2023 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Magazine

Greater Rochester’s Best and Brightest Young Leaders

Program Agenda

Welcome

John DiTullio, Anchor & Reporter, WHAM 1180

Presenting Sponsor Remarks

Kathleen Digan, New York Public Policy Manager, Amazon

Program Host Remarks

Bob Duffy, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber

Keynote Speech

Kimberly Harding, Partner, Nixon Peabody

2022 IGNITE Award Recipient

2023 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Finalist Showcase

Presentation of the 2023 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award

Closing Remarks

Bob Duffy, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber

Business Made Social: Happy Hour at Lincoln Hill Farms

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Lincoln Hill Farms VIP Deck

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Greater Rochester Chamber is pleased to bring the 5th Annual IGNITE Award program to our region. We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor

Corporate Sponsors

L3Harris Technologies, Communications Systems

LaBella Associates

Reliant Federal Credit Union

Starbridge

Supporting Sponsors

Indus Hospitality Group

Authentica | TalentEdge

IGNITE Award Ambassador

RG&E/NYSEG - AVANGRID

Special Thanks to Event

Photographer

Mark Updegraff, Updegraff Group Realty

To sponsor this event next year, please contact Susan George at Susan.George@GreaterRochesterChamber.com

Celebrating Our Young Leaders

Welcome to the 5th Annual Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Ceremony! It is with great pleasure and excitement that we gather here today to celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of our young professionals in the Greater Rochester region. This momentous occasion marks another year of recognizing the outstanding talent and innovation that fuels our community’s growth and prosperity.

The IGNITE Award is a testament to the incredible value that young professionals bring to our region and its economy. Their fresh perspectives and unwavering dedication have undoubtedly transformed the way we approach business and entrepreneurship. They have introduced breakthrough ideas, embraced new technologies, and fostered a culture of collaboration and creativity that pushes our community forward.

Tonight, as we applaud the achievements of these exceptional individuals, we are also acknowledging their potential and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. We are witnessing the rise of a new generation of leaders who will shape the future of our region, and we cannot wait to see the immense successes they will achieve in their careers and beyond.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, whose unwavering commitment to our community has made this event a reality. We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of our sponsors for their invaluable contribution and belief in the power of young professionals. Your investment not only enables us to recognize and honor their accomplishments but also reinforces the importance of fostering a vibrant and dynamic environment that nurtures their growth.

To all the attendees, finalists, and recipient, tonight is a celebration of your exceptional achievements and the impact you have made on the Greater Rochester region. We hope this evening will inspire you to reach even greater heights and embolden others to follow in your footsteps.

Once again, welcome to the 5th Annual Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Ceremony. Let us join together in congratulating our remarkable young professionals and expressing our heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors who have made this evening possible. We are honored to have you all here, and we eagerly anticipate the incredible successes that lie ahead.

Bob Duffy President & CEO Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

2023 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Finalists

Chris Bechle Megan Blakeney

Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes

Chris Bechle is a Rochester native working as Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships for United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. In his professional role, he serves as a community connector that helps bridge the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. At United Way, Chris is the staff lead for the Emerging Leaders Society, comprised of some of the region’s most active young professionals looking to make a difference in their communities.

In addition to his role with United Way, Chris is also a lacrosse coach, and coaches at every age level from kindergarten through twelfth grade. He enjoys the competitive aspect of coaching, but truly loves the opportunity to teach life lessons to young men through the game of lacrosse.

Chris graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Binghamton University, where he also served as two-time team captain of the men’s lacrosse team. After Binghamton, Chris earned his master’s degree in Sport Management from SUNY Cortland.

When not working or coaching, Chris enjoys playing golf and going to see live music. He lives in Fairport with his wife, Paige and mini Australian Shepard, Peggy.

Associate Manager, Systems Engineering, Tactical

Communications, L3Harris Technologies

Megan Blakeney is an Associate Manager of Systems Engineering in the tactical communication sector of L3Harris. Megan leads a team of Systems Engineers who architect, test, and demonstrate Tactical Communications Systems for L3Harris’ International customers and is the point of contact for RF propagation analysis work coming into the department. More recently Megan has been engaged with the international sales teams and business development to plan and staff customer demonstrations to capture new business.

