FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 30, 2024
Contact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Director, [email protected], 518.891.6200


ANCA Board Welcomes Two New Directors
Jaideep Khanna and Julian Mangano bring investment and agriculture experience to the nonprofit

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. — The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) Board of Directors has announced the addition of two new members, Jaideep Khanna of Lake Placid, N.Y. and Greenwich, C.T. and Julian Mangano of Castorland, N.Y., to the regional economic development organization’s leadership team. 

Khanna brings decades of experience in investment and philanthropy to the nonprofit’s board, while Mangano’s background as a farmer, entrepreneur and workforce development specialist align with ANCA’s work in the local food and small business sectors. The two were elected to ANCA’s board at its quarterly meeting on March 8, 2024. 

“Jaideep Khanna and Julian Mangano are highly respected community leaders invested in the future of our greater region. Each of our new board members brings distinctive experience and insight to the issues and opportunities that matter for economic impact and long-term sustainability of our communities,” said ANCA Board President Kelly Chezum.

“Together they offer practical, boots-on-the-ground experience with business development, as well as high-level strategic planning that can help our team build capacity, expand our programs, and serve more North Country businesses and communities. We’re thrilled to welcome Jaideep and Julian to the team and look forward to working closely with them in the years ahead.”   

Khanna and Mangano join the board as ANCA continues to expand programming that is responsive to the unique needs of North Country small farms, businesses and communities. With a focus on building economic strength and stability in our rural region, ANCA provides targeted programs that improve access to financing, grant opportunities and energy upgrades. ANCA also offers various business development and ownership transition resources, as well as programs that empower community members to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across the region.

Jaideep Khanna is the Founder of Ananta-OM Management Inc., a diversified investment and philanthropic organization. Ananta-OM invests in fast growth companies in the technology, data, environment, biopharma and real estate sectors. Its philanthropic initiatives focus on the environment, education, health and community development. Prior to Ananta-OM, Khanna was the co-founder and chief investment officer of Artha Capital, a multi-billion-dollar investment company. He also managed large pools of capital at Morgan Stanley Investment Management in Emerging Market Equity. He holds an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and a B.A. cum laude from Muskingum University. Khanna and his family have lived in Greenwich, C.T. for over 20 years.  

“ANCA is providing critical and effective economic support to communities in the North Country,” said Khanna. “Our foundation has been a supporter of ANCA since 2018, and we have witnessed the development of significant wealth-creating opportunities due to the organization’s innovative and strategic programming. I am delighted to join the Board and support ANCA’s efforts to uplift all who live and work in the region.”

Originally from northeastern Ohio, Julian Mangano earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Wooster in 2010. He moved to New York City to work in youth programming and as an assistant project manager for AECOM Tishman’s PSAC II Project. As his passion for nature and agriculture grew, he participated in GrowNYC’s Farm Beginning program and Farm School NYC program — experiences that laid the groundwork for his future farming venture. In 2016, he moved to Lewis County, N.Y. to focus on farming and has since been involved with various agricultural committees and workgroups including the USDA Farm Service Agency State Committee and Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers. He earned a master’s degree in management and organizational leadership from SUNY Potsdam in 2023. Mangano currently owns and operates Della Terra, a small organic, regenerative farm and composting operation in Castorland, N.Y. and also serves as a workforce development technical specialist at Jefferson Community College in Watertown, N.Y. 

“I am excited to join ANCA’s board because of the work the organization does to enhance a region that I have come to call home,” said Mangano. “The North Country possesses so much beauty and potential. I am excited to more actively support this organization whose mission to build prosperity aligns with my own vision for the region.”

ANCA works with regional partners to advance opportunities for small business; local food systems; the clean energy economy; and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts. ANCA hosts events ranging from one-hour virtual workshops for businesses and municipal leaders to multi-day, in-person conferences that tackle timely issues and opportunities — like the upcoming Clean Energy Conference set for May 20-21, 2024 in Clayton, N.Y. To learn more about ANCA and its programs, visit www.adirondack.org. 

ANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity across northern New York. Using innovative strategies for food systems, clean energy, small businesses, and equity and inclusion, ANCA delivers targeted interventions that create and sustain wealth and value in local communities. 

Photos: ANCA’s newest board members are Jaideep Khanna (left) and Julian Mangano.

 

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