2024 EmCee

Adrian Hale is a proud son of Rochester, NY, and a civic leader throughout the greater Rochester community. He the immediate past Director of Economic & Community Development at Foundry. And previously served as Senior Manager of Workforce Development, Talent Strategy, and Education Initiatives at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Adrian has been driven by a deep belief in leadership through service and has been a passionate advocate for advancing equity and opportunity for all!

Adrian's life in public service began in the United States Marine Corps. Adrian was an active-duty Marine for five years. As a Marine, he made two combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). After his honorable discharge from the Marines, Adrian re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, where he served for three years.

As a Chamber of Commerce executive Adrian worked to improve the educational outcomes for greater Rochester’s youth, enhance the quality of its regional workforce, and promote a more inclusive economic development strategy. For his efforts at the chamber of commerce in 2019, he was awarded the Center for Teen Empowerment's Champion for Youth Leadership award, and in 2020 Adrian was recognized by Rochester Business Journal (RBJ) and the Association for Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) as a member of their 40 Under 40.

As a thought leader, Adrian has and continues to serve on committees throughout the community, such as co-chairing the NYS FLREDC Regional Economic Development Council's Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the NYS Governor's Workforce Development Initiative Committee, the Democrat and Chronicle Editorial Board, and currently the New York State Board of Regents.

For Adrian's contributions toward the progress in Rochester, he was a 2024 recipient of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s Ignite Award, an award annually bestowed upon one young professional who strives toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment in their given fields. Adrian lives by the ethos of ""Do what you can today until you can do more tomorrow."

Wellness Week: Living to Tell the Tale!

Meaghann Schulte came to GreenSpark Solar in 2007 to develop and implement a strategy to bring its mission of people and the planet to the masses. This strategy included the development of the GreenSpark values, philosophy, and brand, driving awareness within the community, fostering strong relationships with media outlets, and working closely with customers to aid in the public outreach efforts - all while helping to create a sought-after employee culture.

Under Meaghann's leadership and tenure, GreenSpark has seen tremendous growth and recognition in Greater Rochester and the Western and Central New York State regions. Her ambition, passion, and expertise have led the organization through two successful re-brands, which captured national media attention and a loyal customer base. Further, GreenSpark has been recognized as a Rochester Top Workplace for five years and a Fastest Growing Company on Rochester's Top 100 list for seven years, achieving the number one seat in 2023.

In addition to driving business growth, Meaghann is equally committed to building her team and fostering businesses in the industry and our community. She has grown the communications team from a solo effort to a dynamic team of nine; all focused on developing and sharing the GreenSpark story. She is active in the community, speaking at events including the annual Amicus Marketing and Sales Retreats, the National Amicus Principles Retreat on re-branding, and Disrupt HR on the benefits of employee wellness initiatives. Meaghann continues to focus on spreading awareness of GreenSpark's mission within the Rochester community while emphasizing the benefits of supporting your people and making sustainable business decisions to help our planet.

Break Free of the Dreaded HR “Double Bind”

Susie is currently the Vice President of HR Strategic Business Partnerships at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield where she leads the Business Partner team as well as Enterprise Change Management. During her 14-year tenure at Excellus BCBS, Susie has led a variety of functions including Digital Strategy and Delivery, Customer Experience, Brand Strategy, and Marketing Technology. Before joining the company, Susie worked in multiple industries ranging from higher education to telecommunications at companies including Eastman Kodak Company, SUNY Geneseo, and One Communications. She also worked as an adjunct professor for more than 6 years at several local colleges and universities, including Nazareth College and SUNY Brockport. Susie earned a Bachelor’s degree from University of Rochester and a Master’s degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She and her husband reside in Brighton, NY with their French Bulldog, Linus.

9’s & 10’s – Building a Culture of Excellence

As a transformational leader, Anthony DiTucci provides strategic planning and operational support services to a wide range of organizations.

DiTucci currently serves as President of Livingston Associates, where his diverse experience and executive leadership skills enable him to successfully identify and analyze the challenges and opportunities that are often associated with dynamic organizations and complex projects.

During his tenure, Livingston Associates has experienced significant growth and expansion. In 2023, LA was named as “Business of the Year” by Livingston County Chamber of Commerce, and received the “Leaders in Construction” award from the RBJ. LA has also been recognized as one of Rochester’s “Top Workplaces” for the past three years in a row.

DiTucci is involved with several local community organizations, including the Builders Exchange of Rochester, Camp Hard Hat, MCC's FWD Center, The Margaret Home, and St. John Bosco Schools.

DiTucci was also recognized by the Rochester Chamber's SBC as the 2023 'Business Person of the Year.'

Everyone Gets a Turn! A Very Personal HR Challenge

Karen LaGraff is the Corporate Vice President, Human Resources at Rochester Midland Corporation (RMC). Karen joined RMC in 2020 and is a member of the executive team. Prior to RMC, she has performed HR executive consulting, with the majority of her 35 plus years’ experience in global senior HR roles at Xerox Corporation. Karen is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and an established leader in the areas of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging as well as Flexible Work Strategies. She wholeheartedly believes that business success is enabled by bringing one’s true self to work and treating people with dignity and respect. Karen holds an Executive MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology. She is an active member of the Rochester Women's Network, participating on the DEIB Committee as well as the Ambassador program. Karen has two sons, James Paul and Maxwell John of whom she is extremely proud.