Megan is the chair for the L3Harris Employee Resource Group, WE3: Women Who Strive for Empowering, Enhancing and Encouraging Other Women, where she is responsible for the planning, budgeting, and execution of events in support of the group’s pillars; Community Engagement, Professional and Personal Development, Member Engagement, STEM Engagement. She works with senior leaders inside and outside the organization to discuss and create strategies to develop and advance females in STEM and in leadership. Megan was an integral part of planning the first-ever diversity fair in 2022 to encourage employee engagement and celebrate our differences. In October of 2022, Megan represented L3Harris in Houston at the SWE conference networking with other women and looking for new talent. Megan received her dual B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Megan has received several L3Harris awards including the 2020 Business Development Circle of Excellence Award, June 2022 WE3 corporate impact award, and an Ascend Award for her execution of the SOFIC TechEx2021 Waveform Demonstration. In collaboration with her team, she had a patent filed in 2022 – Systems and Methods for Autonomously Adjustable Aerial Vehicle Antenna.

In her free time, Megan enjoys playing with her dogs Roo and Maui, playing in a billiards league, and attending Buffalo Bills games with her husband Tim.

Elissa Burke

Chief Program Officer, Starbridge

Elissa Burke (she/her/hers) is a leader in the not-for-profit human services field for over fifteen years. She has an entrepreneurial spirit that has been a driving force in promoting advocacy for policy change and growth. Elissa’s personal and professional experience has allowed her to bring compassion and vision as a leader, demonstrated, most recently, in her current role as the Chief Program Officer at Starbridge.

She has significant experience building out human service programs providing hands-on support as well as leadership and coaching. Elissa’s focus is to achieve sustainable growth while increasing service delivery. A top priority for Elissa is being able to create career opportunities for those in the field while continuing to meet the needs of our community.

Elissa is a Nazareth University alumna, attended Dale Carnegie Leadership Institute, Citizen-Centered Leadership through Cornell University, holds a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from The University of South Florida. Elissa was nominated as an Emerging Leader through ANCHOR.

Elissa serves as the Vice President of the Webster Theatre Guild, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Camp Joy, Inc., and an advisor on the Board of Directors for New England Brittany Rescue.

Elissa enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters, on their small hobby farm in Ontario, NY.

Lauren Dunkle Dlugosh

Director of Recruiting, JK Executive Strategies

Lauren Dlugosh, a seasoned recruitment professional and dedicated community member, has made an indelible mark in her field. As the Director of Recruiting at JK Executive Strategies, she is a leader in executive and professional-level searches locally and nationally. Renowned for her innovative strategies, Lauren excels at connecting organizations with exceptional talent, driving transformative change.

Beyond her professional achievements, Lauren actively engages in community service, embodying her commitment to making a positive impact. Her dedication to service is exemplified by her involvement with several organizations. One of Lauren’s significant commitments has been to the Villa of Hope, where she served as a founding member and former Chair of the Young Professional Board. Lauren’s commitment to service also influences her workplace, where she inspires colleagues to get involved. She champions environmentally conscious practices, opens the office space for nonprofit events, and sparks a positive ripple effect among her colleagues.

Lauren’s exceptional leadership and expertise have been recognized by prestigious accolades, including the Forty Under 40 award in 2022. This honor highlights her outstanding contributions to her field and the community. Additionally, Lauren is a graduate of the Leadership Rochester program, a testament to her commitment to the community and personal growth.

Nicolette (Niki) Gaesser

Project Manager Trainee - Development Group, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

Niki Gaesser is a Project Manager Trainee within the Development Group’s New Store Design team at Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. She is responsible for the overall management of new and expansion Food Market projects through collaboration with groups companywide and beyond. Niki also holds the roles of Interior Designer for the Buffalo Division and Project BIM Coordinator, leading the coordination and management of information exchange between all parties within a project’s lifecycle.

With a background in Architecture, she combines her love for design with her passion for her community by volunteering with Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity and newly serving on their Construction Committee. She is also a participant in CANstruction Rochester, promoting greater awareness of hunger issues in the Rochester Community while spotlighting the design and construction industry.

Niki is proud to serve on the Executive Committee of the Rochester Women’s Council Board of Directors, fulfilling their mission to support women through community service by providing opportunities for personal and professional development. She co-chairs the Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding high school seniors throughout the Greater Rochester Area and surrounding counties for their extraordinary commitment to their community & leadership among their peers.

She also is a Dale Carnegie graduate and long-time supporter of the United Way and hopeful participant in their 2023 Emerging Leaders Development Program come November.

