tax Cliff & The Santa Clause

New York’s estate tax “cliff” creates a narrow but critical planning window: In 2026, estates ...

Aerial image of Syracuse, NY neighborhood
News Releases March 18, 2026

Community Foundation Invests $1 Million in Housing Central New York Fund

A $1 million investment into the Housing Central New York Fund will help strengthen healthy, ...

News Releases March 12, 2026

Central New York Community Foundation Welcomes Three New Hires

The Central New York Community Foundation has hired Rebecca Balara as Communications Manager, Izzy Foss ...

News Releases February 27, 2026

Cayuga Fund now Accepting Grant Applications for 2026

The Cayuga Community Fund is now accepting grant applications for 2026 from tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations, ...

Blogs February 24, 2026

Creating Space for Caregivers to Rest, Recharge, and Connect

Hear from Jennifer Kirchoff, caregiver and community member, as she shares how the David’s Refuge ...

Blogs February 24, 2026

What We Are Up To | CNYCF Staff Updates

Our staff takes pride in not just serving our community, but actively shaping its future. ...

News Releases February 24, 2026

Bequest Will Support Trauma Recovery and Hope in Cayuga County

$1.8 Million bequest from Teresa Motz establishes Hope and Healing Through Empowering Support Fund in ...

Publications March 26, 2026

Nicholas & Agnes Renzi

Over five decades, Nicholas and Agnes Renzi quietly invested in the Cortland community they called ...

Publications March 26, 2026

Teresa Motz | Legacy Gift Continues Mission of Hope and Healing

Throughout her life, Teresa Motz brought people together with creativity, compassion and an unwavering belief ...

hand holding growing money
Publications March 23, 2026

New York State Estate Tax Cliff & The Santa Clause

New York’s estate tax “cliff” creates a narrow but critical planning window: In 2026, estates ...

Aerial image of Syracuse, NY neighborhood
News Releases March 18, 2026

Community Foundation Invests $1 Million in Housing Central New York Fund

A $1 million investment into the Housing Central New York Fund will help strengthen healthy, ...

News Releases March 12, 2026

Central New York Community Foundation Welcomes Three New Hires

The Central New York Community Foundation has hired Rebecca Balara as Communications Manager, Izzy Foss ...

News Releases February 27, 2026

Cayuga Fund now Accepting Grant Applications for 2026

The Cayuga Community Fund is now accepting grant applications for 2026 from tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations, ...

Blogs February 24, 2026

Creating Space for Caregivers to Rest, Recharge, and Connect

Hear from Jennifer Kirchoff, caregiver and community member, as she shares how the David’s Refuge ...

Blogs February 24, 2026

What We Are Up To | CNYCF Staff Updates

Our staff takes pride in not just serving our community, but actively shaping its future. ...

News Releases February 24, 2026

Bequest Will Support Trauma Recovery and Hope in Cayuga County

$1.8 Million bequest from Teresa Motz establishes Hope and Healing Through Empowering Support Fund in ...

View More