NewTrustees2025 for Website 1
The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties recently announced two new Board of Trustee members and its new officers.
New members include:
Lydia Berez
Berez is a Senior Vice President at Utica National Insurance Group where she serves as General Counsel and Compliance Officer. She holds a Political Science degree from Hartwick College and earned her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. After beginning her legal career in Boston, Lydia returned to Utica in 2003 and has since been with Utica National, where she will celebrate 22 years of service in September 2025. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Lydia has been an active community leader. She has served on the Holland Patent Central School District Board of Education for a decade, including two years as president, and recently concluded her long-standing board role with Hope House. She currently chairs the Screening Committee for the Utica National Foundation and serves on the board of GreenUtica.
 
Ryan Miller
Miller is the Director of Mohawk Valley Community College’s thINCubator, a dynamic co-working and business incubator space in Utica dedicated to cultivating a strong culture of entrepreneurship. A graduate of Ithaca College with a degree in Business Administration, Ryan has worked with more than 300 entrepreneurs, students, creatives, and business owners to help build ventures, solve problems, and create opportunities across the region. In addition to his role at thINCubator, Ryan is the founder of Rust Belt Startup, where he develops websites, produces multimedia content, and crafts marketing strategies for small businesses and mission-driven organizations. Ryan is also a co-founder of several local initiatives including TEDxUtica, The Utica Firefly Storytelling Series, and Detour Utica—projects that reflect his passion for innovation, storytelling, and community building.
 
In addition to the two new members, the organization’s Board of Trustees also approved new officers. Cheryl Minor will assume the role of board chair, RoAnn Destito is the chair-elect, Harrison J. Hummel IV is now the treasurer, and Kathryn Zongrone will serve as secretary.
Timothy Daly, AVP branch manager at Berkshire Bank and past treasurer of the Community Foundation Board of Trustees, has concluded his board service after eight years.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have board members who truly share our commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant region,” said Alicia Dicks, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. “Their support and active engagement in our mission make a real difference. Our board consistently brings forward-thinking ideas and a deep desire to see our community thrive. While we’ll greatly miss Tim, we’re thrilled to welcome Lydia and Ryan during such a transformative time in our organization’s journey.”
Other members of the board are:
  • Robert Bojanek
  • James A. Engler, Jr.
  • Coleen Gaetano
  • Stephen Gorczynski
  • Michael Hayduk
  • Kirk Hinman
  • Jawwaad Rasheed
  • Rev. Joseph A. Salerno
  • Kay Sinclair
  • Wole Soboyejo
  • Stephen Surace
  • Mark Warfel
  • Bradley Waters
  • Elias Zeina