Laurel Sweeney, Chair, is a lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley, Laurel is currently a top producing Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nutshell Realty, which she owns with her husband Tim. A SUNY Dutchess graduate, Laurel's first professional position was as a critical care nurse at Benedictine Hospital, and other service-oriented positions followed, including medical sales and medical management of a regional HMO. Laurel and her husband also own Stone Ridge Wine and Spirits. In addition to SUNY Ulster's Foundation, Laurel serves on the Board of Directors at the Mohonk Preserve, chairing their annual auction and sitting on the Governance and Development committees. Past volunteer and community involvement includes Women's Studio Workshop, Rondout Valley Business Association, Rondout Valley Food Pantry and Church of Christ the King in the Rondout Valley. Laurel and her husband Tim were inaugural sponsors of SUNY Ulster Foundation's President's Challenge Scholarship and currently serve as the Ambassadors of the program, which currently has over fifty-two students participating. Laurel partnered with her husband Tim Sweeney are responsible for engaging over 17 PCS sponsors and raising over $122,4000 for this innovative and imperative program. Laurel and her husband Tim passionately believe that we are all stewards of the gifts we receive and how we use these gifts are the way we measure our lives.