Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is made up of community members from a variety of backgrounds who are driven by a common goal of bringing opportunities to the children of Walton that enhance and promote learning and excellence in education. 


Wendy Reid-Jackson, President


Wendy Reid-Jackson received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada in 1996 and a Masters of Science in Education from the University of New England in 2008. She is a New York State certified K-12 visual arts teacher. Wendy moved from Canada to New York in 2001 after meeting her husband. 

 

Wendy has substantial experience volunteering and working within the not-for-profit sector. During university Wendy volunteered for several not-for-profit organizations in various roles. Upon completion of her degree she worked for the AIDS Committee of Guelph and Wellington County within Fundraising and Health Promotion and went on to work for The John Gordon Home, an AIDS hospice and Community Homes, an open custody facility for young offenders. Before moving to New York she was studying Art Therapy at the University of Western Ontario. 

 

Wendy has worked for Hancock Central School teaching elementary art since 2002. She feels that this is the perfect job for her as she loves the arts and working with and teaching children. Presently many of Wendy’s volunteer activities involve the arts. She has been a member of the Delaware River Stage Company since 2001 and has served as the Chair of the Art Show for the Delaware County Fair since 2009.  

 

Wendy has a step-daughter who is a 2007 graduate of O’Neil High School as well as three young children; one of whom is a student at Townsend Elementary School. 

 

Wendy is very excited to be part of the Walton Education Foundation, and specifically the prospect of an After School Program and beyond for Walton’s children. She has seen first hand the positive impact such a program has had on children and youth in Hancock.  


Wendy originally worked on the Walton Education Foundation's Afterschool Program Committee. She was elected to the Foundation's Board of Directors in 2012 and elected President of the Foundation's board in 2016. 
Jessica DelBalso, Board Member

Jessica DelBalso is a 1988 graduate of Walton Central School and received a degree in Executive Office Technologies from SUNY Delhi, earning high honors and an invitation to the Delhi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.  Jessica then joined the local work force wearing many hats at the Office of Gary J. Grayson, Esq., Walton Village Clerk's Office, and The Delaware Register & Review.  She also has a passion for the stock market and dabbles in trend trading at home.
 
In 1999, Jessica married her long time beau, local contractor, Michael DelBalso and settled in to raise a family.  Her decision to stay home with their daughters opened her eyes to how crucial volunteering is to nurture the children in any community.  Jessica is serving her 11th year on the executive board of Walton Nursery School, is a member of the WCS PTA and newly formed PTSA, is a booster club member at ABC School of Performing Arts in Sidney, NY, and is excited about her recent appointment of Site Liaison for the 1st Annual WEF sponsored Girls On The Run.
 
Jessica is thrilled to have become a member of the WEF family and is looking forward to having a hand in achieving the enrichment goals for Walton's youth.

Jessica began her work with the Foundation as participant in the Foundation's first 5K Run/Walk then began volunteering, providing support and elbow grease at the Foundation's first Summer Reading Book Drive in 2013. Jessica was elected to the Foundation's Board of Director's in January  2014.


Molly Little, Board Member

Ty Little

Jackie Brooks, Board Member

Kyra Shew, Board Member

Cortnie Russell, Board Member

Cristina Ludden, Board Member

Cristina Ludden is originally from Peekskill, NY, but opted to settle in the region, after attending college locally and meeting her now husband, Timothy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from SUNY Oneonta in 1998, and a Masters in Social Science from Binghamton University in 2009. She and Tim moved from Otego to Walton in 2010, and have a child attending Townsend Elementary. 

Cristina has been working in higher education for nearly 17 years, and has been employed at SUNY Delhi since 2003, where she is the Advisement Coordinator for the School of Nursing. She has extensive experience working with diverse populations of students in all capacities, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  She was presented with the Academic Advisor of the Year Award (2012) for outstanding service to students and has been nominated 3 years in a row for the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

Cristina also worked with the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council (ADAC) of Delaware County for four years as a part-time instructor, working with local youths and adults convicted of DUI in understanding and making better choices, and managing risk. 

Cristina is excited to be involved in the Walton Education Foundation, believing it is an excellent way to serve, support, give back, and enrich the community and children of Walton. She was a participant in WEF's first two 5K events, and was elected to the board during the Summer of 2016.