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.

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 Administrator
Email Donna or call 585.341.4364 with questions about Community Foundation events.
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 Associate
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.
Maya Crane
Program Officer, Equity
Email Maya or call 585.341.4368 with questions about grant opportunities in education, race and ethnicity, and poverty.
Annette Jiménez Gleason
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 with general questions about the competitive grantmaking process or to be connected to a topic expert on staff.

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 your quarterly fund statement.
Christopher L. Frontale, CPA
Senior Finance Manager
Email Christopher or call 585.341.4356 with questions about investments.
Jeffrey Hand
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
Financial Services and HR Associate
Email Teresa or call 585.341.4340 with questions about accounts payable.
Ronisha Williams
Office and Building Assistant
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.
Nikia Andrews
Philanthropic Planning Administrator
Email Nikia or call 585.341.4389 with questions about our events for professional advisors.
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 Administrator
Email Kayleigh or call 585.341.4331 with questions about our Community Sponsors annual campaign, making a grant from your Charitable Checking AccountSM, 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.
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.

Executive Assistant to the President & CEO

See the job description for this full-time position.

Regional Philanthropic Advisor

Applications for this full-time position are due Friday, November 19. See the full job description.

Rochester Area Community Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse workforce.