Thursday, September 26, 2024
Congratulations to the 2024 Greater Rochester Chamber Colors of Success Leadership Award Finalists!
Your dedication to excellence and your contributions to the community should be commended. Amazon is proud to support diverse leadership in Greater Rochester and beyond.
Welcome
Lynette Adams, Anchor & Reporter, News10NBC
Program Host Remarks
Bob Duffy, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber
Keynote Speech
Sady Alvarado-Fischer, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, 2023 Colors of Success Leadership Award Recipient
2024 Colors of Success Leadership Award Finalist Recognition
2024 Colors of Success Leadership Award Recipient Remarks
Presentation of the 2024 Colors of Success Leadership Award
Closing Remarks
Bob Duffy, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber
Greater Rochester Chamber is pleased to bring the third annual Colors of Success Leadership Award program to our region. We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of our 2024 sponsors:
Adams Leclair LLP
Authentica | Beyond Talent Edge
Constellation Brands, Inc.
DePaul
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
John Schlia Photography
RG&E/NYSEG - AVANGRID
To sponsor this event next year, please contact Susan George at Susan.George@GreaterRochesterChamber.com.
In recent years, we have witnessed a workplace transformation, bringing DEI to the forefront of conversations throughout institutions of all sizes, industries, and histories. In the years following the widespread racial unrest we witnessed throughout the summer of 2020, companies have expanded their diversity efforts and tried to build momentum on creating new programs for historically underrepresented groups. More recently, however, this trend has been waning, as companies reduce spend on DEI-related initiatives. The Washington Post reported an 8% drop in DEI roles in the United States in 2024 on top of a 5% decrease throughout 2023.
While this divestiture can seem concerning, I want to challenge you to go beyond traditional diversity programming to find ways to create true economic advancement opportunities and cultures of belonging throughout our workplaces and the broader Greater Rochester community. While increased conversations and awareness around diversity are beneficial in many ways, when companies are doing it because it is a trendy thing to do instead of due to an actual desire to make a difference, initiatives will not have the intended effect. In fact, they can instead create real harm for businesses and minority groups. A study conducted by Harvard Business Review of 829 companies over 31 years showed “no positive effects in the average workplace” from diversity training, while the effect was negative where it was mandatory.
Instead of implementing one-size-fits-all check-box trainings or other hollow efforts, organizations should instead find ways to create a meaningful difference. This, of course, will require a far more significant investment of time and resources than an organization-wide offering, however, it will also yield far more consequential results for individuals, their families, and organizations alike. The real work that needs to be done to confront the history of bigotry and exclusion on the micro and macro levels across the country throughout history is not easy or fast work, but it is meaningful work worth doing.
The path to a better and more inclusive future with economic equity in our region means identifying and addressing the structural barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from having the same opportunities and resources in our communities. This requires a shift in thinking among everyone in our community, and follow through on a commitment to actionable items. Instead of talking about DEI, it’s time to act on it.
Each of the finalists for tonight’s Colors of Success Leadership Award works in and out to do this significant work. On behalf of Greater Rochester Chamber and our 1,300 members, I want to thank each of them for their hard work and contributions to our region and community and congratulate them on this honor. I also want to thank the program partners and sponsors who made this recognition and award ceremony possible, and all of our attendees for coming together to help us celebrate. We are eager to see the continued impact of all of these outstanding leaders in the years to come.
Now, let’s work together to build a better Greater Rochester for all.
Bob Duffy President & CEO
Greater Rochester Chamber
We salute all of the 2024 Colors of Success DEI Leadership Award recipients on this well-deserved honor.
RG&E, a proud sponsor of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Colors of Success Leadership Award, embraces the power of positive energy to light a path towards a future of sustainability.
