Adirondack Foundation welcomes new staff
Thursday, April 26, 2018
LAKE PLACID — Adirondack Foundation announces the hiring of the following new staff members: Connie Prickett, Stanzi Bliss, and Janine Scherline.
Joining in April, these professionals bring varying skills and experiences to the foundation as the organization’s gifts, grants, and strategic programs grow in size and scope to advance its vision for strengthening community through philanthropy in the Adirondack region.
“Our work ranges from fostering strong, just, and inclusive communities to expanding opportunities for cultural enrichment to ensuring access to education and quality healthcare, and so much more,” said Cali Brooks, president and CEO. “Our highly skilled team members work closely with donors, nonprofit organizations, and the communities we serve. We’re so excited to welcome new professionals, and know we will all benefit from their deep connections to the Adirondack region.”
In the new role of Vice President of Communications and Strategic Initiatives is Connie Prickett, of Wilmington. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Education from Lesley College, a bachelor’s in sociology from Montclair State University, and has more than twenty years of experience working for nonprofits in the Adirondacks. Most recently, she worked for the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, where she held various roles since 1999, including fundraising, communications, marketing, and community engagement. Among her recent accomplishments are completing two videos highlighting the Conservancy’s work with transportation agencies to improve culverts in ways that benefit people, wildlife and fish in a climate changing world.
Prior to arriving at the foundation, Director of Donor Services/Communications Stanzi Bliss, of Lake Placid, spearheaded marketing initiatives as Digital Content Fellow at The Wild Center. Previously, she was Senior Digital Marketing Specialist at Adworkshop, where she led the agency’s social media strategy and execution and promoted Adirondack and New York State clients across industries including Travel and Tourism, Hospitality, Finance, Education, Nonprofit, and Health Care. She graduated from St. Lawrence University with a bachelor’s in Economics, Fine Arts, and African Studies and also served as a Community Economic Development Agent in Senegal West Africa for the United States Peace Corps.
Director of Donor Services/Development Janine Scherline, of Peru, brings fundraising experience from Mountain Lake PBS and SUNY Plattsburgh. The former Director of Development for Mountain Lake PBS, she oversaw Membership, Major and Planned Giving, and wrote and received many significant grants for the organization. Most recently, she was responsible for seeking support from private foundations on behalf of strategic initiatives as the Associate Director of Development at SUNY Plattsburgh. A trained and professional musician, Janine has been adjunct instructor of clarinet at SUNY Plattsburgh since Fall 2002. She holds a master’s in Clarinet performance from Ithaca College, as well as a bachelor’s in Music Industry from James Madison University.
The new staff members join Brooks, Chief Financial Officer Russ Cronin, Program Officer Andrea Grout, and Data Management Officer Martha Bullock.
Adirondack Foundation is the community foundation serving the Adirondack region. Learn how the foundation strengthens community through philanthropy here.