The Crotched Mountain Foundation recently named Melissa White as chief of school and community living and Scott Graff as chief financial officer.
White’s newly-created role unites Crotched Mountain’s two largest programs: Crotched Mountain School and residential services.
“We are very excited to welcome Melissa to the Crotched Mountain team,” said Michael Coughlin, president and CEO of the Crotched Mountain Foundation. “She has a deep commitment to human service, a track record of success in very diverse organizations, and her leadership style is characterized by intelligence, creativity and inclusion.”
Prior to joining Crotched Mountain, White served as various leadership roles with Venture Community Services Inc. in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, most recently as vice president of community and affiliate services. She has also worked for other human-service nonprofits, including Overlook Life Care Community in Massachusetts and Maple Lane Nursing Home in Barton, Vermont.
White holds a master’s of public administration from Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts and a bachelor’s in business administration from Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts. She also holds a degree in therapeutic recreation from the Community College of Vermont and is a Human Services Board Certified Practitioner.
In addition to her professional leadership roles, White has been an active community volunteer, serving on boards of directors, including the Central Massachusetts South Chamber of Commerce and Habitat for Humanity Metro West-Greater Worcester.
“I admire Crotched Mountain’s commitment to excellence and providing the best possible care and support to clients, and it leadership in advocating for individuals with disabilities and their families,” said White. “I am excited – and honored – to join the Crotched Mountain family and look forward to becoming involved in the community.”
Graff brings a wealth of experience and senior financial leadership at like-sized organizations to his new role. He served as chief financial officer at Jarvis Cutting Tools in Rochester, where he initiated and successfully implemented many cost-saving measures. He has served in various leadership roles with other large for-profit companies throughout New Hampshire, and began his career with the National Wildlife Federation in Vienna, Virginia, a major national nonprofit organization.
“Scott’s long record of success in nonprofit and for-profit organizations puts him in an excellent position to make a positive impact on Crotched Mountain’s financial health,” said Coughlin. “He has an impressive breadth and depth of experience in financial systems and processes; and equally important, he is committed to a culture of collaboration in serving our clients.”
“I have long admired Crotched Mountain’s commitment to serving individuals with disabilities and their families,” said Graff. “I am excited to have the opportunity to work with a team that is so dedicated to fulfilling the organization’s mission.”
Graff holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Marquette University and is a CPA.
Graff will assume the CFO role in early September. He follows Thomas Zubricki, who is retiring after serving as CFO for nearly a decade.