Our Team

Our teams diverse experience contributes to a dynamic and robust organization ready to meet the needs of the students, families and communities we serve.

Laura Marx

President/CEO
 lmarx@crsas.org

Christa Doyle

Director of Donor Engagement/Manager of Operations
 cdoyle@crsas.org

Kelsie Qua

Program Coordinator
 kqua@crsas.org

Jah-Ni Blanton-Dale

Office Assistant
 jblanton@crsas.org

Martin Anderson

Albany Academic Coordinator
 info@crsas.org

Earl Barcombe

Schenectady Academic Coordinator
 info@crsas.org

Ryan Meikle

Troy Academic Coordinator
 info@crsas.org

Board of Directors

Kevin J. Bottini, CPA
Chair

Jeffrey Cohn
Chair Elect

Chyresse Wells
Secretary

Conor Bryant
Treasurer

Jenyce Moses Aondona
Zachary Carpenter
Paul Collins-Hackett
Ross Goodman
Amy Grabek
Fareeza Islam Hanif
Terry Kremer
Vasso Potter
Stephen Quickenton
Dean Skarlis
Robert Ward
JT White
F. Michael Zovistoski, CPA, CFP

Emeritus Board Members
Charles B. Buchanan Chair Emeritus
Geraldine Golub
Kevin Reilly
Sumner Shapiro*
Herbert L. Shultz, Jr.

Advisory Directors
Kaweeda G. Adams
John Carmello
Christopher Chank
Ronald G. Dunn, Esq
Hon. Patrick Madden
Hon. Gary McCarthy
Hon. Kathy M. Sheehan

*deceased

Laura Marx

Executive Director

 lmarx@crsas.org

Laura has over 23 years of fundraising and non-profit management experience working with various organizations in the Capital Region. She holds both bachelor’s and Master of Arts degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University. While she enjoys working with all age populations, she is passionate about working with youth and making sure they have the resources and skills to reach their full potential. Laura resides in East Greenbush, NY with her husband and three children.

Christa Doyle

Director of Donor Engagement /Manager of Operations

 cdoyle@crsas.org

Christa holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Plattsburgh and an advanced degree from the National School of Banking at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Much of her career was spent in the banking and finance industry until she made the decision to focus on family. She and her husband reside in East Greenbush with their 3 children. She is strong proponent of higher education and is proud to be a part of Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar.

Kelsie Qua

Program Coordinator

 kqua@crsas.org

After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with Highest Distinction in English & creative writing in December of 2019, Kelsie moved back to her home region of Upstate New York to begin her career as a non-profit professional. Drawing on her past as a writing center coach and her experience as a first-generation college student, she enjoys helping students achieve their goals through the “coach approach,” which stresses active listening and self-advocacy. In her spare time, she enjoys writing fiction, watching world cinema, and hiking.

Jah-Ni Blanton-Dale

Office Assistant

 jblanton@crsas.org

Since being a student in the HEOP program at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, Jah-Ni’s interests have been geared towards organizations that help students succeed. It was through Canisius College where she earned her degrees in both Human Services and Communications. She is currently studying Higher Education Administration in the Master’s program at the University at Albany. In her free time Jah-Ni likes to spend time with family, swim and go on walks with her dog, Koa.

Martin Anderson

Albany Academic Coordinator

 info@crsas.org

Marty is a life-long area resident who is married and has two children. He has worked as a school counselor at Albany High School since 2000 and has been an academic coordinator with Sponsor A Scholar since 2002. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Communications from the College of Saint Rose and then returned to earn his Master’s in Education.

Marty enjoys working with students and families throughout the college and career search process and loves to hear from past graduates. In fact, several of his students have gone into the education field and are currently working for the Albany School District.