Leadership
President's Cabinet
The President’s Cabinet comprises campus leaders who strategically guide the operations of the College, linking goals with ESF’s institutional priorities and assessment, and aligning these efforts to the strategic plan, mission, and vision.
Joanie Mahoney, President
Matthew Millea, Chief of Staff, Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives
Matthew Millea, a 20-year veteran of state and local government, joined ESF in 2021 to lead and manage major strategic initiatives and programs across the College’s campuses.
Millea joins ESF following a three-year stint in the private sector working as the Albany Office Principal for the Syracuse-headquartered C&S Companies. Prior to that, he served as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s deputy director of state operations after serving for four years as deputy county executive for physical services to then-County Executive and current ESF President Joanie Mahoney.
While serving as deputy county executive, Millea managed the implementation of Onondaga County’s nationally recognized and award winning Save the Rain combined sewer overflow mitigation program as well as a number of other priority capital projects within the county.
Millea played a key role in the master planning and environmental review effort that preceded the construction of one of Onondaga County’s most recently constructed landmarks, the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater on Onondaga Lake. In 2009, in his role as acting president of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, he managed the implementation and disbursement of $500 million in water infrastructure investments awarded to New York state from President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). He is a veteran of four gubernatorial administrations beginning his career in state government working for Governor George Pataki on a number of environmental initiatives.
Millea holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University and bachelor’s in political science from Siena College.
Dr. Lindi Quackenbush, Provost &
Vice President for Research
Brenda Greenfield, Chief Advancement Officer and
Executive Director, ESF College Foundation
Brenda Greenfield joined ESF in 1999. She serves as a member of the President’s Executive Cabinet and as the College’s chief advancement officer, overseeing all private philanthropic giving in support of ESF from individuals, alumni, corporations and private foundations. She also serves as the chief administrative officer of ESF College Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and the Foundation’s subsidiary organizations, Abby Lane, LLC, and Abby Lane Housing Corporation.
During her tenure at ESF, Greenfield has led an unprecedented period of growth in fundraising and asset development for the Foundation. Under her leadership, Foundation assets have grown from $8 million to over $75 million. Greenfield implemented ESF’s first multi-year comprehensive fundraising campaign with a goal of $20 million. The campaign finished 18 months ahead of schedule with gifts totaling $21.5 million. She also oversaw the real estate acquisition, design, construction and financing of ESF’s first student residence facility, Centennial Hall, and the building’s subsequent addition. She supervises the external management company that provides daily operation of Centennial Hall
Greenfield has been recognized in the Syracuse community as a Non-Profit Executive of the Year and has received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Her development career spans nearly 30 years. Prior to joining ESF, she held positions in alumni relations, development, and nonprofit administration in both higher education and environmental nonprofits.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Elizabethtown College.
Seth Thompson, Chief Diversity Officer
Seth Thompson most recently served as VP of Student Affairs and Senior Diversity Officer
at Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) in Dryden, N.Y., where he was a member
of the President’s Cabinet and Executive Council. During his tenure, he led the development
and implementation of strategic diversity and inclusion plans aligned with SUNY system
goals, created equity-focused recruitment strategies, and coordinated Title VI, VII,
and IX investigations.
Prior to his role as CDO, Thompson held several key positions at TC3, including Director
of Diversity Education & Support Services and Director of Multicultural Services.
He also served as Director of Diversity Affairs & New Student Programs and Acting
Director of Residence Life at SUNY Canton, where he launched initiatives like the
North Star Adirondack Adventure Program and oversaw international student advisement.
Thompson has taught courses such as Race and Ethnicity in the United States and African
American History as an adjunct instructor. He is a SUNY Chancellor Award recipient
for Professional Service and a Leadership Development Institute Scholar with the National
Council on Black American Affairs.
Outside of his professional life, he served as the fifth ward alderman for the City
of Cortland, a member of the Cortland Chamber of Commerce DEI Committee, and a coach
and trustee for the Crown City Little League in Cortland. He is a candidate in Capella
University's Doctor of Education program. Thompson holds a Master of Science in Education
and a Bachelor of Science in history from SUNY Potsdam, and an Associate of Science
from SUNY Canton.