Our Staff

Our staff’s local experience and expertise are matched by professional excellence, commitment to donor engagement, and—above all—dedication to making the community a better place for everyone.

Alicia Fernandez Dicks
Alicia Fernandez Dicks
President/CEO

Collaborates with staff, trustees, and partners to create opportunity and innovative solutions to community challenges.

Elyssa Arnone-Earl
Elyssa Arnone-Earl
Development & Fundholder Engagement Strategist

Administers Community Foundation’s comprehensive donor relations, stewardship, and fund development strategies that advance relationships with new and existing donors, fundholders, and nonprofit agency partners.

Rebecca Calidonna
Rebecca Calidonna
Financial Controller

Provides comprehensive finance and administrative support.

Allison Campbell
Allison Campbell
Fund Administration Coordinator

Supports the cultivation and expansion of the Community Foundation’s portfolio of philanthropic partners.

Erika Eastman
Erika Eastman
Chief Financial Officer

Manages the organization’s financial and investment strategies and operations.

Kayla Ellis
Kayla Ellis
Business Communications Manager

Guides the Community Foundation’s efforts to build public engagement.

Nick Grimmer
Nick Grimmer
Director of Giving Strategies

Guides the cultivation and expansion of the Community Foundation’s portfolio of philanthropic partners.

Jessica Amber Hernandez
Jessica Amber Hernandez
Community Project Strategist

Directs the development, coordination and implementation of the Cornhill Revitalization Project.

Bailey Hryb
Bailey Hryb
Development & Communications Coordinator

Provides comprehensive support for the development and communications departments. 

Teresa Hudson
Teresa Hudson
Finance & Accounting Coordinator

Provides comprehensive finance and accounting support.

John Husnay
John Husnay
Director of Business Operations

Manages the operational strategies and needs of the organization, including human resources and facilities management.

Jacquie Klotzbach
Jacquie Klotzbach
Director of Business Systems & Strategy

Manages the administrative strategies and needs of the organization, including public relations and process improvement.

Olivia Paul
Olivia Paul
Director of Community Engagement

Advances and incorporates our equity commitment in collaborating with staff and nonprofit partners.

Kristen Smith
Kristen Smith
Fund & Systems Strategist

Facilitates the integration of data and tasks between systems and departments to ensure proper administration of Community Foundation funds.

Tiffany Thomason
Tiffany Thomason
Public Relations Coordinator

Supports the Community Foundation’s efforts to build public engagement.

De'Quan Watson
De'Quan Watson
Community Project Strategist

Directs the development, coordination and implementation of the Cornhill Revitalization Project.

Shannon Wheelock
Shannon Wheelock
Financial Systems Strategist

Responsible for management, development, implementation, integration, and administration of the financial and accounting systems.

Joseph Wicks
Joseph Wicks
Community Investment Strategic Manager

Coordinates community investment initiatives and engagement with community partners.

Jennifer Woodman
Jennifer Woodman
Executive Administrative Coordinator

Assists with the coordination of finance, business systems, and operations support functions while collaborating as a member of interdepartmental teams.

Our Trustees

Our trustees are well-respected leaders and community residents. Their dedication, passion, and commitment are critical to the Community Foundation’s mission and to realizing its vision, “a vibrant region with opportunity for all.”

Rev. Joseph A. Salerno
Rev. Joseph A. Salerno
Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of the Rosary (retired)
Chair - Elected 2019
Robert Bojanek
Robert Bojanek
Co-founder at ShoreGroup Inc. and Optanix Inc.
Trustee - Elected 2020
Timothy Daly
Timothy Daly
AVP Branch Manager at Berkshire Bank
Treasurer - Elected 2017
RoAnn Destito
RoAnn Destito
Commissioner of New York State’s Office of General Services (retired)
Trustee - Elected 2023
James A. Engler, Jr.
James A. Engler, Jr.
President at Engler Electric
Trustee - Elected 2017
Mike Hayduk
Mike Hayduk
Deputy Director, Information Directorate at Rome’s Air Force Research Laboratory
Trustee - Elected 2022
Kirk Hinman
Kirk Hinman
Community Member
Trustee - Elected 2018
Harrison J. Hummel IV
Harrison J. Hummel IV
Chief Operating Officer at Hummel’s Office Plus
Trustee - Elected 2019
Dave Manzelmann
Dave Manzelmann
Market President at M&T Bank
Trustee - Elected 2015
Gregory B. McLean
Gregory B. McLean
President and Founding Partner at Caruso McLean & Co., Inc.
Trustee - Elected 2015
Cheryl Minor
Cheryl Minor
Principal at Watson Williams Elementary School
Chair-elect - Elected 2015
Jawwaad Rasheed
Jawwaad Rasheed
Oneida County Family Court Support Magistrate (retired)
Immediate Past Chair - Elected 2016
Mark Warfel
Mark Warfel
Chief Experience Officer at Mohawk Valley Health System
Trustee - Elected 2021
Bradley Waters
Bradley Waters
President/Publisher at Sentinel Media Company
Trustee - Elected 2019
Kathryn Zongrone
Kathryn Zongrone
Founder and Principal Consultant at Kas by Kas Consulting LLC
Secretary - Elected 2021
Email Call
Community Foundation
2608 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13502

Hours

Mon
8 AM - 5PM
Tue
8 AM - 5PM
Wed
8 AM - 5PM
Thu
8 AM - 5PM
Fri
8 AM - 5PM
Sat
8 AM - 5PM
Sun
8 AM - 5PM