2024 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award Magazine

GREATER ROCHESTER CHAMBER

IGNITE

2024 AWARD CEREMONY

PROGRAM

AGENDA

Registration, Networking, & Happy Hour

Opening Remarks

Steven Pappas, Weekend Anchor & Reporter, WHAM-TV

Presenting Sponsor Remarks

Tim Brown, Regional Director

Evans Bank

Host Remarks

Bob Duffy, President & CEO

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

Keynote Address

Adrian Hale

2023 IGNITE Award Recipient

Award Presentation

Closing Remarks

Bob Duffy, President & CEO

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

Program Close & Continued Networking

Greater Rochester Chamber is pleased to bring the 6th annual IGNITE Award program to our community honoring young professionals who strive to toward the highest level of personal and professional accomplishment. We gratefully acknowlegde the generosity of the 2024 Greater Rochester Chamber IGNITE Award sponsors:

CELEBRATING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN GREATER ROCHESTER INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE:

The Greater Rochester region has long been a hub for innovation and technology. Our community has reinvented itself over the years to stay relevant, and forward-thinking young professionals have always been at the forefront of these changes.

Throughout history, Greater Rochester’s most iconic claims to fame have been spearheaded by young professionals. Frederick Douglass was only 29 years old when he started publishing The North Star in 1847, helping to secure Rochester’s place in history as a hub for social and political movements. In the birthplace of the women’s rights movement, Susan B. Anthony was just 32 when she helped to organize a National Women’s Rights Convention in 1852. And, George Eastman was only 27 in 1881 when he partnered with Henry Strong to found what would go on to become Kodak, ensuring that our region would be on the cutting edge for optics technology to this day. These trailblazers have come to be some of our region’s most iconic names in history, and their legacies began early on.

Today, organizations throughout the Greater Rochester region are working to support the development of young professionals to help kickstart careers and ensure our community stays iconic for generations to come. Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is proud to be one of those organizations, offering a multitude of training opportunities, recognition celebrations, and workforce development opportunities for young professionals. Of course, our IGNITE Award celebrates young professionals who are making a difference, as does our ATHENA Young Professional Award, specifically for women. These programs are designed to help recognize those early in their career who are moving the needle, open new doors to expand their reach, and inspire other young professionals throughout Greater Rochester.

On the professional development side, our CLIMB program is a comprehensive nine-month program for young professionals in Greater Rochester that fosters inclusive leadership skills, enhances business acumen, and cultivates personal and professional growth. Further, our CampusROC program helps to kickstart the careers of students from our region’s eighteen colleges and universities and keep the great talent these universities produce in our community.

Jump Starting America, led by researchers from MIT, has named Greater Rochester the number-one metro for future technology growth in the United States. This is in no small part thanks to the young professionals in our region contributing to key metrics for success and propelling our region forward. Forbes found that Generation Z’s “unique blend of attributes and values is upending existing paradigms and paving the way for a more adaptable, inclusive and innovative corporate world,” and I am eager to see the ways that this generation of young professionals continues to push our region as a hub for technology and progress.

I’d also like to take a moment to thank our sponsors of tonight’s IGNITE Award for their steadfast support of young professionals. We would not be able to deliver awards and content like this to our community without their support, and the support of all of our attendees. Congratulations to each of our twelve finalists, your journeys are inspiring and I can’t wait to see what’s next for each of you.

From groundbreaking startups to impactful community initiatives, the young professionals of Greater Rochester are not just participants in the local economy—they are, and always have been, the driving force propelling it forward. Let’s continue to recognize, invest in, and celebrate this.

BOB

DUFFY

President & CEO

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

IGNITE GREATER.

We are a region on the rise-just like tonight’s IGNITE finalists. Congratulations to the twelve finalists making a difference in Greater ROC.

Together with thousands of voices across our region, we’re generating a bolder, broader story and greater momentum for growth.

LEARN MORE

IGNITE AWARD 2024 FINALISTS GREATER ROCHESTER CHAMBER

Miguel Baique

Director, University of Rochester

David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity in Arts, Sciences and Engineering

Pamela Breedlove

Outreach and Education Specialist, In Control, a program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western

New York

Lindsay Connelly

President & Founder, Linden Digital Marketing, LLC

Ericka B. Elliott

Associate Attorney, Underberg & Kessler LLP

John Howe-Wemett

Vice President – Wealth Management Advisor, Generation Capital Management

Zahira Jimenez

Director, Employee Engagement, Pathstone Corporation

Andrew Moran

Community Outreach Manager/Data Manager, Rochester Victory Alliance at URMC

Faziri Ndahiro Renzaho

Founder & CEO, Rochester Global Refugee Services & CEO, Renzaho Prime Express LLC

