Board of Directors
and Staff
The Board of Directors is the New Canaan Community Foundation's governing body. Members of the NCCF Board of Directors are responsible (collectively and individually) for the overall management of the Foundation: determining policy, assuming fiduciary responsibility, making grants, raising funds, establishing goals, ensuring quality staff performance and enhancing and strengthening the Foundation's presence in the community. As such, the Board bears ultimate responsibility for the legal, financial, administrative, grantmaking, community service and fundraising activities of the Foundation. All Board activities are guided by the NCCF mission.
The Board is made up of members from the New Canaan community. Board members are selected based on their volunteer commitment and demonstrated experience in the field of community service and in nonprofit organizations in our community. All Board members serve as full voting members. Members are identified by the Board and announced at the Foundation's Annual Meeting in January. The term of service is two 3 year-terms.
NCCF Board of Directors and Staff Background Information
To read about current Board or Staff, please click on the name to the right. Information about Advisory Board Members is not available at this time.
Cindy Charas
President
Ms. Charas has lived in New Canaan for the past 15 years. She served as President of the Newcomer’s Club of New Canaan and currently serves on the board of the League of Women Voter’s and is an active member of the National Charity League, Canaan Parish and the Service League of Boy’s (SLOB’s). She is past President of the Fairfield/Westchester County Alumni Association of the University of Virginia. She has also served on the board of the Outback Teen Center and the Middle School Youth Committee at the Congregational Church where she has also taught Sunday school for several years. Ms. Charas and her husband Ethan have two children, both whom attend New Canaan Public Schools. Before living in New Canaan, Ms. Charas worked in the Reagan administration as a Congressional Liaison Assistant for the Secretary of Commerce after graduating from the University of Virginia. After leaving DC she worked for PaineWebber in New York City and Alex. Brown and Sons in Greenwich.
Dave Hunt
VP Distributions
Dave Hunt has lived in our town since 1976. Now retired, Dave spent thirty-six years working as an actuary for Hewitt Associates, a management consulting firm. Having a BA in Math from the University of Iowa, he is a past Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He is also currently a volunteer driver for the American Red Cross.
Dave and his wife Sara, unquestionably skilled in southern cooking, raised their two children, both now married, in the elementary and secondary New Canaan school system. Daughter Mary Beirne (Rewcastle) lives in Darien with her husband, David, and the couple’s granddaughter, Sara, while their son, Lee, and daughter-in law, Amanda, live in New York City. Dave says he likes to travel, play bridge, enjoys photography and admits to being a big sports fan, especially football.
Dave joins NCCF from the Board of the former United Way of New Canaan, where he was a past Chairman. Asked why he chose to give his time to the United Way, Dave said, “I believed in its fund distribution system as being a very effective way for us to donate money to organizations in our broader community. I also believed the local impact we had as an organizer, catalyst, etc. was very valuable to New Canaan and the surrounding area.” Dave brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the NCCF Board.
Ann Lobdell
VP Development
Ms. Lobdell has lived in New Canaan for 12 years and has been an active volunteer in many philanthropic organizations. In 2003, she established the New Canaan Women’s Platform Tennis League that has attracted 180 members. She was instrumental in working with the Town of New Canaan as part of a ‘public-private partnership’ to acquire new platform tennis courts and the renovation of Waveny Lodge for the enjoyment of our entire community. Ms. Lobdell served as chair of the Waveny Lodge Renovation Fund from 2004-2008 which raised $520,000 with contributions from over 500 individuals, families, community groups and business. The Waveny Lodge renovation effort became the first recipient of NCCF’s ‘Spirit of New Canaan Fund. Ms. Lobdell and her husband, Spike, have a second home in Stonington, CT. She served on the Stonington Village Improvement Association as co-chair of the Beach & Parks Committee from 2003-2006, overseeing the fundraising and renovation of the borough beach. Ms. Lobdell was co-chair of the Stonington Historical Society Gala in 2004/2005 which is the largest event of its kind in the area providing support for the preservation of the community’s rich history. Ms. Lobdell and her husband have been married 25 years and have two children.
