Board of Directors
The people who help us shine.
Behind The Kara Fund is a group of volunteers who guide and support our mission. United by compassion, they give their time and expertise to help seriously ill children and their families find moments of relief and hope.
Executive Directors
Mark MacDougall
President
Mark MacDougall
Mark MacDougall, Kara’s Dad, has served as President of the Kara from its start. Mark is a Mechanical Engineer from Clarkson University, and is a retired Cleanroom/Technical Equipment Salesperson. Mark is married to Kathy and has two other children, Matthew and Daniel. Mark and Kathy recently moved to Cicero after living in East Syracuse for 35 years. The Kara Fund has allowed Mark to help bring comfort to thousands of CNY children and families. Mark is also a volunteer at Sleep in Heavenly Peace, providing beds to children, and fills his summer months with golf and
enjoying the outdoors.
Kathy MacDougall
Secretary, Family Care Chair
Kathy MacDougall
Kathy MacDougall, Kara’s mom, has served as Secretary of The Kara Fund since its founding. She dedicated 33 years of her career to the Liverpool Central School District as a speech and language therapist, supporting students and their families. In addition to her role as Secretary, Kathy chairs the Family Care Program, which provides financial assistance and essential goods to families in need. Her compassion and commitment have been central to The Kara Fund’s mission of bringing comfort to children and families across Central New York. In her spare time, Kathy enjoys spending time with family and friends and making the most of warm summer days outdoors.
Maria Boemi
Vice President
Maria Boemi
Maria Boemi was born and raised in Syracuse and after 13 years away, she currently lives and works in Dewitt – with her husband and two children, working at her family’s restaurant of 33 years.
Previously, Maria worked as a strategic communications professional, drawing on her vast expertise in public relations, digital marketing, branding, and social impact to facilitate meaningful visibility and engagement for her clients. Maria has contributed critical work at Syracuse University, the U.S. Department of State, for a major presidential campaign, and at nonprofits focused on empowering women and girls.
Maria received an M.A. in International Relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She holds a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College.
Janice Jackson
Treasurer
Janice Jackson
Janice Jackson serves as the Treasurer for The Kara Fund, bringing almost 40 years of experience in corporate accounting and finance to the team. Janice has been retired for four years but previously held various manager and controller positions in New York City, New Jersey, and the city of Syracuse. She lives in East Syracuse with her husband and two foster dogs. They spend a good deal of their days chasing after their five grandchildren. Janice’s lifelong friend Teri Zerillo Greiner and her daughters have been volunteering with the Kara Fund since its inception and encouraged Janice to become an active member of the organization.
Event Chairs
Bob Campese
Director, Golf Event Chair
Bob Campese
Bob Campese has been involved with The Kara Fund since its inception, inspired in part by his daughter Gina’s friendship with Kara. From 2004 to 2015, Bob served the East Syracuse-Minoa School District as a coach, assistant principal, and athletic director, during which time Kara was a student-athlete. As Chair of The Kara Fund Golf Tournament, Bob has helped raise more than $110,000 to support children and families in need. Now retired, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Lou Anne, and cherishes time spent with their grandchildren.
Terri Greiner
Director, Open Your Hearts Event Chair
Teri Greiner
Teri serves as the Event Chair for Open Your Hearts to Children. Inspired to honor the memory and spirit of Kara after her passing, Teri became involved with the organization to help continue Kara’s legacy and positive impact within the community. She was introduced to Kara through her daughter, Lauren, who was one of Kara’s childhood friends.
Outside of her work with the organization, Teri enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with friends and family—especially her new grandbaby.
Karen MacDougall
Director, Home Care Chair
Karen MacDougall
Karen MacDougall is Kara’s Aunt and the coordinator of the home care program. She taught Special Education and Reading for 31 years in the Liverpool Central School District. Karen does purchasing for Nacentia and CompassionNet which provides financial support and material goods to families in need.