Amanda Sanfilippo

Senior Talent Management and Communications Specialist, L3Harris Technologies

Joe Sayre

Manager, Economic Development, RG&E & NYSEG, Rochester Gas & Electric/Avangrid

Megan Storm

Director of Fiscal Intermediary Services, Starbridge

Katie Wawrzaszek

Major Gifts Officer, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes

MIGUEL BAIQUE, ed.d , mpa

Director, University of Rochester David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity in Arts, Sciences and Engineering

Dr. Miguel Baique is the Director of the David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity Arts, Sciences, and Engineering at the University of Rochester, a center focused on expanding educational pathways through the doctoral degree for low-income, firstgeneration, and underrepresented racial/ethnic minoritized students. Before this role, Dr. Baique served as the Assistant Dean for DEI and the Academic Diversity Officer at the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Binghamton University (SUNY). He led the development of a strategic vision for the future of DEI and oversaw programs to provide development opportunities; support degree attainment; and guide students to pursue graduate education.

Holding multiple minoritized identities, Dr. Baique knew early in his post-secondary career that he wanted to advocate for underrepresented populations. He does this professionally and as a member on the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association Board of Directors. Dr. Baique has a track record of connecting with students, developing opportunities for student success, and working with faculty, staff, administrators, and community members to enhance DEI and student success practices.

Dr. Baique earned his doctorate in educational administration from the University of Rochester, an MPA from SUNY Brockport, and BA degrees in sociology and communication from SUNY College at Geneseo. Dr. Baique holds several certificates specializing in HR, DEI and Change Management and is a graduate of the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI).

PAMELA BREEDLOVE

Outreach and Education Specialist, In Control, a program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York

Pamela Breedlove, 35 years old, is a dedicated mother to her son Amir Breedlove. She currently serves as an outreach and education specialist at InControl. With a background in athletics, Pam received many accolades during her time at Alfred State College, showcasing her passion and discipline. Her love for working with youth drives her to create impactful programs that empower and educate, tailored to the interest of the youth she interacts with. Additionally, she spearheads outreach efforts such as her barbershop initiative, providing a safe space to discuss sexual health with both youth and adult.

As an alumna of the Parent Leadership Training Program (PLTI), Pam has honed her skills as a leader and advocate, leveraging the programs’ alumni network to grow both professionally and within her community. Certified in Reproductive Desires Counseling workshop from the New York State Family Planning Training Center, Pamela utilizes the Path framework to inform her methods as a sexual and reproductive health educator.

LINDSAY CONNELLY

President & Founder, Linden Digital Marketing, LLC

For over a decade, Lindsay Connelly has proven herself a successful digital marketer who enriches the Rochester community. It started at RIT in 2011 with a BA in Marketing, which continued into an MBA with a focus in MIS in 2018 from RIT. While obtaining her master’s, she decided to start her own business.

Linden Digital Marketing was founded in 2018 and the company is now a flourishing marketing firm supporting B2B and B2C companies in digital marketing strategy, tactics, website development, and much more. What began as a one-woman operation has quickly grown into an LLC that employs fourteen local marketing experts. Linden more than doubled in size in each of the last two years. Lindsay was named an RBJ 40 under 40 honoree in 2022, the Emerging Tech Woman of the Year by TechRochester in 2023 and a finalist for the ATHENA Awards in 2024.

When Lindsay isn’t working on her thriving business, she invests her time in raising her two young children, rock climbing at RIT’s Red Barn and volunteering as a board member for Journeys of Solutions Inc. St. Ann’s Foundation and Home Acres Brighton. Lindsay is a proud member of the Rochester community who gives back through her time, talent, and leadership.

ERICKA B. ELLIOTT, esq .

Associate Attorney, Underberg & Kessler

LLP

Ericka B. Elliott advises businesses, banks, and individuals with contract disputes, debtor/creditor issues, in commercial litigation, and on corporate governance matters. She also represents hospitals, physicians, nursing homes, home health agencies and other health care providers on issues ranging from risk management and patient care to collections and regulatory compliance. In addition, Ericka has experience representing town and village boards in matters involving governance, the legislative and administrative process, economic development, planning, zoning, and litigation. She earned her B.S. from Cornell University and her J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law.

Ericka is a member of the New York State Bar, the Monroe County Bar Association (MCBA), and the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA), where she serves as Secretary for the Board. In 2023, she was selected for the inaugural class of the MCBA’s Leadership Academy and now serves on the Academy’s Steering Committee.