Tracy Archie
Alana Barend
Fernán Cepero,
Paul L. Leclair, Esq. PHR, SHRM-CP
Renee Elwood
Christina Heyon Lee, EdD
Maiah Johnson Dunn
Jessica Lewis
Candice A. Lucas, EdD, MBA
Amanda Miner
Jonathan Ntheketha
Evelyn Parker
Mario Roque
Kiki Smith
Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer, Regional Transit Service
Talent + DEI Manager, Partners + Napier
Deputy Director Department of Human Resource Management, City of Rochester
Lead, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Talent Management, L3Harris Technologies
Coordinator, Global Education and International Services, Cochair IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability) Council, Monroe Community College, and Board of Education
Vice President, Brighton Central School District
Beverage Education Manager, New York Kitchen
Partner, Adams Leclair LLP
President & CEO, LáLew Public Relations
Senior VP, Equity and Advocacy, Urban League of Rochester
Director, IT TPO – Business Technical Services, Co-Chair – CARE, Avangrid
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, The Harley School
Chief Diversity and Culture Officer, Catholic Charities Family & Community Services
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Facilities, A&F Division, University of Rochester
Outreach and Fundraising Coordinator, South East Area Coalition
Tracy A. Archie is the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Regional Transit Service (RTS). She leads the Authority’s DEI strategy and is focused on driving lasting cultural and behavioral change. Tracy’s work includes implementing DEI initiatives, serving as a strategic partner to the Authority’s leaders, and helping the organization strengthen its capacity to live its mission and values by fostering an anti-racist, diverse, equitable, and inclusive community of belonging. Prior to joining RTS, Tracy built a career in higher education with the State University of New York (SUNY) in the public and private sector that spanned more than 25 years. Tracy obtained a bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from SUNY at Buffalo (UB). Tracy currently serves on the Leadership Council for National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), Northeast Tri-State Chapter (NY, NJ, PA). She’s also earned certifications from the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity (AAAED), and University of South Florida DEI in the Workplace. Tracy has received awards and recognition as American Association of Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) Outstanding Women Leadership Series, Barbara J. McGriff Outstanding Educator by the Urban League of Rochester, Service Award for Rochester Area Colleges and most recently as a Diversity Executive in Diverse Issues in Higher Education Magazine. Tracy loves spending time with her family, and traveling.
The self-proclaimed “HR Mermaid”, Alana Barend prides herself in using her empathetic moral compass to navigate, educate and mediate through the muddy and sometimes very choppy waters of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work.
Through an unconventional career path that has taken her through non-profit and corporate environments alike, Alana has cultivated her guiding philosophies of meeting people where they are and practicing radical empathy.
These calling cards have influenced the development of multiple successful engagement initiatives and strategies, most notably at Partners +Napier: including an intimate speaker series with Rochester trailblazers and the “Leave a Tip” program, which encourages economic support for local minority-owned businesses.
Alana also serves on the LGBTQ+ working group of Partners’ global holding company, representing 14 companies with thousands of employees around the world. She relishes the opportunity to dig deep and increase representation and equity in the creative industry.
Alana is a longtime activist for the queer community, people of color, and feminist causes. She believes it is in every moment – big and small – that we can create change with all those who cross our paths.
She strives to not just invite people to the table, but to build a whole new one.
Fernan R. Cepero, MA, MS, PHR, SHRM-CP, is President & CEO of Cepero Diversity & Human Resources Consultancy, a boutique consulting firm that specializes in providing specialized and niche services to a relatively small and targeted clientele. Fernan has also served as the Human Resource Business Partner for YMCA of the USA and as Employee Development Manager for Nestle Waters North America. Prior to this position he served as Human Resource and Employee Development Manager for Xerox Corporation. Currently he is Deputy Director of Human Resources for the City of Rochester, New York.
Fernan is an Adjunct Professor of Human Resource Management and Organizational Development at Southern New Hampshire University. He also teaches Diversity Management and Human Resource Management at the Rochester Institute of Technology Saunders School of Business.
Fernan is a 2005 recipient of the Andrew Young Award for diversity & inclusion from the YMCA of the USA, a 2007 recipient of the Human Capital Magazine Future HR Leaders Award, a 2013 inductee into the Latino American Whos Who, and the 2017 recipient of the Values-Based Leadership Award from the National Human Association Rochester Chapter.
Fernan holds an M.S. in Human Resource Development from RIT, an M.A. in Foreign Studies from the American University, and a B.A. from Fordham University.
Renee Elwood plays a pivotal role at L3Harris Technologies within the Communication Systems business as Lead for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). In this capacity, she spearheads the development and implementation of DE&I strategies and programs, as well as initiatives aimed at enhancing employee experiences through cultural enrichment and inclusive practices.
As a respected advisor across the organization, Renee conducts inclusion training sessions for leadership, provides support to Employee Resource Groups, and manages inclusion weeks and diversity fairs at flagship locations.
In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Renee is deeply committed to her local community. She contributes her time and expertise to the Webster Youth Hockey organization and serves as a dedicated board member for the Webster Ice Arena. Her involvement in these activities underscores her passion for fostering inclusive environments both within and outside of L3Harris Technologies.
