The Long Island Community Foundation

The Long Island Community Foundation Board of Advisors announced the appointment of David Okorn, the foundation’s director of advancement and donor relations since 2008, as its new executive. Mr. Okorn was selected after an extensive search. He will assume his position on January 1, 2010 after the retirement of the current executive, Suzy Sonenberg.

John Miller, a foundation board member and chairman of the search committee, said: “With the recession and its impact on Long Island, it became crucially important to find a leader who can take us through rocky times—and prepare for growth in the future. We are delighted that we found that person in our own back yard.”

Lawrence Davidow, chairman of the Board of Advisors and a member of the search committee, was equally pleased with the decision. “David came to LICF with a wealth of experience and accomplishment in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. In his 18 months with us, he has improved our reach to the legal, business, and financial communities. He’s brought in new donors and worked on everything from coordinating events to writing our newsletter. David has already demonstrated a strong work ethic and an enthusiasm for the foundation’s mission.”

Also serving on the search committee was Lorie Slutsky, president of The New York Community Trust (LICF is a division of The Trust). “We’ve been working with David since he started at LICF. I know that our New York staff, as well as the Long Island staff, are really delighted with this appointment. His clear commitment to philanthropy and to the Island and its people makes him easy to work with. I’m looking forward to a great partnership.”

Okorn started his career at Grumman Aircraft. He worked at Keyspan (formerly LILCO) for 14 years, starting as an analyst in the planning and control group, becoming executive director of the Keyspan Foundation, and leaving as director of community relations for the company. He then went to Abilities, a nonprofit with a budget of $31 million, as senior vice president for development and external relations. Okorn holds a BS in business administration (magna cum laude) and a MS in energy management (with distinction) from the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury. He serves on the boards of the Long Island Volunteer Center and the United Way of Long Island. Okorn lives in Hauppauge with his wife and two children.