Community Foundation Announces Promotion and New Hire

Announcing the promotion of Darrell Buckingham and our new hire, Elisia Gonzalez.

The Central New York Community Foundation has promoted Darrell Buckingham to the position of Program Officer and hired Elisia Gonzalez as Program Associate.

Darrell Buckingham joined the Community Foundation in 2019 as Foundation and Facility Operations Manager. He has been promoted to Program Officer, working with the Community Investment team. His role is designed to assist in managing and implementing the Community Foundation’s strategic initiatives and grantmaking that advance racial, social and economic equity. Before joining the Community Foundation, Darrell served as personnel officer for Onondaga County Public Libraries and is the former chapter president for CNY/Mohawk Valley International Association of Workforce Professionals. Darrell earned his Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in business management from Cazenovia College. Buckingham graduated from the Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders program and the Focus Greater Syracuse Citizens Academy. He serves as Board Trustee & Co-chair of the Equity & Engagement Committee for the Everson Museum. Darrell also serves as secretary on the Vera House Board of Directors and is also a Board Trustee.

Elisia Gonzalez was hired as Program Associate. Her role is to provide support that guides the grant distribution process and execution of initiatives. She was born and raised in Syracuse and graduated from Corcoran High School. Gonzalez also attended Syracuse University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in geography. Before starting at the Community Foundation, Elisia worked at the Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union and Home HeadQuarters.

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