Somers, N.Y. — Sheila Appel, IBM's U.S. regional director of corporate citizenship, was recently elected to the board of trustees of The Public Policy Institute of New York State, Inc. (PPI).
“PPI is pleased to welcome Ms. Appel to its board of trustees. Her knowledge, experience and perspective will be a great asset to PPI's analysis and research on policy issues impacting New York's economy and business climate,” said Heather C. Briccetti, Esq., president and CEO of The Public Policy Institute and The Business Council of New York State.
Founded in 1981, PPI, the research arm of The Business Council of New York State, is a valuable resource for policymakers, the media, The Business Council and others. PPI promotes a pro-business, pro-growth agenda in New York by providing economic analysis and research on fiscal, policy and economic development issues. Its purpose is to formulate and promote policies that will help restore New York's economic competitiveness by addressing key state policy issues.
At IBM, Sheila Appel is responsible for leading the U.S. team — overseeing a range of programs helping to establish IBM as a leader in a new breed of corporate philanthropy — an approach that promotes systemic social improvement largely through investments of technology, services, employee skills and volunteerism.
Ms. Appel has spent her career in various management roles at IBM. She is a recognized leader in New York, having served on the New York State Standards and Practices Board for Teaching, and the Strategic Planning Committee for Higher Education in New York State. She was also named one of the top 100 women leaders in the Hudson Valley region.
She has also served in a variety of leadership roles for many not-for-profits across New York State, and a current board member of the United Way of New York State and chair of its public policy committee; an executive board member of the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board; and serves on the New York State Department of Education's leadership team for the Next Generation of Science Standards.
Ms. Appel is also a board member of the Business Council of Westchester; immediate past-chair of Family Services and United Way of Dutchess-Orange; in addition to developing a new leadership program in partnership with four SUNY community colleges and the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute that foster leadership skills for student success.
She is a graduate of Dutchess Community College and Marist College and lives in Poughkeepsie, New York.
For more information on The Public Policy Institute of New York State and The Business Council of New York State, visit www.ppinys.org and www.bcnys.org.