GRYP Leadership Program Program Overview | Greater Rochester Chamber

Greater ROC Young Professionals

Leadership Program Presented By

Program Overview The Greater ROC Young Professional (GRYP) Leadership Program, brought to you by Greater Rochester Chamber, is a nine-month immersive experience designed for early-career professionals eager to grow, develop critical skills, and build meaningful connections to accelerate their career trajectory. This high-impact program is crafted to fit into your busy schedule while delivering exceptional value through hands-on learning and real-world experiences

What to Expect: In Person Site Visits Gather face-to-face at standout organizations across Greater Rochester.

These immersive visits combine professional development with behindthe-scenes exposure to how other teams operate, and give you the chance to learn directly from respected business leaders who’ve advanced their own careers.

Interactive Virtual Workshops Every other month, you’ll join a highly interactive virtual session focused on practical, real-world skill-building. These aren’t lectures, they’re hands-on, workshop-style sessions where you’ll collaborate with peers, practice new tools, and apply what you’re learning in real time.

Expert Training & Real-World Skills At the heart of the GRYP Leadership Program is a learning experience that’s anything but ordinary. The sessions are led by Sesha Yalamanchili, our experienced trainer who brings real-world insight, consistent support, and a deep understanding of what helps professionals thrive in today’s workplace.

One-on-One Mentoring The GRYP Leadership Program goes beyond training; it connects you to real people who can support your journey. Every participant is paired with a professional mentor from Greater Rochester Chamber’s network of highquality professionals. These mentors are carefully matched based on your goals, interests, and aspirations to ensure a meaningful connection.

Program Day-by-Day Day 1 (In-Person) DATE: Tuesday, January 20 TIME: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM HOSTED AT:

1634 Monroe Ave Rochester, NY 14618

Part I: Training by Sesha Yalamanchili Leading with Self-Awareness and Agility (with DISC Assessment) Complete a DISC assessment to identify natural strengths, tendencies, and blind spots.

Practice flexing style to adapt to different personalities and workplace dynamics.

Build a personal leadership growth plan rooted in self-awareness.

Part II: Site Tour + Leadership Insights Lindsay Connelly, Linden Digital Marketing The GRYP Leadership class will gain valuable insights into the world of digital marketing from experienced leaders at Linden Digital. The session will include an engaging tour of their facilities, offering a behind-the-scenes look at our operations and team dynamics.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about key strategies, industry trends, and best practices that drive success in the digital marketing landscape.

Key Takeaways: Leadership Insights: Benefit from the shared experiences and knowledge of their leadership team regarding effective marketing strategies and leadership practices.

Hands-On Learning: Experience a guided tour that highlights our processes and the tools that contribute to their marketing efforts.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow cohort members and Linden Digital leaders, fostering relationships that can enhance your professional network.

Lunch served will be served after tour

Day 2 (Virtual) DATE: Tuesday, February 24 TIME: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Training by Sesha Yalamanchili Communicating with Influence in the Modern Workplace Develop techniques for clear, concise, and impactful communication across platforms.

Practice storytelling and messaging that captures attention and builds alignment.

Adapt style for hybrid, digital, and face-to-face conversations with diverse audiences.

Day 3 (In-Person) DATE: Tuesday, March 17 TIME: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM HOSTED AT:

460 Buffalo Road, Suite 200A Rochester, NY 14611

Part I: Training by Sesha Yalamanchili Building Trust as the Foundation of Leadership Learn the behaviors that establish reliability and credibility with colleagues.

Explore strategies for creating psychological safety on teams.

Practice consistency and transparency to strengthen working relationships.

Part II: Site Tour + Leadership Insights Jay McHarg, AeroSafe Global In this session at Aerosafe Global, a leader in supply chain solutions and cold chain technology based in Rochester, NY. This session will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of Aerosafe’s innovative approaches to ensuring product integrity through temperature control and data analytics. The GRYP Leadership class will take part in a guided tour of our state-of-the-art facilities, where you'll see their cutting-edge technologies in action and learn how they support various industries in maintaining product safety and quality.

