Published Janaury, 2025
This year, The Gifford Foundation welcomes two new board members. Get to know Mariella Canady-Towns and Lenora Joyner-Hayes.
Mariella Canady-Towns is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Coach at
Platinum Reine Solutions. She is an executive leader with over 20 years of experience in marketing, philanthropy, and organizational development. Mariella channels her expertise into empowering organizations and individuals through leadership development, strategic planning, and innovative solutions. Her roles have included Chief Philanthropy Officer at the YMCA and senior leadership positions in marketing and operations. Mariella mentors youth, leaders, and entrepreneurs and has substantial experience with board governance training and community advocacy.
Lenora Joyner-Hayes is an Accounting Specialist at Upstate Department of Medicine. She has 20 years of financial experience ranging from payroll management, grant billing, financial reporting, and cash management. Her greatest passions are strengthening, encouraging, inspiring, and impacting marriages, families, youth, and community. She is dedicated to making her community a better and safer place for children by helping them reach their potential and see beyond their environment.
2026 Board Development Workshop
Creating more inclusive and engaged boards takes intentional and consistent effort. To help guide these efforts, The Gifford Foundation is partnering with The Central New York Community Foundation to offer a free workshop that will provide a roadmap for success and...
Meet Your Match – October 2026
Meet Your Match: Board Recruitment NightTuesday, October 20, 20265:30 - 7:30pmRosamond Gifford ZooJoin The Gifford Foundation, Focus Greater Syracuse, and Leadership Greater Syracuse for our next Board Recruitment Night. Meet Your Match provides an opportunity for...
Power Program Progress
Published Jannuary, 2026 Grassroots organizations are often born from one bold individual’s passion to address a community need, but transforming that passion into a sustainable, credible nonprofit requires strong governance, clear systems, and intentional planning....
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