LAST PAGE: Melanie Littlejohn, 60
New president of CNY Community Foundation
By Stefan Yablonski
Q: When you were appointed president and CEO of the CNY Community Foundation, I read that you were told to be more bold. What does that mean?
A: When the board invited me to come into this role, they understood where we were in this moment, as a community and as a region. We are in a transformational moment. We have to ensure that every inch of our region and our communities thrive in this moment and can participate in this moment of great change. Because of that, I think the board, as well as my fantastic team, understand we have a responsibility to lean in in ways that are bold and courageous, really help elevate conversation around those things that we need to address to ensure that communities get a real strong opportunity to be a part of this change and to gain from the change.
Q: What do you see as some of those needs?
A: In terms of some of the big areas of focus we have to think about as a region, we have to think about housing, we have to think about workforce development, the digital divide, ensuring that students are prepared to maximize this moment. We have to think about childcare options and transportation. Underneath it all, we have to think about equity and access. And finally, this is a real strong theme that I’ve heard and have been hearing from every corner of this community — we also have to wrap our arms around mental health issues in order to be strong and do what we need to do in this community.
Q: What about this job made you decide to make the transition from National Grid earlier this year to head up the CNY Community Foundation?
A: Two things. Working at National Grid for 30 years, what I learned — and had an opportunity to do there — was really focused on service, being there for communities and customers when they needed us. It was a really important and wonderful lesson of service. After 30 years, I said, ‘Wow, I feel good about moving on to this next chapter.’ Some of those things that I’ve learned there I could certainly continue to do here. The real big impetus for me doing it was what’s going on in our community. I said, ‘Oh, my goodness, there is no greater time to be at the Community Foundation than now.’ In this moment, I can’t think of being anywhere else other than this phenomenal organization I’m sitting in now. It helps me bring to life those things that are in my DNA about service.
Q: How have the first few months for you been?
A: I call it the-everything-all-at-once moment. It’s been a whirlwind, working in collaboration with some tremendous people who are tackling issues around housing and workforce and childcare. This work is ongoing. I have seen the level of collaboration in a way I never have seen in the past 30 plus years. It’s hard work. There’s nothing easy about what we’re doing. But at the end of the day, I see all boats rowing together on behalf of what needs to be done for this community and region.
Q: What goals do you have mapped out for you and the organization?
A: Our set of priorities that we have been focused on is still very pronounced — eradication of lead; literacy; equity education. When we think about really what all of this means, it is about how we eradicate poverty. Let’s create that opportunity so that everyone has a seat at the table. And that’s what this moment is about.