Ericka is also an active member of several non-profit boards, including Lifespan, St. Ann’s Foundation, the WNY Rural Area Health Education Center, and 13thirty Cancer Connect, where she serves as its current President of the Board. In addition, Ericka serves on the Lima Joint Village/Town Planning Board and is a volunteer with the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network.

Ericka has been recognized as an Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Star. She received the 2023 Legal Excellence Award for Up-and-Coming Lawyers from The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal.

JOHN HOW e -W eme TT,

Vice President – Wealth Management Advisor, Generation Capital Management

John Howe-Wemett, CFP®, M.S. is a Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor at Generation Capital Management. He provides comprehensive financial planning guidance to the firm’s clients using an education-focused approach. Behind the scenes, John directs the firm’s marketing initiatives and focuses on technology solutions to improve the client experience.

John holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, a master’s degree in personal financial planning from Kansas State University, and a bachelor’s degree in international studies and philosophy from Nazareth University. In 2022, he was recognized by the Rochester Business Journal as a Financial Leaders Rising Star award recipient.

At the core of John’s drive is a belief in empowerment. Each year, he provides pro bono financial planning services to those in need and has spent the past several years of his career creating programs that lower barriers to high-quality financial advice.

Outside of his work at GCM, John teaches as an adjunct professor at St. John Fisher University in retirement planning and personal finance, serves on the board of directors for the Financial Planning Association of Greater Rochester, and is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Rochester. He also mentors young professionals looking to become financial planners.

ZAHIRA JIMENEZ

Director, Employee Engagement, Pathstone Corporation

Zahira M. Jimenez is a passionate HR professional who fosters inclusive workplaces and drives positive change. As the Director of Employee Engagement at PathStone Corporation, Zahira oversees engagement initiatives for a diverse workforce spanning nine states and Puerto Rico. She is instrumental in implementing effective communication and onboarding processes and serves as the primary point person for employee grievances, demonstrating her dedication to cultivating a supportive work environment.

Zahira’s leadership in PathStone’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts is a testament to her commitment to enhancing employee engagement and performance. She spearheads initiatives alongside the DEI Committee. In previous roles at the United Way of Greater Rochester, she managed HR functions and the PRIDE Leadership Development Program, emphasizing inclusivity and development of LGBTQ+ community leaders and staff.

Zahira’s impact extends beyond her professional endeavors. As a Commissioner for the Civil Service Commission and advocate for Delphi Rise/Open Access, she works to ensure fair employment practices and uplift marginalized communities. She was also a previous Urban Choice Charter School Board Member.

Zahira M. Jimenez’s career journey reflects her dedication to supporting employees, driving innovation, and making a positive impact within organizations and the broader community. With a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Zahira continues to inspire others and effect meaningful change wherever she goes.

ANDREW MORAN

Community Outreach Manager/Data Manager, Rochester Victory Alliance at URMC

Andrew Moran has supported the Rochester Victory Alliance’s search for a safe and effective HIV vaccine for over 12 years. He leads the way in creating community-informed outreach, education, and recruitment decisions for the unit. His work was instrumental in Rochester’s participation in Operation War Speed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andrew’s community leadership also extends to the LGBTQ+ community. From leading the University of Rochester’s Pride Network to leading the Rochester Rainbow Union, Andrew has devoted a significant amount of time and energy supporting “Rainbow Rochestarians.”

In his role as board president of the Rochester Rainbow Union, Andrew has rebuilt a community-focused organization, while building collaboration with other agencies. Andrew models servant-leadership, and is working to build structures to redefine the way local agencies work together. At the end of the day, Andrew hopes to model a new form of leadership to the next generation, one that abandons ego-driven decisions and rejects competition between allied organizations. Every leadership decision Andrew makes is informed by his ancestors in the Chicano and LGBTQ+ communities.

FAZIRI NDAHIRO RENZAHO

Founder & CEO, Rochester Global Refugee Services & CEO, Renzaho Prime Express LLC

Faziri is a leader in the not-for-profit human services field for more than seven years. He has an entrepreneurial spirit that has been a driving force in empowering New Americans and advocating for a better integration in their new home. In 2022, Faziri started a Trucking company called Renzaho Prime Express LLC. that serves interstates lines and based here in Rochester NY. He is in charge of new client creation, ensuring that the company’s truckers adhere to various federal and states safety standards of operations.

Through his passion and learn leadership skills has contributed to his creation and led UN Rochester World Refugee Day event that brings people from different background as way to sharing and learn from one another for a better community. Faziri also founded the New American Advisory Council which operates in the Mayor’s office as a path for the New Americans to be engaged civically, economically and contribute to the community that they now call home.

