What We Are Up To | CNYCF Staff Updates

Read on to learn about the expertise amongst our team members as they drive change and inspire others in our community.

Juliet Maloff, senior communications officer, spoke on a panel for incoming freshmen of the Communications and Rhetorical Studies program at Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Qiana Williams, program officer, was a guest on the ARISE Pathways to Inclusion Podcast, where she discussed trust-based philanthropy and community engagement as it relates to a participatory grantmaking program that co-designs projects with community members to address their specific needs. Qiana will also be honored with an award this October by the Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance at their Annual Food Justice Gathering

Melanie Littlejohn, president & CEO, presented the findings of the Community Engagement Committee’s extensive public engagement process on a panel hosted by FOCUS Greater Syracuse. The resulting priorities will help ensure that the opportunities presented by Micron’s investment in our region benefits all. She also spoke to members of the You Can’t Fail program about their aspiring leadership. In addition, Melanie spoke to LISC New York, the largest CDFI in the state, about philanthropy’s role in the economic revitalization of a region.

In late October, Frank Ridzi, vice president of community investment, will join other philanthropic leaders as a guest panelist for FOCUS Greater Syracuse to provide valuable insights into the organizations’ priorities and processes. Frank also served as a special advisor for the Executive Leadership Institute of CF Leads in Chicago.

Colby Cyrus, senior program manager, will be partnering with Frank Ridzi this month to present, Data in Action: How Funders Can use Data to Drive Impact at the New York Funders Conference in Buffalo.

Later this month, Tom Griffith, vice president of development, will be presenting alongside a local estate planning attorney about the ethics of gift planning to the Association of Fundraising Professionals of CNY.

Jan Lane, senior philanthropic advisor, published an article in a number of local publications entitled, The Power of Endowment: Investing in Good. For Good.

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