Who We Are

Saratoga Springboard is led by Betsy Boland and Alysa Arnold:

Betsy Boland, President, is a native Saratogian who returned to the area after living and working in New York City for nearly 10 years. Betsy proudly co-founded Universal Preservation Hall’s volunteer group, The Steeplechasers, and is thrilled to have helped lead the efforts to create Saratoga Springboard. Betsy has served on various boards supporting arts and culture in the area and was a member of the Leadership Saratoga Class of 2010.  Betsy is the Coordinator of Stewardship and Donor Relations at Empire State College and also works with clients as an independent event consultant. She holds a B.A. in International/Intercultural Relations from Fordham University’s College at Lincoln Center.

Alysa Arnold, Vice President, is the founder of Saratoga Doula Services, which provides postpartum support for families after the birth or adoption of a baby.  A native of Niskayuna, Alysa moved back to the area in 2004 and began volunteering in the community for Universal Preservation Hall and the Saratoga Mentoring Program. After participating in Leadership Saratoga in 2007, Alysa was inspired to create Saratoga Springboard (along with several other founding members) as a way to empower local non-profits by providing them with fresh ideas and a nimble “swat team” of talented professionals. Alysa holds a B. A. from Hamilton College and a Masters of Secondary Science Education from Columbia University.

Saratoga Springboard members:

Gabe Anderson is the Director of Customer Advocacy for Articulate, the 15th fastest growing technology company in North America, and has helped the company grow to more than 15,000 customers in 115+ countries.  He holds a B.A. in English from Vassar and has lived in Saratoga Springs with his lovely wife, Jen, and their dogs, Stella and Happy, since 2003.  Gabe and Jen recently welcomed their first daughter, Grace. Gabe enjoys traveling and is a five-time marathoner.

Jordan Baker is the owner of an eco-friendly flower business, Heavenscent Floral Art, located in downtown Saratoga Springs. Heavenscent specializes in creating unforgettable flower arrangements for weddings and special events with an emphasis on being eco-minded.  Jordan is Australian, a certified florist and also holds a degree in public relations. She moved to Saratoga Springs in 2007 after living in NYC for six years, where she worked in public relations.

Courtney Bissell first became involved with Saratoga Springboard when she served as Coordinator of Development and Volunteers at Franklin Community Center in Saratoga Springs, and approached the group with a project proposal they accepted! After resigning her post at Franklin Community Center, Courtney began work with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as an Advancement Officer working with student groups on campus, young alumni and volunteers. She missed working with non-profits and the wonderful community in Saratoga Springs so much, she decided to become a member of Saratoga Springboard. Courtney received her B.A. in Sociology from SUNY Albany and her M.A. in Community Psychology from Sage Graduate School. In her free time, Courtney enjoys escaping to Lake Placid, kayaking, and spending time with her cocker spaniel, Marley. Courtney is very excited to continue cheerleading for Franklin Community Center and helping other area non-profit agencies.

Stephen Carleton, a native of Canada (eh!), first visited Saratoga to attend the ballet and immediately fell in love with the city. With fond memories of that first trip to the area, he recently celebrated a decade of Saratoga living.  Stephen is a financial advisor who works with individuals, businesses and foundations to manage their wealth and provide guidance in philanthropic giving.  Stephen is currently First Vice President at Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC, one of the oldest New York Stock Exchange firms, founded in 1832.  A Ducati and Porsche enthusiast, Stephen loves to travel and spend time outdoors.  He is very excited to lend his experience and time to Saratoga Springboard.

Valerie Collins is a Saratoga Springs native with 15 years experience managing environmental assessment and remediation projects throughout the country. Following a move back to Saratoga in 2002, she indulged her creative side by also working in freelance graphic design for local businesses. Valerie is currently enjoying her role as a full-time mom and is also participating in the Master Gardener program through the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Shawn Corp is a Project Architect with bht Architecure in Saratoga Springs.  Prior to taking a position with bht, Shawn worked for Olsen Associates, Architects, from 1996 to 2011, and had overseen the design and construction of several projects throughout the city.  Those projects included: Congress Park Centre, Franklin Square Condominiums, The Lofts at 18 Division Street and 54 Phila Street.  He has also worked on numerous private homes, hotels, restaurants and office buildings throughout the Capital District.  Shawn spends his free time renovating his own house, which he shares with his wife, Stephanie, and their son, Samuel.

Stephanie Corp is the Associate Director of Annual Giving at Empire State College and has previously worked as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Albany Symphony Orchestra and as Director of Public Relations at Lexington Center, Fulton County ARC. Since moving to Saratoga Springs in 2000, Stephanie has been involved in a variety of community organizations and activities including the UPH Steeplechasers and various local non-profit and political groups.  Stephanie resides in downtown Saratoga Springs with her husband, Shawn, and their son, Samuel.