Renee has a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from the State University of New York at Brockport, complemented by a Certificate in Organizational Inclusion and Diversity from Michigan State University. Additionally, she has earned a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate from eCornell and is a certified facilitator with Development Dimensions International® (DDI).
Christina Heyon Lee, EdD
Coordinator, Global Education and International Services, Co-chair IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability) Council, Monroe Community College, and Board of Education Vice President, Brighton Central School District
Christina Heyon Lee (she/her) is the Global Education Coordinator at Monroe Community College. Her work focuses on building strategic partnerships and creating curricular programming with a global lens while incorporating perspectives on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and social justice. She is co-chair of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) Council, co-leads MCC’s Global Roundtable, and mentors the Global Union Student Association.
In the community, Christina is Vice President of Brighton Central School District’s Board of Education, board member of the Asian/Pacific Islander American Association of Greater Rochester and vice chair of the community advisory board for WXXI/The Little Theatre. She is a graduate of the United Way of Greater Rochester’s Asian Pacific American Leadership Development Program and an alumna of the SUNY SAIL (Strategic, Academic, and Innovative Leadership) Institute.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, she immigrated to Rochester as a child. She earned degrees in cultural anthropology from SUNY Buffalo and University of Colorado, Boulder, and is a 2024 graduate of the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester. Her EdD project focused on increasing a sense of belonging for Asian American students at MCC. She has three children who are kind, loving, and funny young adults.
After a 13-year career in experiential and event marketing, Maiah transitioned to wine and hospitality. Her shift began with Chasing Grapeness, an Instagram account turned wine pairing dinner series focused on increasing industry diversity, equity, and inclusion. Following two sold-out dinners in 2020, she started writing about wine and never looked back.
Her bylines include Decanter Magazine, CITY Newspaper, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and more. Her work on New York and Finger Lakes wines is also found in the 5th edition of Jancis Robinson’s Oxford Companion to Wine.
Maiah is the Beverage Education Manager at New York Kitchen in Canandaigua, NY. Her focus is building a warm and inviting educational space for everyone. She co-teaches DEI Over Wine, a 3-session workshop teaching DEI through real-life industry examples over a glass.
In 2022, Maiah was named a New York Wine & Grape Foundation Unity Award recipient for “enthusiastic support of the New York wine industry and exemplifying the use of wine as part of a happy, healthy lifestyle.” In 2023, she was named a Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemaker.
The Boston native lives and loves in Rochester, New York.
Paul L. Leclair is a partner in the litigation law firm of Adams Leclair LLP. He has been an attorney and commercial litigator in the Rochester community for thirty-seven years, focusing his practice on business and construction disputes.
Paul is the current Monroe County Bar Association Treasurer, where he founded the Solace program several years ago for members of the legal community in crisis. Paul has twice been honored by the US District Court for the Western District of New York for his pro bono representation of prisoners subjected to physical abuse. He has traveled with the Russian American Rule of Law Consortium on many occasions to lecture on trial technique and promote rule of law to attorneys in Novgorod, Russia.
Paul is a key participant in his firm’s involvement in the Honorable Roy W. King Diversity Internship program for which it was recently honored by the program as a Champion for Diversity. The firm boasts of a recent full time hire of an attorney from the program. Paul actively mentors attorneys, young professionals, and law students at his firm.
Paul is most proud of his longtime marriage to his wife, Rebecca, with whom he has raised four children.
Jessica Lewis is the President & CEO of LáLew Public Relations and Communications Manager for ROC the Future Alliance. She is a 2023 Causewave Spark Award recipient, 2021 Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 honoree, and a 2020 PRSA Rising Star. Jessica is a successful entrepreneur, owning one of the fastest growing Blackowned public relations firms in Rochester, New York.
LáLew Public Relations is an award-winning agency specializing in media & press relations and social media management. LáLew PR serves a variety of clients in the Finger Lakes Region and beyond. The firm has secured earned media for clients on top rated news stations in the United States and abroad. Jessica’s success was recognized by the Rochester Business Journal as a Small Business Feature of the Week.
Jessica is also a columnist and has written pieces for Business Insider, Democrat & Chronicle and the Minority Reporter.
Jessica received her bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College in Social Studies Education grades 7-12 and a master’s degree in Teaching and Curriculum from the Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education at the University of Rochester. Jessica holds membership in the Rochester Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, the American Advertising Federation Greater Rochester Chapter, Rochester Association of Black Journalists and ForbesBLK.
MBA
Candice A. Lucas, EdD is an executive with the Urban League of Rochester. As the Senior Vice President leading the Equity and Advocacy initiatives, Dr. Lucas works on the front line in the fight for racial and structural equity for Rochester’s most marginalized and oppressed communities.
