Our Organization

Rochester Education Foundation is focused on raising resources to help city school students succeed. We are independent and non-partisan. We also are legally and functionally independent of the Rochester City School District. REF is a 501(c)(3) corporation; all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent provided by law.

REF is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from the community, and advised by an Advisory Council. Day-to-day activities of the organization are overseen by the Executive Director.

Staff

Board of Directors

Dr. Ebony Caldwell, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion System Director, Rochester Regional Health

Diane Caselli, Attorney, University of Rochester Medical Center

Julie Cook (Board Chair), Attorney and Compliance Specialist, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

Bob Hartman, Vice President Product Design and Strategy, MVP Health Care

Dr. Sara M. Kelly, Assistant Vice President for Planning, Assessment and Retention, SUNY Brockport

Sheila Monachino Partner, Davie Kaplan CPA Firm

Dr. Ian Mortimer, President , Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship

Rich Pulvino, Vice President/Director, Corporate Communications, ESL Federal Credit Union

Kamaria Simmons, Teacher, World of Inquiry School, RCSD

Eric Steiner, Chief Financial Officer, Allendale Columbia School

Stacey Trien, Esq., Adams Leclair LLP

Dr. Tyana Velazquez-Smith, Director of Early Childhood, Rochester Area Community Foundation

Mary Beth Walker, Vice President, Marketing, Government Relations & Public Relations, Trillium Health

Founding Executive Director

Patricia Braus