Emerging Leaders Council

In 2022, the Corey C. Griffin Foundation launched the pilot of its first-ever Emerging Leaders Council.

It is composed of up-and-coming professionals from Boston and the surrounding areas who serve as strategic volunteers for the Foundation for a two-year period. Our council members have a strong commitment to the mission of the Corey C. Griffin Foundation and a desire to connect meaningfully with, and support, its grant partners. 

Throughout the year, council members support the Foundation by organizing volunteer efforts for program partners and acting as an advocate for our work. They attend skills-building workshops and learn from industry leaders about current philanthropic issues in order to become next-generation philanthropists, fundraisers, and community leaders. As the year comes to a close, the council will host a fireside chat incorporating the insights of program partners and speakers. 

 

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 cohort of the
CCGF Emerging Leaders Council

Initiatives

Education Committee

Backpack to School Project

The Education Pillar of the Emerging Leaders Council held the council’s inaugural event this summer, in support of our co-sponsorship with the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers (MAMLEO) and Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy’s (SJP2CA) second annual backpack drive for elementary school students in the City of Boston. The backpack event works with local partners and organizations to ensure students in need are able to start each school year with a brand new backpack and fresh school supplies. The Education Pillar organized a young professionals happy hour, hosted by Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar, where entry to the event was the donation of a new backpack. The event was a huge success with over 200 attendees who donated and funded the purchase of over 1,000 backpacks!

Healthcare Committee

Care Packages for Patients

The #CCG Emerging Leaders Council hosted a happy hour at Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar. Admission was free with the donation of new art supplies and proceeds of all the merchandise sold are also going to help support juvenile mental health at our program partner, Franciscan Child. The night was a tremendous success

Faith & Character Committee

Meal-packaging Service Project

The Emerging Leaders Council packaged 6,500 nutritious meals to help Massachusetts households who struggle to provide food for their families. Meals packaged through this service project benefited Corey’s Kids through our partnership with My Brother’s Keeper to alleviate food insecurity.

Meet the Council

Sean Ndebele

CCGF ELC Program Manager

“I am fortunate to have the opportunity to lead the Emerging Leaders Council and work with Boston’s best and brightest young professionals, who are passionate about the Foundation’s mission and supporting its program partners.”

Calista Tufankjian

Client Success Manager: Locally

“The foundation’s mission aligns with many values that I hold close to my heart.”

Michaela Thompson

Analyst: Equality Asset Management

“Bringing people together from all backgrounds to bolster community while promoting faith, education, and healthcare is a mission I care strongly about and believe it is of utmost importance in shaping and cultivating younger generations.”

Zach Somers

Associate at OpenView

“As a young professional in Boston, surrounding myself with likeminded, motivated, ambitious people is the perfect opportunity to learn from mentors in hopes that one day I too will be able to give back the gift of learning to others.”

Kleida Martiro

Principal: Glasswig Ventures

“I want to leverage my leadership position, international background, and passion for philanthropy to uplift children in need, to help the next generation of leaders, and to raise awareness on the importance of giving back.”

Cameron Kopsky

Associate: L.E.K. Consulting

“Having a strong community that builds you up is one of the most important aspects of life and I am excited to help expand these initiatives to help even more kids feel supported by the Boston community that I love so much.”

Clare Kennedy

Preconstruction Manager / Business Development: Lee Kennedy Company Inc.

“The Emerging Leaders Council is a fantastic way to build our personal and professional networks and create long lasting relationships while being supported by and also supporting the Corey C. Griffin Foundation.”

Maya Keenan-Gallagher

Financial and Strategic Manager: CompTrain

“I want to learn how to truly make a lasting impact on people’s lives from people who have done it already, from people who have experienced the effect themselves, and from people like me aspiring to make that same change.”

Sarah Keane

Senior Manager, Office Operations: Tectonic Therapeutic

“I enjoy being able to network and make a difference simultaneously and hope to continue making an impact with others who are passionate about making a difference moving forward.”

