Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands
Elects Three New Board Members at 2024 Annual Meeting
HYANNIS, Mass, January 22, 2025– The Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands (PPCI) is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its volunteer Board of Directors: Laura Cannata of Community Development Partnership, and Suzanne B Lonergan of Cape Cod Maritime Museum. The two professionals involved in our nonprofit community were voted in during the PPCI annual meeting held on Wednesday, January 22nd at the Pelham House Resort in Dennis Port. Each will serve a three-year term.
“I am excited to welcome Laura and Sue to the Board of Philanthropy Partners of Cape and Islands,” Board President, Jennifer Curran stated. “Their unwavering commitment to philanthropy and their extensive experience in the field will be invaluable as we work together to support nonprofit professionals. We are confident that their leadership and passion will help guide our efforts and make a meaningful impact.”
Laura Cannata grew up near Buffalo, NY, and spent 30 years working as a fundraising and marketing professional in Greater Boston. She permanently settled in Eastham in June 2023. As the Chief Advancement Officer of the Community Development Partnership (CDP), Laura is responsible for leading and implementing the organization’s development, marketing, and communications strategies. Her goals are to enhance the CDP’s visibility and secure a diverse and sustainable revenue portfolio that supports the organization’s program growth and strategic objectives.
Before joining the CDP, Laura was a senior consultant with Development Guild DDI, where she managed fundraising consulting projects for regional, national, and global nonprofits in various sectors, including education, health and science, the arts, and human services. Some of the organizations she worked with include the Scratch Foundation, The Children’s Museum of Boston, Concord Museum, Cape Ann Museum, The Winsor School, and the Woodwell Climate Research Center.
In her roles as a fundraising director and grant writer at The Baker Center for Children and Families, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts, and Daily Table, she significantly improved donor relationships and contributed to revenue growth during her tenure. Additionally, she managed donor relations at Milton Academy, where she oversaw stewardship communications and events to support the school’s successful $175 million campaign.
Laura earned her undergraduate degree from Hamilton College and a Master of Business Administration from Boston University, specializing in Public and Nonprofit Management. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, listening to music, practicing yoga, exercising, being outdoors, and gardening.
Holding leadership roles throughout her career, Suzanne Lonergan developed her skills among entrepreneurial teams with for-profit and non-profit organizations, successfully launching and re-directing organizations with a focus on developing and nurturing the relationships, internal/external, that are the cornerstone of an organization’s growth and success, and defining markets and raising the funds to support those efforts.
Currently the Executive Director for the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, she is leading a transition to expand the organization’s offerings in an effort to attract more expansive and diverse engagements with youth and adults. Since moving to the Cape a dozen years ago, she led development efforts for the Heritage Museums & Gardens, and was Director of Engagement and Donor Relations for WE CAN. Prior to her move, she led the successful launch of The Finger Lakes Wine Center, held the position of Vice President of Strategic Development for the launch of the Boston Harbor Islands, created MetroFest for the MetroWest Visitors Bureau, and was Vice President of Corporate Communications for COMDEX, the technology industry’s largest international trade events corporation.
Sue resides in Centerville with her husband Steve.
Also, during the annual meeting the following board members were elected for one-year terms as PPCI Officers: President, Jennifer Curran of Pleasant Bay Community Boating; Vice-President, Heather Kelsey of Soleno Therapeutics; Treasurer, Vanessa Greene of Cape Cod 5; and Clerk, Christa Danilowicz of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands.
The PPCI board further consists of Directors: Jennifer Allard of Mainsail Events & Marketing; Sara Anton, CFRE of Calmer Choice; Brigid Krug of Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance; and PJ Richardson of YMCA Cape Cod.
About Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands
The Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands (PPCI) is dedicated to supporting the philanthropic community and inspiring charitable giving through educational initiatives and networking opportunities.Governed and operated by an-all-volunteer, community-based board of directors with the support of one part-time (remote) staff member,Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands is a local chapter of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. PPCI annually presents Philanthropy Day on Cape Cod, slated for November 19, 2025.
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