Leadership Greater Syracuse Graduates its 35th Class

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michele Diecuch
michele@leadsyr.org
(315) 422-5471
Leadership Greater Syracuse Graduates its 35th Class
(November 21, 2025 – East Syracuse, New York) – Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS) is pleased to announce the graduation of its flagship program’s class of 2025. Fifty individuals will be celebrating completion of a year-long immersive experience that equips them with community leadership skills. The class will celebrate their graduation on:
Thursday, December 4th
Bellevue Country Club
5:00-8:00 p.m.
Leadership Greater Syracuse’s flagship program is an in-depth, experiential learning program that immerses participants into the achievements, challenges, and changes happening in Central New York. Graduates gain knowledge about the Syracuse community and critical leadership skills designed to inspire them to affect positive change. “It’s exciting to celebrate the graduating class because they are eager and energized to make an impact in their workplaces and within the community,” said LGS Executive Director, Michele Diecuch.
LGS is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025. Since its inception, 1,600 people have graduated from its flagship program. Participants represent more than 500 local employers that are large corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits. Each year, LGS’s class is diverse in terms of age, gender, race/ethnicity, industry, and physical ability. Diecuch adds “The strength of LGS’s alumni is the diversity of participants that learn together and form connections—the framework for collective impact in Central New York.”
Robin Macaluso, LGS Program Director, said “This year’s graduates have shown remarkable commitment to personal growth, collaboration, and our community. From stepping out of their comfort zones to embracing the challenges of leadership, they’ve not only grown as individuals but also strengthened the bonds that make a community thrive. I’m honored to celebrate their journey and excited for the impact they’ll continue to make.”
LGS’s mission is to inspire current and future leaders to make a difference in the community where we live and work. Leadership Greater Syracuse was founded in 1990 by CenterState CEO, Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse, and Onondaga Community College. LGS is financially supported by many organizations including United Radio, Turning Stone Resort Casino, Community Bank, and VIP Structures.
For more information about Leadership Greater Syracuse, visit http://www.leadsyr.org.
Leadership Greater Syracuse Class of 2025
| Diana Abdella | NYS Assembly | Syracuse |
| Thomas Baniewicz | Suburban Propane | Syracuse |
| Araba Black | AccessCNY | East Syracuse |
| Nicholas Bouchard | Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York | East Syracuse |
| Ronnie Bradford | SUNY Upstate Medical University | Syracuse |
| Jessica Brandt | City of Syracuse | Syracuse |
| Sarah Bruce | Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, Inc. | Syracuse |
| Mollie Burnett | Dairy Farmers of America | East Syracuse |
| Colleen Casler | Madison County Rural Health Council | Chittenango |
| Jessica Cushman | Baxter | Skaneateles |
| James Dalpe | VIP Structures | Syracuse |
| Sheila Dion | Erin’s Angels of CNY | Baldwinsville |
| Gabrielle Eure | C&S Companies | Syracuse |
| Joshua Gadek | Lifetime Benefit Solutions | Syracuse |
| Kelly Hsieh | Turning Stone Enterprises LLC | Verona |
| Britani Ingison | Rescue Mission | Syracuse |
| Jessica James | formerly of NYS Office of Attorney General | Syracuse |
| Zeeshan James | TIP Quotient | Fayetteville |
| Michael Jennings | Brackens Financial Solutions Network | Syracuse |
| Adam King | Loretto | Syracuse |
| Ryan Lavin | Deloitte | Cazenovia |
| Erin Lewis | Pyramid Management Group LLC | Syracuse |
| Scott Lombardo | Key Private Bank | Syracuse |
| Evan Matson | Lockheed Martin | Liverpool |
| Chelsea McClellan | Advocates Incorporated | Liverpool |
| Elise McMillan | NY Air National Guard | Syracuse |
| Cory Miller | Syracuse University | Syracuse |
| John Murphy | Hueber Breuer | Syracuse |
| Janna Nelson | SRC | North Syracuse |
| Dominick Nicoletti | UMR / UnitedHealthcare | Syracuse |
| Robert Padula | Empower Federal Credit Union | Syracuse |
| Joseph Paice | AmeriCU Credit Union | Camillus |
| Melissa Patnella | Syracuse Orthopedic Surgeons | East Syracuse |
| Sarah Peterman | symplr | Syracuse |
| Susan Phillips | CenterState CEO | Syracuse |
| Andrea Price | Elysium Estates | Manlius |
| Alicia Reese | OneGroup | Syracuse |
| Bridget Rooney | Visit Syracuse | Syracuse |
| Katherine Schmid | PFS Investments, Inc. | East Syracuse |
| Leah Sharkey | Centolella Law, P.C. | Dewitt |
| Penny Snell | YMCA of Central New York | Syracuse |
| Derek Snyder | USAF | Syracuse |
| Edwin Theetge | Longhouse Council, Scouting America | Syracuse |
| Sonal Trivedi | Lotte Biologics USA LLC | Syracuse |
| Alissa Tubbs | United Way of Central New York | Syracuse |
| Conor Utter | Hayner Hoyt | Syracuse |
| Sarah Vaccaro | Lockheed Martin | Liverpool |
| Jeremy Vitale | M&T Bank | Syracuse |
| Adrienne Votra | Quality Mechanical Services LLC | Syracuse |
| Loren Wahl | Bowers & Company CPAs PLLC | Syracuse |

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