Richard Townsend
Treasurer
Mr. Townsend and his wife Catherine have lived in New Canaan from 1986 to 1989 and from 1992 to today. They have three daughters. Mr. Townsend graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and has as MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California Berkeley and holds an MBA from Stanford University. Mr. Townsend’s career began at Ford Motor Company where he was a plant engineer in a transmission plat. We went on to work for General Electric as a mechanical design engineer in the Nuclear Energy Division where he primarily worked on Safety System Design and Licensing for new and operating boiling water commercial nuclear power plants. From 1979-1996 Mr. Townsend worked for IBM in the finance function in many different capacities. Key jobs held were Controller of Europe, Mideast and Africa as well as Corporate Assistant Controller responsible for financial planning for the corporation. From 1996 to 1998 he served as Corporate Controller for ITT Industries. Mr. Townsend served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Loral Space and Communications from 1998-2007. Mr. Townsend is actively involved with local and national charitable interests including the United Methodist Church of New Canaan, the Appalachian Service Project, Habitat for Humanity, Girl Scouts, the Exchange Club of New Canaan and the Powerhouse Players of New Canaan.
David Rucci
Secretary
Mr. Rucci has lived in New Canaan since Kindergarten and his father is from New Canaan. He and his wife Barbara have three children. Mr. Rucci is a partner at the law firm of Rucci Burnham in New Canaan, specializing in land use, real estate, commercial transactions, business transactions and not for profit representation. Mr. Rucci has an undergraduate degree in history and philosophy from Ohio Wesleyan University and a Law degree from Quinnipiac College School of Law. Prior to law school Mr. Rucci worked as a Diver in Newport, Rhode Island and then an associate at Daymon Associates a private label food supplier. He is a member of both the New Canaan Bar Association and the Rotary Club of New Canaan where he served as fundraising Chairman, Allocations Board, Secretary and now currently the President through July 2009. In addition, he has served on the Lakeview Cemetery Association for the past six years. He also served on the Getabout Board for 3 years and is currently on the board of the United Way of New Canaan.
Susan Boston
Ms. Boston was raised in New Canaan. She and her husband, Loren have four children who are either currently enrolled in the New Canaan schools or have graduated from the school system. She is currently a Board member for the New Canaan ABC (A Better Chance) program and the New Canaan Food Pantry. Since 1999, Ms. Boston has been actively involved in the Girl Scouts of America as a Service Unit Manager and Troop leader for two different troops. Girls Scouts of America have given her numerous awards, including Outstanding Leader, Youth Community Service Award, Outstanding Volunteer and the Council Award. Working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, she has coordinated the annual program of replacing the flags and wreaths on the 800 graves of veterans in New Canaan for the past three years. She has been actively involved as a volunteer in the school system, in the National Charity League, New Canaan Soccer Association, Newcomers Club and Young Women’s League.
After graduating from Bucknell University, Ms. Boston was a Mortgage Bond Trader, Municipal bond trader and Interest rate Swaps Trader with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith.
Diane Hanauer
Diane Hanauer has been an active volunteer in the New Canaan community for many years after having a distinguished professional career in finance and marketing. From 1989 to 2003, she was Vice President of International Private Banking Marketing at Chase/JP Morgan. Diane came to that position after working as a Vice President at American Express from 1981-1986. She was trained at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, earning an MBA in Finance and Marketing, in 1987 after receiving a BS in Economics from Boston College in 1981.
Having lived in New Canaan since 1996, Diane is a board member of New Canaan Cares and a past board member of ABC House of New Canaan and the Young Women’s League. She is also a member of the St. Andrews Society and has been an active volunteer and fund raiser in the West School PTC.
Diane has four children: Kate, 26 years old, a student in the Boston University MA program in occupational therapy; Keith, 23, graduating from the University of Virginia; Paige, 11, a student at St. Lukes School and Grant, 8, at West School. In her spare time, Diane enjoys skiing, golf, tennis and needlepoint.
Diane comes to the NCCF from teh Board of teh former United Way of New Canaan. When asked why she chose to volunteer for the United Way, she said, “I liked the holistic approach to giving money, and what I call, the mutual fund manager approach – I loved the due diligence process we went through”. NCCF is thrilled to have Diane joining the Board and bringing this great enthusiasm.
Lindsey Heron
A native of California, Ms. Heron moved with her family to New Canaan in 2006. She quickly became involved in several organizations, including holding Board positions with Magical Music for Life Foundation and the South School PTC. Ms. Heron is also involved in the Young Women’s League, Stepping Stones Museum for Children and the Congregational Church. In 2008 and 2009, she was a committee member for NCCF’s Philanthropy Luncheon held in November.
