Alice is a former kids media executive from Nickelodeon and National Geographic Kids, a certified Fearless Living coach, and a single mother of two children who attended the Rhinebeck schools. Her role on the CultureConnect board is to share her wisdom of kid empowerment, technology support, project management, and marketing strategy.

Deirdre is retired from many years of service as a trustee of the Rhinebeck Central School District Board of Education, having been elected for five consecutive terms and serving as Board president for two terms. She is a trained mediator with the Mediation Center of Dutchess County, mediating family, workplace and small claims cases. She is also a trained facilitator and volunteers with a Poughkeepsie-based project helping to facilitate community meetings. Deirdre raised two children who went through the Rhinebeck public schools and, previously, has been a community organizer in public housing, a public health educator and a bookseller.

Norm runs Woodstock Organic Concepts, a branding and creative services company that helps local, regional and national companies with all facets of their image management needs; he spearheaded last year’s re-branding and logo development for CultureConnect. He also works as a fine artist who has exhibited his art in museums and galleries all over the world and has been honored with NYSCA, NYFA, and Pollock-Krasner Foundation grants, among others. He runs our ArtsConnect program, consisting of our annual Veterans Day ArtsCrawl and  “Night at the Museum,” a sleep-over at a local museum.

Ron is a Principal in Financial Training Partners, where he teaches finance and banking. He is committed to ensure that all children have the tools and resources they need to reach their full potential, and believes we all benefit from living in a community that values social justice and global engagement.

Elisabeth is a writer and consultant with extensive experience in executive marketing and communications, both in the corporate world and in private higher education. She specializes in strategic and crisis communications, speeches, newsletters, and feature stories. The wife and granddaughter of immigrants, Elisabeth is fluent in Spanish and has spent significant time working and traveling abroad. She has a daughter in the Rhinebeck school system and is committed to promoting cultural competence and supporting a diverse community that is welcoming to all.

Henry is a 7th grade Social Studies teacher at Bulkeley Middle School in Rhinebeck, NY.  Henry has created a dynamic program at the middle school about Madagascar and created and leads the Madagascar Connect program for CultureConnect.  MadagascarConnect is a two-year education and travel program for high school students to learn about and experience the culture of Madagascar.

Scott started visiting the Hudson Valley the summer of 1995 as a camp counselor. After finishing his Bachelor Degree in elementary education, he moved to Rhinebeck permanently in 1998 and took a position as Program Director at Ramapo for Children. While at Ramapo Scott completed a master’s degree in Camp Administration and Leadership from Touro University.

Scott has held leadership positions at Ramapo for Children, currently serving as the Senior Director of Operations. Scott resides in Rhinebeck with his two children. When not at work he enjoys hiking, skiing and biking. Having worked in a diverse community of children and adults from all over the world for many years, Scott is looking forward to sharing his experience and expertise working with CultureConnect, supporting the organization’s many programs.

Lillian spent two decades living in almost every neighborhood in New York City, during which she had a 14-year finance career. After leaving that world behind, she took volunteer trips to orphanages in Kenya, Guatemala, and Vietnam, and has traveled to over 30 countries – her favorites being Cambodia, Botswana, and France. As a pediatric cancer survivor, she is also an ambassador for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, an organization that has funded many childhood cancer research grants at several of the nation’s leading pediatric cancer centers.

Lillian’s moved to Rhinebeck in 2016 with her son Julian, who is happily enrolled in Rhinebeck’s public school system. Lillian is an established real estate agent with Four Seasons Sotheby’s, and loves telling potential newcomers about the tight-knit community, proximity to nature, and exceptional quality of life the Hudson Valley offers. She is excited about joining the board of Culture Connect, and looks forward to expanding the organization’s profile and fundraising efforts. 

Ben is a multimedia artist and parent of three children in Rhinebeck public schools. He moved to the Hudson Valley from NYC with his family in 2014. He’s worked as a preschool teacher, wine maker, art handler, has volunteered teaching art, coaching soccer, and running the Lego club at the local library.

Laura Kufner is a life-long resident of the Hudson Valley, having grown up in Clinton Corners and graduated from Rhinebeck High School. She currently resides in the town of Rhinebeck with her three daughters and husband. Employed as a teacher of English Language Arts at Rhinebeck High School, she strives to inspire students to read with a critical eye and write with joy and voice. Outside of work, she spends her free time sailing on the river and enjoying the incredible landscape and community of the Hudson Valley.