Upstate Emerging Leaders 2024-2025 Membership Year Report

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

Our mission is to promote and encourage the spirit of philanthropy and volunteerism among young professionals in Central New York.

This year has brought powerful moments of leadership, connection, and community impact.

Whether you're new to Upstate Emerging Leaders United (ELU) or continuing the journey, thank you for bringing your energy and talents.

With many powerful moments already behind us - and more ahead- we’re just getting started!

This report is a glimpse at what we have accomplished together.

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

1

Photo from Upstate ELU Kick-Off Meeting for Membership Year 2024-2025 [September 2024]

2

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

ONGOING EVENTS Sarah’s Guest House Dinner Service

Samaritan Center Breakfast Service

Each month Upstate ELU members prepare a meal at Sarah’s Guest House, Central New York's only adult healthcare hospitality house for patients and families traveling to Syracuse for Medical Care.

Each month Upstate ELU members, along with other Upstate staff and students, assist with breakfast service at Samaritan Center.

• 2nd Tuesday of the Month • Upstate ELU Coordinator: Jackie Pilon • Upstate ELU Volunteers: 2-3 /month

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

• 3rd Wednesday of the Month • Upstate ELU Coordinator: Scott Neal • Upstate Volunteers: 10-14/month

3

FALL September 25, 2024 - Good for CNY The $10K Nonprofit Pitch

November/December 2024 - Samaritan Center “My Place Box” Donations

Upstate ELU attended this United Way event where 5 local nonprofits pitched their ideas for projects that support youth in the areas of literacy, STEM, and the arts. A panel of judges selected one project to receive $10,000 and the audience picked a “fan favorite” to win $1,000!

In addition to providing much-needed meals, the staff at Samaritan also do their best to supply their guests with necessities that we all take for granted. Upstate ELU assisted with a collection for both Basic Needs supplies and for a “My Place Box” which provides housewares for individuals transitioning into their own apartments.

4

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

WINTER December 18, 2024 - United Way Book Distribution at Salvation Army Christmas Bureau

December 16, 2024 – Care Package Assembly

Upstate ELU members volunteered with at the United Way book distribution tables, where every family that came was able to pick out a new book for each child in their household.

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

As part of the United Way’s Annual CNY Care Package Project, Upstate ELU members assisted with sorting and packing the donated personal care items into over 1000 care packages that would be given to families in need.

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

January 20, 2025 MLK Day of Service: Winter Clothing Drive Following the United Way of CNY’s Share the Warmth Winter Coat and Accessories Drive, Upstate ELU members assisted with sorting and packing the donated items that would be given to people in need.

5

WINTER February 8, 2025 - Hugs for Hope Foundation: Valentine’s Day Card Writing Party Upstate ELU members were invited to participate in Hugs for Hope Foundation's Valentine's Day Card Writing Party. This was a Valentine's Day card writing event to send cards to the 300+ individuals that have received gift boxes. A short script was provided for volunteers and encouraging stickers were provided to include. Hugs for Hope sends gift boxes to those who are on the road to a cure for their specific cancer, letting them know they're not alone.

6

February 11, 2025 - From First to Next

March 18, 2025 - Pints & Principles

ELU joined a panel of people who have achieved significant firsts in our community as they reflection their personal journey to reaching a first milestone, and what it will take to help the next generation to continue to blaze new trails in Central New York and beyond.

ELU members had the opportunity to interact and engage with local business leaders.

March 30, 2025 – Support Human for Upstate Mascot Hero Upstate Emerging Leader Bronte Hilgenberg helped guide Upstate mascot Hero around the American Heart Association Walk.

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

SPRING April 7, 2025 - Lunch & Learn with Upstate Training & Development Renae Rokicki, Senior Leadership and Development Coordinator, hosted a Leadership Matters seminar for the Upstate Emerging Leaders.

