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Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan & Rockland Launches Merger
The merger between the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan and the Rockland Community Foundation has been officially approved by the New York State Attorney General, forming a unified organization with expanded reach across the Hudson Valley and Catskills. After 9 years of working together as separate entities, this merger brings together all areas of operations and administration of over 600 individual charitable funds.
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the combined organization is operating as the Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan & Rockland, continuing its mission of strengthening communities through philanthropy, strategic grantmaking and trusted charitable stewardship. This merger was made possible with the enthusiasm and support of each entity’s Board of Directors, as well as the leadership of the Dyson Foundation. A grant from Dyson’s Strategic Restructuring Program allowed engagement of the expert merger and legal team at New York Council on Nonprofits (NYCON), all led by a staff and volunteer Merger Task Force.
The Foundation has unveiled a new logo that reflects its expanded geographic footprint, shared values, and collective impact. The Foundation’s primary office will remain in Montgomery. A satellite office opened last year in Bridgeville (Sullivan County), with another planned for a future date in Rockland County to support the growing team and maintain a presence across all three counties.
While the organization’s name and visual identity have evolved, its mission and core services remain unchanged. The merger brings together decades of community leadership and philanthropic expertise, allowing the Foundation to operate more efficiently and increase support for nonprofits, donors and community initiatives throughout Orange, Sullivan and Rockland counties.
Elizabeth Rowley continues as President and CEO, leading the Foundation’s overall strategy, development and operations. Julie Sadowski, former Executive Director of the Rockland Community Foundation, has joined the team as Senior Director of Development, Rockland County. Regina Clark was also recently welcomed to the team as Director of Development for Orange and Sullivan Counties. Five members of the Board of Directors of the Rockland Community Foundation have joined the larger Board of Directors of the CFOSR, bringing total membership to 28 individuals.
“This merger is an exciting milestone for our region,” Rowley said. “With expanded leadership and a unified mission, the Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan & Rockland is well-positioned to build deeper connections and more opportunities for philanthropy and community impact.”
More information about the merger and the Foundation’s funds is available at cfosrny.org.
Orange Bank & Trust President & CEO Michael J. Gilfeather Elected to New York Fed Board of Directors
Michael J. Gilfeather has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, one of the twelve regional Reserve Banks that, together with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., comprise the Federal Reserve System.
Gilfeather is the President and CEO of Orange Bank & Trust.
Gilfeather was elected as a Class A Director, representing member banks of the Second Federal Reserve District with capital and surplus between $40 million and $2 billion. His term will run through December 31, 2028.
“I am honored to join the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,” said Gilfeather. “As a locally focused, independent bank serving businesses across the Hudson Valley and the greater New York metropolitan region, Orange Bank & Trust brings a unique regional perspective. I look forward to contributing insights from our markets and helping support the New York Fed’s mission to promote a strong and stable financial system.”
As President and CEO, Gilfeather leads Orange Bank & Trust, a 133‑year‑old financial institution delivering business banking, commercial lending, payment processing, and wealth management services. Since assuming leadership, he has guided the bank’s expansion to 16 branches and more than 200 employees across Orange, Westchester, Rockland, and Bronx counties, helping grow the organization into a regional economic engine with $2.7 billion in total assets. He is widely credited with developing and executing the strategy that has positioned Orange Bank as one of the most respected and financially sound banks in New York.
“Michael’s appointment to the New York Fed Board is a tremendous recognition of his leadership, integrity, and deep understanding of regional banking and economic development,” said Jonathan Rouis, Board Chair of Orange Bank & Trust Company.
Joyce Realty Corp & QuestStar Mortgage Announce Relocation to New Headquarters in Pearl River, NY
After 34 years at its longtime location, Joyce Realty Corp and its affiliated mortgage company, QuestStar Mortgage, proudly announce their relocation to a new, ultra-premium headquarters at 7 E Central Ave, Unit 15, Pearl River, NY 10965.
“This relocation is about positioning our companies for the next phase of growth,” said Kevin Joyce, President and Principal Broker of Joyce Realty Corp and Founder of QuestStar Mortgage. “We’ve built this business through multiple market cycles, and this space reflects the level of professionalism, infrastructure, and opportunity we now offer—to our clients and to the professionals who build their careers with us.”
