Inclusion Resources
A Community Builder for ALL people.
The Community Foundation is a community builder for ALL people and pledges to strengthen our WHOLE community through philanthropy. This includes advocating for, promoting, funding, and supporting equitable policies and practices that ensure justice, safety, and access to opportunities for everyone in our community.
This page contains information on our community initiatives focused on racial justice and equity and provides anti-racism resources.
In 2019, the Community Foundation launched a partnership with the Institute for Nonprofit Leadership and Community Development at the University at Albany to conduct an assessment of nonprofit board diversity and inclusion throughout the Greater Capital Region. The goal of the assessment was to understand current demographics, identify organizations with policies and procedures related to diversity, and evaluate attitudes around diversity. The report identified challenges nonprofits face when recruiting a diverse pool of candidates and recognized the obstacles community members of diverse communities encounter when serving on boards.
Findings from this report highlight three key recommendations:
Catalysts for Change Leadership Program: Nonprofit Board Diversity
The Capital Region IDEA Collaborative is excited to announce the launch of the Catalysts for Change Leadership Program: Nonprofit Board Diversity. Based on Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders of The Gifford Foundation, the Catalysts for Change Leadership Program is an 8-week board development series that will focus on increasing inclusiveness and diversity on nonprofit boards. The program is designed for 15 community members currently looking to join a local nonprofit board or new to serving on a board. After completing the program, participants will have the opportunity to connect with nonprofits and join a network of leaders looking to change the state of diversity on nonprofit boards.
More information and applications can be found on our program’s webpage.
Nonprofit Board Inclusion Training Series
Based on a recommendation from our report Nonprofit Board Diversity: A Snapshot of the Capital Region, the Community Foundation partnered with Angela Dixon, Senior Vice President/Chief Diversity Officer of Berkshire Bank to design and deliver a training series on ways to create a welcoming board culture inclusive of traditionally underrepresented communities.
The Community Foundation is pleased to share resources from the training sessions.
The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region is excited to release the Nonprofit Board Inclusion Series RoadMap, version 1.0. After the completion of the training series, the Steering Committee created this RoadMap to support nonprofit boards at any stage of the DEI journey. This document is intended to meet organizations where they are in their learning journey and will be updated as we grow together.
The Community Foundation encourages nonprofit leaders to download and review the RoadMap to see how it can support your work in building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organization.
Research shows that governance is enhanced, community connection and responsiveness increased, and the mission of the organization is strengthened when organizations invest in diversity, equity and inclusion.
We invite you to share your ideas and edits as we work together to build an equitable community.
Session Speakers, Moderators & Panelists
Kathleen McLean
MBA, CSW
About the Presenter:
Kathleen McLean, MBA, CSW is president and CEO of the McLean Group. Her 25 years of experience encompasses work in higher education, NYS government, non-profits, as well as public and private schools. The McLean Group’s strategic approach utilizes the 3E framework. Educate – using our resources customized for the organization. Explore – the Intercultural Effectiveness Scale that measures how comfortable individuals are around differences. Empower – your organization to use new tools to transform the culture and challenge the status quo. Kathleen has been an educator at the College of Saint Rose, Hudson Valley Community College, Schenectady County Community College, The Sage Colleges, and SUNY Empire State College as an online instructor for undergraduate and graduate programs.
Anniedi Essien
Chief Swagger Officer, Health Disruptor, Keynote Speaker
About the Presenter:
Anniedi Essien is a Chief Swagger Officer, Health Disruptor and Keynote Speaker dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals, organizations and communities. With twenty years of health industry experience, workforce well-being expertise and a people first mindset, Anniedi reimagines the future of health, creates inclusive spaces for holistic wellness, and advises senior leaders as a former corporate health executive. She has developed innovative corporate wellness solutions for the largest global brands, including Walmart. Her work on social determinants of health has been recognized by the American Association for World Health / World Health Organization. Anniedi is the CEO and Founder of Idem Spark, where she advises C-Suite executives, entrepreneurs and women in leadership on how to build the workforce of the future by fusing cutting edge well-being and leadership development strategies for success. Anniedi holds a BA in biomedical ethics from Brown University and an MBA in strategy from NYU Stern School of Business. She is a foodie, yoga lover and karaoke enthusiast.
Christina Farinacci-Roberts
Learning Architect, Diversity & Inclusion Strategist
About the Presenter:
Christina Farinacci-Roberts is a learning architect, diversity & inclusion strategist and 20 year veteran educator who is passionate about driving equity and excellence for all. As the founder and chief consultant of Head Heart Hands Consulting, she advises senior executive clients to create equitable systems and inclusive structures for diverse stakeholders to experience greater individual and organizational flourishing. Using her experience as a NYC high school principal, she creates interactive and immersive learning experiences that supports leaders to remove barriers and shape cultures that drive substantive change and fuel sustainable growth. Christina was recently selected as the Key Bank Boost & Build MWBE “Pitch Your Pivot” grand prize winner for her successful transition into the corporate DEI space. Christina is also the matriarch of a blended family who strives to model to her two children the unrelenting work ethic and audacious ambitions her Korean Tiger mom and Italian American veteran dad instilled. She maintains her sanity with yoga, CrossFit and frequent karaoke sessions.
