Erin M. Cafarelli

Children's Home of Poughkeepsie

Erin Cafarelli has dedicated the last 25 years to bringing positivity and a passion for meaningful change to the philanthropic community. As the Chief Development and Public Relations Officer at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, Erin works closely with the organization’s leadership to strengthen its mission of providing healing and hope to children and families across the Hudson Valley and surrounding communities. Erin wholeheartedly leads the Home’s advancement efforts, having developed and executed a comprehensive and successful fundraising strategy that has increased revenue, expanded donor outreach, engaged more volunteers, and enhanced key fundraising programs, including donor stewardship, grants, and special events. Her efforts have also raised the Home's public profile, and she frequently serves as an ambassador within the community.

Prior to joining the Children’s Home, Erin served as a Development Associate at the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley and as Operations Manager at The Objectivist Center.

Erin is committed to empowering her colleagues and helping them to devote time and energy to their community in meaningful ways. In addition to the Children’s Home, some of her favorite organizations are: Unshattered, Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, Angels of Light, the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region and The Chamber Foundation.

A long-time Dutchess County resident, Erin received a BA in History from Marist College and an AA in Liberal Arts and Humanities from Dutchess Community College. She is a 2010 graduate of The Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Dutchess program. In 2012 she received the Forty Under 40 Shaker Award from the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce. In May 2020, she completed the Chamber Foundation’s Executive Leadership program. In December 2021, Erin was honored with an ATHENA Award, and in 2024 she received the Leadership Dutchess Distinguished Alumni Award.

Erin is deeply passionate about her work within the community, where she brings her leadership and expertise to a variety of philanthropic initiatives. Most recently, she joined the Board of Directors for the Chamber Foundation, where she also serves on the Executive Leadership Committee and co-chairs both the ATHENA Selections and Scholarship Committees. Erin is an active member of
the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Valley Chapter, and has previously served as its President. She also contributes to the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, where she serves on the Community Impact Council and as a Grant Reviewer.

In addition to these roles, Erin has been a past board member of Rocky Strong and has held positions with the Junior League of Poughkeepsie, The Chamber Foundation's Professional Development Committee, and the Hudson Valley Young Professionals. She has also mentored through the Chamber Foundation’s Career Achievement Program and Leadership Dutchess.

Erin resides in Stanfordville, NY with her fiancé, Erik Morabito, 2 cats, and 13 chickens. She enjoys reading, a good cup of coffee, baking, antiquing, and exploring small towns.

Therese Daly

United Way New York State

Therese Daly is the currently the President and CEO of the United Way of New York State. Therese’s background includes a decade of experience with strategy development, business development, sales, communication, public relations and government relations.

Therese received a B.A. in political science from Siena College and has been the recipient of awards for her advocacy efforts and leadership such as Nominee for Forbes 30 under 30, YWCA Resourceful Woman Award, A Siena Saint Who Don’t Sit On The Sidelines, Friends of Recovery 2022 Recovery Community Spotlight Award Recipient. Therese was featured on City and State’s 2022 40 under 40 as part of a feature on the best and the brightest of Albany, a Rising Power Player in New York State by Politics NY and AM Media, City & State's 100 Most Responsible Leaders in NYS, 100 Most Powerful People in Economic Development in NYS, and most recently named a 2024 Trailblazer in the Nonprofit Sector in New York State.

Therese serves on the board of the Shaker Heritage Site and Eleanor's Legacy.

Colleen Edwards

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

Colleen Edwards is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with over ten years of experience helping individuals unlock their fullest potential and lead their best lives. Specializing in executive coaching, she partners with high-level professionals to enhance their leadership skills, navigate career transitions, and cultivate a growth mindset. With a coaching approach that emphasizes deep listening, empathy, and powerful questioning, Colleen helps clients gain clarity, set actionable goals, and overcome obstacles with confidence. Whether working with executives, entrepreneurs,
or individuals at various stages of their lives, she is committed to empowering her clients to live with purpose, authenticity, and resilience.

