Tompkins Financial Corporation elects three new members to board of directors

Press Release:

Tompkins Financial Corporation (Tompkins) has announced the election of a new board chair and two first-time members to its board of directors. Daniel Fessenden, who has served on the boards of Tompkins Financial Corporation, Tompkins Community Bank, and our Central New York market based board, has been elected chair of the Tompkins Financial Corporation board. Heidi Davidson, who currently serves on our Hudson Valley market-based board, and Helen Eaton, who currently serves on our Pennsylvania market-based board, have been elected to the board for the first time.

Fessenden brings extensive experience in government and public service, in addition to his well-developed business acumen, to the board. Since 2007, he has served as the executive director of the Fred L. Emerson Foundation, a fifth-generation family foundation based in Auburn NY. Previously he served as an elected Member of the New York State Assembly, government and community relations manager for Carrier Corporation and the founding executive director of the Cornell Agriculture & Food Technology Park. A graduate of Cornell University, Fessenden remains actively engaged with numerous business, civic and educational organizations throughout Central New York.

“After serving on the board of Tompkins in various capacities over the last 15 years, I look forward to fully embracing this new role and collaborating with other board members, like Heidi and Helen,” said Fessenden. “By leveraging our deep roots throughout our markets and beyond, we can build a greater understanding of the communities we touch and truly impact each area we serve.”

Davidson, the co-founder and CEO of Galvanize Worldwide and Galvanize On Demand, brings three decades of marketing and communication leadership experience to her position on the board. In addition to this role and her position on our Hudson Valley market-based board, Davidson is a member of the Business Council of Westchester’s board and executive committee. She has been recognized numerous times, receiving accolades such as the Enterprising Woman Award from the Women’s Enterprise Development Council and winning Canada’s Top Women in Technology – Leadership Excellence Award.

Eaton, who has served on our Pennsylvania market-based board since 2020, is the CEO of Settlement Music School, one of the nation’s largest non-profits in its field. Since 2010, Eaton has substantially impacted Settlement by growing programming, diversifying funding sources and building local and national partnerships. Her role and leadership capabilities have led to her recognition as one of the Top 30 Innovators by Musical America Worldwide and Most Admired CEOs by the Philadelphia Business Journal, as well as the Arts Education Award from Americans for the Arts.

Submitted photos.