Sharing & Collecting Knowledge to Build Better Communities
We are delighted to announce that four members of the Community Foundation team have been invited to share their expertise with organizations beyond the borders of Lancaster County, and bring back new ideas and practices to our own community.
Sam Bressi, President & CEO Council on Foundations
Sam has accepted an invitation to join the Board of Directors for the Council on Foundations, a nonprofit association that guides more than 900 philanthropic organizations throughout the United States as they advance the greater good.
“The opportunity for Lancaster County Community Foundation’s CEO to serve on the Board of Directors for Council on Foundations will give our community a front row seat to the most innovative and effective practices in philanthropy across the nation. Serving in this capacity will not only enable us to influence philanthropic practices across the nation, but what we learn will help us better shape our strategic approach in Lancaster County,” said Bressi.
Marie Cleaves-Rothacker, Donor Services Officer Leader for the Bridging Differences Cohort
Marie will serve the Council on Foundations as a Peer Learning Circle Discussion Leader for the Bridging Differences Cohort. This learning circle is a group of alumni of the national Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort (four members of Community Foundation staff participated in 2023), designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of collaborating across differences.
“I’m excited to connect with others committed to bridge building work and to learn from the group. My hope is to find some concrete ways to offer bridge building practices to the Lancaster County community,” said Cleaves.
Tracy Cutler, Executive Vice President Pennsylvania Association of Community Foundations
Tracy will join the Board of Directors for PACFA, a state-wide association focused on strengthening local philanthropy and leveraging opportunities for collective impact supporting communities across Pennsylvania.
“Being connected to other philanthropic experts throughout the Commonwealth gives us unique access to inspiration and lessons from both rural and urban communities. I’m looking forward to learning from others and sharing insights from our own Lancaster County community,” said Cutler.
Dave Koser, Director of Programs Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations
Dave will join the Board of Directors for PANO, a statewide organization supporting the thousands of nonprofits that serve millions of people in the Commonwealth through training, best practices, consultation, research, public policy initiatives, and advocacy.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the knowledge I have gained over the past 17 years working in philanthropy to benefit the nonprofit sector as a whole. It’s my hope that I can help the sector become stronger and more self-sustaining, as it is being asked to do so much for our most vulnerable friends and neighbors in the county, our state, and the country,” said Koser.