With 20 years’ experience in addressing the needs of underserved residents across Rochester, she developed and led programs and initiatives aimed at promoting equity, improving health outcomes, engaging and mobilizing communities, and training on anti-racist practices.
Dr. Lucas led the FR=EE Race and Health Disparities workgroup and helped secure $8 million to increase jobs in health care. As chair of the African American Health Coalition, two reports were released on the state of health for the African American community. She was the lead staff for the Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE) and continues to collaborate with community partners to advance the over 200 recommendations delivered to the mayor and county executive.
Dr. Lucas volunteers in leadership roles on nonprofit boards. She is a member of Immaculate Conception church, is the proud mother of two adult children (Justus and Jayde) and one grandson (Jrue), and lives at home with her partner (Richard).
Amanda Miner is a dedicated leader in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). As the founding member and Co-Chair of CARE at Avangrid, Amanda was instrumental in growing the group from three members in January 2022 to 900+ by July 2024. CARE promotes understanding and support for individuals with disabilities and caregivers, fostering an environment of acceptance and empathy.
Through CARE, Amanda partners with Avangrid’s HR team to recruit diverse, disabled employees and provides educational content on disabilities. She hosts, develops, and coordinates webinar topics ranging from disability etiquette, addiction, parenting disabled children, to neurodiversity and more while sharing her own experiences with Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety to reduce stigma. Her efforts contributed to Avangrid achieving a top score on the Disability:IN Disability Equality Index.
An active member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), Amanda collaborates to promote accessibility and inclusion. She has raised significant funds for the Epilepsy Foundation and community initiatives, such as the EquiCenter’s Hoof it for Heroes event, supporting disabled veterans.
Amanda believes that diversity is akin to sending an invitation to a dance. Inclusion is asking those invited to dance, and accessibility ensures everyone can access and fully participate on the dance floor.
Jonathan Ntheketha is a life-long Rochesterian whose purpose includes supporting, championing, engaging, and improving the lives of his community. After a 20-year career in higher education, Jonathan moved to The Harley School in 2021 to establish the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion role. Jonathan leads the school towards realizing its mission and vision by realigning its priorities and practices to intentionally and meaningfully serve all members of the school and the surrounding areas. He develops curriculum, spearheads community support initiatives, revamps policies, and represents Harley regionally and nationally, all while leading with joy, dedication, and authenticity.
Jonathan is also a performance educator and facilitator with the theatre-based training company Impact Interactive. A 2016 graduate of Leadership Rochester, Jonathan has served on the Seneca Park Zoo Society’s Education Committee and board of The William Warfield Scholarship Fund. He is currently a board member for Horizons at Harley and Blackfriars Theatre, and is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
As actor and director, Jonathan has connected with his community by sharing his art on stage and screen for decades. However, his greatest roles remain that of husband to his wife and father to their two sons.
Evelyn Parker is a seasoned Global Certified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practitioner and advisor with over 23 years specializing in Human Resources, learning & development, talent management, executive coaching, change management, project management, and business operations within the corporate, higher education and nonprofit sectors.
Recognized as a Top 100, 2024 DEI Leader and featured on the DEI Execs to Watch list, she excels in driving change management initiatives that build robust equity programs and foster inclusive organizational cultures. Evelyn is adept at data-driven decisionmaking, leading program lifecycles, and managing cross-functional projects. Evelyn is dedicated to mentoring and coaching others, creating growth opportunities for often underrepresented groups in the workplace. Holding a master’s degree in organizational leadership and development, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Evelyn is a distinguished keynote speaker and recipient of the TOP100 OnCon Icon 2024 DEI Professional Leader award. She has also been recognized as a 2023 Athena International Award Finalist, 2023 Women of Excellence Honoree, 2023 Colors of Success DEI Leadership Finalist, and a 2023 Forty Under 40 Honoree.
Mario Roque is the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for University Facilities and Services at the University of Rochester. In this role, he develops and implements comprehensive DEI strategies for a department of over 1,000 employees. His efforts focus on establishing inclusive recruitment practices, mentorship opportunities, and leadership training. Mario also partnered with the University’s Purchasing department to help develop the University Supplier Diversity Program, which aims to diversify the institution’s supply chain. Through this initiative, he oversees inclusive procurement practices for a portfolio exceeding $1.2 billion.
