On behalf of the entire membership, it is our great honor and pleasure to officially welcome Christa Simon, Michelle Iacuessa, Susan Diamond, and Christopher Marx to the Rotary Club of Kingston. We are thrilled that you have chosen to join our ranks and share your time, talents, and energy with us.

You join a global network of neighbors, friends, and community leaders who are dedicated to making a lasting impact. Here in Kingston, our strength lies in the diversity of our members. Each of you brings a unique set of professional skills, personal experiences, and a shared passion for community service that will undoubtedly enrich our club’s projects and fellowship.

By becoming a Rotarian, you have committed yourself to the ideal of Service Above Self. This motto is the heartbeat of everything we do, from local initiatives that support our youth and elderly to international projects that promote peace and health. Your involvement is not just an addition to our roster; it is a vital spark that will help us further our mission and touch more lives.

We encourage you to dive in, get to know your fellow members, and find the projects that resonate most with your passions. Whether you are leading a committee, volunteering at an event, or simply sharing a meal and an idea at our weekly meetings, your contribution is what makes our impact possible.

Once again, welcome to the family. We look forward to serving alongside you and seeing the great things we will accomplish together.

Christa Simon has over 20 years of banking experience. My career began in Uptown Kingston as a part-time Teller.  Concurrently employed at the Filene’s Estee Lauder counter, I quickly realized that I enjoyed guiding people and providing solutions. As my passion for assisting clients grew, so did the opportunity to progress within financial services. Blessed with a collection of amazing mentors, I achieved many roles and advanced to Branch Manager in 2015. My current role as AVP Branch Manager includes forging strong partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits in our community, as well as leading an amazing team. For me, it all comes down to building genuine relationships and holding myself accountable to deliver on my commitments. Every day is a new opportunity to make a positive impact.  

Michelle Iacuessa has more than 25 years of experience in fundraising, stewardship, volunteer coordination, and event management. She specializes in recruiting, managing, motivating, and collaborating with stakeholders, including major donors, volunteers, and committees.  She is the Director of Development at People’s Place located in Kingston, NY. Previously, Michelle worked at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y., where she served as Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship. Over the course of more than two decades at the college, Michelle also held the titles of Director of Alumni Engagement and Director of Alumni Affairs and Advancement Events, among other responsibilities. Michelle earned her BA in Communications, with a concentration in Public Relations and Media Studies, from the Mount in 1994. She later earned a master’s degree in Marketing Communications from Emerson College in Boston, Mass.  Service is important to Michelle, who has volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, Trinity Church in Fishkill, N.Y., and the YWCA of Orange County, N.Y., among other organizations, throughout the years. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and working on various craft projects.

Susan Diamond, a long-time resident of the Hudson Valley, grew up in the UK and holds an MSW from Fordham University. Her mission is to help individuals achieve holistic wellness through health, financial security, and confidence in their future.

As an independent health insurance broker, Health Options NY, she guides clients through Medicare to help them make informed decisions about their coverage. She also works as a client consultant for Sierra Insurance, focusing on life, property, and casualty insurance.

Building on her belief that insurance is a vital part of financial well-being, she founded the Herfinance Club—a platform dedicated to empowering women to build confidence and independence by understanding their relationship with money. Susan is the author of "The Money Belief Formula..."

Christopher Marx currently serves as SUNY Ulster's Vice President for Workforce, Economic Development, and Community Partnerships and has more than 25 years of professional experience working with youth and adults in higher education. Chris oversees multiple programs at the College, including federal grants through the Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and the Small Business Administration. He has presented at regional and national conferences on topics including youth development, green energy training, microcredentials, prison education, and adult higher education advising.   Chris also serves as an executive member of the Ulster County Workforce Development Board and as a board member and former chair of RUPCO. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and International Studies from the University of Scranton, a Bachelor of Science in Geology from SUNY New Paltz, a Master of Education from Loyola Baltimore, and a Doctor of Education from New Jersey City University.  Chris lives in New Paltz with his wife,  Linda. He has two grown children, Whitman and Sage, a daughter-in-law, Therez, and a grandson, Zayn, who all live in New York City.

Our guest speaker next Wednesday at the Hoffman House at 6pm will be Kevin O’Connor, CEO of RUPCO in Kingston.

Kevin has served as RUPCO’s Chief Executive Officer since 2002. With 32 years of experience in the housing sector, Mr. O’Connor has transformed communities in the Hudson Valley through the development of supportive and affordable housing that includes multigenerational, artist and homeless housing, homeownership, and commercial units. Mr. O’Connor serves on the board of directors of Pattern for Progress and the National NeighborWorks Association.

Prior to joining RUPCO, Mr. O’Connor served as the Associate Executive Director at Hudson River Housing in Poughkeepsie, New York. Mr. O’Connor holds a B.A. in Communications from Marist College and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Achieving Excellence in Community Development progra