Adirondack Community Foundation welcomes new staff and trustees ahead of milestone anniversary

LAKE PLACID — Adirondack Community Foundation (ACF) is pleased to announce that Amy Feiereisel has joined the staff as Vice President of Communications. In this new role, Feiereisel, a former reporter and program director at North Country Public Radio, will build on the community foundation’s recent rebranding efforts to expand regional awareness of community-based philanthropy.

“Amy is an award-winning reporter and talented communicator who has been telling the Adirondack story for more than a decade,” said Cali Brooks, ACF President and CEO. “We are thrilled to have her on board as we grow our outreach and deepen our impact across the region.”

At its August meeting, the ACF board welcomed four new trustees: Lori Bellingham, Todd Clough, Peter Menzies and Antonia Ness Ryckman. David Darrin also returned to the board after a two-year hiatus. 

Lori Bellingham lives in Saratoga Springs and retired from ACF as Vice President for Community Impact. She grew up in Lake Placid and Boston and has 30 years of experience working for nonprofits, including 12 years in community development in the philanthropic sector.

Todd Clough is Executive Vice President of Fairfield-Maxwell Ltd., a third-generation family-owned enterprise with a diversified portfolio of businesses spanning multiple industries and geographies. He also serves as CEO of the company’s maritime group. A third-generation Adirondacker, Todd divides his time between Red Hook, N.Y., and his family’s camp on Raquette Lake.

David Darrin has been involved with environmental organizations in the Lake George region for over 35 years, including the Lake George Land Conservancy, the Fund for Lake George and the Lake George Association. He was a photographer in New York City for 10 years before attending the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and turning to design-build work. He and his wife, Lee Ann, live in Hague, N.Y., and Florida. 

Peter Menzies owns and operates The Katonah Reading Room, a community bookstore and café in Katonah, N.Y., with his wife, Gretchen. A former MTV producer and director, he has been active in nonprofit leadership for more than three decades. His current and former board service includes the Claneil Foundation, the Lake George Association, Lake George Land Conservancy, Westchester Land Trust, and the Katonah Chamber of Commerce.

Antonia Ness Ryckman is retired from a career in Equity Research and Investment Banking. She lives in New York City and Lake Placid with her husband, Bill, and their combined five children. A life-long resident of the Adirondacks, her ties to the community run deep. Past regional board service includes the Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake, the Shore Owners’ Association in Lake Placid, and the Lake Placid Land Conservancy.

These leadership appointments come at a pivotal moment as Adirondack Community Foundation prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary. For nearly three decades, ACF has partnered with generous donors, local leadership, and community organizations to address the region’s most pressing challenges. Expanding its staff and governing board equips the Foundation to enter its fourth decade with renewed momentum, ensuring the vibrant future and lasting prosperity of Adirondack communities. 

Learn more about Adirondack Community Foundation at adkcommunityfoundation.org.