Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley Welcomes 3 New Trustees

Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley (CFHV) has appointed Carlos Alamo-Pastrana, Malia K. Du Mont, and Frances Barney Knutsen, CFA to its Board of Trustees. These distinguished trustees bring a wealth of expertise in education, finance, strategy, and community engagement, which will enhance and strengthen CFHV’s initiatives aimed at deepening engagement across the Hudson Valley and providing innovative solutions that benefit local nonprofits and community projects.

"Carlos, Malia, and Frances bring fresh perspectives to the Board at a pivotal time for CFHV," said Laura Washington, President & CEO. "I’m excited to collaborate with them as we reimagine philanthropy, build partnerships, and drive lasting impact in the Hudson Valley."

“We are entering an exciting period of growth at CFHV, and the insights and experience of our new trustees will be invaluable as we strengthen our role as a philanthropic leader in the Hudson Valley,” said CFHV Board Chairman, Robert Cotter. “Their collective expertise will help guide our efforts to expand our reach, increase our impact and ensure that we continue to be a trusted resource for donors, nonprofits, and the communities we serve.”

Carlos Alamo-Pastrana is a sociology professor at Vassar College specializing in Caribbean Studies. Since joining the faculty in 2007, he has developed courses on race, Latinx studies, and popular culture. Alamo-Pastrana previously served as Dean of the College, Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Resources, and Administrative Director of the First-generation, Low-Income (FLI) Program. During his tenure, Alamo-Pastrana led key initiatives on inclusion, crisis response, and student support; relaunched the House Fellow program; and refined first-year programming. An accomplished scholar, he is the author of Seams of Empire: Race and Radicalism in Puerto Rico and the United States (2017).

Malia K. Du Mont is chief of staff and vice president for strategy and policy at Bard College. A national security expert, she previously served as Co-President of Amur Equipment Finance and as Director of Strategy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where she led key initiatives, including the National Defense Strategy implementation. She has held roles at the Atlantic Council, CNA Corporation, and Harvard Kennedy School, specializing in Chinese military strategy and security analysis. An Army Reserve officer and Afghanistan veteran, she holds a BA in Chinese from Bard College and an MPP from Harvard Kennedy School.

Frances Barney Knutsen, CFA, retired after 30 years in financial services, most recently as a Managing Director at BNY, where she led investment performance, risk analysis, and institutional accounting. She continues to be involved in the performance measurement industry as an active volunteer with CFA Institute and as Chair of the Women in Performance Measurement network. She is also a Principal with BWK Communication Consulting, providing training in communication skills. She holds a BA from Yale University and an MBA from Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania.

For more information on CFHV, visit www.CommunityFoundationsHV.org or connect with the group on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

About The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley
Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley (CFHV) is a?trusted partner in philanthropy, empowering individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to establish charitable funds that address the needs of Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster counties. CFHV offers expert planning that aligns charitable giving with both personal priorities and community needs. Established in 1969 as the Area Fund, CFHV has grown to manage over $100 million in assets and administers nearly 600 charitable funds, distributing over $11.3 million in grants and scholarships in 2023 alone. As a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), contributions to CFHV are tax-deductible within IRS guidelines.