In addition to her individual coaching practice, Colleen is a seasoned facilitator of inclusive leadership workshops. Over the years, she has worked with schools, businesses, and organizations to foster more inclusive, equitable environments. Through a blend of
interactive exercises, thought-provoking discussions, and practical strategies, she helps teams and leaders understand and address issues of systemic inequality and unconscious bias. Her goal is to help organizations break down barriers, challenge existing norms, and create pathways that allow individuals from diverse backgrounds to thrive and feel truly valued.

A firm believer in the power of inclusion, Colleen is dedicated to supporting the development of organizational cultures that prioritize respect, fairness, and opportunity for all. Her coaching approach is both compassionate and results driven. By integrating her expertise in coaching with her work in leadership development, Colleen is making a lasting impact, helping individuals and organizations alike build more supportive, inclusive, and empowered communities.

Filomena Fanelli

Impact PR

Filomena Fanelli is not only a 26-year PR industry veteran – she’s also the CEO and founder of Impact PR & Communications, an award-winning public relations firm and New York State certified Women’s Business Enterprise. Based in the Hudson Valley, the agency was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Woman-Owned Business of the Year in the New York Metro District in 2024. Fanelli has several accolades to her name: being recognized with a City & State Above & Beyond: Women award; receiving Lillian Vernon and Westfair Women Innovators nods; gracing the cover of Hudson Valley Magazine as one of its celebrated women in business; and being named an ATHENA Leadership Awards winner and a “Forty Under 40”. An involved community member, she serves as treasurer of the board of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce and previously sat on the boards of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) and Hudson River Housing and on executive committees for PRSA's Counselors Academy and the Women’s Leadership Alliance, among other volunteer roles. Fanelli is also the professional advisor for Marist University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and is a former adjunct professor and regular guest lecturer. She has presented at the prestigious 92nd Street Y in New York City and numerous venues throughout the Hudson Valley region. A proud lifelong Dutchess County resident, Fanelli lives in Lagrangeville with her husband and two teenage daughters.

Mariel Fiori

Bard College

Mariel Fiori, MBA, is a journalist, translator, educator and an entrepreneur. She co-founded and is the managing editor of the Bard-based La Voz, cultura y noticias hispanas del Valle de Hudson [The Voice, Hispanic Cultures and News of the Hudson Valley]. Since 2004 the award- winning La Voz is the only Spanish language magazine serving the over 170,000 Latinos living in the Mid-Hudson Valley and Catskill mountains. She hosts a daily Spanish language radio news show, La Voz con Mariel Fiori at Radio Kingston WKNY, and weekly Spanish language news radio show, La Voz en breve, for WVKR, WHDD and WJFF.

Fiori holds an MBA from NYU, Stern School of Business and a bachelor's degree in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies from Bard College. Before coming to the United States in 2003, she lived and worked for two years in Spain, and previously in Buenos Aires, her hometown, where she earned a degree in journalism and studied legal and commercial English-Spanish translation at the Catholic University of Argentina. She has worked for different mass media groups and independent media in Argentina, Spain and the United States as a researcher, writer, translator, editor and radio and television producer.

Thanks to her passionate work with La Voz, Fiori has been the recipient of numerous recognitions, including the Dutchess County Executive Arts Award in 2010, and La Voz has received four Ippies awards from the New York Community Media Alliance. In March 2012, she was one of the recipients of the award 40 under 40 rising NYS Latino Stars by the Hispanic Coalition of NY. In October 2014, Fiori was recognized as Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by GET Hudson Valley. Hudson Valley Magazine named her one of the Women in Business 2015. In June 2016 she was named a fellow for the Good Work Institute, Hudson Valley; and in November 2016 she received the annual Girl Power Award in Newburgh. In August 2017, she received the Humanitarian Award of the NAACP, Dutchess chapter; and in October 2017 she was honored as Woman of the Year by the AAUW Poughkeepsie branch, and honored by Ulster County Executive during Hispanic Heritage month. In March 2019 she was named Hartman Journalist in Residence at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, given the community activist award by the Center for Creative Education Arts for a purpose, and from The Art Effect, among others. She has been invited to speak at a number of panels and conferences, including, but not limited to SUNY New Paltz, Vassar College and Bard College. In 2020, she was the Master of Ceremonies of the Annual La Guelaguetza Festival, virtual edition, and of the Annual Rural Women Assembly, among other highlights.

