WNYSLC Names Stephanie Malinenko Executive Director

Stephanie Malinenko has been selected as the Western New York Service-Learning Coalition's first Executive Director.  She will begin on February 6, 2008, and her office will be housed in the Wick Center at Daemen College.

Stephanie has been serving as Manager of Services to Seniors with the American Red Cross, Greater Buffalo Chapter.  She holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Medaille College.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Buffalo State College. 
 
Stephanie first became passionate about service-learning during college when she enrolled in a service-learning course. She began her career as a counselor for runaway and homeless youth before moving into broader community-based work with the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. She spent the past seven years with the American Red Cross, where she was responsible for creating and implementing innovative programs for area seniors.  As part of her work, Stephanie worked with faculty to develop service-learning placements.  She has linked and supervised service-learning students from D’Youville College, Buffalo State College, University at Buffalo, Niagara University as well as the Buffalo Public Schools and private and parochial high schools in the area.  She is also a fellow with the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York’s Health Leadership Fellows program.
 
Stephanie brings to the position extensive fundraising, grant writing, and grant administration experience.  During her time at the American Red Cross, she managed over $2.4 million dollars in grant funding (government contracts, national and local private grants) as well as secured over $1.2 million individually. In 2001, hers was one of eighteen programs awarded a national Robert Wood Johnson grant for over $450,000 from the Local Initiatives Funding Partners Program.
 
In addition, Stephanie has been a highly active member of the Western New York Service-Learning Coalition since 2002.  She has assisted in organizing numerous events and workshops related to service-learning, volunteered with a range of committees and task groups, and has led workshops on effective service-learning practices.