The Central New York Community Foundation has hired Deraretu Abubeker as Scholarships & Student Success Manager and Leila Moghadasi as Communications Associate.
Abubeker is passionate about helping the community where she grew up and is eager to continue supporting students through their post-secondary planning journeys. In her role, Abubeker provides information and support to students, families, community partners and schools while helping to manage our various scholarships. Before joining the Community Foundation, she served as a program manager and tutor counselor, guiding young people through career exploration, college applications and entrepreneurial development.
Moghadasi is a recent graduate of Syracuse University, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in writing, rhetoric and composition. In her role, Moghadasi provides communications support to attract and deepen relationships with nonprofit organizations, scholarship seekers and civic leaders. Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Moghadasi worked at the Moroccan Institute of Policy Analysis in Rabat, Morocco. She is deeply committed to amplifying the voices of community members across Central New York.
The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity that turns community dollars into community change. Established in 1927, it receives contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to address the region’s greatest needs. The foundation has invested nearly $300 million in community projects that benefit Central New York. It also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives that foster a thriving and equitable region and address the most critical issues of our time.