Fiori is the chair of the Ulster County Hispanic Advisory Board Mano a Mano Coalition, member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, NAHJ, the American Association of University Women, AAUW, and the American Translators Association, ATA. From 2007 to 2013 she was a board member of Somos la Llave del Futuro, SLF, Inc., a Dutchess county based non-profit organization which seeks to build leadership in immigrant communities, and from August 2010 to May 2015 she was a board member of Family of Woodstock, Inc. From 2017 to 2020 she was a board member of Radio Kingston. She is currently a  board member of the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce Foundation and sits on the organizing committee of La Guelaguetza de Poughkeepsie.

Christian Jones

DC DCFS

Christian Jones is the Director of Temporary Assistance at the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services (DCFS), where she oversees the Cash Assistance, Employment, and Childcare programs.  Christian has been instrumental in the many successful partnerships DCFS has with other vital community organizations.  With over 25 years of experience in human services, Christian is dedicated to supporting underserved community members.  As a 2024 Leadership Dutchess graduate, Christian has also been highly motivated to mentor others in achieving senior roles.  Christian is the proud mom of 9-year-old twins and a puppy “Shiloh”  who all keep her very busy.  When she’s not exploring with her kids, in her free time, Christian also enjoys traveling and baking.  Christian earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Urban Studies from Fordham University.

Tracy MacKenzie

DC Family Judge

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE

Family Court Judge, Elected 2015-present
Acting Supreme Court Justice, Appointed 2018-present
Presiding Judge. Integrated Domestic Violence Court

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Principal Court Attorney to Family Court Judge, 2012-2015
Private Law Practice 2004-2011
Attorney for Children, 2005-2011

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

Dutchess County Juvenile Justice Committee
Dutchess County Criminal Justice Council
Child Welfare Court Improvement Project
9th Judicial District Committee to Promote Gender Fairness
New York Family Court Judges Association
Dutchess County Bar Association
Parishioner, Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church
Married 20 years, Mother of 3
Lifelong Dutchess County Resident

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor
Quinnipiac University School, Hamden CT

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science
Plattsburgh State University College, Plattsburgh, NY

Sharon McGinnis

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp

Sharon McGinnis is a seasoned Human Resources executive with extensive experience driving workforce excellence, organizational growth, and cultural transformation, with a passion for empowering women and fostering inclusive leadership. As the Chief Human Resources Officer at Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, Sharon has led transformative initiatives that have strengthened workplace culture, enhanced employee engagement, and supported women in leadership roles.

With a strong commitment to mentorship and talent development, Sharon has designed and implemented succession plans that have doubled the representation of women and minority employees in leadership pipelines. As a founding member of the Fortis Women Executive Leadership Council, she actively champions initiatives that break barriers and create opportunities for women across industries.

Throughout her career, Sharon has been recognized for her ability to drive meaningful change, build trusted relationships, and cultivate diverse, high-performing teams. Her extensive experience includes leadership roles at Dow Jones Local Media Group, Frontier Insurance Group, and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield.

A dedicated community leader, Sharon serves as a Board Member for United Way of the Dutchess & Orange Region and has served on as a member of Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation Board. Sharon has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York at New Paltz and has completed executive leadership development at the Wharton School of Business.

Louise McLoughlin

DC Workforce Investment Board

Louise McLoughlin, a former small business owner, is currently the Executive Director of the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board.  In her previous role, Dr. McLoughlin was the Senior Vice President of Workforce Development at the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Dr. McLoughlin earned her Doctorate Degree in Public Administration from West Chester University.  Louise serves on several Boards in Dutchess County and adjuncts at Marist College and Adelphi University.