Paul Nagle
Director, Comfort Care Chair
Paul Nagle
Paul currently serves as the director of Comfort Care program for the Kara fund. A retired business owner, Paul, offers his organizational and leadership skills to the organization. Paul, along with a team of volunteers, collaborating with social workers and medical staff delivers comfort items directly to seriously ill children and their families. He has resided in the Cicero NY area since 1989. Paul and his wife have three adult children and one grandchild living in the Syracuse area. Paul and his wife have enjoyed a close friendship with Kara’s family for more than 40 years. He has been actively involved with the Kara Fund since its inception.
Directors
Gina Casaletta
Director, Marketing Director
Gina Casaletta
Gina Casaletta serves as the Marketing Director for The Kara Fund, bringing over 12 years of experience in corporate marketing within the IT industry. She currently holds the position of Marketing Director at ComSource, Inc., a technology services firm headquartered in Franklin Square. Gina lives in Liverpool with her husband and two children. As a high school friend of Kara’s, Gina has been involved with The Kara Fund since its inception and remains deeply committed to its mission. Her professional background, combined with her personal connection to the cause, allows her to bring both strategic insight and heartfelt passion to her role.
Gibs Flock
Director, Community Care Chairperson
Gibs Flock
Gibs Flock is a retired high school band director who taught in the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District for 31 years. He has been a volunteer with The Kara Fund and recently became an Associate Director who oversees the Holiday Meal Program and The Frozen Project / Program. Gibs lives in East Syracuse with his wife Candy who also assists The Kara Fund.
Joe Gigliotti
Director
Joe Gigliotti
Joe, one of the founding directors of The Kara Fund, is a proud (though long-ago) graduate of Hamilton College. He contributes his skills as a copywriter to craft many of the organization’s marketing materials and social media posts. Happily married to Amy, Joe is equally devoted to his growing family. When he isn’t writing, he delights in the rare joy of not writing—or, even better, spending time with his beloved grandchildren.
Pennie Gorney
Director, Public Relations Officer
Pennie Gorney
Pennie Gorney has served as a Director of The Kara Fund since the formation of the organization in 2011. She is a retired marketing executive with over 40 years of experience, She most recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Dermody Burke & Brown,CPAs for over 18 years and worked previously in management positions at Eric Mower & Associates and Cowley & Associates. Pennie is a community advocate and has served on numerous boards in her career. Pennie and her husband Jim, who taught and coached at East Syracuse Minoa (ESM), have two adult children, Chelsea and Michael who both attended ESM. Michael Gorney and Dan MacDougall, Kara’s brother, have been friends since elementary school. The Gorney family has a strong connection with The MacDougall family and continues to embrace The Kara Fund mission with love and dedication.
Matthew MacDougall
Director
Matthew MacDougall
Matthew, Kara’s brother, completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at SUNY Geneseo. He went on to receive a Masters in Public Health through the combined program at Upstate Medical University and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. During that time he served a two year appointment as a Lerner Fellow at the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion. Thereafter he completed medical school at Upstate Medical University and subsequently completed his Pediatric and Chief Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. He went on to complete a Fellowship in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at the University of Rochester, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and specializes as both a Pediatric Intensivist and Child Abuse Pediatrician. In his free time, Matthew enjoys camping, traveling, cooking, and spending time with his energetic Aussiedoodle, family, and friends along Lake Ontario.
Allyson Rossi
Director
Allyson Rossi
Allyson Rossi, Director of The Kara Fund, has been involved since its early days and was Treasurer from 2014 to 2023. A CPA with over a decade of experience in accounting and finance within the healthcare industry, she currently serves as Director of Financial Initiatives at Crouse Hospital. Allyson brings both professional expertise and a deeply personal connection to the organization—Kara was her best friend. That bond, along with years of service, fuels her passion for supporting families facing pediatric health challenges. She lives in downtown Syracuse with her family and remains committed to strengthening The Kara Fund’s impact in the community.
Lisa Rossi
Director, Crouse Hospital Liaison
Lisa Rossi
Lisa Rossi is a senior financial manager for a small, women-owned federal contractor and a local family photographer. A graduate of Syracuse University, she combines her professional expertise with a passion for capturing meaningful moments behind the camera. Lisa lives in Tully, NY with her husband and two children.
