Susan Urano began working for the Athens Foundation in 2003 as Executive Director and retired from her position in May of 2019. However, she has been an instrumental part of navigating the organization through the recent pandemic as a part-time consultant. In recognition of her service to the Foundation, and the community, the Athens County Foundation is honoring her with the Cornwell Award.
Susan is a graduate from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of Fine Arts. Prior to her work at the Athens County Foundation, she was employed at the Dairy Barn as Executive Director. She is an author of The Community Table, which was published in 2018. Since retiring from her position at the Foundation, she started a consulting firm, V+U Strategies, and has returned to her roots as an artist.
Susan’s list of achievements includes establishing a no-rent lease agreement for the entire second floor of the Chase bank building which now houses the Foundation while they search for a permanent home. During Susan’s tenure with the Foundation, she structured a robust financial system, developed the successful Leadership Athens County program, developed many strategic corporate and community partnerships, and succeeded in creating many fundraising events, including Bounty on the Bricks which raised over $400,000 in four years to support our local food bank and food pantries. One of the endeavors for which Susan is most proud however is, “… being able to cultivate loyal donors who genuinely love Athens County and want to help those in need,” to which she quickly adds, “everything accomplished was through the strength of partnering with the community, and the help of qualified associates with whom I worked.” For example, Susan helped launch Leadership Athens County, a program now in its 15th year with over 300 graduates. Participants explore different components of Athens County including capitalizing on natural and cultural assets, cultivating a ready workforce, building critical infrastructure, exploring economic shifts and identifying opportunities, creating healthy communities, addressing racism and inclusion and developing community capacity. Many graduates have gone on to assume leadership roles in government, business, education and nonprofits. She proudly cites the 2007 partnership formed with the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville and the Sisters Health Foundation (former the Sisters of Saint Joseph Charitable Fund) which, launched the Access to Health Care for Athens County Senior Adults grant program. The initiative was established to expand impact to Athens County seniors, 50 years and over, through programs that address and improve access to health care.
In 2008 Susan championed the first Community Convening for all service providers working with children. This started a long, successful practice of inviting people into conversations that mattered to the community while constructing networks and finding solutions together.
The Foundation’s Women’s Fund was also launched during Susan’s tenure with the help of Susan Burgess, Kate Leeman, Susan Roth and Judy Millesen. The fund supports projects benefitting women and girls in Athens County. Last year, the advisory board established a Women’s Microloan Fund in partnership with the Sugarbush LLC and the Appalachian Growth Capital. In 2016, Susan guided the board to develop a Mission Related Investment Policy allowing assets to be invested in local companies for both economic and income benefits and income for the Foundation. The William Beale Legacy Fund established by the family of the late William Beale at the foundation made a significant investment in a local company. Through these initiatives, Susan raised the profile of the Athens Foundation and expanded its endowment assets 400%. The Athens County Foundation will give a $500 grant to Rising Suns Pharmacy in Susan’s honor.
The Athens County Foundation Foster B. Cornwell Awards are named in honor of local Attorney Foster B. Cornwell, a 4th generation Athenian, and his wife, Helen W. Cornwell. The Cornwells were instrumental in the growth of the Foundation and philanthropy in Athens County. Each year, the Foundation recognizes individuals with the same vision and dedication to the Athens County Community.