Meet the Funders, held in partnership with ADO
Join us for this special event presented in partnership with Association of Development Officers (ADO). Meet the Funders features a panel of foundation and corporate program officers to learn how you can strengthen your applications and your relationships with funders. Meet the Funders is your chance to hear directly from the people who read the grants we submit.
Panelists will share how to make proposals stand out, their thoughts about AI, and shifts in government funding, pet peeves and more. After the moderator engages with panelists, there will time for general audience questions. You are welcome to submit questions ahead of time to: info.GPLH@gmail.com
Panelists: (In Formation)
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Kara McLoughlin, President of Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation
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Lauren Perkins, Program Director of Westchester Office of the New York Community Trust
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Gabrielle Calabrese, Vice President, Charitable Foundation Senior Regional Program Officer at M&T Bank
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Joanne Stewart, Secretary, Board of Directors, Phelps Community Foundation
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Ellen Bloom, Director, Community Affairs, Westchester, NY Presbyterian Hospital
ABOUT OUR PANELISTS:
Kara McLoughlin, Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation
Kara McLoughlin is the new president of the Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation (5 months in!). For the prior 18 years, she was the executive director of the Patrina Foundation, a family foundation supporting girls’ and women’s social and education programs across the Metro-New York area. Outside of work, Kara has been an active volunteer in her community for 20 years, volunteering with local nonprofit and civic organizations.
Lauren Perkins, Westchester Office of the New York Community Trust
Lauren Perkins is a program director in the Westchester office of The New York Community Trust. She oversees The Trust's grantmaking in Westchester that is focused on early childhood education, youth development, basic human needs and self-sufficiency, and health. Lauren also manages the Westchester Index, an equity-focused community data project. Previously, Lauren held leadership roles in public education at the Great Oaks Foundation, the Fund for Public Schools, and the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Readiness. Lauren earned a B.A. in Sociology from Hamilton College and an M.A. in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Gabrielle Calabrese, M&T Bank
Gabby Calabrese has been with M&T Bank since 2015 with most of her work being with the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation. Gabby’s role as the Charitable Foundation’s Senior Regional Program Officer is to oversee all of the charitable giving, sponsorships and community engagement for the Capital Region, the Hudson Valley region and Tarrytown through Westchester county. Gabby also oversees employee volunteerism efforts as well as all employee board participation for those areas.
Gabby currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) as well as serving as Co-Chair for the Light the Night walk for Blood Cancer United. Gabby also serves on the Board of Directors for the Arts Center of the Capital Region where she is also serving as the Chair of their annual spring gala. Gabby also sits on the Red Cross Fire and Ice gala committee as well as the Gala of Hope committee for the American Cancer Society.
Joanne Stewart, Phelps Community Foundation

Joanne Stewart is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of Phelps Community Foundation. Joanne joined the Board in 2020 and became Secretary in 2021. The mission of Phelps Community Foundation is to provide financial assistance to non-profit organizations that serve the healthcare needs and promote the wellness of residents in Westchester and Rockland Counties, NY. Joanne is also the Owner/President of goodworks Advisory Group, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in Grant Writing for nonprofit organizations. Joanne has over 30 years of experience in both nonprofit and corporate settings, specializing in fundraising, grant writing, advertising, and marketing. She has helped raise millions of dollars for her nonprofit clients through effective prospect research, the development of winning grant proposals, and funder cultivation strategies. In 2016, the Association of Development Officers named Joanne Stewart Development Professional of the Year. Joanne is also a past President and Secretary of Grant Professionals of Lower Hudson.
Cost:
- Non-members: $40
- Members: FREE! Join GPLH today and attend this event for free!
*Registration required by October 8th, cancelations required by October 9th.

