Staff

Staff Directory
Employment

The Community Foundation staff is composed of individuals who combine professional expertise with a love of living and working in the Rochester area. Use the links just below to jump to a specific team section.

Office of the President
Communications
Community Programs
Finance, HR and Administration
Philanthropic Engagement
Community Foundation Initiatives

Office of the President

Jennifer Leonard
President & CEO
Email Jennifer or call 585.271.4277 to initiate contact with the Community Foundation.
Jennifer has led the Community Foundation since 1993; since then, the Foundation has grown more than seventeenfold. Before moving to Rochester, Jennifer served as a national writer and consultant in philanthropy and as vice president of the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles.
Read more about Jennifer
Simeon Banister
Executive Vice President
Email Simeon or call 585.341.4369 with questions about the Foundation’s community leadership activities and grant opportunities.
Dawn Perry
Executive Assistant to the President
Email Dawn or call 585.341.4330 to schedule an appointment with Jennifer Leonard or for information about the Foundation.

Communications

Mary Holleran
Senior Vice President, Communications
Email Mary or call 585.341.4351 for media inquiries or questions about any of our publications.
Julie Johnson
Senior Communications Officer
Email Julie or call 585.341.4353 for any questions or suggestions regarding our website.
Donna Ritchie
Event Associate
Email Donna or call 585.341.4364 with questions about Community Foundation events.
Sarah Viggiani
Communications Officer, Digital Content
Email Sarah or call 585.341.4334 for questions or suggestions about our social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube).
Rachel Rochelle Wyche
Communications Administrator and Graphic Designer
Email Rachel or call 585.341.4346 to request a logo.

Community Programs

Lori Banning
Scholarship and Grants Associate
Email Lori or call 585.341.4357 with questions about scholarships.
Sara Bukowiec
Program Officer
Email Sara or call 585.341.4371 with questions related to grant opportunities through giving circles, advisory committees, and supporting foundations.
Patricia Campbell
Senior Director, Community Programs
Email Patricia or call 585.341.4355 with questions about grant opportunities in the areas of successful aging, health, and basic needs.
Annette Jiménez Gleason
Senior Program Officer, Vitality
Email Annette or call 585.341.4372 with questions about grant opportunities in arts and culture, historical preservation, and successful aging.
Karen Schwartzman
Community Programs Operations Manager
Email Karen or call 585.341.4348 to be connected to a topic expert on staff for our grantmaking action areas.

Finance, HR and Administration

Amy Vars
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Email Amy or call 585.341.4380 with questions regarding fund balances or investments.
Susan Clements
Senior Accounting Associate
Email Susan or call 585.341.4354 with audit confirmation requests.
Marlene Cole
Receptionist and Senior Administrative Assistant
Email Marlene or call 585.341.4333 to put you in touch with the appropriate staff member who can best answer your questions and for general information about the Community Foundation.
Kelly Fose
Finance Manager
Email Kelly or call 585.341.4391 with questions about accounting.
Jeffrey Hand
Senior Systems Administration Officer
Email Jeffrey or call 585.341.4341 if you encounter problems with the Foundation’s email or phone system.
Karen Koons
Senior Director, Finance
Email Karen or call 585.341.4342 with questions about the audited financial statements or 990s.
Patricia Peters
Gift Associate
Email Patricia or call 585.341.4370 with questions about gifts to the Foundation or if you have a problem with an online donation.
Teresa Stewart
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Human Resources Associate
Email Teresa or call 585.341.4340 about the Community Foundation’s initiatives to attract, hire, and maintain a diverse workplace.
Ronisha Williams
Office and Building Administrator
Email Ronisha or call 585.341.4347 with questions about our property at 500 East Avenue.

Philanthropic Engagement

Andrew Muldoon
Vice President, Philanthropic Engagement
Email Andrew or call 585.341.4360 if you want to discuss your legacy or are interested in establishing a fund to meet your philanthropic goals.
Mary Hartstein
Senior Philanthropic Services Officer
Email Mary or call 585.341.4352 with questions about an existing Organization Endowment Fund or about establishing an Organization Endowment Fund.
Kate Kidera
Senior Philanthropic Services Officer
Email Kate or call 585.341.4337 to ask questions about an existing Donor-Advised Fund.
Kayleigh Meagher
Philanthropic Services Associate
Email Kayleigh or call 585.341.4331 with questions about our Community Sponsors annual campaign, making a grant from your Charitable Checking Account^SM, getting help with DonorCentral, or updating your contact information.
Maura Monley Baron
Senior Philanthropic Engagement Associate
Email Maura or call 585.341.4407 if you have a question about an established fund or creating a fund.
Jeff Polino
Regional Philanthropic Advisor
Email Jeff or call 585.341.4373 about donor engagement in the counties surrounding Monroe that include Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates.
Kayleigh Rae Stampfler
Senior Philanthropic Advisor
Email Kayleigh Rae or call 585.341.4409 to discuss a new gift or the various fund options available.
Zakiya Tripp
Philanthropic Planning Administrator
Email Zakiya or call 585.341.4363 with questions about our events and resources for professional advisors.
Lauri Van Hise
Senior Director, Endowment Initiative
Email Lauri or call 585.341.4408 with questions about how endowment best supports our community.

Community Foundation Initiatives

Greater Rochester After-School and Summer Alliance (GRASSA)
Christina Dandino
Director
Email Christina or call 585.739.9853 with questions about out-of-school-time programs in Monroe County.
Megan Norris
Executive Director
Email Megan or call 585.341.4361 with questions about data compiled on key indicators of our region’s well-being. You may also visit actrochester.org.
Rochester’s Child
Nancy Kaplan
Coordinator
Email Nancy or call 585.341.4411 with questions about grant opportunities in early childhood and education.
Rochester ENergy Efficiency and Weatherization (RENEW)
Elizabeth McDade
Program Director
Email Elizabeth or call 585.341.4362 with questions about opportunities to help income-eligible homeowners increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and eliminate safety hazards in their homes.
Greater Rochester After-School and Summer Alliance (GRASSA)
Carla Stough Huffman
Coordinator of Professional Development and OST Program Quality
Email Carla or call 585.747.8715 with questions about out-of-school-time programs in Monroe County.

At various times, Rochester Area Community Foundation offers career opportunities in the areas of administration, communications, fundraising, finance, grantmaking, and philanthropic engagement. The Community Foundation also is engaged in a variety of partnerships that occasionally create new positions.

Program Administrator

We are seeking someone to assist in department operations, provide general office management, and serve on the Community Foundation’s reception team. More info about the position here.

Program Officer, Equity

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the Community Foundation’s impact in racial equity through grantmaking and community partnerships. See the full job description here.

Rochester Area Community Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse workforce. In addition, we are proud to join the fair wage movement as a Level Up Champion.