Leadership Greater Syracuse launches Class of 2025

DeWITT — Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS), a nonprofit that offers a yearlong civic-leadership training program, recently announced its Class of 2025, the 35th class in the organization’s history. The LGS Class of 2025 starts its journey in January into an experiential program that immerses participants into the achievements and challenges of the area community. The goal of this program is to provide the knowledge, skills, and connections needed for all participants to take leadership roles within the Central New York community. “LGS’s flagship program is a unique, experiential program that builds new skills, encourages networking and relationship-building, and fosters pride in our growing community,” Michele Diecuch, LGS executive director, said in a Jan. 6 news release. “Participants graduate from the program feeling energized to take action within Central New York, which is more important than ever with the exciting growth happening in our area.” Throughout the year, participants learn about and engage with community leaders from both public and private sectors in areas such as economic development, local government, health, community services, and more. The 52 members of the 2025 LGS Class, listed below, represent a cross-section of citizens who live in various communities across Central New York. Participants in the LGS Class of 2025 represent a cross-section of individuals who are diverse in age, race, ability, and residence, per the release. They come from corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses with varying job roles and backgrounds. Leadership Greater Syracuse, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1990 by CenterState CEO, Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse, and Onondaga Community College. It is financially supported by many organizations including United Radio, Community Bank, and Turning Stone Resort Casino. To date, the LGS program has graduated more than 1,500 participants — 80 percent of whom still live in the Syracuse community. Upon graduation, participants become more civically involved by volunteering in various capacities, joining nonprofit boards, and encouraging co-workers to engage in the community.     

LGS Class of 2025

Listed by name, employer, residence

• Araba Black, AccessCNY, East Syracuse
• Chelsea McClellan, Advocates Incorporated, Liverpool
• Joseph Paice, AmeriCU Credit Union, Camillus
• Chanel Frias, B&F Consulting & Therapeutic Services, Wellpath Healthcare, Syracuse
• Jessica Cushman, Baxter, Skaneateles
• Loren Wahl, Bowers & Company CPAs PLLC, Syracuse
• Michael Jennings, Brackens Financial Solutions Network, Syracuse
• Gabrielle Eure, C&S Companies, Syracuse
• Susan Phillips, CenterState CEO, Syracuse
• Leah Sharkey, Centolella Law, P.C., Dewitt
• Jessica Brandt, City of Syracuse, Syracuse
• Colleen Casler, Clear Path for Veterans, Chittenango
• Alicia Reese, Community Financial Systems, Inc., Syracuse
• Mollie Burnett, Dairy Farmers of America, East Syracuse
• Ryan Lavin, Deloitte, New York
• Robert Padula, Empower Federal Credit Union, Syracuse
• Nicholas Moore, Globe Life (Moore Organizations), Syracuse
• Conor Utter, Hayner Hoyt, Syracuse
• Nicholas Bouchard, Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York, East Syracuse 
• Andrea Price, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Manlius
• John Murphy, Hueber Breuer, Syracuse
• Scott Lombardo, Key Private Bank, Syracuse
• Joshua Gadek, Lifetime Benefit Solutions, Syracuse
• Evan Matson, Lockheed Martin, Liverpool
• Sarah Vaccaro, Lockheed Martin, Liverpool
• Edwin Theetge, Longhouse Council, Scouting America, Syracuse
• Adam King, Loretto, Syracuse
• Sonal Trivedi, Lotte Biologics USA LLC, Syracuse
• Jeremy Vitale, M&T Bank, Syracuse
• Elise McMillan, NY Air National Guard, Syracuse
• Diana Abdella, NYS Assembly, Syracuse
• Jessica James, NYS Office of Attorney General, Syracuse
• Katherine Schmid, PFS Investments, Inc., East Syracuse
• Erin Lewis, Pyramid Management Group LLC, Syracuse
• Adrienne Votra, Quality Mechanical Services LLC, Syracuse
• Britani Ingison, Rescue Mission, Syracuse
• Sarah Peterman, SIDEARM Sports, Syracuse
• Sheila Dion, Small Town Girl Marketing, Baldwinsville
• Janna Nelson, SRC, North Syracuse
• Thomas Baniewicz, Suburban Propane, Syracuse
• Ronnie Bradford, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse
• Sarah Bruce, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, Inc., Syracuse
• Melissa Patnella, Syracuse Orthopedic Surgeons, East Syracuse
• Cory Miller, Syracuse University, Syracuse
• Zeeshan James, TIP Quotient, Fayetteville
• Chyongyuh Hsieh, Turning Stone Enterprises LLC, Verona
• Dominick Nicoletti, UMR / UnitedHealthcare, Syracuse
• Alissa Tubbs, United Way of Central New York, Syracuse
• Derek Snyder, USAF, Syracuse
• James Dalpe, VIP Structures, Syracuse
• Bridget Rooney, Visit Syracuse, Syracuse
• Penny Snell, YMCA of Central New York, Syracuse