American Savings Foundation Hires Two New Staff
By Editor at November 20, 2023 | 8:00 am | Print
The future is taking shape at the offices of the American Savings Foundation with the announcement that it has hired two new staff members. Cierra Stancil is the new associate program officer and Maryellen Milio is the new operations manager. The announcement was made by chief operating officer Maria Falvo, who will succeed David Davison as president & CEO of the foundation when he retires at the end of the year.
“All of us on the staff are in transition mode, working together to build a strong new team,” said Falvo. “We want to make sure that the funding activities of the foundation continue without missing a beat. We are pleased to have Cierra and Maryellen on board well ahead of the end of the year so the transition can go as smoothly as possible.”
The rest of the Foundation’s team includes Maria Sanchez, senior program officer, who is responsible for running the grants program and Heather Hokunson, who will continue as assistant program officer for the scholarship program. Hokunson has been with the foundation for four years, while Sanchez was hired over 15 years ago by Davison during his first year running the foundation. Also retiring at the end of the year is the foundation’s long-time executive assistant Diane Dunn.
“Dave and Diane will be leaving with a lot of institutional knowledge, experience and wisdom between them,” said Falvo. “Fortunately they have been sharing everything they know with us, so nothing will be lost in the transition. We will be ready and running at full strength starting in January.”
Cierra Stancil came from Capital Workforce Partners (CWP) in Hartford where she was the advanced manufacturing recruitment and retention coordinator. She had been with CWP since 2011, previously in the role of communications and administrative outreach coordinator. Prior to joining CWP she was a coordinator for the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program at the Blue Hills Civic Association in Hartford. Stancil earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a minor in Sociology from Southern CT State University, and a master’s degree in public policy from Trinity College. She lives in Hartford.
Maryellen Milio was an administrative professional at the CPA firm of BlumShapiro where she supported eight of the firm’s partners. Previously, Milio was associate director of communications for the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and associate director of School based programs at the Bristol Boys and Girls Club. She studied at Castleton State College in Vermont and Eastern Connecticut State University. Milio lives in Bristol with her husband and daughter.
“Both Maryellen and Cierra are bringing energy, spirit and new ideas that will be a big part of the foundation as we continue to grow as a team,” said Falvo. “Our board of directors gave us the time and resources to bring together our new team now.”
American Savings Foundation is a permanent charitable endowment which provides grants to local nonprofit organizations, and college scholarships to area students. Since its inception in 1995 the foundation has contributed over $45 million in total grants and scholarships in central Connecticut. For more information, call 860-827-2556 or visit the foundation’s website at www.asfdn.org.
