The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation board recently elected Mark Fischer and Betsy Gingerich to its board of directors and named its slate of Foundation officers for 2026.
With over a decade of experience at Cutco Corporations as a graphic designer and marketing coordinator, Mark Fischer is a graphic design and digital marketing professional dedicated to creating impactful materials and marketing campaigns. In his role, Fischer focuses on driving customer engagement while ensuring a consistent and recognizable brand presence.
Fischer has a Bachelor of Science focused in graphic design and digital media from Champlain College.
Fischer has been a member of the CRCF marketing and donor development committee since 2024.
The CRCF board of directors also elected Betsy Gingerich to a three-year term.
Gingerich brings a bevy of board experience to the Foundation.
A higher education consultant at St. Bonaventure University, Gingerich has 29 years of higher education experience, working in the departments of admissions, financial aid, enrollment management, academic affairs and president’s office management.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in speech communication from Shippensburg University, later obtaining her Master of Business Administration in nonprofit management from Alvernia University.
Gingerich serves as a board member for the YMCA of the Twin Tiers, the St. Elizabeth Mission Society and the Tri-County Arts Council, while also volunteering her time as a volunteer at the Warming House.
Gingerich has been a member of the CRCF scholarship committee since 2022.
Fischer and Gingerich bring distinct perspectives that add depth to CRCF’s board and support its continued work to “grow good” across the community.
“We’re pleased to welcome Mark Fischer and Betsy Gingerich to the CRCF board and to continue working alongside our returning board members,” said Kirk Windus, CRCF executive director. “Their collective leadership plays a critical role in ensuring CRCF remains a trusted partner and catalyst for positive change throughout our community.”
Vicki Blessing, Shabana Chauhdry and Sean Cornelius, all currently serving board members, were re-elected to three-year terms starting on January 1, 2026.
Elected officers for the CRCF board this year include: Wendy Brand, president; Sandi Brundage, vice president; Shabana Chauhdry, second vice president; Mike Kasperski, treasurer; and Audra Stevens, secretary.
The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email [email protected], or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).