Prior to his current role, Mario served as an Equal Opportunity Associate and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at the University of Minnesota, where he addressed issues related to discrimination and Title IX violations. As a Staff Attorney at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, he represented clients in housing and employment matters, and during his legal fellowship at the Empire Justice Center, he advocated for equitable education policies and promoted DEI best practices.
Born in El Salvador and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mario is dedicated to removing barriers for historically marginalized communities. His collaborative leadership style has helped shape inclusive policies and create equitable environments in higher education and beyond.
Kiki is an “on call” champion of IDEA throughout the community. Her daily lived experience as a multi-disabled woman fuels her commitment to ensuring equitable resources and opportunities in the workplace and for the customers they serve. In her role as SEAC’s Outreach and Fundraising Coordinator, she develops partnerships that advance inclusive thinking and promote a sense of belonging. With roots in education and community building, her vision transcends the challenges of vision loss to shed light on the simplicity and necessity of developing systems, programs, spaces, and technology that invite all and insure accessibility.
An organic change-maker, Kiki volunteers with several community organizations, including Upstate New York Blind Recreation (formerly Rochester Area Blind Athletes), RBTL’s audio-description program, the National Beep Baseball Association, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Genesee Valley, and Goodwill Vision Enterprises. She has served on the boards of Challenger Miracle Field, the Women’s Care Center, and the Seton Foundation.
Kiki was awarded Harry Bronson’s Women of Distinction award in 2024 and her poetry appears in the first anthology of Pulse: Voices from the Heart of Medicine and Richard Margolis’s upcoming Living with Books. She is a loyal city resident and is proud to have raised her family in the “biggest small town you’ll ever find”. She believes in the importance and power of neighborhoods, volunteerism, and curiosity.
Greater Rochester Chamber thanks the independent panel of judges that determined the recipient of its 2024 Colors of Success Leadership Award. These community leaders from diverse backgrounds and industries volunteered their time to assess the applications and select a recipient. The Colors of Success Leadership Award recognizes individuals who:
Demonstrates excellence in sustained efforts toward fostering a sense of belonging, ensuring economic fairness, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace
Directly contributes to the development and implementation of programs, policies, or initiatives that support the advancement and fair treatment of individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Shows a strong commitment to assisting, coaching, and/or mentoring diverse groups in the workplace and/or community.
Vice President, DEI Officer Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Sesha Yalamanchili
President, On the Mark Consulting
April Purdie
Director, Treasury & Sales Tax Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
2023 Colors of Success Leadership Award Receipient
Sady, an award-winning Queer Latina changemaker with a background in HIV prevention and a commitment to social justice, currently serves as the Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Leading the company’s DEI strategy, she introduced the I.D.E.A. Mindset, a framework that became one of the company’s core values. Under her guidance, the organization received numerous workplace DEI awards. Actively involved in various volunteer roles and serving on multiple boards, Sady has earned recognition, such as being featured in the Changemakers exhibit at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Her impactful work has garnered local, state, and national awards, including acknowledgment on the RBJ Power List of LGBTQ+ Business Leaders and the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Colors of Success DEI Leadership Award. Sady holds degrees in Gender Studies and Leadership & Organizational Change and resides in Rochester with her wife and three children.
Join us for a virtual Inclusive Leadership Exchange program, designed for mid-level leaders within the Greater Rochester community who are dedicated to fostering inclusion within their teams. This program is for leaders who understand that when everyone does well and no one is unintentionally left behind, the entire team thrives.
The Inclusive Leadership Exchange offers a unique space for leaders to share ideas, enhance their skills, and develop strategies to harness the full potential of each team member, driving engagement and results by leveraging diverse perspectives.
Participants will benefit from best practices shared by a seasoned facilitator and engage in meaningful exchanges with fellow leaders. For leaders eager to cultivate a workplace where fairness, opportunity, and respect are paramount, and where everyone’s talents can shine, this program is for you.
or visit GreaterRochesterChamber.com/Inclusive-Leadership-Exchange
2024 Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100 Awards
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
2025 ATHENA International Awards
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Sponsorships available!
2024 Greater ROC Holiday Party
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
2025 Women Empowering Women Conference
Thursday, March 20, 2025
More information to follow!
Monroe Community College is proud to congratulate Christina Heyon Lee, along with all of this year’s nominees for the 2024 Colors of Success Leadership Award. We applaud the transformative efforts of all of the leaders being honored for fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our community.
Christina Heyon Lee, EdD Coordinator, Global Education and International Services, MCC Co-chair IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability) Council, MCC Board of Education Vice President, Brighton Central School District
