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.
Emma McDonough
Program Administrator
Email Emma or call 585.341.4374
with questions about your grant application or our grantmaking process.
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.
Christopher L. Frontale, CPA, CFE
Senior Finance Manager
Email Christopher or call 585.341.4356
with questions about investments.
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.
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.
ACT Rochester
Ann Johnson
Executive Director
Email Ann or call 585.341.4361
with questions about data compiled by ACT Rochester on key indicators of our region’s well-being.
Rochester’s Child
Nancy Kaplan
Coordinator
Email Nancy or call nkaplan@racf.org
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, ACT Rochester (Part-Time)

ACT Rochester is a Community Foundation initiative that provides credible, independent, and timely data to support community problem-solving. See the job description for this administrative position.

Vice President, Community Programs

We are looking for the right person to lead a talented team focused on high-impact grantmaking and community partnerships. Please see the job description and apply for the position (or refer candidates) directly at EDI Executive Search.

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.