Ali Chapin is an educator with 20 years experience as a school counselor. From crisis counseling to teaching social emotional lessons in the elementary classroom, Ali’s experiences have helped her deeply understand the needs of the whole student. Ali is a parent of two Rondout students and has been an advocate for our RVCSD educators since observing their passion and commitment from the time her children were little ‘goslings’ in Jump Start Kindergarten! Ali is excited to help remove the barriers for educators to enhance learning with their own initiatives, and believes that project based educational adventures create engaged and passionate learners. She is certain that providing support to our teachers is critical to ensuring future generations have the tools they need to make this world a better place.

With two daughters in the Rondout Valley Central School District, Jeff Davis promotes creative & critical problem-solving from the classroom to the boardroom. Founder of Tracking Wonder Consultancy since 2010, Jeff has worked with mission-centered organizations, teams, and entrepreneurs to foster work cultures of curiosity so they can collaborate mindfully while advancing complex initiatives. Jeff is excited to support educators and staff whose innovative initiatives that foster curious, collaborative learners might not receive funding otherwise. “I hope my background in facilitating groups toward their goals and my impassioned advocacy for education will serve the Rondout Valley Education Foundation.”

​Kelley O’Connor has dedicated more than 30 years to the Rondout Valley School District as a Social Studies teacher, spending the majority of her career inspiring 8th-grade students. Deeply passionate about U.S. history, she has developed engaging projects and organized memorable field trips that enrich student understanding and foster a lasting appreciation for the subject. In this role, Kelley has collaborated closely with the Rondout Valley Education Foundation (RVEF). Since 2011, the RVEF has maintained a designated account supporting the Fireboat John J. Harvey Project, an initiative Kelley established to provide Rondout students with unique, hands-on historical learning experiences. ​ A longtime member of the Rondout community, Kelley has raised her family in the district she serves. Her daughter, a 2021 Rondout graduate, is currently attending college, while her son is a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy in Albany and now attends Hamilton College, where he plays football. ​ Kelley’s philosophy centers on providing meaningful, experiential learning opportunities that bring curriculum to life. This vision aligns seamlessly with the RVEF’s mission to expand and enhance educational opportunities for Rondout students. Currently, Kelley serves as Chair of the Fundraising, Public Relations, and Marketing Committee. Among her many accomplishments in this role is the successful launch of the inaugural Gander Gala, a milestone event for the foundation.

Nancy is one of the founding members of the RVEF having previously served as chairperson of the Board of Directors, financial secretary and the designated funds coordinator. Currently, as an emeritus board member, she manages the Commemorative Brick Walk project. She attended school in the RVCSD from kindergarten through graduation as did her three children. Living within the district and serving in various volunteer capacities, including 9 ½ years on the School Board, laid the groundwork leading up to the idea that establishing an Education Foundation was another way to involve parents, community members, alumni, local businesses, and outside agencies in the business of maintaining and enhancing vital educational opportunities for all students in the district.

Briana Maloney co-founded the boutique grant writing firm Choice Words, LLC and has been assisting Hudson Valley non-profits with their funding, public relations, and strategic communications needs for the last ten years. As a private consultant, she also worked with the SUNY Ulster Foundation for a year and helped them secure funding for scholarships. Before that she worked as an academic research librarian at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh and Rockland Community College. For the last four years, Maloney served as President of the Board of Lederman Children’s Center in Stone Ridge and left that position as her two children moved into Kerhonkson Elementary School. “I’m hopeful that my decade of experience with Hudson Valley non-profits will benefit the Rondout Valley Education Foundation, and consequently the students of the Rondout Valley. I strongly believe in the value of providing children with enrichment beyond what regular funding might allow.”

Tim Brown manages the Healthcare Corporate Banking team at Bank of America. The group works with large life sciences, med tech and healthcare service companies on capital-raising, risk management and treasury services engagements. He’s been at Bank of America since 2005. Prior to joining Bank of America, he worked at ABN AMRO Bank and Morgan Stanley. He graduated from Northwestern University has an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. He and his wife, Erika, bought a place in Accord several years ago. Tim welcomes the opportunity to facilitate meaningful educational experiences for all Rondout Valley students.

Alla Pinsky was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, and came to the United States as a refugee in 1979. Alla has a graduate degree in Material Science from St. Petersburg Polytechnical University. In her first few years in the United States, she held multiple nonprofessional jobs to support her family. Beginning in 1982, Alla started her professional carrier as a manufacturing support engineer at the Superabrasive Division of General Electric in Columbus, Ohio. Over the next fifteen years she held various positions at GE, improving and developing technology for producing industrial diamonds. Following that, she led several global technology and engineering teams for GE and other companies in the United States, France, Ireland, China, Mexico. “I am very excited to join RVEF and contribute to educational opportunities for local students.”

Nelda Gerner began her behind the scenes educational support by re-igniting the Parent Association at Rondout Valley High School and served as its co-chair for the years it was active. As a member of the Rondout Valley Business Association, she established the RVBA Education Committee, which developed a Leadership Institute Course for high school students that she organized and ran from 2013-2019. She was director of the Rochester Food Pantry for 10 years and continues on the Board there. Nelda is currently an Emeritus Board Member of RVEF after three Board terms. “Building bonds between community members and students is a bridge to a strong community spirit.”

Lynne Margaret Menard is a proud alumna of the Rondout Valley School District and a dedicated speech-language pathologist with a deep commitment to serving her community. Specializing in providing preschool speech services, Lynne works with some of the youngest learners in the district, helping them develop the communication skills essential for their academic and personal growth. Driven by a passion for making a difference, Lynne is focused on giving back to the community that shaped her into the individual she is today. Her work not only helps children thrive but also contributes to strengthening the foundation of education in Rondout Valley.

Amanda Stoddard holds a BA in Public Communications from The College of St. Rose and an MA in Teaching with a Biology concentration from Bard College. Professionally certified in Biology and General Science, Amanda has conducted ecological fieldwork across Ireland, studying freshwater, marine, and terrestrial habitats, including dolphin populations in the Shannon estuary. With 12 years of classroom experience at Red Hook Central School District, she taught Physical and Life Sciences, chaired a Building Level Team, and served on the Dignity for All Students Act Committee. Amanda is an Armada Project mentee through the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography and a member of the NYS Master Teacher Program. She happily served as the President of the Board for Lederman’s Children Center and lives in Kerhonkson with her husband and three children.

Sarah is a lifelong member of the Rondout Valley community, a graduate of the district, and a parent of students currently enrolled. She is a local business leader with more than 20 years of experience in management, marketing, advertising, and residential development. Sarah serves as Vice President of Bare Furniture and Accord Feeds & Needs, where she oversees operations, marketing strategy, and community engagement. She is also the President of 1985 City LLC and Victoria Lane LLC, leading residential development projects from land acquisition through construction and resale. Her work involves coordinating with architects, engineers, and local municipalities, as well as managing budgeting, planning, and project execution. In addition to her professional experience, Sarah is actively involved in the community. She is the President and co-founder of the Rondout Valley Baseball Booster Club, established in 2025, supporting local youth programs through fundraising and engagement. She has also contributed her time as a volunteer with the Town of Rochester Historical Museum. Sarah holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from SUNY Ulster and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She is committed to supporting initiatives that enhance educational opportunities, strengthen community connections, and invest in the future of local students.