Having worked for both Gap Inc. and Macy’s, Ms. Heron has over 14 years of experience in retail merchandising and financial planning. She graduated from the University of California, Davis with a degree in History and Political Science. Her family includes her husband John and two young boys Peter and Fletcher.
Mary Anne Hersam
Mary Anne Hersam joins the NCCF Board from the Board of the former United Way of New Canaan. She is a fifth generation New Canaanite and is an owner and Assistant Advertising Director for Hersam Acorn Newspapers. Her Great Grandfather founded the New Canaan Advertiser in 1908. The Hersam family, along with their partner, the Nash family, continues to own and operate the newspaper, along with nineteen other newspapers in Connecticut and publications in New York, Massachusetts and Vermont.
Mary Anne is married to Richard Vasko and has a daughter, Mary Kate Junget and a stepson, Steven. The couple has two grandchildren, Hannah and Zizi, from Steven and his wife Jackie. Mary Anne served on the New Canaan Village Association Board and currently serves on Board of the New Canaan Kiwanis Club and is a member of PEO. Her special interests include working in community theatre make-up/technology for Theatre Genesius, as well as, for Troupers Light Opera. She also enjoys golfing and, naturally, has a passion for New Canaan history.
When asked why she chose to volunteer for the former United Way of New Canaan, she said, “because of the overall support to the agencies that serve New Canaan and surrounding communities”. We welcome mary Anne to experience the same level of community support at NCCF.
Kathy Riordan
Kathleen Olvany-Riordan former Vice President at Kraft Foods, Inc. is President and Founder of The Olvany Group LLC an independent marketing consultancy based in New Canaan CT. Kathy’s professional career spans over 30 years experience in Media and Digital Marketing including leadership roles at Kraft Foods Inc. Tarrytown NY.
Prior to founding The Olvany Group Kathy was Vice President of Global Consumer Relationship and Digital Marketing at Kraft Foods. In this role she was responsible for strategic leadership and management for Kraft North America’s direct to consumer marketing programs and over sight of Digital Marketing and Consumer Relationship and Database Marketing (CRM) globally.
Kraft’s Digital Marketing and CRM programs were the first of their kind among consumer packaged goods companies. Ms. Riordan and her team leveraged the power of over 70 world class brands to deliver unique marketing programs that built consumer relationships and brand loyalty among Kraft’s most valued consumers. She led the launch of kraftoods.com which became the number one consumer website among all food manufacturers; she launched Kraft’s email marketing and online advertising programs and she led cutom publishing of “food & family” and “what’s cooking” magazines. Kraft’s website, email marketing, online advertising and custom publishing have all been cited as examples of best in class marketing and won numerous industry and company awards. Their database was one of the largest and most robust in CPG.
Kathy held various other marketing services positions during her career at Kraft including Director of Media Planning. And, prior to joining Kraft Kathy worked in advertising including roles at Quaker Oats, Chicago IL and advertising agencies and TV stations in Boston, MA.
Ms. Riordan was recognized for significant long term contributions to innovation and growth several times during her tenure at Kraft. She is the recipient of a President’s award and two Chairman’s award. She was cited within the marketing and advertising industries several times including recognition from Ad Week and Brand Week magazines, The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF).
Kathy also served on several marketing association and community service boards and was an active leader in fund raising for St. Luke’s School in New Canaan. Her board positions include 2 years with the Direct Marketing Association, 8 years with the Association of National Advertisers and 4 years on the board of INROADS whose mission is to develop and place talented minority youth in business to prepare them for corporate and community leadership.
Kathy retired in June ‘08 after 24 years at Kraft. She currently works with clients on marketing and business strategy, talent development, product development and new business. Her clients include Katalyst Media, Hollywood CA; Kellogg University School of Management, Northwestern Il; Cha Cha Search, Carmel IN; [x+1], Norwalk CT and NY, NY and Catapult Marketing, Westport, CT.
She graduated with honors from Boston College with a degree in Art History and Communications in 1977.
Tom Stadler
Mr. Stadler and his wife Jan have lived in New Canaan for 18 years. They were both born and raised in Cincinnati. They have two children Mr. Stadler is a retired partner from Deloitte LLP where he worked for 40 years. He has his CPA in Connecticut and Ohio. Mr. Stadler has held several positions on the board of New Canaan Baseball/Softball, Inc. including treasurer and President. He has also served in the board of New Canaan Family Fourth and has been a Commission Member of New Canaan Parks and Recreation since 2005. He was elected Chairman of the Commission in 2007 and was recently appointed commissioner and town administrator.
