Celebrating Staff Updates at Surdna
The Surdna Foundation today announced two staff updates: Silvana Serafimovska is now the director of Grants Management, and Amel Alyamani is now communications manager.
___________________________________
Silvana Serafimovska joined Surdna in 2019 as grants manager and later as senior grants manager. As director of Grants Management, Silvana oversees the Grants Management team responsible for grant operations and systems at Surdna and contributes to the foundation’s learning agenda, which seeks to capture and assess data while fostering collaborative relationships with all of Surdna’s grantee partners.
“I’m excited to carry on the legacy of the grants team at Surdna, streamlining and alleviating onerous processes not only for grantees, but also for staff,” said Silvana. “I’m energized and highly motivated to continue what is working and not afraid to try new things and experiment, keeping our grantees’ needs front and center.”
“As I retire from my role at Surdna, I leave with full confidence in my colleague, Silvana,” said Jonathan Goldberg, former vice president of Learning & Impact at Surdna. “Silvana plays a critical role in our grantmaking at Surdna, ensuring not only that funds get out the door, but also that the process is as seamless as possible and partners feel secure and supported every step of the way.”
Since 2004, Silvana has served in program and grants positions at the Open Society Foundations (formerly known as Open Society Institute), the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and the Arcus Foundation, where she brought extensive experience in grants administration, having led the development of training manuals for grantmaking systems, modernized policies and procedures, and managed high-level panel discussions and conferences. Her background also includes deep expertise in compliance from the private sector, adding a critical layer of regulatory insight to her public sector leadership.
“In her six years at Surdna, Silvana has been instrumental in embedding trust-based philanthropy into our grants management processes. Her leadership has transformed our grants management into more streamlined, equitable, responsive, and grantee partner-centered,” said Patrice R. Green, vice president of Programs at Surdna. “I’m thrilled to see Silvana continue to direct our grants management systems in ways that align with our values as a foundation.”
Learn more about Silvana.
______
Amel Alyamani joined Surdna in 2021 as communications associate. In the new role of communications manager, Amel will continue to implement communications projects aligned with the foundation’s social and racial justice mission and narrative strategies. She collaborates across Surdna teams and with partners to amplify the work of grantees, support the narrative change grant portfolio, and share content, reports, and lessons with the field. Amel also assists in the engagement of the Andrus family and other key audiences through the Andrus Family Philanthropy Program.
“Narratives and strategic communications are key to illuminating the path toward a more inclusive world,” said Amel. “I’m proud to work with Surdna staff to uplift and support our grantee partners’ stories, ideas, and visions for a thriving future.”
“Amel’s new Communications Manager title is well-deserved and a testament to her vital role in building and implementing our communications. I admire how Amel always brings her heart, smarts, strategic chops, and skills to serve Surdna, grantees, and our racial justice mission,” said Elizabeth Cahill, vice president of Communications and Engagement. In keeping with Surdna’s belief in small and mighty teams, the Foundation has eliminated Amel’s previous Communications Associate role.
Before joining Surdna, Amel worked in public relations agencies in New York City and Atlanta, supporting nonprofits and mission-driven small businesses. She currently serves on the board of the Cooperative Economics Alliance of NYC and on the steering committee for the New York chapter of Communications Network, a community of communications-for-good professionals.
Learn more about Amel.
