LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Peggy O'Shea upon the occasion of her
retirement after nine years of distinguished service as President/CEO of
the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to honor Peggy O'Shea upon the
occasion of her retirement after nine years of distinguished service as
Foundation President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Herkimer and
Oneida Counties; she officially retired on December 31, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Peggy O'Shea earned her bachelor's degree from SUNYIT in
Utica, New York; she also completed the University of Wisconsin's
Certification Program for Excellence in Not-for-Profit Management, and
the Indiana University School of Philanthropy's Certificate Program in
Fundraising, as well as the Council on Foundations Program on Community
Foundation Leadership; and
WHEREAS, Since 2000, Peggy O'Shea has been employed with the Community
Foundation; she served as Senior Program Officer before she was promoted
to President and CEO in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Under Peggy O'Shea's able leadership, the Foundation transi-
tioned from responsive grant maker to social impact investor; she also
earned the Council on Foundations' National Standards for United States
Community Foundations, the most rigorous standard for philanthropy; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Peggy O'Shea led the Foundation to
become more data-driven; she also spearheaded the formation of both the
Literacy Coalition and the Annual Speaker Series; in addition, she more
than doubled the organization's assets; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional woman is committed to bringing people from
all backgrounds together around important community issues including
school readiness, college access, and literacy; and
WHEREAS, Peggy O'Shea has received numerous awards and accolades for
her support and advocacy of education in her community including the
Dream Maker Award by On Point for College for her commitment to advanc-
ing access to college for area residents; recently, she was recognized
by the NAACP for her years of service and commitment to the association;
and
WHEREAS, Active in her community, Peggy O'Shea previously served on
the board of Funders Alliance of Upstate New York, the Sagamore Insti-
tute of the Adirondacks, and was former president of the Hospice Founda-
tion Board; currently, she is a member of the Excellus BlueCross BlueSh-
ield Advisory Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, In her capacity as President/CEO of the Community Foundation
of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Peggy O'Shea served with loyalty, honor
and distinction, and earned the admiration, esteem and affection of her
colleagues; and
WHEREAS, In her official acts, Peggy O'Shea was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Peggy O'Shea has displayed through-
out her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Peggy O'Shea upon the occasion of her retirement after nine years
of distinguished service as President/CEO of the Community Foundation of
Herkimer and Oneida Counties; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Peggy O'Shea.