Intro Image - Staff

Staff

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

  • Photo of Simeon Banister

    Simeon Banister
    President & CEO

    Email Simeon or call 585.271.4277 to initiate contact with the Community Foundation.

    Read more about Simeon

  • Photo of Iris Bieri

    Iris Bieri
    Chief of Staff

    Email Iris or call 585.341.4375 to schedule an appointment with Simeon Banister or for information about the Foundation.

  • Photo of Teresa Stewart

    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.


    Communications

  • Photo of Mary Holleran

    Mary Holleran
    Senior Vice President, Communications

    Email Mary or call 585.341.4351 for media inquiries or questions about any of our reports or publications.

  • Photo of Julie Johnson

    Julie Johnson
    Senior Communications Officer

    Email Julie or call 585.341.4353 for any questions or suggestions regarding our publications.

  • Photo of Donna Ritchie

    Donna Ritchie
    Event Associate

    Email Donna or call 585.341.4364 with questions about Community Foundation events.

  • Photo of Sarah Viggiani

    Sarah Viggiani
    Communications Officer, Digital Content

    Email Sarah or call 585.341.4334 for questions or suggestions about our website and social media channels.

  • Photo of Rachel Rochelle Wyche

    Rachel Rochelle Wyche
    Communications Administrator and Graphic Designer

    Email Rachel or call 585.341.4346 to request a logo or with questions about our invitations or sponsorship ads.


    Community Programs

  • Photo of Erin Budd Barry

    Erin Budd Barry
    Vice President, Community Programs

    Email Erin or call 585.341.4390 with questions about the Foundation’s community leadership activities and grant opportunities.

  • Photo of Morgan  Bajish

    Morgan Bajish
    Program Administrator

    Email Morgan or call 585.341.4374 with questions about your grant application or our grantmaking process.

  • Photo of Lori Banning

    Lori Banning
    Scholarship and Grants Associate

    Email Lori or call 585.341.4357 with questions about scholarships.

  • Photo of Sara Bukowiec

    Sara Bukowiec
    Program Officer

    Email Sara or call 585.341.4371 with questions related to grant opportunities through giving circles, geographic affiliates, and advisory committees.

  • Photo of Annette Jiménez Gleason

    Annette Jiménez Gleason
    Senior Program Officer, Vitality

    Email Annette or call 585.341.4372 with questions about grant opportunities in arts and culture, environmental justice and sustainability, historical preservation, and successful aging.

  • Photo of Virgil Parker

    Virgil Parker
    Program Officer, Equity

    Email Virgil or call 585.341.4368 with questions about grant opportunities in education, race and ethnicity, and poverty.

  • Photo of Berta  Rivera

    Berta Rivera
    Director of Community Programs

    Email Berta or call 585.341.4365 with questions about competitive grantmaking for community impact.


    Finance, HR and Administration

  • Photo of Amy Vars

    Amy Vars
    Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Email Amy or call 585.341.4380 with questions regarding fund balances or investments.

  • Photo of Susan Clements

    Susan Clements
    Finance Manager

    Email Susan or call 585.341.4354 with audit confirmation requests.

  • Photo of Marlene Cole

    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.

  • Photo of Kelly Fose

    Kelly Fose
    Senior Finance Manager

    Email Kelly or call 585.341.4391 with questions about accounting.

  • Photo of Jeffrey Hand

    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.

  • Photo of Karen Koons

    Karen Koons
    Senior Director, Finance

    Email Karen or call 585.341.4342 with questions about the audited financial statements or 990s.

  • Photo of Patricia Peters

    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.

  • Photo of Nicole  Scarborough

    Nicole Scarborough
    Senior Finance Manager

    Email Nicole or call 585.341.4374 with questions about investments.

  • Photo of Ronisha Williams

    Ronisha Williams
    Office and Building Administrator

    Email Ronisha or call 585.341.4347 with questions about our property at 500 East Avenue.



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

We seek a detail-oriented team player for this critical support roll. Read the full job description.


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.