Greta Freking

Cardiac ICU Nurse: Boston Children’s Hospital

“I have been involved with the foundation since it began; attending events, purchasing/wearing merchandise, and making donations and would love to continue to do so while also working
behind the scenes.”

Eddy Fish

Assistant Project Manager: J. Calnan and Associates

“Being a part of the next generation of leaders to help grow the foundation and its impact would mean the world to me.”

Colby Fagan

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Practice Manager: Porter Pediatrics Comprehensive Healthcare Private Practice

“I want to give my time and energy to be part of the Corey Kid’s team seeing these kids over the finish line to success”

Sloan Elsesser

Project Manager – Development: The Davis Companies

“I hope to learn what that next generation looks like and aiding in shaping of what it means to give back to the community.”

Sarah Daume

Fidelity Consulting Analyst: Fidelity

“I believe the Emerging Leaders Council is a perfect place to continue developing and honing key skills to become a community leader in the future.”

Colin Connolly

Associate: PSG

“I would love to dedicate more of my time to helping the underprivileged youths in our community to drive positive change in their lives.”

Melanie Cersosimo

Associate: Newmark

“I view the Emerging Leaders Council as an opportunity to establish relationships with people outside of my current social network from different backgrounds, industries, and walks of life.”

Lexi Britt

Learning & Development Specialist - Instructional Design: New Balance

“Corey’s legacy continues to echo in our family and we try to embrace him in our day to day choices including “why not me”, being highly inclusive, and leaving an enduring impact on others.”

Jenna Blouin

Portfolio Manager and Trader: State Street

“I want to be a part of something bigger than myself, that allows me to be a direct contributor to the positive impact.”

Bryn Batchelder

Ambulatory Clinic Patient Representative - Pulmonary Medicine: Boston Children’s Hospital

“I find the work the CGF does to be the perfect fit for me as something I can help tremendously contribute to.”

Theodore Floyd

Account Executive: Datadog

“This council presents the opportunity for me to get back involved in a cause I really care about, and leverage my experience to maximize the impact I can have.”

Andrew McLaughlin

Master's Degree Candidate

“What makes the opportunity to join the Emerging Leaders Council so exciting for me is the Foundation’s mission to help children who face unimaginable and hurtful obstacles in their lives.”

Emma Roberts

Strategy and Finance Analyst: Brooklinen

“I hope to join the Emerging Leader’s Council to work with and follow the lead of others with the commitment and drive that Kaelyn has and to use this to further the initiatives of the Corey C Griffin Foundation.”

Jonathan Farrow

Vice President: PSG Equity

“Being a part of the ELC would be a great opportunity to continue getting more deeply ingrained with the foundation on a more consistent basis.”

Hannah Merson

Associate: AlTi Tiedemann Global

“The Emerging Leaders council presents the opportunity for all of these things; it allows like-minded individuals to come together to work towards a common goal.”

Natalia Smith

Behavior Analyst

“My past and present both align with the foundational elements of the foundation and I am very excited to be a part in whatever way I possibly can.”

Grady Zink

Capital Markets: Newmark

“I have supported the Corey C. Griffin Foundation since its inception and would love the opportunity to continue to increase my involvement.”

John Montgomery

Account Executive: Postscript

“I feel it’s now part of my responsibility to carry on the legacy and do my best to do
for others what he had done for me.”

Ashton Fagan

Strategy-Investment Product Placement & M&A: BlackRock

“I have always felt a strong connection to the children in our community and I spent a lot of time at Boston College tutoring and working with at-risk youth.”

Daintry Calnan

Marketing Coordinator: Olivela

“This foundation means a lot to me and I would like to be more involved and have a
bigger impact on its’ success.”

Michael Chamberlain

Account Manager: BitSight

“Leaving an impact and legacy on others is something I truly would love to be a part of.”

Zachary Phelps

Investment Associate: Henley Investment Management

“I have never seen so many kind, loving, caring people in one place.”

Alex Berluti

Investor: M33 Growth

“The Corey C. Griffin Foundation is reshaping the lives of so many unprivileged youth in the greater Boston area and it’s a privilege to help support such a great cause.”