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

Topics August 12, 2026

WCNY Training Program Helps 40 People Start New Careers

A $490,000 impact investment helped WCNY train 40 people for new careers in television and ...

News Releases July 30, 2026

Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $165,000 in Grants

The Cayuga Community Fund has announced its 2026 grant recipients.

News Releases July 30, 2026

Pulaski Fund Distributes $41,220 in Grants

Over $40,000 in grants will assist nonprofits serving the Village of Pulaski and the Town ...

Blogs July 29, 2026

Writing Our Next Chapter: The Central New York Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Alliance's Capacity-Building Journey

Hear from Melissa Carr Rowe, executive director of the Central New York Lyme & Tick-Borne ...

News Releases July 16, 2026

Say Yes Syracuse 2024-2025 Report Card Released

See how the Say Yes Syracuse program is doing!

Blogs July 7, 2026

Finding Identity Through Music at Camp GraceNote

A music program in Central New York is helping young people build confidence, connection and ...

Blogs July 7, 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 July 7, 2026

Four Local Organizations Graduate from Leadership Training Program

Leaders from four local grassroots organizations completed The Leadership Classroom (TLC), a monthly training series ...

News Releases July 6, 2026

CNYCF Launching Participatory Budgeting in Cortland County for Centennial Celebration

Community members invited to help decide how $75,000 will be invested locally

Topics August 12, 2026

WCNY Training Program Helps 40 People Start New Careers

A $490,000 impact investment helped WCNY train 40 people for new careers in television and ...

News Releases July 30, 2026

Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $165,000 in Grants

The Cayuga Community Fund has announced its 2026 grant recipients.

News Releases July 30, 2026

Pulaski Fund Distributes $41,220 in Grants

Over $40,000 in grants will assist nonprofits serving the Village of Pulaski and the Town ...

Blogs July 29, 2026

Writing Our Next Chapter: The Central New York Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Alliance's Capacity-Building Journey

Hear from Melissa Carr Rowe, executive director of the Central New York Lyme & Tick-Borne ...

News Releases July 16, 2026

Say Yes Syracuse 2024-2025 Report Card Released

See how the Say Yes Syracuse program is doing!

Blogs July 7, 2026

Finding Identity Through Music at Camp GraceNote

A music program in Central New York is helping young people build confidence, connection and ...

Blogs July 7, 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 July 7, 2026

Four Local Organizations Graduate from Leadership Training Program

Leaders from four local grassroots organizations completed The Leadership Classroom (TLC), a monthly training series ...

News Releases July 6, 2026

CNYCF Launching Participatory Budgeting in Cortland County for Centennial Celebration

Community members invited to help decide how $75,000 will be invested locally

View More