Chapter Staff
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Northeast New York is part of the nation’s largest and most established wish-granting organization, with chapters and volunteers throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Our local staff is dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy, and maintaining the Foundation’s grassroots fulfillment of its mission.
William C. Trigg, III, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
wtrigg@neny.wish.org
Bill is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He holds a doctorate in criminal justice from the State University of New York at Albany. From 1984-2005, Bill served as CEO of the New York State Trooper Foundation, where he helped to establish and fund programs benefiting the New York State Police, including the NYSP Disaster Relief Fund, the Trooper Foundation Scholarship Fund, and the State Police Survivors Program. In February 2006, Bill became the Chief Executive Officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York.
Bill resides in Stillwater, NY with his two daughters, Genevieve and Amelia. When he is not involved in pastoral work with his local church, Bill enjoys running, downhill skiing, reading, and a good cigar.
Bill’s heartfelt wish is to meet Toby Keith (which was just recently fulfilled).
Cindy Conley
Volunteer Coordinator
cconley@neny.wish.org
Cindy has been Volunteer Coordinator for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York since March of 2001. She served as an office volunteer for a year and a half before joining the Foundation in her current position. Prior to joining the chapter she was Supervisor of the Credit Card Department at Charter One Bank for 13 years.
Cindy is a life-long Capital Region resident, except for a brief period when she lived in San Diego. She currently resides in Glenmont with her husband, Kevin, and has three grown step-children. Cindy spends her free time reading, skating, cross country skiing, biking, kayaking and camping. She and her husband also love to ballroom dance.
Cindy’s fondest wish would be to spend a week dancing with a professional on “Dancing With The Stars.”
Eryn P. Foster
Finance and Operations Manager
efoster@neny.wish.org
Eryn joined the chapter in October 2008. He brings an extensive background in accounting and business practices to his new position. Most recently, he served as Business Manager for the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society in Menands. In addition, he served as a Sergeant in the US Air Force.
He enjoys serving in the community and was a past School Board Member of the Mohonasen School District, past Member and Treasurer of the Knights of Columbus and former Treasurer of the Clifton Park Nursery School. He is an avid Cub Scout Leader and former T-Ball Coach. He also serves for various other charitable causes throughout the year.
Eryn holds a BBA in Accounting from Siena College. He resides in Clifton Park with his wife of 13 years, MaryBeth and their three children, Ellie - 11, Sarah - 9 and Jacob - 7.
Eryn’s heartfelt wish is to visit all of the historic sites in the world.
Sandra Grady
Development Coordinator
sgrady@neny.wish.org
Sandra joined the chapter in September of 2007 as Development Coordinator. Along with her sense of humor Sandra brings with her a variety of skills, including database management, event planning, multi level fundraising initiatives and donor stewardship.
Sandra is a native of Colorado, raised in Cupertino, California and has lived in the Capital District since 1993. She graduated cum laude from Siena College in December 2006 with BS in Religious Studies, and a minor in Franciscan Service and Advocacy.
Sandra resides in Latham with her husband, her son Mark (19) and her daughter Ceaira (21). Sandra also has two married daughters, Kathryn and Desiree. She enjoys spending time with her children, son-in-laws and especially with her three granddaughters (Ariel 17, Meghan 4 and Caitlin 7 mos.) as well as other family and friends.
Jay Haas
Wish Coordinator
jhaas@neny.wish.org
Jay joined the chapter as Program Assistant in May 2008. He was named Wish Coordinator in April 2009. He brings with him a variety of skills, including auditing, customer service, database management, finance and sales. Most recently, he served as a Consumer Banker for HSBC USA, N.A., a large international bank.
Jay was raised in Clifton Park and has lived in the Capital District since 1986. He graduated cum laude from the University at Albany in 2001 with a BS in Business Administration. He has been involved in a multitude of volunteer community organizations since the age of 14.
Jay resides in Ballston Spa, with his wife, and two dogs. He enjoys reading, playing volleyball, and spending time with family and friends.
Cheryl Malone
Program Director
cmalone@neny.wish.org
Cheryl Malone of Waterford is the Program Director for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York. An Albany area native, Cheryl is a registered nurse whose career has included both hands on and administrative nursing duties including those of a visiting nurse, nursing home supervisor, in-service instructor and 15 years as a Hospice nurse.
Cheryl has been with the Foundation for the last 9 years where she coordinates the granting of all the wishes, does the medical outreach, takes all new referrals, develops policy and trains the wish granting volunteers.
When not living vicariously through the kid’s wishes, Cheryl is active in many sports including golf and skiing. She loves to travel, work in the garden and spend time with her children and 2 grandchildren.
Cheryl’s heartfelt wish is to be a ‘non celebrity’ competing dancer on ‘Dancing With the Stars’, partnered with professional dancer Mark Ballas. Her second wish would be to have a romantic honeymoon in Bora Bora.
Stephen C. Schaeffer
Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
sschaeffer@neny.wish.org
Stephen joined the chapter in July 2008. He has held various marketing, advertising and communications positions including Marketing Manager for Rotterdam Square and Wilton Mall; Marketing Director for Clifton Park Center; Marketing Director for the New York Newspaper Publishers Association and Director of Conference Scheduling for the New York State Broadcasters Association.
He has been involved with a number of local charitable and professional organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services, the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. He is a Past President of the Albany Ad Club (Association of Professional Communicators) and chaired their 25th Annual NORI Awards for Excellence in Advertising.
He holds both a MA and BA in Communication from the University at Albany.
Stephen resides in Ballston Lake, NY with his wife, Andrea and their two dogs, Maddie and Zorro.
His heartfelt wish is to sing back-up (just once!) with Huey Lewis and the News.
