SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack will be the keynote speaker at CenterState CEO’s annual Economic Champions event on Oct. 29.

It’s scheduled from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter.

Legette-Jack, who also played for and graduated from SU, is a graduate of the Syracuse City School District.

She guided the Orange women’s basketball team to back-to-back 20-win seasons in her first two years and made a postseason tournament both seasons. The team didn’t qualify the post season during the 2024-25 season.

CenterState CEO’s Economic Champions event acknowledges hundreds of businesses and organizations that are contributing to the growth of the Central New York economy. The contributions include new jobs, new business openings, expansions and investments, and company milestones.

During the event, Legette-Jack will share her own personal journey of recovery and rebuilding, and how it mirrors Syracuse’s current trajectory.

“I knew the city as a kid, came back for a time as an assistant head coach, and now, after twenty-two years away, I feel blessed to finally be home again,” Legette-Jack said in the CenterState CEO announcement. “In many ways, my own path of growth and recovery runs alongside Syracuse’s story. I’ve seen the loss of businesses and industry, but I also see the exciting possibilities that are ahead for our community. I see hundreds of businesses preparing to embrace the future of My City — Our City, and I’m simply here to celebrate that future with you.”

“Central New York is built on the spirit of turning challenges into fuel for progress. At a time of new growth and possibilities for our region, it’s important to recognize the collective impact and outstanding achievements—large and small—of the business community that are the foundation of that success,” Ben Sio, acting president and CEO of CenterState CEO, said. “We’re thrilled to have Coach Jack joining us as this year’s speaker, to share her enthusiasm and lessons in resilience, recovering from setbacks and preparing for the future, particularly as we look ahead as a region and rally forward toward event greater progress.”

The event will also feature remarks from CenterState CEO President Rob Simpson, and the presentation of the 2025 Community Visionary Award. The award is presented to an organization that embodies a vision of economic opportunity and is creating a significant impact on community prosperity.