November 17, 2022 Press Releases

Community Foundation Welcomes Shannon Gurek as Vice President for Finance and Operations

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is pleased to welcome Shannon Gurek as Vice President for Finance and Operations. In her role, Gurek will provide strategic leadership in finance, information technology, operations, and risk management during a transformative period for the Foundation. She was selected after a national search conducted by Lindauer, a leading executive search firm serving foundation and charity organizations. Lindauer is also leading the Foundation’s search for its next president and chief executive officer.

Gurek, who began her career in Springfield and is a life-long resident of Massachusetts, most recently served nine years as Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Treasurer at Mount Holyoke College. While there, Gurek also served as a member of the President’s cabinet and worked closely with the College’s Trustees. In addition to overseeing the College’s operating budget, financial planning and reporting, and policies governing the stewardship of its $1 billion endowment, Gurek was responsible for key administrative areas that included human resources, facilities, risk management, and sustainability. 

“We are thrilled and fortunate to be welcoming Shannon to the Community Foundation,” said Trustee Chair Paul Murphy. “Her expert knowledge and experience will contribute significantly to the advancement of the Foundation’s work.”

Prior to joining Mount Holyoke, Gurek was the Associate Treasurer and Director of the Budget at Amherst College, and early in her career, Shannon was an audit supervisor  

at Coopers and Lybrand. A Certified Public Accountant, Shannon earned her Master of Business Administration from the Eisenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, and her Bachelor of Science from Nichols College. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Holyoke Medical Center.

“I’m humbled to be contributing to the Foundation’s efforts during this important time,” shared Gurek. “The important work that the Foundation is doing and its clear impact on the Valley is what drew me to this position. I’m excited to begin working closely with the Foundation’s leadership team and staff during a time in which the organization is experiencing great momentum and growth. I look forward to the work ahead.”

Gurek will be joining Jeffrey Markham Jr., Marty Bongfeldt, Sarah Guerin, and Ann Tweedy, all of whom recently joined as staff members at the Foundation.

Jeffrey Markham Jr. began serving the Foundation as Program Officer for Community Impact and Partnerships after 15 years in public health research and community-based programming. His previous work was with the MOCHA (Men of Color Health Awareness) program in Springfield, MA, where he directed their Disrupting Systemic and Structural Racism Initiative as well as their research collaboration with UMass Amherst School of Public Health.

Marty Bongfeldt joined the Foundation as its new Donor Services Associate. She brings with her extensive experience as an executive assistant to chief-level leadership in both corporate and nonprofit organizations. Originally from Dallas, Bongfeldt relocated to western Massachusetts after her acceptance to Smith College’s Ada Comstock Scholar Program. She earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts from Smith. She is also a playwright member of the Dramatist Guild.

Sarah Guerin recently joined the Foundation as Program Assistant after serving the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) for nearly five years. Guerin served as Executive Services Assistant to the organization’s chief executive officer and chief operations officer. She brings with her a wealth of nonprofit and youth organization experience as well as a strong background in volunteerism.

Ann Tweedy also recently joined the Foundation as Fund Administration Associate for Philanthropic Services. Tweedy comes to the Foundation from Franklin/Hampshire County MassHire’s first Upskilling Navigator in which she helped launch the first Career Technical Initiative (CTI) Commonwealth Corporation funded Adult Vocational Education program at Franklin County Technical School in Turners Falls, MA. She is the Treasurer of a family foundation in Providence, RI, and volunteers on several boards.