Meet the Bloggers

Our team of bloggers brings you the latest information about the SALT District and topics related to the neighborhood and its future.

Ana Fernandez

Ana works with the Syracuse Center of Excellence as Project Manager for the Near Westside. She is from Puerto Rico and has been in the Syracuse area for about 10 years. She has a Master’s degree from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Brian Hoke

Brian Hoke is Principal of Bentley & Hoke, a Syracuse-based web development consultancy. He is the current chair of the 40 Below Civic Engagement Task Force, the former chair of the Youth Leadership Greater Syracuse program, and volunteers for a range of community activities.

Darlene D. Kerr

Darlene D. Kerr has been the president of the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce since January 2006, and is responsible for the day to day operations and strategic direction of the largest business membership organization in Central Upstate New York. The Chamber provides services to nearly 2200 businesses and organizations with more than 140,000 employees. She is the first woman to serve as the President of the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce in its 118 year history.

Before joining the Chamber, Darlene was the president and chief operating officer of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. A Syracuse native, Darlene is a 1973 graduate of the State University of New York at Potsdam, and earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration in 1984 from Syracuse University.

Alys Mann

Alys Mann is the Home Headquarters Neighborhood Planner for the Near West Side Initiative.

Natalia Mount

Natalia Mount is the managing director of the Redhouse Arts Center. Before coming to Redhouse, Natalia was one of the founders and director of Next Art Gallery, a commercial gallery in SoHo, New York that encourages the development of traditional and experimental art forms. She also co-founded and directed FLUX Art Space, a nonprofit arts organization that provides a forum for underprivileged and underexposed multicultural communities in New York City.

She was a Professor of Arts Administration at Metropolitan College of New York and also worked at P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, an affiliate of the Museum of Modern Art, the country’s oldest and second largest non-profit arts center devoted to contemporary art. Natalia earned a Master’s degree in Arts Administration from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and an MBA in Media Management from Metropolitan College of New York.

Working in the New York art world for nearly a decade, Natalia planned, developed, raised funds for and implemented numerous art programs and projects, special events, and educational programs. She possesses an in-depth knowledge of nonprofit operations and arts management, fundraising, marketing and PR, audience and board development and financial oversight.

Dirk Sonneborn

Dirk Sonneborn is Vice President of Development and Marketing at the Central New York Community Foundation. His primary responsibilities focus on the development of funds for the Community Foundation’s permanent endowment as well as gifts to the community through Donor Advised Funds. Previously, Mr. Sonneborn, a graduate of Utica College of Syracuse University, has held executive positions in business development and accounting firms as well as contributing through a variety of Central New York charitable organizations.

The Central New York Community Foundation has served Onondaga and Madison Counties for over 80 years, receiving, managing and distributing charitable funds for the benefit of not-for-profit organizations with an asset base over $110 million. Annual Grants totaling over $5 million per year are awarded for programs in the areas of human services, arts and culture, education, environment, health, economic development and civic affairs.

Pat Sullivan-Murphy

For 20 years, Pat Sullivan-Murphy served the Near West Side and other Syracuse communities as a community health nurse through the Onondaga County Health Department, advocating for healthcare and safety practice in the homes of neighborhood residents. Pat currently teaches Public Health Nursing at SUNY Upstate Medical Center and Crouse Hospital, where she brings students to the Near West Side to acquaint them with the neighborhood and its residents. Pat also volunteers at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church “Bread of Life” program, offering free blood pressure checks at the weekly lunch and clothing program.