Kristen Farina is the Program Coordinator of the New York State Perinatal Quality Collaborative (NYSPQC) at the New York State Department of Health.  The NYSPQC aims to provide the best and safest care for women and infants in New York State by preventing and minimizing harm through the use of evidence-based practice interventions.  Kristen is the Advocacy Chair on the Community Leadership Board of the Capital District Chapter of the American Diabetes Association.  She also serves on the Saratoga Springs Tour De Cure Committee and is a co-captain of the Capital District chapter of  Team Red.  Kristen holds a B.A. in English from Siena College, and an M.S. in Health Communication from Boston University.  She is a member of the Leadership Saratoga Class of 2012.

Lindsay Kaufman is a Senior Sales Associate at the International Center for Leadership in Education. Lindsay currently resides in her hometown of Scotia. Being a lifelong learner and working in education for the past seven years, she is committed to preparing students for the 21^st century. Lindsay enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and spending time with friends and family. She believes the future is not a place you go, but a place you create.

Jennifer Joseph Perry serves on the Board of Directors for the Domestic Violence Rape Crisis Services Center of Saratoga County, and as Secretary and Chair of the Board Development Committee.  She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Leadership Saratoga Alumni Association and a Past President of the Saratoga City Ballet Board of Directors.  Jen has put her professional career on hold to be a full-time mom.

Leah Lanci is a Saratoga native and thrilled to be a member of the Springboard team. Through her volunteer efforts with the St. Peter’s ALS Center and the Brave Will Foundation, Leah recently decided to pursue a new career path in nursing. She is currently enrolled at SUNY Adirondack and works as a Patient Care Assistant at Saratoga Hospital.

Kristin Overholt is a native Saratogian who recently returned to a medical sales career after taking six years off to be home with her children.  She has been actively involved over the years doing fundraising and event planning with various organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, Mohawk Valley Ballet and League of Women Voter’s of Saratoga County. Kristin is currently Program Coordinator for the LeaderSpark Saratoga, a nationally recognized program that provides high school students with leadership training.  Kristin enjoys spending time with her three daughters, Grace, Anna and Jane.

Kara Pritchard is an attorney currently working as an Account Manager in the Tax and Accounting division of Thomson Reuters. Kara has previously served as Secretary on the Board of Directors of Shelters of Saratoga and is currently the President of the Adirondack Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. She holds a B.A. from Colgate University and earned her J.D. at the University of New Hampshire School of Law. Kara resides in Wilton with her husband, Bo, and dog, Radley.

Serena Savage – After graduating from Harvard College with a B.A. in Visual Theory and Bio Anthropology, Serena spent two years in Colombia doing documentary films for Rockefeller and Fullbright Fellowships.  From there she went to work at the Nasdaq Stock Market as a Director of Special Projects, and used her business experience as the head of fundraising for the NY branch of the non-profit, Business Executives for National Security.  She then returned to the arts and studied textile design at FIT, and has since worked at Brunshcwig & Fils and Lee Jofa as a print colorist.  Serena has put her roots down in Saratoga with her husband and young son, and now works in textile and web design.  She holds dual Brazilian and U.S. citizenship and speaks fluent Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.

Elisa Sheehan is the owner of lis design, a full service graphic design firm in Saratoga Springs. Lis Design provides elegant and innovative graphic design solutions for print and web. Elisa has offered her design skills to various community organizations such as the Pink Ball, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany, the Saratoga County Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center, Franklin Community Center’s Project Lift and Universal Preservation Hall. Also a fine artist, Elisa paints large and small abstract/botanical pieces and has shown her work in both group and solo exhibitions. Elisa and her husband, Kevin, reside in Saratoga Springs with their daughter, Quinn, and two dogs, Ernie and Rosie.

Ashley Terwilliger is the Member Services Coordinator for Successful Practices Network (SPN), a non-profit membership organization that emphasizes the importance of rigor, relevance and relationships in the educational experiences of elementary through high school students. Prior to her employment at SPN, Ashley was the Director of Education at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. Ashley has been involved in a variety of volunteer and community organizations, including the Schenectady MeloDears, the Saratoga Mentoring Program and the Saratoga Environmental Expo. Ashley resides in Saratoga Springs and spends her free time enjoying all the city has to offer.

Jessica Updyke has been a resident of Malta/Ballston Spa since 2003 and joined Saratoga Springboard in April 2013.  Jessica recently launched a business in the health and wellness industry, building a strong global network and inspiring others to do the same.  In addition, she leads the social media strategy for the Research Foundation for the State University of New York.  Her skill sets allow her to focus on marketing and new media which gives her the ability to promote and craft innovative campaigns with high-impact.  Jessica previously supported executives at Alden March Bioethics Institute of Albany Medical Center and First Albany which later became Broadpoint Securities, now Gleacher.  She has been involved in a variety of volunteer and community activities.  Jessica holds a B.S. in Mass Communications.  Jessica and her husband Rob have a son, Rowan and dog Mila.

 

Past members of Saratoga Springboard include:

Andrew Elder
Ben Zimmerman