On the Ground, In the Community

October 6, 2025

You’ll find our staff alongside partners, volunteers, and neighbors — at work in our community. Here are a few recent bright spots and celebratory moments from the team.

A woman in a black shirt onstage in front of a podium and a maroon velvet curtain.

Dr. Tyana Velazquez-Smith, director of early childhood, was named a Zaentz Community Fellow by Stanford Center on Early Childhood earlier this year. This summer, she was the keynote speaker at the 2025 Rochester City School District Teacher Summit, attended by more than 200 educators.

A collage of photos of people building beds, a woman in a red shirt that says Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Staff made 22 beds for children in need during a day of service with volunteer-run nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Event Marketing Officer Donna Ritchie (top left) is the local chapter’s president.

A person in a pink shirt holds a microphone at a panel.

Director of Legacy Giving Kayleigh Rae Stampfler (left) moderated a panel of local trust & estate experts for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Genesee Valley Chapter. They explored the evolving role of estate planning in supporting donor intent, professional ethics, and nonprofit fundraising.

A woman in a purple and green dress stands next to others - including the mayor - around a FAFSA poster.

Scholarship Program Officer Sarah Johnston spoke about college access to kick off FAFSA Fest. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps students and families access financial aid so everyone has the tools to consider college.

A man in a gray suit holds giant scissors in a line of people cutting a yellow ribbon,

President & CEO Simeon Banister attended the ribbon cutting for Iris Banister School 33, renamed in honor of his late mother. Iris Banister was an educator in the Rochester City School District for more than 30 years. Growing up, Simeon had a front-row seat to her advocacy for education.

5 women and a child in front of a Women of Excellence banner

Director of Community Programs Berta Rivera (second from right) was recognized as a 2025 Rochester Business Journal Women of Excellence Honoree.

A woman in a green dress reads a speech in front of a Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity table

Director of Rural Community Impact Sara Bukowiec (right) spoke in Palmyra, NY, where a $50,000 grant from the Bullis Fund at the Community Foundation helped build two Habitat for Humanity homes to support affordable rural housing in Wayne County.

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