East End Arts Announces New Board Member: Patricia Cruso

Riverhead, New York - East End Arts is proud to announce a new addition to the Board of Directors: Patricia Cruso. Executive Director Pat Snyder states: “We are thrilled to welcome Patricia Cruso to the East End Arts Board of Directors. Her professional experience as well as her passion for community are so valuable to the organization. I look forward to working with her.”

When asked of her recent appointment, Ms. Cruso comments, "This is an exciting time of great potential for East End Arts; I am delighted to be working with the Board and staff to advance East End Arts’ mission."

Patricia Cruso is an education and community advocate, with a strong background in fundraising, and a life-long passion for community service. For over 17 years, she worked at Stony Brook University in a variety of capacities, representing and advocating for higher education goals of the University. During her tenure, she worked in the Office of Governmental Relations, representing the university to Washington-based higher education associations, research organizations, professional societies and public policy organizations; served on several steering and outreach committees; served as the Recruitment Chair for Stony Brook Day in Albany, the university’s annual advocacy day in Albany, where she increased participation ten-fold; as well as worked as the Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving in the Office of University Advancement. Additionally, in a volunteer capacity, Patricia served on the Stony Brook University SEFA/United Way Campaign as fundraising counsel to Campaign Chair; Stony Brook University Public Relations Team; Stony Brook University Campus Beautification Team; Stony BrookAdult LiteracyCenter; and was a conversation partner in the Stony Brook University English Conversation Partners project. During her time at StonyBrook University and beyond, she has participated in the Stony Brook University Undergraduate Mentoring Program since 1994. Patricia formerly held fundraising positions at the Museum of Contemporary Art and WTTW/Channel 11, a PBS station, both in Chicago.

It is no surprise that Patricia has continued her advocacy and community support far beyond her career. She volunteers weekly at the Bread and More Soup Kitchen at First Congregational Church in Riverhead; and is Vice-President of the Board at the Jamesport Meeting House. She was also Vice President of the Board of Trustees at the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington; was Secretary of the Board of Directors at Long Island Head Start Child Development Services. At East End Arts, Patricia has volunteered on numerous fundraising and event committees throughout the years. Patricia has a master’s degree in social work and was a member of Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), National Association of Social Workers, and National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE).

Patricia Cruso joins the esteemed and dedicated Board of Directors of East End Arts, composed of 14 active members with backgrounds ranging from business to education, from media to finance, from creative to legal, some with tenures over 25 years, under the leadership of the 2012-13 Board Officers: President Annika Shapiro, Vice President Jim Lennon, Treasurer Diane Murray, and Secretary Tina Folks. For the full list of East End Arts’ Board of Directors, visit http://eastendarts.org/aboutus/board.html.

For more information contact East End Arts at 631-727-0900.