Key Takeaways: Industry Insights: Gain valuable perspectives on supply chain challenges and how Aerosafe is revolutionizing cold chain management.

Innovative Solutions: Discover the technologies and processes that set Aerosafe apart, including their unique approach to temperature monitoring and compliance.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with Aerosafe leadership and fellow cohort members, expanding your professional network within the logistics and supply chain sectors.

Lunch served will be served after tour

Day 4 (Virtual) DATE: Tuesday, April 21 TIME: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Training by Sesha Yalamanchili Inclusive Leadership and Building Belonging Recognize unconscious preferences that can unintentionally exclude others.

Practice everyday inclusion behaviors that ensure every voice is valued.

Learn how belonging drives higher engagement and creativity on teams.

Day 5 (Virtual) DATE: Tuesday, May 19 TIME: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Training by Sesha Yalamanchili Collaboration Across Generations and Functions Understand generational perspectives and how they shape workplace expectations.

Practice bridging functional silos through empathy and shared goals.

Build skills to foster collaboration in diverse, cross-functional settings.

Day 6 (In-Person) DATE: Tuesday, June 16 TIME: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM HOSTED AT:

207 High Point Drive, Suite 300 Victor, NY 14564

Training by Sesha Yalamanchili + Podcast Plus Quality Conversations Through the Podcast Plus Workshop In this engaging session, participants will prepare and conduct a simulated podcast interview with a business leader. You will practice essential skills such as deep listening, curiosity, and asking powerful questions. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to reflect on your personal leadership style through interactive feedback from peers and leaders.

Key Takeaways: Prepare and conduct a simulated podcast interview with a business leader.

Practice deep listening, curiosity, and asking powerful questions.

Reflect on personal leadership style through interactive peer and leader feedback CLICK HERE for a detailed overview of the Podcast Plus Workshop Lunch will be served after the Podcast Plus Workshop.

Day 7 (Virtual) DATE: Tuesday, July 21 TIME: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Training by Sesha Yalamanchili Courageous Conversations, Feedback, and Productive Conflict Develop confidence in giving and receiving meaningful feedback.

Learn frameworks to navigate difficult conversations with clarity and respect.

Turn conflict into a source of growth, stronger ideas, and healthier teams.

Day 8 (In-Person) DATE: Thursday, August 20 TIME: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM HOSTED AT:

3195 Monroe Ave Rochester, NY 14618

Flagship Store Tour + Leadership Insights Leah Perkins, Wegmans Food Markets Discover how Wegmans delivers incredible customer service by putting employees first. In this session, Leah Perkins, who leads Business Planning and Company Continuous Improvement at Wegmans Food Markets, will share how employee engagement drives operational excellence and customer satisfaction across the organization. The GRYP Leadership Cohort will also gain behind-the-scenes insights during a store tour that brings Wegmans’ people-first philosophy to life.

Key Takeaways: Employee-First Culture: Learn how prioritizing employee well-being and development leads to exceptional customer experiences.

Engagement Strategies: Explore practical ways Wegmans fosters engagement through trust, empowerment, and recognition.

Customer Service Impact: Understand the direct link between engaged employees and consistent, high-quality service.

Leadership in Action: See how values-driven leadership translates into daily operations during the store tour.

Lunch will be served after the tour at Wegmans in Pittsford, where the GRYP cohort will get a behind-the-scenes experience. Participants will also receive Wegmans goody bags as a special takeaway.

Day 9 (In-Person) DATE: Wednesday, September 2 TIME: 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM HOSTED AT:

50 East Broad Street Rochester, NY 14614

Part I: Training by Sesha Yalamanchili Resilience and Leading Through Change Explore techniques to stay grounded and solution-focused in uncertainty.

Practice strategies for managing stress and sustaining energy.

Model adaptability and optimism to help teams navigate change successfully.

Part II: Site Tour + Leadership Insights + Graduation Happy Hour Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Constellation Brands, a global leader in beverage alcohol with a rich portfolio of iconic brands. More information to follow.

Drinks and appetizers will be provided as the GRYP cohort will celebrate their achievements with a graduation ceremony and social hour 3:30 to 4:30 PM.

The future of leadership starts here.

Click Here to Register