Toxic Ripples

Elizabeth Meeker, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and seasoned consultant working with organizations to integrate practice change, improve outcomes, and sustain change. As the Vice President of Consulting and Technical Assistance at Coordinated Care Services, Inc., Elizabeth leads a talented team who partner with organizations to provide high impact services. She leads the New York State Trauma Informed Network and Resource Center, which provides training, consultation, and practical tools to make trauma-responsive practices a living part of systems and daily work.

Elizabeth is Adjunct Faculty for the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Internship program at RIT. She is a Qualified Teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction focusing on staff wellness. In her private practice, Elizabeth works with children, adolescents and young adults who have experienced grief and trauma.

Elizabeth is guided by the belief that “you transform the world by transforming yourself” leading to a continuous journey of discovery, learning and unlearning.

Culture First: Navigating Transitions

Bob Whipple is CEO of Leadergrow Inc., a company dedicated to improving leadership in organizations. He is known internationally as "The Trust Ambassador." He is a Certified Professional in Talent Development with the Association for Talent Development. He has been named by Inc. Magazine as one of the top 100 Leadership Speakers and by Leadership Excellence Magazine as one of the top 15 thought leaders.

Trust Across America has honored Bob with the Lifetime Achievement Award as a Top Thought Leader in Trust. He has won numerous other awards including two BEST Awards for Talent Development by CNY ATD. He has five published books on the topic of trust, over 1700 published articles, and more than 100 videos on various leadership topics.

Remote, But NOT Distant

Kassy LaBorie, The Original Virtual Training Hero, is a professional speaker, author, and the founder at Kassy LaBorie Consulting, LLC. She is a facilitator, instructional designer, and author of two bestselling books specializing in human connection in a remote world. She has trained thousands of people around the world on topics such as online presenting, virtual learning, remote teams, and using live online technology in engaging and creative ways. Kassy loves helping organizations, teams, and business professionals experience success while working in a digital world, finding ways to take it from 'blah' to AHA! Connect with her at both KassySpeaks.com and KassyConsulting.com.

Employee Engagement + AI = a Win Win!

Mindset Career Coach Barbara Ellen Leicht, MSEd has 10+ years' expertise as a Career Advisor and Coach, Facilitator, and Program Manager. She is a successful career pivoter herself, who navigates invisible disabilities and empowers diverse professionals within various industries. Barbara specializes in: career pivots and job search as well as career development and small business growth. With her Master's in Education from Nazareth University and studies at NYU and Teachers College Columbia University, Barbara leverages a very unique, person-centered and strengths-based approach to career development. She works with individuals and small businesses by customizing strategies to career goals, values, learning, and communication styles.

Ignite the Champion Within

Carlette Bradley is the owner/C.E.O. of The Masterpiece Project, LLC; a professional and personal development consulting firm that equips purpose believers to pursue what makes them uncomfortable; the place where growth happens. Additionally, she is an Employee Experience for Excellus BCBS. Carlette is an author, a certified executive coach and trainer, a sought-after speaker and mentor to many. She is the founder of The Well Retreat for women, the Refiners Virtual Bible Study for women and the co-founder of the G.I.R.L.S. Sports Foundation, Inc. Carlette enjoys challenging individuals of all ages to disrupt old mindsets and to accept the truth about who they are destined to be, Masterpieces! Carlette is most proud of being a devoted mother and her greatest desire in life is to reach the hearts of those that are hopeless and to share the love of Jesus Christ.

Born to Play: The Power of Playfulness

Dr. Özge Kantaş is a social and personality psychologist and a board-certified psychodramatist with both European and US certifications. Her journey in the field of psychology has been diverse, encompassing academia, clinical and non-clinical practice, and a deep commitment to well-being, especially for personal and organizational outcomes. She is an assistant professor at St John Fisher University, where she teaches in both the Psychology Department and in Business School. Özge loves being a scientist-practitioner in the field, using action methods playfully when needed in order to obtain better learning, development, communication, and innovation results in her lectures in and beyond her classes, interventions, campaigns, research projects, and in her personal consulting business. She is the co-chair of the Organizational Consulting SIG of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. She has received many awards and scholarships for advancing mental health, research, and the practice of scaling up well-being outcomes.

Managing Your Anxious Leader

Mike Palanski, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, coach, and professor who collaborates with motivated leaders to develop keen insights and create meaningful change. He specializes in intensive, cohort-based leadership coaching and assisting small- and medium-sized organizations create their own leadership assessments and development programs. He is a Professor of Management in the Saunders College of Business at RIT where he researches and teaches in the areas of leadership development, business ethics, and cultural intelligence. Mike is the author of over two dozen peer-reviewed publications and the book The Me1st Method: Hands-On Leadership Development for New Roles and Big Challenges.