Our Team
Meg Norris, PhD
Executive Director
A Rochester native, Meg returned to the city after completing her Ph.D. in Sociology at Brown University. Her studies at Brown incorporated a variety of research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, and utilized national datasets (ECLS-K, Common Core, US Census, SEDA). She focused her research on social inequality, social capital, and the intersection of schools, families, and neighborhoods.
Before attending Brown, Meg earned a Master’s degree from the University of Rochester Warner School of Education in Educational Policy, worked on the New York State’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program in the Rochester region, and she worked in education policy research in Chicago at the American Institutes for Research (AIR).
In her spare time, Meg is an avid podcast listener, reader, Formula 1 enthusiast, Buffalo Bills fan, and dedicated auntie. For some book, podcast, and article recommendations, check out Brain Food in the Narratives section!
Madison Esposito
Program Administrator
Madison comes to the Community Foundation after obtaining her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Rochester, where she studied English and History. Throughout her undergraduate career, Madison worked at a publishing company in her hometown of Western Massachusetts. She also completed a summer internship with Girls Rock! Rochester, where she managed their social media. As a member of the ACT Rochester team, Madison assists with ACT’s marketing and communications efforts, makes website updates, and provides administrative support.
Outside of work, Madison enjoys writing and reading fiction. She also dances at two local studios in the Rochester region.
Advisory Committee
Members appointed by Rochester Area Community Foundation to guide and oversee this initiative include:
Tom Argust
Chair, Retired Commissioner of Community Development, City of Rochester
Hanif Abdul-Wahid
Retired Community Liaison for Neighborhood Initiatives, Monroe County Department of Planning & Development
Simeon Banister
President and CEO, Rochester Area Community Foundation
Erin Budd Barry
Vice President, Community Programs, Rochester Area Community Foundation
Tom Gillett
Retired Regional Staff Director, New York State United Teachers
Margaret Sánchez
Principal, Sánchez & Associates
Joe Stefko
CEO, OneROC
Sharon Stiller, Esq.
Attorney, Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara, Wolf & Carone