Leadership Rochester’s programs are designed by committees of LR Alumni who volunteer their time and expertise to help lead the program and organization. Please contact us to become involved:

Marketing & Recruitment Committee

• Matthew Wagstaff (Chair)
• Alyssa Belasco
• Herb Escher
• Lauren Gallina
• Laura Habza
• Scott Hendler
• Jonathan Ntheketha

Fundraising and Development Committee

• Veronica Dasher (Chair)
• Lauren Gallina
• Cynthia Gray
• Paul Stella
• Susan Sullivan 
• Anne Wilder

Program Planning Committees

An integral part of the Leadership Rochester program, each program day planning sub-committee is made up of volunteers who work with staff to design each program day
Board Steering Leaders: Darren Miller, Rick DeJesus-Rueff, Veronica Dasher, Andrew Brady.

Comprehensive Curriculum Review Task Force 2019

• Rick DeJesus-Reuff Ph.D., St John Fisher College
• Kesha Carter, CCSI
• Nancy Shelton, CCSI
• Stephen LaMorte, Rochester City School District
• Keri Neathawk Mary Cariola Center
• Charles Robinson, Mary Cariola Center
• Molly McGowan Ph.D., RIT Saunders College of Business

LR Launch Planning Committee

• Gwen Van Laeken Executive Director
• Joan Roby-Davison
• Skip Helfrich, Human Energies Inc.
• Cynthia Pacia, Hochstein
• Keri Neathawk, Mary Cariola
• Kathi Lynch, Common Ground Health
• Collin Van Laeken, AMR

Community and Human Services

• Scott Benjamin, Charles Settlement House
• Meghan Wagner, Hillside Family of Agencies
• Ryan McIntosh, Coordinated Care Services Inc (CCSI)
• Terra Keller, Foodlink
• Julie Burke, Foodlink
• David Fluellen, Hillside Family of Agencies
• Ann Cott RN, Hillside Family of Agencies
• Kayce Gehrke, Hillside Family of Agencies

Education Committee

• Heath Boice-Pardee Ed.D., Rochester Institute of Technology
• Wanda Cooper, Hillside Work Scholarship Connection
• Shawanda Evans, Monroe Community College
• Steve LaMorte, Rochester City School District
• Ryan McIntosh, Coordinated Care Services Inc.
• Linda Miller, Rochester Institute of Technology
• Keri Neathawk, Mary Cariola Children’s Center
• Camille Simmons, ROC The Future

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee

• Kesha Carter, CDO, Coordinated Care Services Inc.
• Rick DeJesus-Rueff, St John Fisher College
• Sady Fischer, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
• Caridad Sosa Blackwell, Refugees Helping Refugees
• Nancy Shelton, Coordinated Care Services Inc.
• Terry Youmans, Church of Love Faith Center

Health and Wellness Committee

• Shaquana Divers, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
• Sheryl Czekanski, Consilliarium Group
• Cynthia Gray, RIT RRH Alliance
• Ryan McIntosh, Coordinated Care Services Inc.
• Nick Messoloras, MVP Healthcare
• Linda Miller, Rochester Institute of Technology

Justice Committee

• Steve Cusenz, Deputy Director, 911 Emerging Communications Center
• Greg Kamp, Mary Cariola Children’s Center
• Commander Janson McNair, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
• Sergeant Gabriel Person, Rochester Police Department
• Commander Fabian Rivera, Rochester Police Department
• Jennifer Sommers, Deputy Director, NYS Attorney General

Economic Development Committee

• Shaun Anderson, ADP
• Kyle Banks, NYSEG / REG / Avantgrid
• Tom Battley, NYS Photonics
• Adenia Bessette, Tomkins Financial
• Andrew Brady, XLR8 Team
• Lauren Gallina, Gallina Development
• Jennifer Hinton, RIT MAGIC Center
• Scott Hendler, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
• Scott Pittanaro, Tompkins Financial
• Joseph Stefko, ROC2025
• Ryan Trevas, NYS Department of Labor

**Ad hoc committees of the Board of Directors include the Finance (Audit) Committee and Board Nominations Committee.