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

News Releases May 13, 2026

2026 Partner in Philanthropy Award Recipient

Karin Sloan DeLaney, ESQ. Member, Bousquet Holstein PLLC, was the 2026 recipient of our Partner ...

News Releases May 13, 2026

Cortland County Nonprofits Invited to Prepare Ahead of First Community Grant Application Cycle

This marks the first opportunity for local organizations to access new funding made possible by ...

News Releases May 4, 2026

Community Foundation Announces Promotions

The Central New York Community Foundation has promoted four staff members.

News Releases May 4, 2026

CNYCF Launching Participatory Budgeting in Madison County for Centennial Celebration

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

Blogs May 1, 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 April 27, 2026

$3.2 Million Gift Helps First Marsellus M.A.D.E. Cohort Lean into Leadership and Communication Skills

A $3.2 million gift is helping strengthen nonprofit leadership across Central New York through the ...

Person Boxing
Blogs April 22, 2026

Building Strength, Inside and Out: OptionZero’s B-Squared Initiative

A new initiative at OptionZero is helping people build strength in more ways than one. ...

News Releases April 21, 2026

Coming Soon: Sincerely, CNY

A new podcast from the Central New York Community Foundation

Handshake
Publications April 16, 2026

Your Planned Giving Partner: Five Ways the Community Foundation Can Help

The community foundation is more than a grantmaker—it’s a strategic partner helping nonprofits strengthen planned ...

News Releases May 13, 2026

2026 Partner in Philanthropy Award Recipient

Karin Sloan DeLaney, ESQ. Member, Bousquet Holstein PLLC, was the 2026 recipient of our Partner ...

News Releases May 13, 2026

Cortland County Nonprofits Invited to Prepare Ahead of First Community Grant Application Cycle

This marks the first opportunity for local organizations to access new funding made possible by ...

News Releases May 4, 2026

Community Foundation Announces Promotions

The Central New York Community Foundation has promoted four staff members.

News Releases May 4, 2026

CNYCF Launching Participatory Budgeting in Madison County for Centennial Celebration

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

Blogs May 1, 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 April 27, 2026

$3.2 Million Gift Helps First Marsellus M.A.D.E. Cohort Lean into Leadership and Communication Skills

A $3.2 million gift is helping strengthen nonprofit leadership across Central New York through the ...

Person Boxing
Blogs April 22, 2026

Building Strength, Inside and Out: OptionZero’s B-Squared Initiative

A new initiative at OptionZero is helping people build strength in more ways than one. ...

News Releases April 21, 2026

Coming Soon: Sincerely, CNY

A new podcast from the Central New York Community Foundation

Handshake
Publications April 16, 2026

Your Planned Giving Partner: Five Ways the Community Foundation Can Help

The community foundation is more than a grantmaker—it’s a strategic partner helping nonprofits strengthen planned ...

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