Amy Wilkinson
Amy Wilkinson grew up in New Britain, CT and Mystic, CT. She is the youngest of four children and her dad worked for the Stanley Works for his entire career. She attended Phillips Academy, in Andover, Mass. in the first class of girls admitted to Andover. After Andover she attended Smith College where she majored in Economics and minored in Art History. She spent a semester abroad studying at the London School of Economics. She met her future husband as a Freshman at Smith, while he was a senior at Williams.
Following graduation from Smith, Amy joined the Bank of New York’s credit training program. She worked at BNY for four years and then went to work at Citibank in their middle market lending group in Manhattan. Her husband Bruce was transferred to London, and Amy couldn’t wait to go back to London. Their two children were born there. Bruce’s job at Sony ended in the successful culmination of the purchase of CBS Records, which meant a return to the States. In 1992 Amy returned to the Bank of New York, working as Assistant Division Head for the Credit Risk Review Division. In 1998 she transferred to Greenwich where she helped establish Private Banking in Connecticut after the Bank of New York purchased the Putnam Trust Company. Expansion into New Canaan allowed Amy to become involved in the New Canaan community through her Bank work and volunteer work.
Amy sees volunteering as a way to give back. She served as Treasurer of the Rowayton Civic Association for four years and as Treasurer of the Greens Farms Academy Parents Association. She joined Rotary in 1999 and served as their President in the 2007-08 year. She served for three years on the United Way Board of Directors. She has been on the Advisory Board of the New Canaan Darien Magazine since its inception. She has been an Alumni Admissions Representative for Andover interviewing kids who want to go to Andover but can’t get there for an in-person interview. She was recently elected to the Andover Alumni Council.
In 2008, Amy began planning her transition from banking into the nonprofit world. She realized that no amount of volunteering could satisfy her desire to help those less fortunate who need another voice advocating on their behalf. She had an opportunity to join AmeriCares Development office where she worked for a short time before AmeriCares began a series of major workforce reductions due to the slowing economy. She joined Domus last summer as their grant writer and has had a chance to write grants for all of Domus’ programs, to foundations, corporations, and the state and federal governments.
Amy’s son David graduated from Andover and then Wesleyan, with a double major in Math and Economics. He is currently living in Boston working at a privately held company researching institutional investors for hedge funds and private equity companies. Her daughter Ariana attended Andover and just graduated from Elon University with a major in Biology, and minors in Chemistry and Religion. She serves as an EMT in the New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a volunteer triage nurse at the AmeriCares Free Clinic in Bridgeport. She will begin a Masters in Arts in the Medical Sciences at Boston University in late August. Amy’s husband Bruce works in Wilton, as a Vice President responsible for strategy, marketing, and partnerships for the Media and Communications group within Nielsen’s Claritas product family.
When Amy isn’t working, enjoying her volunteer work or spending time with her family and dog, she spends her time working out, playing tennis or paddle tennis, gardening, reading, or needlepointing.
Cynthia Gorey
Executive Director
Cynthia Gorey has been the Executive Director of the New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) since 2002, and has years of experience in both not-for-profit and for-profit management. She received an undergraduate degree from Brown University in Human Biology and a graduate degree from the Harvard School of Public Health, in Health Policy and Management. Ms. Gorey worked as the Manager of Grants and Research at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, the nation’s largest home health agency. She submitted grant proposals for health and social service programs to public and private funding sources, and was successful in obtaining significant resources to support the agency’s efforts. Ms. Gorey also worked at the New York Hospital in New York and for its affiliated organizations, doing program development and planning, including seeking grants and other financial support for new program initiatives.
Ms. Gorey also worked in the health insurance field at Oxford Health Plans and IntelliClaim. At Oxford, she was responsible for management of a program that measured and rewarded quality physician performance, and oversaw data management activities. She worked in product and business development at IntelliClaim, a company that provides automated analysis of medical claims for insurers, to avoid overpayment, fraud, and claims errors.
Mrs. Gorey and her husband Steven have three children, ages 8, 11 and 13, and have lived in the area for 15 years. She is an active volunteer in her children’s schools, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and her family’s church, as well as in local community organizations.
