Leadership Greater Syracuse Welcomes Four New Members to its Board of Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michele Diecuch
michele@leadsyr.org
(315) 422-5471 or (315) 382-5568
Leadership Greater Syracuse Welcomes Four New Members to its Board of Directors
(East Syracuse, N.Y. – January 20, 2026) – Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS) has announced the addition of four new community leaders to its board of directors – Shelby Baskin, AmeriCU Credit Union; LaToya Jones, LeadSafe CNY Coalition housed at United Way of CNY; Megan Thomas, Megan Thomas Law; and Kelly Vaccaro, Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY.
Shelby is the Operations Manager for the Financial Centers (branches) at AmeriCU Credit Union. She has been with AmeriCU for nine years, working in the Fayetteville Financial Center before joining the Operations team in 2021. In her current role, Shelby and her team support AmeriCU’s 25 financial centers and work to develop new processes and improve existing ones. Shelby is also a Trustee for the New York Credit Union Foundation Board and currently serves on both the LGS Program Committee and Interview Committee. Shelby is a graduate of the LGS class of 2020.
LaToya is a visionary health equity leader, social impact strategist, and disability advocate with nearly three decades of experience advancing community well-being. She began her healthcare career at age 16 as a Certified Nursing Assistant and became a Licensed Practical Nurse by 17. LaToya currently serves as Director of LeadSafe CNY Coalition housed at United Way of CNY, where she leads Health Strategy. LaToya is also the President and Founder of The Joe Family Foundation for Disability Advocacy, Inc., advancing equity for minorities living with disabilities, and the CEO and Founder of LaToya Monique LLC, a consulting firm specializing in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and health equity. She serves as a Board Trustee and Health Equity Committee Chair for the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, Tri-Chair of the CNY Health Equity Task Force, a Governing Body Member of the Healthy Alliance Social Care Network, and a member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Advisory Board at Crouse Health. LaToya holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration and a Master of Public Health and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership. LaToya is a graduate of the LGS class of 2023.
Megan is an attorney and the owner of a law firm focused on sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and workplace discrimination. She is deeply committed to mentoring and supporting professionals across Central New York and to making the region a better place for all. A resident of the City of Syracuse, Megan is actively involved in her community and volunteers with organizations including Sherman Park Little League, the Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Hiscock Legal Aid Society, and the Central New York Women’s Bar Association. She is a recipient of the 40 Under 40 award and an alumna of the LGS class of 2024. In her spare time, Megan enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and running.
Kelly is the CFO for Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA), where she has served for more than 25 years. In this role, she provides stewardship over the cancer center’s financial health to ensure the sustainable allocation of resources toward high-quality patient care. Kelly earned her BS from Le Moyne College and her MBA in Healthcare Management from SUNY Empire State University; she is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Plan Sponsor Professional (CPSP). She has previously served on several local boards, including the Governing Board of St. Joseph’s College of Nursing and the board of directors for the CNY Affiliate of Susan G. Komen. A graduate of the LGS class of 2022, Kelly currently serves on the LGS Finance Committee.
All four board members started a three-year term on January 1.
“These new board members add a vast diversity of knowledge and expertise—including health, finance, and legal—to Leadership Greater Syracuse’s board.” says executive director, Michele Diecuch. “They are strong leaders within their respective organizations and the larger community. I am looking forward to collaborating with them to help LGS continue to grow. “
In addition, LGS’s has two new committee chairs. Madeleine DiGristina with SRC, Inc. will serve as the Marketing Committee chair and Scott Schuhert with Onondaga Community College is the new Governance and Nominations Committee chair.
Leadership Greater Syracuse’s mission is to inspire current and future leaders to make a different in the community where we live and work. It was founded by CenterState CEO, Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse, and Onondaga Community College. LGS, a nonprofit, is financially supported by many organizations including United Radio, Turning Stone Resort Casino, and Community Bank. For more information, visit http://www.leadershipgreatersyracuse.org.
Kelly Vaccaro LaToya Jones Megan Thomas Shelby Baskin