On Monday, May 8, YWCA Cortland’s Board of Directors held its 2023 Annual Meeting of the Membership, during which we welcomed several new Board members and honored those whose terms ended. Click to view the current list of Board members.

Please join us in welcoming the following new Board members who will each serve three (3) year terms:

Phuong-Binh Duong is the Community Impact Manager with Alternatives Federal Credit Union. She is interested in joining the YWCA Board to expand her capacity to serve people, particularly advocating for increased financial access and wealth-building opportunities for women, low-income, BIPOC, and other communities that have been marginalized.

Gloria Gartenlaub moved to Cortland just over a year ago and upon that move decided to fully stay home to care for her two young boys who are active and frequently visit the YWCA programs. Gloria is passionate about the mission of the YWCA and is excited to join the Board of Directors to devote her time and talents to an organization she finds a safe and loving place for her family and wants to ensure that the YWCA remains a pillar in the community for others.

Barbara Henza is the Family and Consumer Science Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension Cortland County where she provides education to families and individuals experiencing financial difficulties. She conducts classes and workshops in the area of Financial Management and Energy Use Management for public and local businesses. She is interested in joining the YWCA Board to continue her passion to bring financial literacy to Cortland County residents, collectively building a strong community.

Mackenzie Lyman is currently attending Homer High School. She is interested in joining the YWCA Board to give back to the community, especially girls, providing more opportunities to grow, cultivate and create. Mackenzie holds a leadership position as Justice with the YMCA Youth and Government program. She is an active Z-Club member, a volunteer at Loaves and Fishes, and a member of Syracuse Symphoria. She was part of the Miss New York, and Miss America Organizations as a Princess and volunteered in events and fundraisers.

Carrie Whitmore is the Director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development at Tompkins Cortland Community College. She has worked with the YWCA to bring educational programming for staff and clients and wants to expand her involvement and further the great work of the YWCA by joining the board.

In addition to adding the above new members to our Board of Directors, we are pleased to announce the following Board members have agreed to serve additional three (3) year terms each:  Susan Cerretani, Maryann Kryger, Kristina Marty, and Jennifer Soprano.

Unfortunately, the terms of the Board members listed below came to an end at the Annual Meeting. We thank them for the time they dedicated to our organization and hope they will stay involved with YWCA Cortland in other roles!

Regina Grantham is completing her second three-year term on the Board of Directors. And this wasn’t the first time she was on the board. Regina was President of the YWCA Board in 2010-2012. During her recent term, Regina served on the Governance Committee and was instrumental in bringing on new leadership for the board of directors. We hope to see you return in another year. Thank you, Regina, for all you do to support the mission of the YWCA!

Mary Kate Morris is completing a three-year term on the board. Mary Kate Chaired the Advocacy Committee and served on the Development and Communications Committee. We are thankful for the initiatives she created under her leadership to promote the YWCA mission, and for the many hours, she volunteered. Mary Kate welcomed a beautiful baby boy this year, and we are thrilled to support her in this new role in her life.

Adrianne Traub is completing a three-year term on the board. Adrianne served on the Program Committee during a time when the programs were constantly being challenged and re-imagined, and we are thankful for her insightful guidance. Adrianne always has a calm presence and approach to problem-solving and a keen ability to connect the YWCA through her vast knowledge of community resources. Thank you Adrianne for your service on the YWCA Board.

Carol Van Der Karr is completing her second three-year term on the Board of Directors. Carol also served as President of the Board during the great pandemic from 2020-2022. Her incredible leadership and support for all the board and staff will never be forgotten. Serving as President at a time when the world was falling apart created so many challenges, and Carol handled them all with a smile, laughter, grace, and serious GRIT Also during her six years on the board she Chaired the Development and Communications Committee, served on many operational committees but mostly volunteered her time working closely with the Executive Director creating a work environment to support a fragile staff during the pandemic. Thank you for your leadership Carol, we are delighted you are continuing on the Development & Communication Committee and Governance.