The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Mural project announces changes to board
WINSTED — The American Mural Project recently welcomed Karraine Moody and Solidea Pitruzzello to its Board of Directors and appointed Gayle Moraski as chair, making the board’s membership a total of 13 volunteers.
Moody has served as the chief executive officer of the Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity for the last six years. She opened the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Bloomfield, launched Habitat’s neighborhood revitalization initiative to address blighted and vacant properties, and opened the Financial Freedom Center to provide asset building workshops for families within Greater Hartford. Prior to that, she held positions with Hartford Public Schools, United Technologies, and managed her own consulting firm. Ms. Moody is passionate about making a major difference in her community and believes that through adequate housing, other accomplishments can be made, including education attainment, career growth, civic engagement, and family stability.
Pitruzzello is the vice president, retail banking administrator, at Northwest Community Bank. She has worked at other banks in the region since 1995, as well as at the Hartford Board of Education, Southend Community Services, and the Wheeler Clinic. She holds extensive certifications and licenses, and has served on the boards of the Farmington Rotary, the Plainville Chamber of Commerce, the Wheeler YMCA, and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Pitruzzello said she was drawn to AMP’s educational mission and its unique way of connecting education and art, and looks forward to being involved with AMP and contributing to the community in which she works.
After serving on AMP’s Board for many years, Moraski was appointed chairperson for a two-year renewable term. She has supported and seen AMP through important organizational growth, including the first phase of its capital expansion. She recently retired after 45 years at Northwest Community Bank, where she served as vice president and was instrumental in establishing a nationally recognized academic branch at Northwestern Regional High School. In addition to AMP’s Board, Ms. Moraski serves on the board of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. She has also served on the boards of the United Way of Northwest Connecticut, Wisdom House, and Winchester Historical Society. Ms. Moraski helped found the highly successful Tour of Litchfield Hills, an annual bike rally that benefits the Center for Cancer Care Fund.
As the American Mural Project continues to grow, with additional programs, events, and renovations, the board will play a pivotal role in fundraising, financial management, and marketing and public relations outreach, members said ni a statement. Most immediately, the board and staff will be working on the next five-year strategic plan for AMP.
“The American Mural Project’s Board is extremely engaged and looking forward to strategically realizing AMP’s full potential, including building the Board’s capacity. The addition of Karraine Moody and Solidea Pitruzzello to the Board will bring welcome and needed insight and knowledge to the work ahead,” said Amy Wynn, AMP’s executive director.