Jennifer Gillen

Vice President, Environmental Operations Manager, LaBella Associates, DPC

Jennifer (Jen) Gillen is a Vice President and Environmental Operations Manager at LaBella Associates and a licensed Professional Geologist in New York. After graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Geological Sciences, Jen joined LaBella as an intern in 2009. In just eight years, she was named a Vice President, making her the youngest, first openly gay, and second female employee to be named a VP at LaBella at that time. Today, Jen is an employee owner and leads a team of over 230 professionals. Jen provides expertise for the remediation and redevelopment of brownfield properties. She helps teams navigate complicated environmental problems and regulations with the goal of redeveloping brownfield sites for affordable and supportive housing.

In addition to the day-to-day, Jen is a founding member of LaBella’s Inclusion Council, runs the Affordable Housing Committee, and has led LaBella’s team for the Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity’s Rochester Women Build program for 11 years. She is also a member of the Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast and a founding member of the Carbon Forestry Trust.

Jen lives in Webster with her wife and two children. In her down time, Jen writes fiction romantic comedies from an LGBTQ+ angle.

Kristy Gonzalez

Founder/CEO, IntegrateXpress LLC

Kristy Gonzalez, the Founder of IntegrateXpress, brings a wealth of professional experience and a strong educational background to her role. With a focus on business operations, accounting, leadership, and compliance, she has consistently utilized her skillsets to make meaningful contributions to her communities and empower others.

Throughout her career as an accomplished Accounting Consultant, she has had the privilege of working with diverse cultural backgrounds, varied management styles, and a wide range of industries. This exposure has honed her ability to effectively communicate across barriers, discover innovative approaches, and employ out-of-the-box problem-solving techniques. Kristy’s enthusiasm for business analytics, financial reporting, and metrics analysis fuels her drive to inspire creative innovation within organizations.

As a board member of the Small Business Council and a member of the DEI Subcommittee of Penfield School District, she has played an instrumental role in fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in local schools. Additionally, Kristy has supported mentoring programs for members of the LatinX community and organized bilingual workshops to enhance accounting literacy among aspiring Hispanic entrepreneurs.

Kristy Gonzalez’s exceptional achievements and contributions have garnered recognition, as evidenced by her nominations as a finalist for the ATHENA Award 2023, Women of Excellence 2023, and Financial Leader 2023. These accolades acknowledge her exceptional leadership and the significant impact she has made in her field.

Peter J. Gregory, Esq.

Peter J. Gregory is a partner at McConville Considine Cooman & Morin, P.C. He was recently named to The Daily Record’s “Power 20 Personal Injury” list for 2023 as one of the top twenty personal injury lawyers in Western New York.

He currently serves as a member of the Board of Governors for the Genesee Valley Club. He also serves on the Advisory Council for the Emerging Leaders Society of the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, which is comprised of hundreds of the region’s most inspiring, proactive emerging leaders who are dedicated to making a positive local impact with their investments. Peter also volunteers on the Board of Directors for the Small Business Council of Rochester.

He previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees and as President of the Alumni Association Board of Allendale Columbia School. He was also a member of the Advisory Board for the school’s Summer LEAP program, a partnership with School 17 of the Rochester City School District. The initiative provides low-income students in kindergarten through eighth grade with quality summer learning opportunities, aimed at raising reading and math grades and increasing graduation rates.

Partner, McConville Considine Cooman & Morin, P.C.

Adrian Isaiah Hale

Director, Economic & Community Development, Foundry Director, Foundry Deploy

Adrian joined Foundry as its Director of Economic & Community Development in December of 2021. Adrian is a proud son and champion for Rochester NY, who previously created and oversaw the office of Workforce Development, Regional Talent Strategy, and Education Initiatives at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.

Before his role as a civic leader at the Greater Rochester Chamber, Adrian served in the United States Military. Adrian was an active-duty Marine for five years. As a Marine he made two combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). After his honorable discharge from the Marines, Adrian re-enlisted in the US Air Force Reserves, where he served for three years. Adrian joined the Foundry team because he believes in the socio-economic problem-solving power of decentralized infrastructure technologies, particularly for communities such as Rochester.

Adrian graduated with an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts, with a concentration in Social Science from SUNY Monroe Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Yale University.

Danner Hickman

Senior Director of Corporate Development, AeroSafe Global

Danner Hickman is the Senior Director of Corporate Development at AeroSafe Global, a cold chain as a service provider to the biopharmaceutical industry that was ranked #1 in Rochester’s Top 100 Companies in 2022. As a member of the executive leadership team, she is responsible for corporate strategy, pricing and contracts, sustainability, and investor relations.

