ONONDAGA, N.Y. — The OCC Foundation announced it has appointed Kathleen Stress as its new executive director.
The OCC Foundation is the primary fundraising arm for Onondaga Community College.
Stress previously served as executive director of the Food Bank of Central New York. She succeeds Lisa Moore as OCC Foundation’s leader. Moore is now director of development at the Onondaga Historical Association, per her LinkedIn profile.
The OCC Foundation also said it has appointed Steffani Williams as its new director of development and annual giving. Williams succeeds Kelly Venturini in that role, Roger Mirabito, OCC executive director of communications, tells CNYBJ in an email. Venturini left to become assistant director of development at Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, per her LinkedIn profile.
About Kathleen Stress
As director of the Food Bank, Stress developed advocacy and legislative relationships while continuing her work alongside donors and funders, OCC said. During her tenure, Stress was “instrumental” in the organization’s transition to a new, larger food distribution center and renovations of the building using green initiatives.
“I’ve spent my entire career in the nonprofit field and have always been driven by the desire to help others. I’m excited to bring my skill set to the OCC Foundation and provide students the financial assistance they need to realize their dreams through higher education,” Stress said in an OCC statement.
About Steffani Williams
Williams has spent 13 years at Onondaga Community College, having worked in financial aid and enrollment development & communications, before joining the OCC Foundation is her current capacity.
“My diverse experience across campus has provided me a high level of institutional knowledge which will be invaluable in helping our students succeed. Through the support of our generous donors the OCC Foundation will continue to make a difference in the lives of our students and their futures,” said Williams.
Founded in 1980, the OCC Foundation manages more than 150 funds. During the past academic year, it awarded more than $850,000 in scholarships to students. In addition to scholarship support, the foundation raises funds for programs and projects that “enrich the Onondaga experience and opens new opportunities for the entire campus community.”
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com