Lisa has fond memories of watching Kara grow up as a close friend of her younger sister, Allyson. Lisa began supporting The Kara Fund in 2013 and remains committed to its mission of helping families and children in need.
Associate Directors
Brenda Almonte
Associate Director
Brenda Almonte
Kara and her friends were a huge part of our DECA program at ESM High School, where I was a teacher. I helped out with the program and got to meet and work with these extraordinary students. When the MacDougall’s started The Kara Fund, I helped with the DECA projects raising monies to go to their organization. A few years after I retired, I ran into Mark and mentioned that I would love to somehow be involved. Currently, I have the honor of working with our sponsors for the annual Open Your Hearts to Childrenevent. Although, I try and support TKF’s other programs whenever possible, I also really enjoy helping with The Holiday Meal Program, ordering and organizing a “meal package” for families needing a little more support during the holidays. Sometimes “the little things speak volumes.” I like to think the little things I help with are part of the broader impact on how The Kara Fund changes the lives of the families they serve. I live in Minoa with my husband, John, and we are blessed to have our son and daughter and their families living in the Syracuse area.
Lauren Anderson
Associate Director
Lauren Anderson
Lauren Anderson (Greiner) has been involved since the early days, contributing heavily to The Fashion Show, Winter Volleyball, and many other events. Kara, her childhood friend, shared a warmth and compassion that helped shape who Lauren is today. As an Oncology Nurse at the Upstate Cancer Center, she finds it incredibly meaningful to support children and families during some of their most difficult times. Lauren and her husband Richie are currently cherishing life with their newest addition, baby boy Mack.
Katrina Ballard
Associate Director
Annette Buck
Associate Director
Annette Buck
Annette, a lifelong resident of Syracuse, NY, holds both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from LeMoyne College. With eight years of experience as a program manager in IT at a leading finance company, Annette is recognized for her dedication to helping others and her commitment to fostering strong relationships with family and friends. Her connection with Kara began at ESM, where they shared many close mutual friends.
Amy Caldeira
Associate Director, Community Care Leader
Amy Caldeira
Amy Caldeira is an Associate Director for The Kara Fund and assists on the ESM Annual Soccer Kara Fund Game Benefit. Amy brings 41 years of business, customer relations, product development and life experiences to our organization. She now works as an Office Manager for McAuliffe, a manufacturing company in Liverpool NY. She joined them in 1996 moving from Philadelphia, PA and helped build sales and to help develop and market the MAXStick Product. Amy is currently living in Pompey NY with her dog Harley; her son is finishing his last semesters of college at MSU. Her and her partner Joe will be building a new home together in 2026. She has known the MacDougall Family since 1982, since their college years and remained close with them and watched their 3 children grow. The MacDougall Family is very dear to her heart and loved Kara. Kara had a lively spunk and energy and was a very special young lady. Amy helps where she can with the activities of The Kara Fund.
Nicole Cedillo
Associate Director
Nicole Cedillo
Nicole Cedillo serves as an Associate Director of The Kara Fund and previously held the role of Acting Treasurer from 2023 to 2025. She brings extensive financial expertise to the organization, drawing on her experience as an Accounting Director at a local bank, a position she has held since 2017. Before transitioning to the banking industry, Nicole spent four years in public accounting at a regional firm in Syracuse, where she formed a close friendship with one of Kara’s dear friends—an introduction that led her to the mission of The Kara Fund.
Inspired by the organization’s impact, Nicole began attending fundraising events and gradually became more involved in supporting its work. She holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from SUNY Oswego, where she also met her husband. They have two daughters whom they spend most of their free time chasing after.
Nicole is dedicated to advancing The Kara Fund’s mission and is honored to contribute her financial leadership and passion for community service.
Eileen Christopher
Associate Director
Eileen Christopher
I was Kara’s first and second grade teacher and have known the MacDougall Family for a long time. It is a pleasure to help this organization bring so much comfort to families here in CNY. As a retired teacher from the ESM district, I am having a great time with the transition to retired life!
