Board and Staff
Board of Directors
Lauren Gallina Payne
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.
Anne Wilder
Vice Chair / Marketing & Fundraising Committee
President Coordinated Care Services Inc.
LR Alumna, 2004
Scott Hendler
Secretary / Marketing & Recruitment Committee
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.
Kimm Proctor
Treasurer / Finance Committee
Compliance Manager, ESL Federal Credit Union
Veronica Dasher
Fundraising & Development Committee Chair
Regional Manager of Government and Community Relations, NYSEG and RG&E Avangrid
LR Alumna, 2017
“The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good, in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.” – John Stuart Mill
Rick DeJesus Rueff Ed.D.
Educational Programs Steering Committee Co-Chair
Vice President Student Affairs and Diversity Initiatives (Retired)
St John Fisher College
LR Alum, 2005
Cynthia Gray
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.
Candice Lucas Ed.D.
Educational Programs Steering Committee
Chief Community Engagement Officer, Monroe County
LR Alum, 2010
Darren Miller Esq.
Educational Programs Steering Committee Co-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.
Susan Sullivan
Chair, Fundriasing Committee
Instructor Business and Marketing, Roberts Wesleyan College
LR Alumna, 2004
The most memorable outcome of my LR experience.
The most memorable outcome from my Leadership Rochester experience continues to be the network of incredibly generous, innovative, inspirational colleagues who continue their influence today as friends and mentors.
Paul Stella
Fundraising & Development Committee
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 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.
Our Staff
Jamie Buss
Educational Programs Coordinator
Community Servant Leader Extraordinaire
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Joan Roby-Davison
Long Term Volunteer and Consultant
Committed Longtime Alumni Volunteer
Christopher Ravi Smith
Manager of Youth Programs
Truly engaged in connecting and strengthening our community through youth development.
Gwen Van Laeken
Executive Director
Proud LR 2015 Alumna (she/her)
“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