Faziri serves as a committee member at the NY Immigration Leaders Coalition. In his free time, he loves to participate, share and engage in community activities. He is a volunteer as a church operations secretary, He served as a Rochester Police Training Advisory Council and He is an FBI Citizens Academy Alumni.

Faziri graduated with an Associate Degree in Human Service from SUNY Monroe Community College and a Bachelor of Art in Political Science and International Studies from SUNY at Brockport College.

AMANDA SANFILIPPO

Senior Talent Management and Communications Specialist, L3Harris Technologies

Amanda Sanfilippo is a Senior Executive Communications Specialist at L3Harris Technologies and has a passion for uplifting people through her work. With a background spanning internal communications, client-side marketing, engagement, and community affairs, she illustrates what it means to be a dynamic professional. Mostly, she’s energized by meaningful connections and living her truth as an ESFJ.

Voted Class Representative from United Way’s Emerging Leaders Development Program 2022 cohort, and serving as annual campaign coordinator for a decade, Amanda is a champion for the United Way. She’s a Rochester native who daydreams of an equitable, safe, and inspiring city full of small businesses.

Amanda earned her master’s degree in integrated marketing communications and bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communication from St. Bonaventure University. Outside of work, she and her husband have two baby boys who afford her tremendous amounts of joy and very little sleep.

JOE SAYRE

Manager, Economic Development, RG&E & NYSEG, Rochester Gas & Electric/Avangrid

Joe Sayre joined the economic development department at RG&E and NYSEG in 2022 and was promoted to Manager in 2024. Joe oversees the management and implementation of various grant programs. He collaborates with local, regional, and state economic development allies to attract and retain businesses within the NYSEG and RG&E service territories.

Prior to his current role, Joe worked in business operations, development, strategic planning, relationship management, and financial management. A native Rochesterian, he earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport and his MBA from the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester.

Joe serves on the boards of ROC2025, the New York State Economic Development Council, the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation, and the Strong Play Makers Leadership Council. He also co-chairs the United Way Emerging Leaders Society. In his free time, Joe and his wife enjoy exploring the best chicken wings and IPAs in the region while watching the Buffalo Bills.

MEGAN STORM

Director of Fiscal Intermediary Services, Starbridge

Megan Storm (she/her) is a Rochester native with a career dedicated to the human services field. Megan built her foundational experience as a Direct Support Professional for five years. After completing her teaching degree and certification, Megan found herself still pulled in the direction of this work and quickly emerged as a leader.

Megan recognized the need for creative solutions to barriers people were facing in the most crucial aspects of their life such as accessible housing, staffing, employment, and finances. This launched her work in service coordination, non-certified housing initiatives, and selfdirected services.

As the Director of Fiscal Intermediary Services at Starbridge, Megan and her talented team support people with disabilities in customizing their services to lead the lives they want. In four years at Starbridge, her program expanded from 130 people served to almost 600, focusing on taking an intersectional approach to services.

Megan is a Dale Carnegie Leadership Institute graduate and holds her B.S in Special Education from St. John Fisher University. Personally, she is passionate about safe pregnancy and childbirth, working with local organizations as well as supporting the organization Hope for HIE. She lives in Fairport with her children, Peyton and Thomas, and their two cats.

KATIE WAWRZASZEK

Major Gifts Officer, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes

Katie is a distinguished leader in philanthropy. As a major gifts officer at United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, Katie spearheads the planned giving program, which supports the second-largest endowment within the United Way network. Katie’s innovative donor engagement and planning strategies have increased United Way’s legacy giving society by 20 members and secured multiple six-figure donations to advance United Way’s mission.

In addition to her professional achievements, Katie is deeply committed to community service. She serves as the membership officer and secretary for the Planned Giving Council of Upstate New York and an associate board member at 13thirty Cancer Connect. Katie additionally teaches dance at the Marilyn Schneider School of Dance.

IGNITE AWARD JUDGES THANK YOU TO OUR 2024

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce thanks the independent panel of judges that determined the recipients of the 2024 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 judges 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 35 years old who demonstrates the following attributes:

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

Demonstrates excellence and leadership in their business or profession

selection committee

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

GREATER ROCHESTER CHAMBER 2024 IGNITE AWARD JUDGES

KATHLEEN DIGAN Amazon

ADRIAN HALE

NYS Board of Regents

MICHELLE SCHLEHER AAC Contracting, LLC

IGNITE AWARD RECIPIENTS PAST

Nominations

Nominations