Candy Flock
Associate Director
Candy Flock
Candy Flock is a twenty year employee of Upstate Medical University and as an Associate Director with the Kara Fund she coordinates the delivery of items of comfort for the CHOICES and Upstate Sickle Cell programs. Candy has volunteered with The Kara Fund for many years and truly believes in its loving mission.
Annette Krisak
Associate Director
Annette Krisak
Annette got involved with The Kara Fund after attending the first Open Your Hearts to Children event in 2011. Since then, Annette has joined forces with Teri and Kathy to help acquire donations and coordinate our annual event. Annette actively seeks other opportunities to engage the community with the Kara Fund such as the 2024 Syracuse Food Truck Battle and Lights on the Lake. In her career, Annette was the Public Relations and Fundraising Director at Catholic Charities, Board President of Lourdes Camp and Girls Inc. She retired after 26 years with OCC as the Associate Director of JOBSplus! Annette spends her time with her husband Michael and grandchildren.
Ann MacDougall
Associate Director
Ann MacDougall
Ann MacDougall, Kara’s Aunt, has been a participant in the Kara Fund from its start. A graduate from SUNY Oswego and retired teacher, she now spends her time living on Lake Ontario and enjoying time with her grandchildren.
Daniel MacDougall
Associate Director
Daniel MacDougall
Daniel, Kara’s brother, helps whenever he is needed to make events run smoothly. He completed his undergraduate degree in Geology at SUNY Potsdam. Recently married, he and Emily are enjoying the outdoors, concerts, and their two pets!
Diane Maloney
Associate Director
Diane Maloney
Diane Maloney is one of the founding directors of The Kara Fund, bringing a deep personal commitment to the mission as Kara’s aunt. A proud graduate of SUNY Oswego and a retired educator from the Jamesville-DeWitt School District, Diane devoted her career to enriching the lives of children and families—values that continue to guide her work with the Fund. Now retired, she splits her time living in Fayetteville and on the Great Sacandaga Reservoir, enjoying time spent with her grandchildren and staying closely connected to the cause that means so much to her.
Cindy Nagle
Associate Director
Cindy Nagle
I have been close friends with the MacDougall family for 40 years. Play dates with our
children were a norm throughout the growing years. I’m honored to offer any expertise I have to this group of volunteers. Kara would be proud of the comfort that this
organization brings to our community.
children were a norm throughout the growing years. I’m honored to offer any expertise I have to this group of volunteers. Kara would be proud of the comfort that this
organization brings to our community.
Eric Neubauer
Associate Director
Eric Neubauer
Eric supports The Kara Fund in a variety of areas as needs arise from photography to presentation preparation. He currently is a Product Manager at Network Craze Technologies, Inc., an IT hardware supplier in East Syracuse. Eric worked alongside Kara with the East Syracuse Education Foundation on several DECA activities as well as being a neighbor. His desire to see The Kara Fund grow its support for children and family is a fit for his experience and belief of the cause.
Lauri Ventresca
Associate Director, Information Coordinator
Lauri Ventresca
Lauri helps manage The Kara Fund contact list and email communications. Lauri is a consultant in the field of healthcare customer data management. Lauri spent 30 years at Welch Allyn/Hillrom in Skaneateles NY, and finished her full time career as the Director of Enterprise Data Management. Lauri became connected with The Kara Fund, as Mark and Lauri are college friends and graduated together with degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University.
Dr. Stephanie Wallace
Associate Director
Dr. Stephanie Wallace
An ESM Alumni, that has spent over thirteen years serving in social services and most recently entering an administrator role in a local higher education institution, championing underserved student populations, Stephanie has always wanted to serve the greater good! Over the past decade Stephanie has served in volunteer roles with the Red Shoe Society of North Central Florida, Zonta Club of Oswego, and Board member for other local organizations such as Believe in Syracuse and Syracuse Reads+. In her spare time she coaches her kids sports teams and enjoys spending time with family. Being a mom has inspired her to give as much as she can to our community and supporting children and families. As a fellow business student with Kara, Stephanie wants to continue to spread the light and love Kara did every day by giving to families in the toughest of times!
