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Staff Directory

President

Marilyn Gelber, President, was the founding Executive Director of the Independence Community Foundation, and established it as Brooklyn’s leading philanthropy; she then led its transformation into the Brooklyn Community Foundation. A lifelong New Yorker and current resident of Boerum Hill, Ms. Gelber served 28 years in NYC’s public sector, including positions as Commissioner of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, Executive Assistant to the Brooklyn Borough President, and Director of Neighborhood Strategy Planning for the NYC Department of City Planning. Marilyn serves on various public and private nonprofit boards and has received several awards and honorary degrees from Brooklyn institutions.

Michael J. Burke

Chief Operating Officer

Michael J. Burke joined the Community Foundation in January 2012. Prreviously Michael was the Chief Operating Officer of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. He has also served as Chief of Staff for Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; Budget and Policy Director for former Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden; and Vice President in community and housing development matters for Chemical Bank and Manufacturers Hanover Trust. A resident of Brooklyn for almost 25 years, Michael has been very involved in the borough’s arts and civic organizations. He has held positions on the Boards of Directors of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp., BRIC Arts/Media/Bklyn and Best of Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn Community Pride Center. Michael received his Bachelors in Political Science from Columbia College, and a Masters in Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Stephanie Hyacinth

Vice President for Development

Stephanie Hyacinth, Vice President for Development, joins the Brooklyn Community Foundation to engage and energize potential supporters throughout the community to participate in its mission. She has more than 20 years of fundraising experience in a wide range of organizations, most recently at NPower, where she was responsible for all aspects of development and fundraising from foundations, corporations, government agencies and individuals. Stephanie has worked at nonprofits such as the Irvington Institute for Immunological Research and the YWCA of the City of New York, and was a consultant with Brakeley, John Price Jones, Inc. (now known as Brakeley Briscoe). A graduate of Vassar College, Stephanie is an active volunteer and is president of her class. Stephanie is a lifelong Brooklyn resident.

Liane Stegmaier

Director of Communications

Liane Stegmaier, Director of Communications, aims to be a life-long New Yorker, if one considers life starting at age 18. A graduate of New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, Liane joined the Brooklyn Community Foundation in June 2011 after nearly seven years in public relations and marketing at the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and the Lupus Research Institute. Liane brings her social media savvy to the Foundation's team, as well as a love of biking, flea markets, and library books. She is a proud resident of Prospect Heights/Crown Heights, not "Pro-Cro."

Stuart Post

Senior Program Officer

Stuart Post, Senior Program Officer, directs the arts and culture program for the Brooklyn Community Foundation. With many years experience working at the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Borough President’s office, Stuart has an exhaustive knowledge of the borough’s diverse cultural assets and a deep commitment to making them accessible to all. A graduate of Brown University, Stuart is an active volunteer with the NYC Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Foundation and has served on the grant review committee of the Stonewall Community Foundation. An avid bike commuter, Stuart lives in Brooklyn.

Toya Williford

Program Director

Toya Williford, Program Director, handles the education, youth, environmental, and community development programs for the Brooklyn Community Foundation. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Toya is a graduate of Cornell University and received a Masters of Science in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University. She is an active volunteer with the NYC Transit Riders Council, her local PTA and block association. She is a proud resident of Bedford-Stuyvesant, where she lives with her two children.

Diane John

Small Grants Administrator and Office Manager

Diane John, Small Grants Administrator and Office Manager, manages Brooklyn Community Foundation’s unique small grants program as well as the Foundation's office. Diane is an active volunteer with the Parents Association at her daughter's school, and several organizations in Brooklyn. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration and lives in Crown Heights with her family.

Anna French

Grants Manager

Anna French, Grants Manager, is responsible for the smooth flow of grants from the initial inquiry to the final report. Her previous work with the Weeksville Historic Houses gives her a unique perspective of the Brooklyn community and the challenges of small emerging nonprofits. In addition, Anna coordinates the Maynard/Weeks College Scholarship program and works with Brooklyn high schools and neighborhood groups to provide young people living in public housing with access to resources for their personal and academic development. She is an active volunteer with the Brooklyn Historical Society. An immigrant from Guyana, Anna has lived in New York City for over 20 years.