Ali Chapin, Co-Chair
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.
Jeff Davis, Co-Chair
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, 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.
Before venturing into business, Jeff devoted several years to teaching and to teaching teachers: English Department Chair at Highland Park High School in Dallas; Southern Methodist University; Institute for the Talented & Gifted at SMU; College Board Advanced Placement Conferences in the Southwest; Marist College; Western Connecticut State University’s MFA Program in Creative & Professional Writing.
As a strong supporter of public school educators, Jeff is excited to support educators 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.”
Nelda Gerner, Corresponding Secretary
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.”
Briana Maloney, Vice Chair, Chair of Grant Committee
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.”
Nancy Taylor, Commemorative Brick Walk Liaison
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.
Kelley O’Connor
Kelley O’Connor has been a Social Studies Teacher in the Rondout Valley School District for 28 years, spending most of those years teaching 8th grade. Kelley is extremely passionate about US History and has created many projects and field trips to enhance student experiences, understanding, and passion for US History. In that capacity, Kelley has worked closely with the RVEF. Since 2011 the RVEF has maintained a designated account for the Fireboat John J Harvey Project, a project which Kelley has established for Rondout students. The Rondout district has been home to Kelley and her family throughout her career. Her daughter is a 2021 graduate of Rondout and currently attends college while her son is a Senior at Christian Brothers Academy in Albany. Kelley’s philosophy and dedication to giving Rondout students meaningful exposure to curriculum as well as experiential learning is a good companion for the many ways that the RVEF can support and enhance opportunities for Rondout students.
Alla Pinsky
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.”
Tim Brown, Chair of Designated Funds
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.
Lynne Menard
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
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.
Dimity Palmer-Smith
Dimity Palmer-Smith is an educator, nonprofit leader, and Rondout Valley parent, and a member of the Rondout Valley CSD Board of Education. With over 18 years of experience in education and community-based work, she has partnered with public schools, districts, and national organizations—including Teach for America, Bloomberg Philanthropies, EL Education, and Transcend Education—to expand access to meaningful learning opportunities and postsecondary pathways for students.
Her goal is to support educators and schools in transforming innovative ideas into impactful practices, ensuring that all students have access to engaging, real-world learning experiences. Dimity is honored to contribute her expertise and commitment to strengthening educational opportunities for the Rondout Valley community. Outside of her education work, Dimity enjoys the outdoors with friends and family through soccer, skiing, rock climbing, and more.