Meg Cole Named Interim Executive Director

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(Ithaca NY, 6/30/22) The Board of Directors of Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County (CCE-Tompkins) is pleased to announce the appointment of Meg Cole to serve as Interim Executive Director for a two-year period beginning July 5, 2022. Cole takes on the role from Sharon Anderson who returned from retirement to lead the organization after the resignation of its Executive Director in October 2021.

Over the past 38 years, Cole has worked with Cooperative Extension in multiple ways. She has served as an Extension Administrator in Rockland County, an Extension Support Specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University, Youth Horticulture Program Manager with CCE-Tompkins, and later founding Executive Director of Ithaca Children’s Garden. Cole brings to the role experience as a funder and community partner from her tenure as Chief Operating Officer of United Way of Tompkins County where she worked with volunteers, staff, funders, and stakeholders to provide leadership and oversight for strategic planning, program, and budget activities. In her current position at the Cornell Population Center, Cole administers more than 150 faculty, postdoctoral, and student affiliations with a mission that includes disseminating research findings to policy practitioners and the public.

“We’re very excited to welcome Meg Cole as Interim Executive Director,” said Sarah Barden and Tisa Fontaine Hill, Co-Presidents of the CCE-Tompkins Board.“Meg brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in public policy, successful organizational structures, and budgets with multiple funding streams to this work, along with a deep understanding of the essential nature of strong partnerships and collaborations.She also greatly values CCE’s innovations to help people and communities thrive and is honored to return to her roots with this Association.”

Cole is equally enthusiastic about her return to Cooperative Extension. “I’m thrilled to come full circle and work with such a vibrant county extension office", she said, "And I look forward to supporting the dedicated volunteers, staff, and many collaborators who are working hard to build healthy and strong communities.”

The Board acknowledges current Interim Executive Director Sharon Anderson with gratitude for her steadfast and compassionate leadership and tireless work in support of the organization and fiscal health of CCE-Tompkins over the past 8 months.Anderson will assist in the leadership transition as she moves back into retirement and embraces new adventures.

For more information on the work of Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County, visit http://ccetompkins.org/ or contact tompkins@cornell.edu with questions.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County is an employer and educator

recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities

and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

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Last updated December 1, 2022