Staff

Peter A. Dunn
Peter welcomes all questions you may have regarding the Community Foundation and its services.
Communications

Katrina M. Crocker
Katrina develops and leads the implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy that builds and sustains awareness of the Community Foundation’s philanthropic voice in Central New York. She is happy to respond to media inquiries and answer your questions regarding overall communications.

Dara M. Harper
Dara plans and executes Community Foundation events and provides general communications support. She is happy to answer your questions regarding events, advertising and sponsorships, and affiliate fund communications.

Juliet R. Maloff
Juliet champions and guides the Community Foundation’s brand management to internal and external audiences by overseeing and producing media relations and print, digital and social media communications. She is happy to respond to media inquiries and answer your questions regarding any of our externally facing digital or print content.
Community Investment

Dashiell M. Elliott
Dashiell oversees the Black Equity and Excellence Fund and assists with the implementation and management of the Community Foundation’s community grant, community engagement, and nonprofit development programs. Dashiell is happy to answer your questions regarding the Black Equity and Excellence Fund, Community Grantmaking, Grassroots Grantmaking/The Leadership Classroom (TLC), grant reporting and NEWS.

Danielle Johnson
Danielle oversees the Community Grantmaking program, special initiatives and nonprofit development programs. She is happy to answer your questions regarding Community Grantmaking, NEWS, Marsellus Executive Development, LeadUp CNY, DoVES, the Speiser Fund, and Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders.

Sean Reed, Jr.
Sean assists with the implementation of the strategic initiative and affiliate fund programs. He is happy to answer your questions related to the Community Foundation’s strategic initiatives; including Black Equity and Excellence, scholarships and affiliate fund grantmaking.

Frank M. Ridzi, PhD
Frank oversees and monitors the grantmaking process, conducts research on issues or concerns of importance to the Community Foundation, shares expertise with donors and manages special projects and strategic initiatives. He is happy to answer your questions related to building, sustaining and sharing community knowledge and measuring impact through such initiatives as CNY Vitals, the Community Data Group, The Human Services Leadership Council, and Work Train.

Robyn L. Smith
Robyn oversees and implements the Community Foundation’s strategic initiatives that support and enhance the quality of life in neighborhoods and communities in the Central New York region. She is happy to answer your questions regarding CNYCF’s literacy, early childhood, community engagement, LeadSafeCNY, and Madison County Rural Poverty initiatives.
Development

Jenny E. Green
Jenny provides support to donors, fund advisors and staff related to the organization’s data management system. She also manages the Community Foundation’s gift acceptance and acknowledgment process. Jenny is happy to help with updating contact info.

Thomas M. Griffith, AEP®, CAP®, ChFC®
Tom creates and implements custom charitable giving plans for individuals, families and companies in coordination with their professional advisors. He also helps local nonprofits create and build endowments. Tom is happy to answer questions about your charitable planning.

Jan L. Lane
Jan supports charitable planning for individuals, families and companies and facilitates the Foundation’s legacy planning program. She is happy to answer your questions regarding lifetime and legacy giving options, multi-generational engagement, fund succession planning and legacy preservation.

Monica M. Merante, CAP®
Monica serves as the primary contact for donors, connecting them with the many resources available through the Community Foundation. She is happy to answer questions about your fund, help you identify areas of charitable interest, and research organizations and causes that you would like to support.

Pragya S. Murphy, MBA
Pragya supports charitable planning for individuals, families and companies and provides outreach to the local professional advisor community and nonprofit organizations. She is happy to answer your questions regarding the financial advisor program, nonprofit agency funds, affiliate fund development, lifetime giving and legacy giving.
Finance & Administration

Kymberle Benderski
Assists with the day-to-day accounting activities and scholarships of the Community Foundation. Kymberle is happy to answer your questions about the Community Foundation’s accounting policies and procedures.

Darrell Buckingham
Darrell is responsible for all technology and administrative functions of the CNY Philanthropy Center. He is happy to answer your questions regarding the CNY Philanthropy Center.

Gerianne P. Corradino
Geri is responsible for managing the grants and accounts payable processes and providing affiliate fund and board support. She is happy to answer your questions about accounts payable and board meetings.

Terri M. Evans
Terri provides administrative support to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Community Foundation. She is the first person to welcome constituents, visitors and staff when they arrive at the Philanthropy Center.

Dana Fiel
Dana is responsible for the grant distribution and accounts payable processes. She is happy to answer your questions about accounts payable.

Elizabeth T. Hartman, CPA
Liz manages the day-to-day accounting activities of the Community Foundation adhering to accounting principles, policies and procedures. She is happy to answer your questions about the audited financial statements or the 990.

Kimberly P. Sadowski, CPA
Kim oversees finance, accounting, investments, information technology, human resources and operations. She is happy to answer your questions regarding investments, foundation operations and talent recruitment.
Say Yes Syracuse

Dana E. Lyons-Canty
Dana is happy to answer your questions about Say Yes Syracuse scholarships.

Ahmeed Turner
Ahmeed is happy to answer your questions about Say Yes Syracuse.