She is passionate about growing young companies and has helped several businesses more than double their revenue and achieve substantial margin expansion. Danner has worked in a variety of industries including aviation, investment banking, real estate investment, and healthcare services. Regardless of the industry, she enjoys using finance, strategy, and analytics to help companies achieve their goals.

Danner serves on the Working Committee of Rochester’s Child and is the Rochester Regional President of the Williams College Alumni Association. Her past community involvement includes volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity, the Scott Spino Literacy Program, Young Entrepreneur’s Academy, and the New York Junior League.

Danner holds a BA in physics and economics from Williams College and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. She is an avid runner and enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters.

Elina Kokorotsis

Strategist & Owner, In The Worx Coaching & Consulting

Elina’s career path has taken her throughout multiple functions in HR, including Organizational Learning, Talent Development, HR Technology and Strategy Development, along with some rewarding stops in Corporate IT & Business Operations. With life always being in the worx, Elina supports overwhelmed HR Professionals and Small Business Owners to get unstuck, focus on self-leadership, and improve their employees’ experiences at work.

In her 9-5 role, Elina is the Director of HR Technology at Genesee and Wyoming Services Inc, where she provides leadership, direction, and oversight of the HR Technology functions, including implementations, integrations, & optimization of HR tech solutions.

Born in Albania and raised in the country of Greece, she moved to Rochester in hopes of the American dream. What she found was an endless amount of opportunities for growth and development, and an amazing HR community who are passionate about improving their workplaces and lives of their employees.

In her personal time, Elina serves as the Rochester Chapter Lead for DisruptHR ROC, an international movement with more than 130+ chapters throughout the world. She is also deeply committed to giving back to her Greek community through her contributions as the Co-Director of the Annunciation Greek Language School, a language program to get children exposed to the Greek history, heritage, dance, and culture.

Elina is most proud of the family she is part of with her husband Michael and their two daughters, Nancy and Mariella. She is grateful for the mentors who have supported her journey, and thankful for the opportunity to be a leader in the Rochester community, which allows her to fulfill her life’s mission to connect, share, serve and grow, and ultimately make a difference in people’s lives, one starfish at a time.

Matt Martin

President, Tactical Construction

Matt Martin, a former U.S. Navy aviation structural mechanic and air crew member, dedicated himself to community service after leaving the military in 2007. He served as a Canandaigua City Council Member from 2015 to 2018, contributing to various city projects, sustainable initiatives, and landlord issues. In 2017, he was a member of the city charter review commission, focusing on long-term improvements. From 2018 to 2020, Matt served on the Canandaigua BID board, fostering new business ideas in the downtown district. Additionally, he volunteered for the Ontario County Vet court, mentoring struggling veterans dealing with PTSD and addiction in the criminal justice system.

In 2015, Matt founded Tactical Construction, Inc., drawing upon his military values and passion for helping others. Initially specializing in wood framing, the company evolved into a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned design-build general contractor for residential, multi-family, and commercial projects. Tactical Construction’s core values of Honor, Courage & Commitment have fostered a sense of brotherhood among its members, offering purpose to fellow veterans.

Matt and Tactical Construction have received several awards, including Senator Pam Helming’s nomination for the NYS Veterans Hall of Fame in 2022, Rochester’s Top Workplace from 2021 to 2023, and RBJ Leaders in Construction in 2021 and 2023. Under Matt’s leadership, Tactical Construction has become a symbol of innovation, reliability, and excellence. Beyond building properties, the company prioritizes building people and promoting a culture of goodness. Matt’s journey in the construction industry has left a profound impact, inspiring his team and the entire industry towards a brighter future.

Shanterra Randle-Mitchum

Shanterra Mitchum is The Director of Rochester Programs at the Center for Teen Empowerment, a youth organizing agency that employs, trains, and empowers youth to create peace, equity, and justice in their communities and institutions. Shanterra (Shan) has over fifteen years experience in youth and program development, including five years as a special education teacher and Black literature instructor in the Rochester City School District.

She travels the country presenting on youth voice, power, and engagement. She has presented at several conferences, including the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) conference, Right Here, Right Now: The Power Of Place, and The National Association for African American Studies (NAAAS) conference, Creating Racial Equity in the 21st Century. Her most recent work has been on the Clarissa Uprooted project, an intergenerational partnership and award-winning documentary entitled Clarissa Uprooted: The truth behind Black Rochester.

She is a member of the Board of Directors for The Children’s Agenda and Connected Communities. Both speak to Shan’s love, passion, and investment in youth and Rochester.

