There are times I do not receive unsolicited recommendations for people to feature in this column. So, I began to think about organizations that are volunteer driven. It took about 10 seconds to call the United Way of CNY to see if they had a volunteer to recommend. Then, it took five seconds before I heard; “Yes, and that would be Alyse Holstein.” As you read this column you will see why.
Alyse Holstein was born in Washington, DC, and at 13 years of age got her first experience in volunteering at a nursing home. She credits her parents as being role models, and became eager to volunteer with diverse populations of age, color, and need.
Holstein founded hpg Partners in 2006 in London, England, focusing initially on film and television financing. Now based in New York State, hpg Partners focuses on introductions and connects early-to-late stage companies to funding and revenue sources in order to create successful financial and strategic outcomes that can change people’s lives.
Along with two colleagues who are British, Holstein founded a grassroots volunteer organization called Check n Chat while living in London in 2000. Check n Chat helps older and isolated adults receive regular telephone reassurance phone calls for someone to check in and chat with them.
Holstein has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland and maintains her LCSW license. She also has 15 years of financial services experience and has received several national awards from the insurance industry. She co-owned a financial planning and investment advisory company that served 2,000 individual and institutional clients. Her company was approached, and ultimately acquired by Lincoln Financial Group. Lincoln is what brought Holstein and her husband Phil and two children initially to the Syracuse area.
“Lincoln Financial Group provides resources and solutions that help empower Americans to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism,” Holstein said.
A drive to make connections is evident in Holstein’s philanthropic work. She has been involved in areas of education, domestic violence, poverty, and the advancement of women, minorities, and veterans. Holstein has served on the Board of Overseers for Emerson College, and been involved in Syracuse University, Connecticut College, and Manlius Pebble Hill. She is active in a variety of civic groups including the WISE, Women’s Business Center, the American Heart Association, and the United Way, which is especially meaningful to her.
Holstein, who now lives in Jamesville and shared some thoughts on the United Way.
“The United Way is a game changer because it serves, touches, and benefits everyone in our community,” Holstein said. “Many volunteers share time helping community programs, as well as work place campaigns thru their respective businesses, and yes, even from their own pockets. I am fortunate to be involved as a Board member and Chair of the newly formed Small Business Local Committee.”
Holstein explained the following is from a direct and passionate quote from the UW website the United Way Do More: “This year, at least one in four people in Onondaga County will benefit from a United Way of CNY funded program. It is more likely that a friend, a classmate, a co-worker, a neighbor, or possibly even you have been assisted by the funding United Way provides to local agencies. You may not always recognize our impact, but it’s being felt locally, right here in Central New York, every single day.”
“Alyse Holstein cares deeply about people and has a huge heart,” Nancy Eaton, president of the United Way of CNY said. “She is a compassionate believer in our work to ignite the spirit of our community collaboration, giving, and civic engagement to improve lives in Central New York. Alyse created and leads our Local Business Development Committee, is a member of our Women United Steering Committee, and a member of the United Way Board of Directors. She is an inspiration to us all.”
Holstein has also volunteered for the Pancreatic Action Network whose mission statement is; “If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we’re here to help. We provide more resources and speak with more pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers than any other organization in the world. No one should have to face pancreatic cancer alone.
“Alyse is playing an integral role in our new business venture by volunteering to assist us with both strategic planning and fund development aspects of our business we have named, The Castle,” Evelyn Ingram, director of community engagement at Wegman’s Food Markets said.
Evelyn and Chino Ingram are Co-Presidents of The Castle.
Located on the Southside of Syracuse, in an area designated as having the highest poverty among Blacks and Hispanics, this venture of restoring an historically designated property formerly known as the South Presbyterian Church will create catalytic change by providing economic development and job creation in that area.
“Alyse has been instrumental in directing resources to help us secure necessary funding to bring this 8 million dollar project to life, and for that we are grateful,” Ingram said.
A homework assignment in the fourth grade sparked Holstein’s curiosity about space.
Writing that paper, she gazed upward and wondered—what’s out there?
From that start, and throughout her life, at the core of Holsteins’s wide ranging work is a passion for important questions and a capacity to think with a systems perspective.
Now, her early interest in space is linked to her business and philanthropic endeavors. She is still interested in what’s out there and how our discoveries can benefit life on earth. New ideas spark her thinking and fuel her drive to foster growth and connections in everything she touches.
“As busy as our lives are, and have been many during these overwhelming times, I encourage others to try and do at least one good deed a day for someone else, even if it involves someone who needs a simple phone call,” Holstein said. “Becoming a volunteer can change everything for you personally and your community, and benefit others that you may never realize the impact of your daily deeds, words, and actions when time is available.”
“Alyse is bright, extremely personable, and successful in the business world,” Elaine Rubenstein, one of Holstein’s longtime acquaintances, said. “She represents her generation of the Holstein family’s strong commitment to enriching Central New York as volunteers and philanthropists.”
