The Bison Foundation Announces New Leadership and Ambitious Vision for Carlisle Schools

Carlisle native Rick Galena named President & Chief Executive Officer to lead revitalization of 26-year-old education foundation.

Carlisle, PA — The Bison Foundation, an independent charitable organization dedicated to enriching educational opportunities for students and teachers in the Carlisle Area School District, has named Rick Galena as its President & Chief Executive Officer, launching an ambitious new chapter for the 26-year-old nonprofit.

Galena, a Carlisle native with more than three decades of experience in fundraising, organizational leadership, and community partnerships, will lead the Foundation’s revitalization — expanding its programs, strengthening community support, and building an organization that Carlisle residents take pride in and students and teachers can count on.

“I’m a proud son of Cumberland County, and my family’s connection to Carlisle’s public schools spans four generations,” said Galena. “I see The Bison Foundation as a bridge between the pride and generosity of our community and the needs and aspirations of our students and teachers. We have an incredible opportunity to bring people together, turn that generosity into meaningful action, and create opportunities that can change lives.”

Building on 26 Years of Service

Established in 2000, The Bison Foundation has spent more than a quarter century creating opportunities for students and educators throughout the Carlisle Area School District.

Over its 26-year history, the Foundation has raised, facilitated, and invested more than $500,000 in student scholarships, educational programs, and initiatives that enrich the learning experience. That includes more than $358,000 in scholarships and student awards, support for kindergarten readiness through Bison Camp, and investments in student fitness, wellness, and educational resources.

“For 26 years, this organization has quietly made a difference in the lives of Carlisle students,” Galena said. “Now it's time to build on that legacy, think bigger about what's possible, and create a Foundation that our entire community knows, values, and takes pride in supporting.”

Throughout his career, Galena has raised funds, developed partnerships, and worked with organizations and leaders at the local, state, and national levels to mobilize resources, strengthen organizations, and advance community initiatives.

Galena also serves as Executive Director of Citizens for Carlisle Schools, a nonpartisan community advocacy organization he founded in 2023 and has since grown into a leading voice for Carlisle's public schools.

He sees his new role at The Bison Foundation as a natural extension of that work — moving beyond advocating for strong public schools to helping create and fund programs that directly benefit Carlisle students and teachers.

For Galena, the opportunity is also deeply personal. Public education has long been part of his family’s legacy, including an uncle who served as a school principal and an aunt who taught special education in the Carlisle Area School District. His own educational journey began in a kindergarten classroom at LeTort Elementary School.

“I've always believed that all it takes is one person, one experience, or one opportunity to change the course of someone's life. I know that because it happened to me,” Galena said.

“I was fortunate to have teachers who believed in me, encouraged me, and helped me discover abilities and aspirations I didn't even know I had. They opened doors I might never have found on my own.

“That's what inspires me about The Bison Foundation. We have an opportunity to create those moments for more Carlisle students — to support teachers who inspire them, provide experiences that spark their curiosity, and open doors to futures they might never have imagined for themselves.”

Dr. Colleen Friend, Superintendent of the Carlisle Area School District, expressed confidence in Galena's leadership and enthusiasm for the Foundation's future.

“Rick brings exactly the kind of leadership, experience, and community connections The Bison Foundation needs at this important moment in its history,” said Friend. “He has demonstrated his commitment to Carlisle's public schools and his ability to bring people together around a shared vision. I'm excited about the Foundation's renewed direction and the opportunities Rick and his team can create for our students and teachers.”

A Bold Vision for the Future

Under Galena's leadership, The Bison Foundation will pursue a renewed mission centered on expanding educational opportunities, encouraging innovation, removing barriers to student success, and helping young people prepare for life beyond the classroom.

Galena emphasizes that the Foundation’s role is not to replace the school district’s responsibility to fund a quality public education, but to enhance it by creating opportunities and experiences beyond what traditional school budgets can provide.

“Our schools have a responsibility to provide every student with a strong educational foundation. Our opportunity is to help them go even further,” Galena said. “The Bison Foundation can provide additional resources, experiences, and opportunities that traditional school budgets simply can't always accommodate.”

The Foundation's emerging priorities include:

Learning & Innovation: Empowering educators to bring creative ideas to life through initiatives such as the new Classroom Innovation Grant Program, providing funding for innovative projects and learning experiences beyond the reach of traditional school budgets.

Student Opportunity & Excellence: Helping remove financial and personal barriers that prevent students from fully participating in school and educational opportunities, while supporting their health, well-being, and sense of belonging.

College & Career Readiness: Expanding scholarships, career exploration, financial literacy, and workforce readiness opportunities that help students discover their interests, develop skills, and prepare for successful futures.

Galena envisions a Foundation that does more than fund individual projects — one that identifies needs, develops solutions, and brings together the resources and partnerships necessary to make a lasting difference.

Central to Galena’s vision is a stronger connection between Carlisle’s public schools and the community that supports them. By bringing together alumni, families, businesses, and residents — and showing them the difference their generosity makes — he hopes to build a Foundation that inspires lasting community pride and support.

“I want every Carlisle graduate, local business, and person who believes in the promise of public education to see themselves as part of this Foundation,” Galena said. “Whether you're helping a teacher bring an innovative idea to life, opening a door for a student who needs an opportunity, or investing in a scholarship that changes someone's future, your support can make a real difference right here in Carlisle.”

Galena's appointment is the first in a series of announcements planned as part of the Foundation's revitalization. In the coming weeks, the organization expects to introduce a renewed Board of Directors, announce new educational initiatives, and expand partnerships with local businesses and community organizations.

For Galena, the ultimate measure of the Foundation's success will not simply be how much money it raises or how many programs it creates, but the lives those investments help change.

“We're building something that I hope every person in Carlisle can take pride in,” Galena said. “We may never know which teacher, which experience, or which opportunity will change a student's life. But we can make sure there are more of them. And that's what I want The Bison Foundation to make possible.”

About The Bison Foundation

Founded in 2000, The Bison Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization supporting students and educators in the Carlisle Area School District. Through scholarships, educational innovation, student wellness initiatives, and community partnerships, the Foundation works to expand opportunities beyond traditional school funding and help students imagine, innovate, and achieve.

Learn more at www.thebisonfoundation.com.

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