INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD 2025 FINALISTS
Stephanie Armstrong
Amy Bach
Jennyrae Brongo
Maritza Cubi
Marisa Geitner
Tricia Marsherall
Dr. Lateef Melvin
Dr. Evelyn Parker
Becca Post
Michelle Schleher
Heather Smith
Melissa Suchodolski
Elizabeth Williamson
Tanya Mooza Zwahlen
Co-Founder & CEO, Moxie Creative Studios
Founder & CEO, Measures for Justice
Founder & CEO, Homesteads for Hope, Inc.
Director of Quality and Culture, Starbridge
President & CEO, Heritage Christian Services
Founder & CEO, Donor Database Experts
Human Resource Manager, Amazon
Chief Diversity and Culture Officer, Catholic Charities Family and Community Services
CEO & Founder, Helen + Gertrude
President & CEO, AAC Contracting, LLC
CEO & Partner, Velocitii Contact Center Services
President, USC Builds
Artistic Director/Co-CEO, Geva Theatre
AICP, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Highland Planning, LLC
STEPHANIE ARMSTRONG
Co-Founder & CEO, Moxie Creative Studios
stephanie Armstrong is a Brand Alchemist & Growth Catalyst. She’s the force behind some of the most daring marketing transformations of the last decade crafting visionary campaigns and brand partnerships with giants like Pepsi, the NFL, and Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy As Co-Founder of Moxie Creative Studios, Stephanie merges soul and strategy to help bold businesses scale with clarity, creativity, and consciousness driving over $40 million in revenue growth across diverse industries A fierce advocate for women, creators, and diverse business owners, Stephanie serves as a trusted advisor to organizations uplifting underserved communities from Miss Julie’s School of Beauty to the NY/NJ Minority Supplier Development Council. Her work consistently bridges the gap between visibility and equity, helping conscious brands rise with power and purpose Her leadership is rooted in resilience After surviving a life-threatening artery dissection and stroke at 29, she rebuilt her life and her business with a renewed commitment to legacy, liberation, and impact Today, she’s not just building brands she’s building ecosystems of economic equity and personal power. Whether she’s on stage, at the strategy table, or mentoring the next generation of changemakers, Stephanie shows us what it means to lead with fire, purpose, and unapologetic vision.
AMY BACH
Founder & CEO, Measures for Justice
Amy Bach has been the Chief Executive Officer of Measures for Justice since 2011 She founded the organization as a follow-up to her acclaimed book, Ordinary Injustice: How America Holds Court, which won the 2010 Robert F Kennedy Book Award In June 2011, Echoing Green, a premier seed investor for social entrepreneurs, selected Amy as a Fellow out of 3,000 candidates worldwide to support the launch of Measures for Justice. Following that, she was named a Draper Richards Kaplan Social Entrepreneur. For her work on Ordinary Injustice, Amy received a Soros Media Fellowship, a special J. Anthony Lukas citation, and a Radcliffe Fellowship at Harvard University Amy was a Knight Foundation Journalism Fellow at Yale Law School and is a graduate of Stanford Law School In 2012, she taught Criminal Law during the spring semester at the University of Buffalo Law School as a Visiting Professor In 2019, she won the Academy of Criminal Justice Science’s Leadership and Innovation Award and the Charles Bronfman Prize. Amy lives in Rochester, NY, where the organization is based.
JENNYRAE BRONGO
Founder & CEO, Homesteads for Hope, Inc.
