2024 Board of Directors Announcement

PALM HARBOR, FL, January 23, 2024 – Allegany Franciscan Ministries is pleased to announce the reappointment of Katrina Wright as Chairperson of the board of directors and Cindy Matthews, OSF as Secretary, and the appointment of Deborah Coakley as Vice Chairperson. In addition, Marcus A. Brooks, Gary T. Hartfield, and Santos Morales have been elected to the board of directors; their terms began on January 1, 2024.

As Allegany Franciscan Ministries’ governing body, the board of directors stewards its resources, establishes policies and programs, and approves grants and other investments to community organizations totaling nearly $8 million annually.

“The people and communities Allegany Franciscan Ministries serves will benefit from the leadership of these dedicated individuals,” said Eileen Coogan, Allegany Franciscan Ministries’ president and CEO. “Each has demonstrated their commitment to people who have been marginalized and historically under-resourced.”

Ms. Wright is the VP, Community Development & Outreach Officer for BankUnited Way in Miami and joined the Allegany Franciscan Ministries’ board of directors in 2019. She has served as Secretary and Vice Chairperson of the board, and member of the Common Good Initiative’s Overtown Council for the Common Good.

Mrs. Coakley traces her connection to Allegany Franciscan Ministries nearly three decades, when she joined Allegany Health System as Director, Special Projects. In that role, she was actively involved in the formation of Allegany Franciscan Ministries, and she managed the ACOR grant program. She is extremely talented and mission-driven, with exemplary analytical and problem-solving skills. She joined the Allegany Franciscan Ministries’ board of directors in 2020.

Sr. Cindy Matthews, OSF joined the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY, in 1968, and attended St. Bonaventure University. Sr. Cindy worked thirteen years in the business and administration departments of several hospitals operated by the Sisters, including St. Anthony’s in St. Petersburg FL. She also spent eight years as a Case Manager for low-income, frail, elderly people in Massachusetts. In 1994 she joined the staff of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Springfield, MA, where she now serves as Pastoral Minister.

Mr. Brooks is the Executive Director of the Center for Health Equity where he leads a diverse team of equity advocates who are all deeply invested in St. Petersburg, FL, both personally and professionally. Together, they work to create a space and experience that fosters cross-community collaboration to advance racial equity and improve the overall health of Pinellas County. A passionate advocate for this work, Marcus has a wide range of experience in the nonprofit field, from racial equity facilitation and partnership cultivation to fundraising and board development.

Mr. Hartfield is the CEO and Chairman of the nonprofit Empower Florida, Inc., an association representing the needs of more than 20,000 business owners who serve intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals. He is also the president and CEO of six residential group homes throughout Florida, delivering personalized and therapeutic healthcare services for elderly and developmentally disabled people. He is a “serial entrepreneur”, leader, author, and philanthropist whose leadership experience and business acumen have allowed him to impact multiple industries, including education, health care, real estate, and insurance.

Mr. Morales serves as the Director of Economic Prosperity for Enterprising Latinas in Wimauma, FL. His career in community and economic development spans over twenty-five years. His journey has included getting speedbumps installed in the South Bronx and running a federally funded women’s business center in Brooklyn. One of his greatest passions is working with entrepreneurs and small businesses, assisting individuals achieve economic prosperity. He is also skilled in directing daily business operations, leading cross-functional teams, managing budgets, marketing, research, writing, and entrepreneurship development.

About Allegany Franciscan Ministries, Inc.

Allegany Franciscan Ministries is rooted in the tradition and vision of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, providing grants and working with community partners primarily in Florida where the Sisters opened hospitals in the early 1900’s. Allegany has invested over $118 million to more than 1800 organizations serving people who have been historically marginalized in our communities. In addition to awarding grants, Allegany’s staff and volunteers work collaboratively with community partners and other funders toward the vision that the communities it serves will become ever more just, equitable, and caring; and that everyone in its communities will be welcomed and have the resources to thrive. A part of Trinity Health, Allegany’s mission is to serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within communities served. Allegany’s responsive grantmaking promotes social justice and addresses immediate basic needs including health. Allegany is enhancing its focus on Climate Justice & Care for Creation and Nonprofit Capacity & Leadership Support. For more information, visit Allegany Franciscan Ministries at www.afmfl.org.