Meet our Officers

Valerie is in her fourth year serving as President. She has formerly served as Vice President for multiple years. She has also served as the Outreach Chair and on the Scholarship Committee. Valerie is a Rochester native and graduate of the University of Rochester, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Valerie currently works as a Lead Project Manager in the Property Services group at National Grid, where she manages capital projects. Valerie also has many years of experience as a mechanical design engineer and Valerie is currently an EIT.

Her interests include hiking with her dog and visiting the Finger Lakes.
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Last updated: 10/2/2025

Emily is in her first year as Treasurer for the Greater Syracuse section of SWE. She joined as a member in 2023 after attending the annual scholarship reception. 

Emily graduated SUNY ESF in 2022 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Resources Engineering and a minor in water resources. Emily is water resources engineer at Colliers Engineering & Design with a focus on dam safety, stormwater management, and flood control. 

Outside of work Emily enjoys gardening skiing, hiking, and traveling to different national parks. She is also a coach for the SUNY ESF Timbersports team and participates in Lumberjack competitions throughout NY. 
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Last updated: 9/18/24

Kara DiNatale joined the Greater Syracuse Area section of SWE in late 2015 and immediately took up the mantels of Communications Committee Chair and Webmaster. FY26 will be her tenth year in this role and her seventh year as section Secretary. She has also served as the Application Coordinator for the section’s scholarship program from FY19-FY25.

Kara works as a Process Engineer for Novelis at their Oswego, NY facility. Prior to this role she also worked there as a Quality Engineer while completing their Engineer Development Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Professional Certificate in Materials Engineering from Clarkson University, where she graduated from in 2014. In addition to working full time at Novelis, in 2019 she completed a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics through Kansas State University’s Global Campus. She also volunteers as a goalie coach for the Oswego High School girls’ lacrosse teams.

Kara enjoys camping, reading, watching hockey, and working on the never-ending list of projects on her 125-year-old house.

Last updated: 11/4/25

Committees and Additional Positions

If you are interested in learning more about and/or volunteering for any of the positions marked as “OPEN” please email us with the position title in the subject line.

Communications Committee
Chair: Kara DiNatale
Webmaster: Kara DiNatale
Social Media Manager: OPEN

Scholarship Committee
Chair/Co-Chairs: Valerie Spangenberg
Application Coordinator: Erin Kiselica
Sponsorship Coordinator: Ariel Judd
Reception Coordinator: Lexie Peppe


Non-Committee Positions
Outreach Chair: OPEN
​SU Liaison: Jessica Bates
*NEW* Professional Development Chair: Victoria Spinanger

Past Board Members

Many thanks for our members who have served on the Board previous years!

YearPresidentVice PresidentTreasurerSecretarySection Representative
FY26Valerie CountrymanVacantEmily EllithorpeKara DiNataleN/A
FY 25Valerie CountrymanLexie PeppeEmily EllithorpeKara DiNataleN/A
FY 24Valerie CountrymanLexie StoyellAriel JuddKara DiNataleN/A
FY 23Valerie CountrymanLexie StoyellAriel JuddKara DiNataleN/A
FY 22Bridget DixonValerie CountrymanAriel JuddKara DiNataleN/A
FY 21Bridget DixonValerie CountrymanAriel JuddKara DiNataleN/A
FY 20Bridget DixonValerie CountrymanAriel JuddKara DiNataleN/A
FY 19Bridget DixonAriel JuddChelsey KniffinChelsea ArmstrongN/A
FY 18Nicole CarfiBridget DixonChelsey KniffinChelsea ArmstrongN/A
FY 17Chelsea FanaraBridget DixonDeanna VictoriaTabby SvereikaChelsea Armstrong
FY 16Deanna VictoriaChelsea FanaraAllison MueheKara DiNatale (Comm. Chair)Chelsea Armstrong
FY 15Deanna VictoriaAllison MueheAlissa Diminich / Allison MueheAshley WaldronCasey Lupini
FY 14Allison MueheAlissa DiminichWende Weber
FY 13Alissa DiminichAllison MueheJoan DannenhofferKristin AngelloKelsey Wessel
FY 12Alissa DiminichAllison MueheJoan DannenhofferKristin AngelloKelsey Wessel
FY 11Kristin AngelloAllison MueheJoan DannenhofferSue WeaverCaitlin Howieson
FY 10Monica CodyAllison MueheJoan DannenhofferLauren LivermoreCaitlin Howieson
FY 09Monica CodyLynn CulottaJoan DannenhofferLauren Livermore
FY 08Monica CodyJoan Dannenhoffer
FY 07Jennifer ReinaTina CrowleyLynn CulottaJoan DannenhofferLauren Livermore
FY 06Jennifer ReinaTina CrowleyLynn CulottaJoan DannenhofferLauren Livermore