Board of Directors announces slate of officers, welcomes new member Antonio DeSpirito
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. — The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) Board of Directors has announced the election of Kelly Chezum, vice president of external relations at Clarkson University, as the regional economic nonprofit’s next chair. The vote makes Chezum the first woman to serve as board president in ANCA’s 67-year history.
The ANCA board also confirmed a new slate of officers and one new board member at their quarterly meeting on September 23. The meeting directly preceded ANCA’s annual meeting at The Wild Center, where over 120 people gathered to learn about the organization’s current programming and impacts.
In addition to Chezum, officers include Noah Shaw of Foley Hoag LLP as vice president; J. Daniel Mohr of Adirondack Bank as treasurer; and Katie Malinowski of Tug Hill Commission as secretary. Antonio DeSpirito, managing director of BlackRock and chief investment officer of its U.S. Fundamental Active Equity program, was elected as ANCA’s newest board member.
“We are so grateful to have Kelly at the helm during this exciting time at ANCA,” said ANCA Executive Director, Elizabeth Cooper. “During her 11 years on our board, Kelly has been an instrumental team member who consistently demonstrates remarkable leadership, insight and open-mindedness. She is a strong leader and positive example for our board and staff as we work together to grow economic opportunities throughout the Adirondack North Country.”
Chezum joined the ANCA board in 2011 and has served as its vice president for the past seven years alongside outgoing chair Jim Sonneborn. She has over 25 years of experience as a creative marketing professional and administrator in the public, private, nonprofit and government sectors.
In addition to her volunteer leadership role at ANCA, she served as past Education Program Chair for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) at the United Nations, where she received WED’s Education Pioneer Award in 2016. She is a member of the Adirondack Global Sports Commission, whose planning has advanced international tourism opportunities like the International Children’s Games and 2023 World University Games. She is also a director for the Public Policy Institute for the New York State Business Council and a member of the Education Committee for the New York State Economic Development Corporation and serves on several local chamber boards. Chezum’s professional experience includes marketing, book and magazine publishing, direct mail campaigns, public relations, grant writing and strategic planning. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Carroll University in Wisconsin and an M.B.A. from Clarkson University. She earned a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University in Massachusetts. Chezum lives with her husband and son in Canton, N.Y.
“The Adirondack North Country is a special place for residents and visitors alike,” said Chezum. “ANCA’s energetic team collaborates with local communities to have a positive economic impact. It’s an organization that makes a real difference. As a board member supporting ANCA’s mission, it’s important to me — as a parent as well as a colleague and local business patron — that we have opportunities to advance the quality of life for our friends and neighbors, and create opportunity and prosperity for future generations.”
DeSpirito brings over 25 years of experience in financial and portfolio management to ANCA’s board. In addition to his role at BlackRock, he is a visiting lecturer at Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management. Prior to joining BlackRock in 2014, he served as managing principal, portfolio manager and executive committee member at Pzena Investment Management. He also served as an attorney with Ropes & Gray LLP. DeSpirito earned a bachelor’s degree in economics with a concentration in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a juris doctor degree from Harvard Law School.
“I am honored to serve on ANCA’s board. As a business person and a long term part-time resident of the Adirondack Park, I look forward to supporting ANCA’s mission of growing the North Country economy in ways that serve the businesses and people who make our communities strong,” said DeSpirito. “It was wonderful to see at the annual meeting the range of impact that ANCA is already having. I am excited to help advance this work across the region.”
The September 23 meeting marked term limits for long-time board members Phil Giltner and Michele Ledoux, who were awarded resolutions in recognition of their service. Giltner, who works in New York State’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, has served for three consecutive three-year terms since 2013. Ledoux, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County, served on ANCA’s board for three terms from 2009 to 2018 and an additional term from 2019 to 2022. Outgoing board chair Jim Sonneborn will continue to serve on the board one more year to support the leadership transition.
“This is an exciting time for ANCA where we are seeing broad reach and impact from our work in local food systems, small businesses, clean energy and equity and inclusion. This momentum is due in large part to the support of a dedicated board of directors,” said Cooper. “We are grateful to Phil, Michele and Jim for their years of service, and welcome Tony to this exceptional team.”
ANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity across northern New York. Using innovative strategies for food systems, clean energy, small businesses, and equity and inclusion, ANCA delivers targeted interventions that create and sustain wealth and value in local communities.
https://www.clarkson.edu/news/clarkson-universitys-kelly-chezum-elected-first-woman-chair-anca