Event coordinated by Upstate ELU member Veronica Farrell

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

April 21 – May 2, 2025 - United Way United For Mom’s Drive

May 8, 2025 - Dinner Service at Chadwick Residence

In honor of Mother’s Day, ELU members and Team Upstate hosted a United for Mom’s drive in partnership with the United Way of CNY. Self-care items were collected for the United Way to give to women in need. 225 care packages were assembled.

Upstate ELU members served dinner at Chadwick Residence. The mission of Chadwick Residence is to provide supportive housing and a variety of professional services for homeless women and their children in an environment that empowers them to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to increase their self-sufficiency.

Upstate ELU Planning Committee: Veronica Farrell, Tara Pinkerton, Sarah Trapani, Natalia Valenzuela Faccini, Ashley Volles, Zanette Howe, & Rebecca Pesci

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

7

SPRING May 15, 2025 - Support Human for Upstate Mascot Hero Upstate Emerging Leader Jackie Pilon helped guide Upstate mascot Hero around the Hospital Week activities at University Hospital downtown and community campuses.

8

May 20, 2025 - Leading with Compassion Upstate Emerging Leaders attended the United Way ELU professional development event “Leading With Compassion,” featuring Upstate's Brooke Fraser, MSN, FNP-C, CPHON.

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

SUMMER June 2, 2025 - Upstate ELU Lunch & Learn: Upstate Leadership Panel

UPCOMING Day of Caring - August 7, 2025

Facilitated by Upstate Training & Development

Upstate ELU members participate in the community’s biggest day of volunteer service, coordinated by United Way of CNY.

Upstate Emerging Leaders will have an opportunity to hear from Upstate's leadership on being a leader at Upstate and in the Central New York community.

Upstate ELU Planning Committee: Laytinya Brooks, Christina Dickerson, Veronica Farrell, Sarah Trapani, Zanette Howe, & Rebecca Pesci

SOCIAL EVENTS ATTENDED • October 3, 2024 – ELU Coffee Pop-Up @ Café Kubal Creekwalk Commons

• November 1, 2024 - Baldwin Fund Annual Gala

• November 7, 2024 - ELU Happy Hour @ Meier’s Creek – Inner Harbor

• November 17, 2024 – Heather’s Hope & Heels Fashion Show & Brunch

• December 5, 2024 - ELU Coffee Pop-Up @ Parthenon Books

• January 30, 2025 - ELU Happy Hour @ Soul Society

• February 11, 2025 – Cards & Conversations

• May 15, 2025 – Broadway for United Way: Beetlejuice

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

9

ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY UPSTATE ELU MEMBERS Laytinya Brooks, Employee/ Student Health • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Philo Co-Advisor Christina Dickerson, College of Health Professions • 3rd Upstate Service Anniversary Veronica Farrell, Outpatient Pharmacy • Lean Six Sigma White Belt

• Joined United Way CNY Steering Committee Bobbie Jo Massena, Utilization Review • Leading Others Microcredential

• Upstate Mentor Scott Neal, Neuroscience & Physiology • Promoted to Research Asst. Prof. (non-tenure-track)

• Named Director, Neuroscience and Physiology Microscopy Core Rob Taylor, IMT - AIS - Decision Support Applications • Helped organize a delivery of 20 boxes of new children's clothes to Golisano Children's Hospital from PEACE Inc.

Jackie Pilon, Upstate Connect Call Center • Received the Team Champion Award, on behalf of Upstate ELU volunteers, at the Sarah’s Guest House Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in December 2024

• Article published in Healthcare Contact Center Times - Breaking the Silence: How to Normalize Mental Health Discussions at the Contact Center (February 2025)

• 0% turnover for 19 months in her department (Upstate Connect Call Center) Tara Pinkerton, Medicine Subspecialties Clinic • Authored and distributed weekly Wellness Wednesday newsletters through the Wellness Committee at the Medicine Subspecialties Clinic