Founded in 1994, Joyce Realty Corp has spent more than three decades serving buyers, sellers, and investors throughout New York City, the Hudson Valley, and Northern New Jersey.
QuestStar Mortgage was founded in 2002, recognizing early on the value of a true one-stop solution for clients navigating the homebuying and financing process. Built to integrate seamlessly with Joyce Realty’s platform, QuestStar was designed to streamline transactions, improve communication, and deliver greater value to clients by housing real estate and mortgage expertise under one roof.
With this move, Joyce Realty Corp is actively recruiting both seasoned and new real estate agents, offering premium branding, hands-on leadership, and a supportive environment built for long-term success.
At the same time, QuestStar Mortgage is expanding its lending division and is seeking both experienced Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) and individuals new to the industry.
QuestStar Mortgage has introduced a comprehensive Fast Track Program that not only helps new MLOs get licensed and fully prepared, but also places them into a proprietary launch platform designed to generate and convert new business quickly.
In addition, experienced MLOs gain access to a specialized growth program that provides infrastructure, referral integration, and operational support. “This is not a sink-or-swim model,” Joyce said. “We’ve built a program that gets MLOs producing real business, backed by systems and support that are truly second to none.”
Montefiore Nyack Hospital Appoints Dr. Adriana Suarez-Ligon to Lead Breast Center
Montefiore Nyack Hospital announces the appointment of Dr. Adriana Suarez-Ligon as the Director of Montefiore Nyack’s Breast Program. Dr. Suarez is a board-certified General Surgeon and fellowship-trained Breast Specialist and Surgical Oncologist with Highland Surgical who cares for patients with breast cancer, benign breast conditions, and those at increased risk for developing breast cancer.
Dr. Suarez holds the patient experience at the center of her work. A Latina breast surgeon and native Spanish speaker, she is committed to improving communications and access to care for all members of our community. “I am thrilled to join the teams at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and Highland Medical,” said Dr. Suarez. “Their commitment to patient-centered care, coupled with their advanced technological resources, aligns with my compassionate and comprehensive approach to healing.”
A seasoned breast surgeon with over a decade of experience, Dr. Suarez specializes in caring for patients with breast cancer and other breast conditions. Her role includes diagnosing breast disease, performing cancer and risk-reducing surgeries, and guiding patients through complex treatment decisions with compassion and clarity. Her surgical practice includes breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, oncoplastic techniques to preserve breast shape, and procedures for non-cancerous breast concerns. She emphasizes thoughtful, individualized care and works as part of a multidisciplinary team to support patients at every stage of their journey.
Dr. Suarez received her medical doctorate from New Jersey Medical School and completed her general surgery residency at Rutgers University. In addition, she trained in advanced Breast Surgical Oncology through a fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine. She is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and an active member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
DLC Management Promotes Anya Wolf To Managing Director Of Portfolio Management
Elmsford-based DLC Management, one of the country’s leading owners and operators of open-air shopping centers, has promoted nine-year staffer Anya Wolf to managing director of portfolio management, officially joining the executive management team.“Anya’s leadership has been impactful to DLC’s success and she’s just getting started with us even after nine years as a colleague,” said Adam Ifshin, chief executive officer of DLC Management Corp. “By aligning talent, implementing scalable systems and championing both her teams and our investors, she has fortified our ability to grow as one of the nation’s leading owners and operators of open-air shopping centers. Her story is one of vision, grit and transformation.”
“I am honored to join DLC’s executive management team at a time when the platform is growing with such intention and momentum,” said Anya Wolf, managing director of portfolio management at DLC. “DLC has always been a place where execution, trust and people matter. I am proud of the teams we have built, the systems we have put in place, and the results we continue to deliver for our stakeholders. I am excited to help shape what comes next.”
What sets Wolf apart is her leadership style and operational innovation. She has cultivated an environment of trust and growth, evidenced by an extraordinary record of near-zero turnover across her teams. She is also credited with the design of a points-based system to assess workload capacity across transactions, ensuring assignments are balanced, workflows remain seamless, and deadlines are met with consistency and discipline.
In 2025, Wolf was named an inaugural Herizon Award Honoree, recognizing her impact as a rising leader shaping the future of commercial real estate. Her appointment to the executive management team reflects DLC’s continued investment in leadership development and operational excellence as the firm executes its long-term growth strategy.