Jennyrae Brongo is the 35-year-old Founder & CEO of Homesteads for Hope, an inclusive community farm and future housing village inspired by her brother with profound autism. A born entrepreneur, Jennyrae’s journey from construction business owner to nonprofit executive has been driven by a deep belief in what people can do Her work centers around creating meaningful opportunities for young adults with disabilities training them in nature’s classroom and beyond Under her leadership, Homesteads for Hope has become a nationally recognized Care Farm model, offering vocational training, competitive employment, and a strong sense of belonging Known for her visionary workforce development, Jennyrae believes everyone deserves a seat at the table and has a gift for spotting talent a mile away. She is proud that, as a nonprofit, Homesteads now has a stack of resumes from people eager to join this unique mission Jennyrae dedicates this honor to her entire team, especially Farm Manager: Chris Krivanek & Operations Manager: Alexis Manuel for making the dream of Homesteads for Hope a reality every single day
MARITZA CUBI
Director of Quality and Culture, Starbridge
Maritza Cubi is a passionate and visionary leader with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit, human and community services, advocacy, and customer service. She currently serves as the Quality and Culture Director at Starbridge, where she has held a variety of impactful roles over the past 15 years. As CoLeader of the organization's Accessibility, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (ABIDE) Committee and member of the Policy and Procedure Committee, Maritza plays a key role in shaping policies and practices that uplift and empower both staff and the people they support Maritza holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human and Community Services from SUNY Empire State College and a Certification in Family Development from Cornell University. Her continued commitment to leadership and inclusion is reflected in her completion of the Kimbrel Management Leaders Institute Inclusive Leaders Boot Camp, the University of South Florida’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certification, and the United Way Latino Leadership Development Program Throughout her career, Maritza has been a trusted resource and connector, known for her ability to listen deeply, respond with empathy, and foster meaningful change. She is deeply committed to creating spaces where people feel genuinely welcome, respected, and inspired to succeed.
MARISA GEITNER
President & CEO, Heritage Christian Services
Marisa Geitner began at Heritage Christian Services by working directly with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since she became president & C.E.O. in 2013, the agency has grown its revenue by 289%, contributing to its multiyear inclusion on the Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100 list. Heritage Christian Services has remained one of only four Compass organizations, an elite statewide quality recognition, since 2002.
Marisa challenges the status quo, pushing to exceed quality standards for services and employment practices and honoring the dignity and worth of all people Her advocacy resulted in significant wage increases for Heritage Christian Services staff members over the last five years, aligning with anti-poverty initiatives and recognizing the value of compassionate care
She is an industrious collaborator who invites diverse perspectives to inform the agency’s strategic growth and address unmet community needs Marisa has led organization-wide inclusion education, launched Employee Resource Groups and invests in leadership programs like the Women of Color Summit to support diverse professional growth
She serves on multiple community boards and holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in speech and language pathology from Nazareth College, and diversity and inclusion and not-for-profit finance certifications from Cornell University
TRICIA MARSHERALL
Founder & CEO, Donor Database Experts
Tricia Marsherall is the Founder and CEO of Marsherall Partners, LLC dba Donor Database Experts, a firm specializing in donor database management and data strategy for nonprofit organizations Since founding the company in 2016, Tricia has grown it to a 17-person team serving clients in 29 states nationwide In 2024, the company was named the 7th fastest-growing Women or Minority-Owned Business by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
A champion of inclusive leadership, Tricia fosters a workplace culture focused on empowering her employees, flexibility, and purpose She is the recipient of the International ATHENA Young Professional Award, recognizing her commitment to uplifting women and creating opportunities for others to succeed In 2022, she launched the “Force for Good” microgrant program, which has awarded over $75,000 to local nonprofits serving marginalized and underserved communities
Tricia serves on the board of Entrepreneurs’ Organization of WNY and has held board positions with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Christopher’s Challenge, and Medical Motors Service
She holds dual BAs in English and French and an MBA from St. John Fisher University. Tricia lives in the Rochester area with her husband Drew and their daughter Adalyn.
DR. LATEEF MELVIN
Human Resource Manager, Amazon
Dr Lateef Melvin is an accomplished Human Resources leader with over two decades of experience championing equity, leadership development, and organizational excellence. A proud Washington, D.C. native, he earned his Doctorate in 2021 in organizational leadership, reflecting his deep commitment to growth, education and impact
Dr Melvin is an Army Veteran and current military spouse, embodying resilience, service, and adaptability in both his professional and personal life His work reflects a strong belief in the power of inclusive leadership to transform workplace culture and uplift communities.
