Date: Jan 06, 2010

Meredith H. Celentano, Hofstra’s assistant vice president for development and alumni affairs, named one of Long Island Business News’ “40 under 40”

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY - Assistant Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs Meredith H. Celentano has been named one of Long Island's "40 under 40" for 2011, an annual award given by Long Island Business News that recognizes outstanding young business and community leaders.

Celentano, who joined Hofstra University in January 2006, will be honored at an awards dinner on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011 at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Hofstra is among the sponsors of the event.

A seasoned and accomplished fundraising and management professional, Celentano oversees a wide variety of functions, including management of alumni affairs activities, foundation relations, special events, and annual giving. Since coming to Hofstra, the university's annual fund has nearly doubled to $2 million, and the donor participation rate has increased to 10 percent. In 2009, she created Women in Leadership at Hofstra University, an initiative aimed at cultivating new alumni leadership.

Celentano began her career as an Assistant Special Events Coordinator for Long Island University's three campuses, and went on to be a development associate for the Consolidated Corporate Fund at Lincoln Center before joining New York University's School of Law as a development officer in 1997. There, she rose through the ranks to Director of Development. In 2004, she became Director of Development at Molloy College in Rockville Centre.

Beyond her professional achievements, Celentano also has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association for Mother's Centers, and as a member of the corporate development committee for the 2010 Walk-A-Thon for Girl Scouts of Nassau County. She also writes a food blog called Meredith's Food for Life.
She is a member of the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Long Island, and was recognized - along with her mother, Linda Weissman - with the first-ever "Generation Award" for advancing ethical and effective fundraising practices across generations.

"I'm honored to be included among such an accomplished group of people as this year's ‘40 under 40' awardees," Celentano said. "Congratulations to all the honorees, and thanks to Long Island Business News for this honor."

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students' interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

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