Welcome Our New Executive Director!
Riverdale Neighborhood House’s Board of Directors is excited to welcome our new Executive Director, Andrew Belton who joined us on September 1st.
Marcia Santoni, who served as Executive Director for two years, stepped down to spearhead efforts to provide arts access to the Bushwick/East Williamsburg community as the inaugural Executive Director of WORTHLESSSTUDIOS. We want to thank Marcia for her excellent leadership, which has set a strong foundation for Andrew and his team.
Andrew Belton
Andrew is our neighbor. He and his family have been active members of the Riverdale community for the last 18 years. He is currently the Board President of Riverdale Soccer Club and can often be found coaching kids soccer teams in Van Cortlandt Park or seen on his regular jogs through the neighborhood.
His wife, Holly, was until recently the Board chair of the Sinfonietta of Riverdale, which brings NY symphony artists to present classical and modern music in our neighborhood. His children, Lara and Liam grew up attending the local public schools, volunteering locally, and participating and working for RNH’s summer camp, Kids In The Game.
Prior to joining RNH, Andrew was an executive at The Bridgespan Group, a leading US nonprofit advising firm which works exclusively with philanthropists and nonprofits. In his last role, he led Bridgespan’s global team with a budget of $12M and staff of 80. Prior to that role, he started and led Bridgespan’s New York office, working closely with many of the leading community organizations in the US and New York, including Children’s Aid Society and JASA locally. He has spoken nationally and published on the topic of how to integrate programs and services in a way that participants in those programs can achieve long-term positive outcomes and communities can thrive.
As Executive Director, Andrew will oversee a team of 38 full time and 80 part time employees across three locations in Riverdale. This team provides an array of services and programs to community members of all ages, including Universal Pre-K, after-school enrichment, college prep, teen internships, community art and fitness classes, senior telephone reassurance, a community pool, an urban garden, and a community fridge.