Board and Staff
Board of Directors
Cynthia Gray
Chair / Fundraising & Development Committee
Assistant Vice President (Ret.), RIT and Rochester Regional Health Alliance
LR Alumna 2004
“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” –Douglas MacArthur
The most valuable part of my LR experience:
The network of colleagues and leaders was a huge benefit of the program, along with the opportunity to gain a more in-depth view of the strengths as well as issues that impact our community. I’ve since joined at least one board because of the connections made in my LR class.
Kimm Proctor
Treasurer / Finance Committee
Compliance Manager, ESL Federal Credit Union
Andrew Brady
Secretary / Board Nominations Committee Chair
President & Chief Evolutionary Officer. The XLR8 Team, Inc.
LR Alum 2004
“The task of leadership is to create an alignment of strengths so strong that it makes the system’s weaknesses irrelevant.” -Peter Drucker
The most valuable part of my LR experience:
Reacquainting myself with Rochester after 7 years away. Learning about the triumphs, the challenges, and the inspiring Rochesterians moving our city forward.
Veronica Dasher
Programs Committee
Regional Outreach and Development Manager, Avantgrid Rochester Gas and Electric
LR Alumna 2017
“The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary” – Vince Lombardi
Rick DeJesus Reuff
Educational Programs Steering Committee
Vice President Student Affairs and Diversity Initiatives (Retired)
St John Fisher College
LR Alum
Herb Escher
Marketing & Recruitment Committee
President and CEO Dale Carnegie Inc. (Rochester and Buffalo)
LR Alum 2011
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
The most valuable part of my LR experience:
Learning about the strengths, and challenges of the Greater Rochester Area. That information has enabled me to serve our community.
Lauren Gallina
Vice Chair / Marketing & Recruitment Committee
Marketing Director, Gallina Development Corp.
LR Alumna 2015
The most valuable part of my LR experience:
Exploring our community with an incredible group of professionals that became good friends.
Scott Hendler
Marketing & Recruitment Committee Co-Chair
Health Systems Integration IT Operations, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
LR Alum 2013
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one.” ~Dr. Spock, Star Trek II
The most valuable part of my LR experience:
Understanding all the issues, as well as, all the exciting news and events for the greater Rochester area.
Darren Miller
Program Steering Committee Chair
Partner, Nixon Peabody, LLP LR Alum 2014
“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” –Woodrow Wilson
The most valuable part of my LR experience:
Being exposed to aspects of Rochester that I had previously not encountered.
La’Ron D. Singletary
Marketing & Recruitment Committee
Retired Chief Rochester Police Department
LR Alum 2015
“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality” – Warren Bennis
The most valuable part of my LR experience:
The diversification of ideas & beliefs shared throughout by many.
Cicely Strickland Ruiz
Marketing and Recruitment Committee
Chief Operating Officer, United Way of Greater Rochester
LR Alumna 2019
Paul Stella
Fundraising & Development Committee Chair
Creative Services Director, 13WHAM ABC, CW Rochester & WUHF FOX Rochester
LR Alum 2005
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” – Winston Churchill
The most valuable part of my LR experience:
The opportunity to immerse myself in the diversity of our community by engaging fellow classmates in conversation and meaningful activities provided the crucial insights that continue to influence nearly all aspects of my life today.
Matthew Wagstaff
Marketing & Recruitment Committee Co-Chair
Manager, Retail Market Sales – New Sales Channels Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield
LR Alum 2014 “The most humble class”
“Live long and prosper” ~ Personal Mantra
The most valuable part of my LR experience:
The genuine relationships that were developed and maintained over the years.
Anne Wilder
Marketing & Fundraising Committee
President Coordinated Care Services Inc.
Leadership Rochester Staff
Gwen Van Laeken
Executive Director
Proud LR 2015 Alumna
Quotes that Motive:
“Let your Community Teach You. If you are not listening, you are not there” ~unknown
“A tree has roots in the soil yet reaches to the sky. It tells us that in order to aspire we need to be grounded and that no matter how high we go it is from our roots that we draw sustenance. It is a reminder to all of us who have had success that we cannot forget where we came from. It signifies that no matter how powerful we become in government or how many awards we receive, our power and strength and our ability to reach our goals depend on the people, those whose work remain unseen, who are the soil out of which we grow, the shoulders on which we stand”
― Wangari Maathai, Nobel Prize Winner, Biography Unbowed
Jamie Buss
Educational Programs Coordinator
Community Servant Leader Extraordinaire
Joan Roby-Davison
Volunteer, Assistant, Consultant
Truly Amazing Very Longtime Alumni Leader.
Karen McArthur
Youth Program Manager Consultant
Caring, Connected, Makes Friends Everywhere and Everytime