Our Team
Founded by Mary Carney and Jerrine Corallo, Sustainable Growth is the result of friendship, shared values and
a commitment to improving the lives of others.
Jerrine Corallo
Partner
Community Developer
Grant Writer
Growing up on the Huyck Preserve in the Town of Rensselaerville, NY, Jerrine gained a devotion to the environment and community that influenced her education and career path. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Albany with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies and Sociology, she received a Master of Science degree in Environment and Development from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2006.
From 2007 to 2012, as Director of Mentoring & Volunteer Services for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady, Jerrine oversaw volunteer program development and management, including recruitment, screening, training, and placement of hundreds of volunteers. In 2011, she secured and administered a $200,000 grant from the US Department of Labor to launch a multi-year volunteer mentoring program in partnership with Schenectady High School.
In 2015 Jerrine co-founded - and worked as Administrative Director through 2020 for - Country Classroom, a not-for-profit, nature-based private school chartered through the New York State Department of Education serving thirty (30) students ages 4 – 10. She oversaw nonpublic school and nonprofit administration, including financial management, board support, human resources, payroll, file maintenance, reporting/filings, fundraising, special events, and outreach.
From 2012-2017, while raising a young family, Jerrine worked as Project Director for Schoharie Area Long Term (SALT) Development. She secured and helped administer $300,000 worth of grant funding for locally conceived and supported projects, including the Schoharie Creek Trail Study, Trails to Tales of Schoharie County website, Kits for Kids, and the Central Bridge Community Planning Project. During her time with SALT, she also worked with hundreds of volunteers on various building and community improvement projects.
Since May 2018, Jerrine has worked part-time as a community developer, grant writer, and planner with Laberge Group, helping to secure more than ten million dollars for projects. She has experience with all aspects of the grant lifecycle, from grant research and project scoping to proposal writing, budget management, grant administration and execution, evaluation, and reporting, including M/WBE requirements. In addition, she works closely with a range of municipal officials and state agencies to administer grant-funded community development projects.
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Jerrine resides in Schoharie County with her family and owns Forest Farm Campsites. She also enjoys supporting her partner, Jamison Corallo, in his entrepreneurial endeavors. VikingSolarBoats.com BuildwithNature.Us
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Jerrine finds great joy in helping communities thrive by connecting people and projects with resources and often with each other. She firmly believes in the power of and need for greater public participation and has used her outreach and facilitation skills to engage people in many types of projects meaningfully. She is deeply committed to building strong, sustainable, and resilient local communities while also working to protect our region's precious natural and cultural resources.
A lifetime resident of the Capital Region, Mary grew up in the rural communities of Southern Albany County, where she currently resides with her family. A graduate of Fordham University, Mary obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Political Economy. In 2006, she received a Master of Science Degree in International and European Politics from the University of Edinburgh. Living in Scotland for several years, Mary worked as a Parliamentary Aide to a Member of the Scottish Parliament and as an Administrator for The City of Edinburgh Council. After returning to the United States, Mary worked with various regional communities and organizations while raising a young family. She gained experience in NYS politics through lobbying and advocacy work in Albany and provided administrative support for the Towns of Rensselaerville and Greenville. As a Grant Compliance Specialist, she assisted with the administration of the CDBG Central Bridge Planning Project.
Throughout her employment history, Mary has developed her administrative skills and analytical abilities. Specifically, she has managed projects, performed research, created and maintained data management systems, and developed professional writing skills. Concerning client relations, Mary has worked with various entities, including local municipalities, government officials, non-profit organizations, and community members. She has assisted many clients throughout her career by researching and synthesizing information to complete projects or provide solutions. Mary is driven to utilize her experience and skills to advance the development of communities while supporting social and environmental justice.
Mary Carney
Partner
Grant Writer,
Project Manager
Administrative Specialist