As a father to two young men, Dr Melvin leads with heart and vision, serving as a role model both at home and within the organizations he supports Whether mentoring emerging leaders or advancing workplace inclusion, he consistently brings integrity, empathy and purpose to the forefront
DR. EVELYN PARKER
Chief Diversity and Culture Officer, Catholic Charities Family and Community Services
Evelyn Parker is an award-winning Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, certified educator, and leadership strategist with over 23 years of experience spanning the corporate, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. As the Founder of ALL Things DEI Consulting, Evelyn is widely recognized for her dynamic work in inclusive leadership development, human resources strategy, and equitable organizational transformation She has facilitated DEI and leadership training for over 12,000 professionals across the country Evelyn is a two-time ONCON Top 100 DEI Professional Award Winner (2024 & 2025), a 2024 Colors of Success DEI Leadership Award Finalist, a 2023 Women of Excellence Honoree, and a 2023 Forty Under 40 Award Recipient. She is also the author of Afflictions to Abundance, a powerful faith-based memoir that blends personal testimony, healing, and practical tools for overcoming adversity Holding a practitioner license in education and numerous credentials in DEI and leadership training, Evelyn is a respected voice in her field She continues to serve on local and national DEI leadership boards, mentor rising leaders in the Rochester, NY community, and speak across national platforms on inclusive leadership, organizational culture, and women’s empowerment.
BECCA POST
CEO & Founder, Helen + Gertrude
Becca Post is the founder and CEO of Helen + Gertrude, an award-winning digital agency where humancentered design principles guide everything from client strategy to workplace culture. She has led the evolution of Helen + Gertrude from a social-first company into a full-service digital agency, partnering with leaders in women's health and wellness, medical technology, rare disease, and skincare Leveraging her background in New Media Design, she has spent her career building world-class creative teams and developing creative for the world's most well-known brands, including Walmart, Starbucks, American Express, GE, and Jose Cuervo. Her philosophy centers on the belief that exceptional work comes from teams who feel supported enough to bring their full selves to work. Under Becca's leadership, Helen + Gertrude has earned recognition, including the Ad Age Small Agency of the Year Award for Culture, and has been named a two-time Athena Award Organizational finalist
Fun facts: Becca grew up on a small family farm where she developed a passion for sustainable agriculture practices. Beyond her professional work, Becca is deeply committed to volunteering for environmental and community causes, such as the Genesee Land Trust and the Rochester Artist Collaborative, and obsessing over her two rescue Great Pyrenees.
MICHELLE SCHLEHER
President & CEO, AAC Contracting, LLC
With more than 28 years of experience in the construction industry, Michelle Schleher assumed the role of President & CEO of AAC Contracting in January 2022 Headquartered in Rochester with a second office in Waddington, NY, AAC specializes in abatement, demolition, firestopping, and fireproofing services across New York State, Vermont, and Pennsylvania Under Michelle’s leadership, AAC has achieved significant milestones, including being named one of Engineering News-Record’s Top 20 Asbestos Contractors in the U S , ranking #7 on the Greater Rochester Chamber’s Top 100 list, and securing the #1 spot for Environmental Service Providers on the Rochester Business Journal’s Book of Lists, and was recently recognized as a finalist for the Chamber’s MWBE Awards Michelle has proudly led AAC through certification as a WOSB, WBENC, and NYS WBE business all achieved within the last three years Her leadership and dedication have earned her individual recognition as a 2024 finalist for the ATHENA Organizational Award, a 2024 RBJ Environmental Leader, and a 2025 Women of Excellence honoree Michelle is actively involved in the community through organizations such as NAWIC and CREW while co-chairing the annual Young Women of Distinction event through the Chamber’s Women’s Council Initiative, serving as a mentor in the Chamber’s CLIMB program, sitting on the Make-A-Wish Gala Committee, and sharing her industry knowledge as an adjunct professor at RIT. Outside of her professional and community commitments, Michelle enjoys time with her family boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding on the St. Lawrence River.
