Foundation Staff and Board in Motion
Announcing a few exciting updates to staff and board member roles in 2024!
Scranton Area Community Foundation Board of Governors Updates
Patti Thomas is joining the Scranton Area Community Foundation Board of Governors for her first term.
Patti is an optical industry consultant with Opti-Port, a national eyecare alliance based in St. Louis, MO., and was the former Director of Retail Operations at Northeastern Eye Institute in Scranton. She was the national spokesperson and educator for the Vision Council of America. She holds an A.A.S. Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing from Erie College, Buffalo, NY.
In addition to serving as past President of the Board of Trustees for the Waverly Community House, Thomas has served on the board of the Junior League of Scranton, the Better Vision Institute Advisory Council, and the Opticians Associations of Pennsylvania. Her volunteer activities have included Boys and Girls Club of NEPA, St. Francis Kitchen, Cinderella’s Closet, Voluntary Action Center, and Friends of the Poor. She resides in Clarks Summit with her husband.
Welcome, Patti, to the Board of Governors!
Maryla Scranton is also joining the Board of Governors, but is not new to the Foundation. Maryla formerly served three terms as a board governor, and we are very happy to welcome her back!
A graduate of Penn State University, Maryla has had a long and successful career as a fundraising executive and consultant for nonprofit entities.
Maryla served as Director of Development for the University of Scranton and Campaign Director for their first national campaign. She was the Advancement Director for Allied Services, Lackawanna College, Marywood University and The Langley School, McLean, Va.
Maryla also served as Vice President of Community Relations and Development for the Mercy Health System of Northeastern PA, a division of Catholic Health Care Partners, Cincinnati Ohio. In addition to her administrative duties, she established the Mercy Foundation and the Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Institute for Community Health Initiatives.
As an entrepreneur, she established MPS Consulting with offices in Scranton and Philadelphia, PA. She and a resolute resource team provided a multitude of consulting services to nonprofit organizations concentrating in Education, Healthcare and Human Services.
All the while, Maryla has been an avid volunteer and has served on an extensive number of nonprofit boards. Maryla is married to the former Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, William W. Scranton, III and is a proud mother of her daughter Brook and son in-law Greg Rosetti and grandmother of their two sons.
Welcome back, Maryla, to the Board of Governors!
Other changes include the slate of Board officers. The Foundation is deeply grateful for the leadership of Barbara O’Hara, Esq. Barbara completed her two years of service as Board Chair at the end of 2023, having expertly led the organization through a significant time of growth and impact.
Additional changes to the slate of Board officers include:
Ellen Burkey, previous Vice Chair, now serves as Board Chair for the Scranton Area Foundation Board of Governors.
Ellen is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Clarks Summit. An avid volunteer, she teaches financial confidence classes through the Women in Philanthropy initiative at the Scranton Area Community Foundation in conjunction with the SBDC at the University of Scranton. She resides in Dalton with her husband and three children.
Thank you, Ellen, for your continued work & dedication on the Board of Governors!
Dave Price, previous Board Treasurer, now serves as Vice Chair for the Scranton Area Foundation Board of Governors.
Dave is the former president/CEO and current owner and consultant of PDQ Print Center in Taylor. Dave has served on many nonprofit boards, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of NEPA Foundation, Northeastern PA Council Boy Scouts of America, Trinity Congregational Church, and Geisinger Marworth.
He has facilitated several funds at the Scranton Area Community Foundation, including Matthew’s Hope 4 Miracles and the Matt McGloin Fund. He and his wife reside in Clarks Summit.
Thank you, Dave, for your continued work & dedication on the Board of Governors!
Katie Gilmartin, former Secretary of the Board of Governors, now serves as Board Treasurer.
Katie Gilmartin is a Sustaining Member and Past President of the Junior League of Scranton and an Impact Member of Women in Philanthropy. Katie is currently serving her second term on the Scranton School Board, and served as Scranton School Board President for two years.
Katie has served on many nonprofit boards, including the Scranton Shakespeare Festival, the Society for the Preservation of the Tripp Family Homestead and on the Advisory Council for Ballet Theatre of Scranton. Katie is a partner at Nada & Co. and resides in Scranton.
Thank you, Katie, for your continued work & dedication on the Board of Governors!
Dr. Thomas Minora, a member of the Board of Governors, is stepping up as an officer to serve as Board Secretary.
Dr. Thomas Minora is an internist who has been practicing medicine in Scranton for over 39 years. He is board certified in internal medicine and geriatrics and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He is one of the original founders of the Scranton Half Marathon. Dr. Minora resides in Clarks Summit with his wife.
Thank you, Dr. Minora, for your continued work & dedication on the Board of Governors!
Scranton Area Community Foundation Staff Updates
Rebecca Farrell, who recently completed an internship at the Scranton Area Community Foundation has accepted the role of Community Impact Coordinator.
In this position, Rebecca will play a vital role in supporting the Community Initiatives Department.
Her responsibilities will include aiding in the development, management, and execution of strategies and programs for community impact. She will also be maintaining relationships with partners, organizing project-related activities, preparing funding applications, and evaluating the effectiveness of community impact initiatives.
Rebecca can be reached at Rebecca@safdn.org.
Congratulations, Rebecca, on your new role!
Bella Ceccoli, former Administrative Coordinator, is assuming the role of Executive Assistant to the President & CEO.
Bella will serve as the point person for the President & CEO, providing executive support and serving as the main point of contact on all items relating to the President & CEO.
Bella can be reached at Bella@safdn.org.
Congratulations, Bella, on your new role!
Nora Kern, former Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, will now serve as Advancement Manager.
Nora will advance the message of the Foundation by providing content for digital media, press releases, e-blasts, reports and other forms of communication.
She will also contribute to developing the organization through grant writing and donor relations.
Nora can be reached at Nora@safdn.org.
Congratulations, Nora, on your new role!
Our team at Scranton Area Community Foundation is composed of dedicated professionals who are devoted to helping our generous donors connect to the causes that they care about most.
Our Board of Governors and staff works to make our region a better place to live and we are proud of the commitment our team has to learning and serving in the community.
You can learn more about our Foundation leadership here.