Local Mentoring Organization Hires Third Executive Director In Five Years

JAMESTOWN – An organization that works with local youth, announced a  new executive director Saturday.
Jennifer Swan-Leuze, a Gerry native who will serve as the Chautauqua Striders Executive Director, has a Master of Science in Education from the State University of New York College at Brockport and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Organizational and Occupational Behavior from the State University of New York at Geneseo.
Prior to being hired to lead the Striders, she served as the  Wraparound Coordinator for Family Service of the Chautauqua Region prior to being hired to lead the Striders.
“Chautauqua Striders is extremely pleased to welcome Jennifer to our management team,” said John Zabrodsky, Chairman of the Board. “Our needs and programming are broad and diverse and Jennifer will certainly bring the management focus and strategic emphasis to our enterprise.”
A person who spoke to WNYNewsNow on the condition of anonymity because they were nor privy to what’s going on with the Striders said that the main challenge for any non-profit in a community like Jamestown is funding.
“Funding is a huge priority for any non-profit,” the source said. “There’s been a shift to support other efforts like the National Comedy Center. When there’s millions going into that, sometimes it’s hard to raise money for programs that involve children.”
The Striders have used at least three executive directors in a five-year-period  following the retirement of long-time leader Deborah Kathman, who retired at the conclusion of the 2013 school year.
Kathman came back to serve in an interim capacity recently while the organization worked to find a new director.
The Striders said that she will work with Jennifer Swan-Leuze as she transitions into her new role.
The organization thanked Kathman in a news release sent out on Saturday.
For more information on the Chautauqua Striders, please visit their website.