Christy Agnese serves Cornell University as the director of alumni affairs and development in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the director of development for Cornell Botanic Gardens. In this role she partners with the associate dean and strategically manages fundraising and alumni engagement to raise philanthropic support for the initiatives and priorities of CALS and Cornell Botanic Gardens.
Christy is dedicated to bringing people together to move CALS and Cornell Botanic Gardens forward to further their missions. A passionate, future-oriented, curious, and energetic problem-solver, she values wellness and happiness and acts with honesty and kindness. Christy believes leaders with high aspirations can achieve their goals and incorporate joy and fun as they lead, develop, and coach their teams towards reaching their full potential.
She serves as a certified executive coach for Cornell University’s Leadership Coaching Program, which provides coaching services to faculty and staff across the University. Christy completed the CALS Leadership Rotational Program, Harold D. Craft Leadership Program, Samuel Bacharach Leading Cornell Program, and the Plus Delta Fundraising Programs during her time at Cornell.
Before joining CALS in October 2019, Christy served as the vice president for advancement at Albright College, in Reading, Pennsylvania, leading alumni affairs, development, and strategic partnerships. Previously, Christy worked at Ithaca College in the School of Music overseeing their external relations and operations, as the executive director for Habitat for Humanity in Tompkins and Cortland Counties, and at The Philadelphia Orchestra, with roles in education and community partnerships and in major and planned giving.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in music from Ithaca College and a Master of Science in arts administration from Drexel University. A graduate of the HERS Women’s Leadership Institute and Leadership Tompkins, she is a past president of the Ithaca College Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Christy lives in Trumansburg with her husband, Dan Agnese, a physical therapist at Cayuga Medical Center and faculty member at Ithaca College, their daughter, Viviana, and adopted greyhound, Riley. They are proud craft beverage producers, budding orchardists, and enjoy spending time exploring the beautiful Finger Lakes.
