The Youngstown State University Foundation recently appointed Capri Cafaro, Germaine Bennett, Dr. Chander Kohli and Dr. Kathleen Padgitt as Board of Trustees members and Ed Muransky as the Board Chairman. Since 2014, the YSU Foundation, which is an organization independent of YSU, receives donations and provides them to the university.

Each trustee member for the Foundation will serve a two-year term.

Cafaro previously served as a YSU Board of Trustee member from 2017-2021, and is a former Ohio Senator of nine years. Currently, she is a board member for the Girard Multi-Generational Center and the Ohio Association of Free Clinics.

Bennett, now retired, has a prolific educational and occupational history. She has a Bachelor's degree in elementary education, two master's degrees and previously served as Harding Elementary School's Principal.

Previous YSU board member, Dr. Kohli, specializes in neurosurgery and has practiced at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital and Sharon Regional Hospital.

Dr. Padgitt works at The Kidney Group, Inc. and attended YSU for her bachelor's degree in medicine. She's also a former board member of the Mahoning County American Heart Association.

Muransky said the Foundation has a rich history and tradition of outstanding leadership from the Board of Trustees, and he believes the appointment of these trustees will continue the trend.

"We are grateful to Germaine Bennett, Capri Cafaro, Dr. Chander Kohli, and Dr. Kathy Padgitt for agreeing to join the Board and share their knowledge and expertise to advance the Foundations mission,” said Muransky.