Board of Directors


As a not-for-profit organization, SAFE is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our Board is dedicated to spreading financial education throughout our communities and providing responsible management for the organization.

 

Beth Howard

President and Treasurer


Beth has been a member of the SAFE Board since 2013.


Beth is also the Vice President of Spirit of Schuyler and volunteers for a wide variety of other non-profit and community service organizations including the Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary November Splendor Committee, Children's Miracle Network, Southeast Steuben Public Library, and various other financial education initiatives.


She says, "I support SAFE because there is such a need for financial education and accessible resources regardless of age, educational background, or life experience. Through community outreach and partnerships with other organizations, SAFE seeks to connect educational tools and programs with our local communities to make a lasting positive impact on their financial futures. I'm proud to be a part of that."


She is currently the Manager of Brand and Service Experience at Corning Credit Union.

Carolyn Connelly

Vice President


Carolyn has been a member of the SAFE Board since 2012.


Carolyn is also a member of the New York State Work Experience Coordinators Association, the CTE Program Advisory Committee, the GST BOCES Scholarship Committee, the GST BOCES Student of the Month/Year Committee, and is Staff Advisor for the CTE Activities Club.


She says, "Years ago, I noticed that we were preparing students with the work and career skills they needed to be successful, yet not necessarily preparing them to be financially literate. They knew how to earn and spend money, but were less knowledgeable of how to save and budget. Financial literacy is for everyone and the earlier we prepare our students, the more financially independent they will be. I believe it's equally important to ensure the adults in our community are financially literate as well."


She is currently the Work-Based Learning Coordinator for the GST BOCES Bush Campus Career &Technical Education Program.
John Wood
Secretary

John has been a member of the SAFE Board since 2015.


John has been a teacher, advisor, coach, and school administrator for more than 25 years. He is a member of the Secondary Administrators Association of New York State, the Elmira Schools Supervisory and Administrative Council, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He also supports the Salvation Army and Red Cross and volunteers his time to a variety of other causes.


He says, "I believe there is a real disconnect with people young and old with their knowledge and understanding of financial endeavors. It is a privilege to be part of a group that works to better educate, support, and empower our community members with financial decisions."


He is currently an Elementary Administrator at Beecher Elementary School in the Elmira City School District.