New executive director appointed for upstate New York chapters of Alzheimer's Association

Kathleen (Kate) Flannery of Syracuse has been named executive director for upstate New York chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association and will lead the Western New York, Rochester Finger Lakes Region and Central New York chapters. In this role, she will be responsible for the overall strategic and operational functions for the three chapters, including program delivery, fundraising, community engagement, government and private grant funding, media relations, and growth and delivery of the association’s mission.

Flannery most recently has served as executive director, office of community engagement planning, at Syracuse University, where she was a member of the Chancellor’s University Leadership Team. She previously served as director of mission outreach and education for Francis House, a community care home in Syracuse for people facing terminal illness. Prior to Francis House, Flannery was executive director for the Susan G. Komen organization, where she oversaw six affiliates encompassing 49 New York counties, and was responsible for growing "Race for the Cure" from $250,000 to $1 million.

“We really feel Kate is the ideal person for this role,” said Christopher Smith, director for Region 12 of the Alzheimer’s Association, which encompasses all of New York. “As a licensed social worker, Kate has a deep interest in caregiving and programming, in addition to strong fundraising experience from her time at Komen, where she also had the experience of leading a multi-chapter organization.”

The executive director for these chapters is part of a new leadership structure for upstate New York that also includes the promotion of Amanda Nobrega to vice president of programs for upstate New York and Cathy Wilde to director of marketing and public relations for the Western New York, Rochester Finger Lakes Region and Central New York chapters.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800-272-3900 for more information.