Bronte Hilgenberg, Patient Finance • Obtained Healthcare Administration MBA via SUNY Oswego

• Became certified through Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) as a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) and a Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR)

• Became a David's Refuge Advisory Council member

• Joined Upstate Patient and Family Advisory Council, Upstate Patient Experience Champion Focus Team, Upstate Community and Wellness Garden, United Way Emerging Leaders and Women United

• Obtained Upstate micro credential - Leading Self

• Serves as Treasurer of the Sunshine Committee, supporting a positive and engaged workplace culture

• Creation of the 2024 & 2025 ELU newsletters

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training 10

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

ORGANIZATIONS UPSTATE ELU MEMBERS HAVE VOLUNTEERED WITH ACR Health

Sarah’s Guest House

Hugs for Hope Foundation

Spiritual Care Center

HumaneCNY

Syracuse Urbanism Collective

Jowonio School

Talk Read Sing Onondaga

MACNY Peace Inc.

Theta Omicron Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. in Syracuse, NY

MACNY P-Tech Program

United Way of CNY

Mary Nelson Backpack Giveaway

Upstate Community Garden

McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center

Upstate Medical University / Team Upstate

Rosamond Gifford Zoo Salvation Army Samaritan Center

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

11

ELU MEMBERS & YEAR MEMBERSHIP STARTED Jackie Pilon, Upstate Connect Call Center

2020

Bobbie Jo Massena, Utilization Review

2020

Scott Neal, Neuroscience and Physiology

2020

Robert Taylor, IMT - AIS -Decision Support Applications

2020

Natalia Valenzuela*, College of Graduate Studies, Class of 2029, Pharmacology

2024

Melissia Wheeler*, Advanced Practice

2024

Christina Dickerson*, College of Health Professions

2024

William Lewis*, Neuroscience & Physiology

2024

Stacey Keefe, Hospital Administration David Auerbach, Pharmacology

2020

Debra Emerson*, Clinical Nurse Education

2024

David Auerbach*, Pharmacology

2020

Beth Blunt, Outpatient Pharmacy*

2024

Matt Capogreco, Simulation Center

2021

Neal Patel*, Neurology

2024

Ashley Volles, Advanced Practice

2021

Laytinya, Brooks*, Employee/Student Health

2024

Dylan Tripodi, Transitional Care

2021

Sienna Lee*, HemOnc, Cancer Center

2024

Sarah Trapani, Office of the President

2021

Mary Terrinoni*, College of Health Professions

2024

Pau Corsi, Sustainability

2022

Karen Boschen, Neuroscience & Physiology

2024

Veronica Farrell, Outpatient Pharmacy

2022

Cassie Breen, IMT-Moonshot

2024

Michelle Stine, Upstate Connect Call Center

2022

Danielle Bright, Upstate Foundation

2024

Shannon Summers, Simulation Center

2022

Bronte Hilgenberg, Financial Services-Patient

2024

Nitchaborie Jones, Medicine

2023

Collyn Conrad, Cell & Developmental Biology

2024

Tara Pinkerton, Medicine Subspecialties Clinic

2023

Stephanie Mack, Volunteer Services

2024

Andrea Cifonelli, Graduate Studies

2023

Bold = ELU co-chairs

Kenneth Graniero, Nurition Services

2023

• Asterisk = 2024-2025 Upstate ELU Scholarship Recipients

12

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

BECOMING A MEMBER

Photo from Upstate ELU Kick-Off Meeting for Membership Year 2024-2025 [September 2024]

There is a $250 donation to United Way to join Emerging Leaders United, which can be given throughthe annual Upstate Community Giving Campaign. Upstate Medical University offers a limited number of scholarships to employees for one year of memberships an Emerging Leader.

The scholarship application is available in late summer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.upstate.edu/elu or e-mail: elu@upstate.edu

Upstate Emerging Leaders United

I

2024-2025 Membership Year Report

13

For More Information visit www.upstate.edu/elu