News Release: McKnight names international program administrator
November 5, 2009 - Karyn Sciortino joins McKnight's international team as program administrator.
The McKnight Foundation has named Karyn Sciortino as program administrator for its grantmaking to support women's social and economic empowerment in Tanzania and Uganda, and to strengthen local institutions and initiatives through community building and empowerment in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Sciortino, who has worked in the Foundation's children and families program since 2002, joins the international program team on November 4.
Prior to McKnight, Sciortino served as community affairs administrator for the Saint Paul Companies, and as the leadership and team development training coordinator for Target Corporation. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Minnesota, and is currently pursuing a master's of divinity degree in community ministry leadership at Bethel Seminary in Arden Hills. Her community engagement experience includes volunteer work with the St. Paul Foundation's management improvement fund advisory committee.
McKnight's international program funds efforts to promote strong rural livelihoods and food security for people with limited opportunities in select geographic locations in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In 2008, about 8% of McKnight's funding — roughly $8 million — went to international grantmaking.
ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
The McKnight Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations through grantmaking, coalition-building, and encouragement of strategic policy reform. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Minnesota-based family foundation had assets of approximately $1.6 billion and granted about $99 million in 2008.
Contact information
Tim Hanrahan, Communications Director, 612-333-4220