On June 16, 2021, the Central New York Community Foundation board of directors elected three new members and appointed two new officers.
The following new members were appointed to serve their first three-year term:
Catherine Bertini, Board Chair, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN); Professor Emeritus, Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Catherine is the board chair of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and professor emeritus at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She previously served as executive director of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and as the UN under-secretary general. A resident of Homer, NY, Catherine was named the 2003 World Food Prize Laureate for both her transformational leadership at the WFP and the positive impact she had on the lives of women. She served as a senior fellow at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, on the jury for the Hilton Foundation Humanitarian Prize and as a Rockefeller Foundation fellow. Catherine is a fellow in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Public Administration, and the International Union of Food Science and Technology, as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Joseph Lazzaro, CFP, CLU, Certified Financial Planner and Partner, CenterBridge Planning Group
Joe is a certified financial planner and partner with CenterBridge Planning Group, LLC. Along with his financial planning and investment profession, Joe is the treasurer and a board member of The Red House Theater, former president and board member of the Financial Planning Association of CNY, former endowment chair & board member at Interfaith Works and a volunteer at the Samaritan Center and the Syracuse City School District Mentoring Program. Joe attended the University of Rochester where he earned his Bachelor of Science, focused on economics and finance.
Caeresa Richardson, PMP, Owner, Gypsy Freedom Fashion Boutique
Caeresa is the owner of Gypsy Freedom, Central New York’s first sustainable fashion boutique. After spending many years as a corporate engineer, she created Gypsy Freedom to unite style and awareness, making them accessible for the everyday woman. Originally from Buffalo, she is very active in the local community. Most notably, she is a business consultant at the WISE Women’s Business Center, a board member of The Gifford Foundation and a member of The Women’s Fund of Central New York Leadership Council at the Community Foundation. Caeresa is a graduate of Syracuse University, from where she earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, and an avid reader and traveler who currently resides in Liverpool, NY with her husband, David, and daughter, Sharon Rose.
The Community Foundation also announced its slate of officers for the upcoming year:
Daniel J. Fisher, Former Executive Vice President, Welch Allyn, will serve as Chair.
Bea González, Retired Vice President for Community Engagement and Special Assistant to the Chancellor, Syracuse University, will serve as Vice Chair.
Caragh D. Fahy, CFP®, President and Owner, Madison Financial Planning Group, serves as Treasurer.
Karin Sloan DeLaney, Esq., Principal, Sloan DeLaney P.C., serves as Compliance Officer.