HEATHER SMITH
CEO & Partner, Velocitii Contact Center Services
Heather has over three decades of senior management experience encompassing Inside Sales, Customer Experience, Managed Services, and Business Process Outsourcing. She began her professional career at Unisys where she led a global Inside Sales organization. This experience led her to Xerox where she initially led the Inside Sales teams before assuming responsibility for the North America Customer Care outsourcing organization of over 35,000 employees following the acquisition of ACS, a large BPO provider She went onto serve as Vice President of Transformation and Customer Experience at Essilor prior to joining Velocitii in August of 2020 as Chief Operating Officer She was appointed CEO in spring 2021 and purchased Velocitii with her business partners in August of 2023. Under her leadership, Velocitii was awarded the Top Workplace award for 2023, 2024 and 2025, was named to the Top 100 and the “Most Loved Workplace” lists for 2024 Heather was also named to RBJ’s Best Women-Owned Businesses list in 2024 Heather currently serves as the Vice President for Philanthropy for the Rochester Rotary and is the immediate past Board President of the Rochester Rotary Charitable Trust in addition to serving as an Advisory Board member for the Mercy University Women’s Leadership Program
MELISSA SUCHODOLSKI
President, USC Builds
Melissa Suchodolski is the visionary president of USC Builds, an award-winning social impact contracting and real estate development firm redefining what’s possible in construction With 24 years of leadership experience, Melissa drives USC Builds’ strategic vision delivering projects that challenge industry norms while centering innovation, empowerment, and inclusion. A passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), she founded USC Academy, the firm’s skilled trades training and workforce development program, creating pathways for women and historically marginalized individuals. In 2021, Melissa made “herstory” as the first woman and person of color to chair the Builders Exchange of Rochester. That same year, she expanded USC Builds to include general contracting and real estate development, deepening its impact across Rochester and Ithaca.
Beyond the jobsite, Melissa is a respected mentor and community leader committed to building more inclusive futures She chairs Monroe County’s workforce development board, RochesterWorks, and leads the board for Ascend Workforce Solutions She also serves on the advisory board of Impressia Bank, the steering committee for the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI), and sits on the boards of both the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the University of Rochester Medical Center
ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON
Artistic Director/Co-CEO, Geva Theatre
ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON (she/her) is an OBIE Award-winning director, dramaturg, and adapter. Williamson is in her third season as Artistic Director of Geva Theatre; she has over a decade’s artistic leadership experience at major non-profit theatres, with a history of centering LGBTQIA+ , BIPOC and women artists' work, and leading new play development and community engagement initiatives
BROADWAY/WEST END credits: Matthew López’ The Inheritance (Tony, Olivier, Critics Circle, Evening Standard, GLAAD, and Drama Desk Awards for Best Play, Outer Critics Circle Honoree), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Tony Award for Best Musical), Anastasia, Some Like It Hot. OFF-
BROADWAY/REGIONAL: About Face, ACT, the Alley, Berkeley Rep, Cal Shakes, Court Theatre, Hartford
Stage, La Jolla Playhouse, the Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Pioneer Theatre, Primary Stages, Steppenwolf, Theatre de La Jeune Lune, the Vineyard, Westport Country Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Young Vic in London Williamson’s adaptation of Jane Eyre is published by TRW, she received a 2007 NEA Fellowship in Literary Translation and is a member of SDC and LMDA. Education: M.St., Oxford University; B.A., Bennington College; trained at the École Internationale de Théàtre Jacques Lecoq.
TANYA MOOZA ZWAHLEN, AICP
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Highland Planning, LLC
Tanya Mooza Zwahlen is the founder and CEO of Highland Planning, a certified WBE/DBE planning and design studio driven by a passion for social good Since establishing the firm in 2007, Tanya has built an organization that embodies the tagline "Listen Design Transform " through innovative public engagement strategies that authentically include diverse community voices in planning processes Under Tanya's leadership, Highland Planning has grown from a solo practice to a recognized firm with offices in Rochester, Buffalo, and Albany, earning prestigious recognition including several NY Upstate American Planning Association Best Practice Public Outreach Awards and the 2025 Woman of Distinction Award from NY Assemblymember Harry B Bronson Tanya's inclusive leadership extends beyond her workplace through extensive community volunteerism, including service on Rochester's Environmental Commission, the Community Design Center Rochester, and currently the Monroe Avenue Revitalization Committee Her commitment to developing the next generation of planning professionals includes hosting Cornell University's Women's Planning Forum and creating internship pathways for underrepresented students A certified planner (AICP) with a Master's degree from Cornell University, Tanya exemplifies how inclusive workplace culture directly enhances community impact, pioneering engagement approaches that ensure traditionally marginalized voices shape development decisions across New York State.