About W.I.D.E. Dynamic Dialogues:
Facing a global pandemic, economic downturn, and ongoing social justice issues, organizations require more relevant solutions that create brave spaces and grow bold leaders. W.I.D.E. Dynamic Dialogues is a joint venture between Head Heart Hands Consulting LLC and Idem Spark, LLC with an innovative framework that is more responsive to the emerging needs of a diverse workforce. Our holistic and human-centered approach to leadership development, executive coaching, workshops and training offers a cutting edge solution for individual and organizational flourishing. We believe Equity can only be achieved when Diversity is present, Inclusion is prioritized, and Wellness is realized. To learn more, visit widedynamicdialogues.com.
Lyndon Cudlitz
Facilitator, Community Weaver, and LGBTQ+ Trainer/Consultant
About the Presenter:
Angela Dixon
Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer
About the Moderator:
Angela Dixon is the Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer at Berkshire Bank, leading its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy. With over 30 years of executive experience, she specializes in strategic planning, leadership development, and DEI.
In 2019, she founded Dixon Consulting II, LLC, helping organizations align DEI initiatives with business strategy. Previously, she held leadership roles at the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce and the New York State Comptroller’s Office.
Angela holds a BA in Political Science and an MBA from the University at Albany and is a Senior Certified HR Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Dorcey L. Applyrs
DrPH, MPH
About the Panelist:
The Hon. Dr. Dorcey Applyrs is Albany’s Chief City Auditor, appointed in 2020 and later elected in the historic 2020 election. Previously, she served on the Albany Common Council, representing the First Ward and chairing the Public Safety Committee.
She moved to Albany in 2003 to pursue graduate studies, earning a master’s and doctorate in public health from the University at Albany. Deeply engaged in the community, she has served as Vice President for Community Health Initiatives with the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region and sits on multiple boards, including Eleanor’s Legacy and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY.
Dr. Applyrs lives in Albany with her husband, Don-Lee, and their daughter, Noble.
Marcia Cognetta
Vice President, Client Engagement/Marketing
About the Panelist:
Marcia leads the Office of Corporate Engagement for Goldman Sachs Ayco Personal Financial Management and is responsible for the development and execution of Ayco’s corporate giving, philanthropic and community partnership strategies.
Previously, Marcia spent 10 years leading staffing, operations, and people development for Ayco Private Wealth Management. Prior to that, she held a variety of roles within Human Capital Management, focusing on benefits administration, employee relations and recruiting.
Marcia joined the firm in 1999 in the National Tax Group and was promoted to Vice President in 2018. She is the President of the Ayco Toastmasters Club and serves on the Board of Directors for two organizations: United Way of the Greater Capital Region and the SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni Association.
Marcia earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.
Alfredo Medina, Jr., Ph.D.
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, College Diversity Officer
About the Panelist:
Alfredo Medina, Jr., Ph.D., is a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leader with over 20 years of experience in higher education. A Critical Race Theory scholar and qualitative researcher, he specializes in community engagement, strategic planning, and coalition building. Dr. Medina is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Bennington College, where he leads efforts to create an antiracist and equitable institution. Previously, he held leadership roles at the University at Albany.
Before higher education, Dr. Medina worked in the nonprofit sector as a case manager and community advocate. He has been recognized for strengthening higher education access and supporting the Latinx community. He serves on several boards, including Living Resources, Inc. Foundation and the United Way of the Greater Capital Region.
Dr. Medina earned his doctorate in Educational Policy and Leadership from the University at Albany and holds dual master’s degrees in Educational Psychology and Administration. His research focuses on AfroLatinx identity and college persistence.
These Initiatives are Generously Supported by Our Funding Partners:
The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action (IDEA) Resource Hub is a collection of resources to help your organization increase diversity, build an inclusive culture, and advance equity in the community. This hub is broken into three main sections: building a foundation on equity issues, having crucial conversations, and taking action at your nonprofit. The resources include articles, books, stories, websites, and webinars/videos to help you educate yourself and others on being more inclusive within your organization.
The Community Foundation does not endorse or promote the beliefs of every single resource on this list, but rather we are providing this list to aid organizations (at all stages of their journey) advance equity and support their professional growth.
Taking Action at Your Nonprofit
To highlight board service opportunities for our Catalysts graduates and other community leaders, the Foundation conducted a survey; inviting nonprofit organizations to share their information to be included on a list of IDEA-committed organizations seeking BIPOC individuals for board service. Click here to be included in the list OR Click here to view board service opportunities.