HUDSON VALLEY, NY – The Board of Trustees of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley today announced the appointment of March Gallagher as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 28, 2015.
March Gallagher, a resident of Rosendale in Ulster County and an attorney with degrees from Boston University, Bard College, Rockefeller College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, comes to the Community Foundations having served most recently as Chief Strategy Officer at Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, focusing on regional quality of life issues.
Previously, Ms. Gallagher oversaw economic development activities for Ulster County as Director of Business Services and Deputy Director of Planning under Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. Ms. Gallagher has served on the boards of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Hudson Valley Regional Council, Ulster County Development Corporation, Ulster County Workforce Investment Board and Ulster County Industrial Development Agency, which she chaired during 2006 and 2007. She is a current board member with the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Middletown.
Nancy Rossi Brownell, search committee chair and immediate past chair of the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundations said, “We are very pleased to welcome March Gallagher as the next President and CEO of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley. After an extensive search, the committee unanimously agreed that, with her economic development leadership and long-standing commitment to the region, March is exactly the right person to continue the Foundations’ upward growth and momentum in serving our donors and communities’ needs.”
Arthur R. Upright, newly installed chair of the Board of Trustees, added, “I am excited about the appointment of March Gallagher and am looking forward to our service together. Her enthusiasm, energy and expertise will complement and enhance this well-oiled and thriving organization.”
March Gallagher said, "I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley on the next part of their growth as the organization works towards its 50th anniversary. This unique and impactful organization has had tremendous success in harnessing local philanthropy to improve the quality of life in the Hudson Valley, a mission to which I am deeply committed. I look forward to working with the professional and hardworking staff under the guidance of the committed board of trustees to increase the reach of the Community Foundations in Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam Counties for the good of our community.”
Prior to her official start date on September 28, Ms. Gallagher will attend the Community Foundations’ annual Garden Party on Sunday, September 27, 2015, from 3-6 pm at historic Montgomery Place in Annandale-on-Hudson in Dutchess County. The event’s honorees include Darlene L. Pfeiffer of Ulster County, and Richard C. Strain and daughter Karen Strain Smythe of Dutchess County. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cfhvny.org.
Note to Editors: Interviews with Ms. Gallagher upon request – contact Sally Cross at (845) 452-3077