Lastly, as a certified anti-racism facilitator, Shan leads workshops and teach-ins on anti-racism and has facilitated dialogues with youth and community members on reimagining a better, more equitable Rochester. Being raised in a marginalized and impoverished community has fueled Shan’s passion for transforming the lives of youth from these communities and the systems that maintain them. Shan continues to work to break down stereotypes and barriers that limit access and equity in a city rich with resources.

Jonathan Smith

Chief, Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance

Jonathan Smith is an experienced Emergency Medical Services Professional with almost 25 years of service throughout the region. Driven by a passion for creating sustainable, community, and patient centered EMS organizations, he is focused on improving patient care by fostering cross sector partnerships, workforce training development, and an exceptional workplace culture.

Serving as the Chief and CEO at Pittsford Volunteer, he ensures high quality medical care for the community, most recently leading the regional medical response for the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, supporting over 200,000 spectators and staff.

Jon is also the Executive Deputy EMS Coordinator for the Monroe County EMS Bureau, EMS Commander for the Monroe County Rescue Task Force, and is the EMS Systems Operations Chairman for the Monroe-Livingston Regional EMS Council (MLREMS).

To effect positive change in the EMS community, Jon founded the Monroe County EMS Chiefs Association, bringing together local EMS leadership to advocate for the policy and legislative change needed to ensure long term industry sustainability. He’s hosted and spoken at legislative advocacy events and will also be advocating for the region in Washington DC later this summer.

Outside of the office, Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, building his model railroad, and reading.

Program Director, Center for Teen Empowerment, Inc.

MEGAN BLAKENEY

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce IGNITE Award Finalist

IGNITE Award Ambassador

Meet our 2023 IGNITE Award Ambassador, and a past award finalist, who has given back and supported this event and the young leaders being honored today.

Joseph Sayre Senior Economic Development Specialist, RG&E 2019 IGNITE Award Finalist

What has your journey been since being a finalist for the Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award?

Since being named a finalist for the inaugural IGNITE award, I’ve had an extremely varied professional journey. When I was a finalist, I worked in higher education at the Simon Business School and was working towards earning my MBA. Once I achieved my MBA, I joined a local company focused on the trading card industry as their VP of Operations. After a year with them, their parent company asked me to shift to the mobile sports wagering industry as Vice President of Business Development – North America. I served in this role for a year and then noticed a friend of mine had posted that a role in Economic Development at RG&E had opened and I immediately applied. I joined RG&E in June of 2023 and haven’t looked back as I was able to marry my passion for our community with my professional life.

What advice would you share with those aspiring to join this group of outstanding young leaders?

(1) Having a Growth Mindset and (2) Identifying your passion. A growth mindset means having a focus on always growing and improving will help you both professionally and personally. Being stagnant is the same as moving backwards. Surround yourself with people with different backgrounds and opinions than you so you can constantly be challenged and be learning. Identifying your passion will allow you to find a role you are passionate about, so you wake up every day excited to have an impact on the world around you. Only 20% of U.S employees say they are passionate about their work. If you are in that 20% you are going to be able to excel in ways you would have never dreamed possible.

For this year’s finalists, if you would like learn more on how YOU can uplift young leaders in our area as an IGNITE Award Ambassador, contact Greater Rochester Chamber Events Director Susan George at Susan.George@GreaterRochesterChamber.com

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2023 IGNITE Award Judges Thank You to Our

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce thanks the independent panel of judges that determined the recipients of the 2023 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award. These community leaders from diverse backgrounds and industries volunteered their time to assess the applications and select a recipient. The Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Selection Committee determines a recipient based on the award criteria and supporting documentation provided in the application package.

The Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award was first given out in 2019 and has been presented annually since. The award is given out to a young professional between the ages of 21 and 40 years old who demonstrates the following attributes:

Professional Leadership

Demonstrates excellence and leadership in their business or profession

Community Service

Gives back to the larger community by their contribution and/or support

Personal & Professional Recognition Awards/Honors received for their work and contribution to the Greater Rochester business community

2023 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Judges

Jay Green KPMG LLP

Kim Harding Nixon Peabody

Ana Liss

Monroe County Department of Planning & Development / COMIDA & MCIDC

Past IGNITE Award Recipients

Taren Greenidge

Inaugural 2019 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Recipient

Nicole VanGorder

2020 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Recipient

Sheila Dunne

2021 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Recipient

Kim Harding

2022 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Recipient

Congratulations to the 2023

Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Finalists!

Your dedication to excellence and your contributions to the community should be commended.

Amazon is proud to support the development and celebration of young leaders in Greater Rochester.