David Ciesielski

Staff Spotlight: David Ciesielski

03/21/2023

David Ciesielski is the new major gifts officer in the SUNY ESF Foundation. He comes to ESF with seven years of experience in donor relations for local nonprofits and over 10 years in business-oriented roles.

Q: Why are you excited to work at ESF?
A: I’m passionate about education and environmental issues, so there’s really no better place. Every day I get excited about the opportunity to help further the cause of the college, its students, and its employees. 

Q: What would you like students to know about your role at ESF?
A: What’s most important to me is to learn as much as possible about the impactful instruction, research, activities, and work being done here. It’s through sharing those stories that I can best create new partnerships with alumni and other donors. If you see me around campus, please don’t hesitate to say hi and share a bit about your experiences.

Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Reading is probably #1. I just finished The Autobiography of Malcolm X and started A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher. Another is hiking. Beaver Lake, Tinker Falls, and Clark Reservation are some of my favorite local spots, and I’d like to start completing some of the Adirondack High Peaks.

Q: How does your work impact the lives of students?
A: I feel a great responsibility to help students make their journey better by increasing the college’s resources. I do that by working with potential donors, connecting them with our mission and discovering ways in which they can partner with the college. There’s a lot of calling, emailing, meetings, and travelling. In the end, the relationships I build help fund student scholarships, research opportunities, and other aspects of the student experience.

Q: What’s your favorite order at Trailhead so far?
A: I’m working on going 100% plant-based, so any of the vegan options. The cookies are always good, too!