LGS Welcomes New Executive Director

Leadership Greater Syracuse Welcomes Michele Diecuch as Executive Director

(East Syracuse, N.Y. – September 6, 2023) – Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS) is pleased to announce that Michele Diecuch of Syracuse, NY, has accepted the role of executive director, effective immediately. She replaces Pam Brunet who announced her resignation in June, following 11 years in the role.

Diecuch (pronounced Dee-chick) previously worked as the Senior Director of Programs with ProLiteracy Worldwide, where she spent 25 years serving in a series of progressively higher leadership roles. She had oversight of membership programs, fundraising, marketing and promotions, community outreach, and people management functions.

“Michele has deep experience in, and passion for, the nonprofit sector, with a strong knowledge of the sector’s needs, challenges, and opportunities; and is a respected national thought leader. Further, she exemplifies LGS’s values,” said LGS Board President Amy Lawler.

Diecuch has a proven ability to build strong relationships with peers, donors and government leaders. In her time with ProLiteracy, she directed U.S. domestic and international program operations which supported 1,100 adult literacy programs across the U.S. and 21 partners across 35 developing countries. Diecuch played an integral role in establishing the organization’s strategic direction, and administered budgets totaling $2M.

Diecuch has worked directly with grantors and corporate funders, and has extensive experience executing events and programs. Further, she serves as a current board member of LiteracyCNY, a long-standing nonprofit adult literacy organization in Syracuse and has also served as the vice president of National Coalition for Literacy, the leading adult education advocacy organization in the U.S.

“With a 37 percent increase in applications for our flagship program and the launch of a new program with Syracuse University, Diecuch has the skills, attitude and aptitude LGS needs to sustain and grow our business,” said Lawler.

“As a lifelong and deep-rooted Syracusan, I am looking forward to this new opportunity to focus my efforts in my hometown. LGS is an amazing organization that does life-changing work. I feel honored to be able to impact folks in the community by building on the strong foundation and mission of LGS,” says Diecuch.

The mission of LGS is to inspire current and future leaders to make a difference in the community where we live and work. In its 33 years, more than 1400 citizens have participated in the flagship program where 85 percent remain living and giving back in Central New York. LGS also offers the CNY Political Leadership Institute, a nonpartisan political campaign training program. Additionally, LGS works in partnership with The Gifford Foundation and The CNY Community Foundation to offer Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders, a program aimed to increase the inclusivity on boards in CNY.

Leadership Greater Syracuse was founded by Centerstate CEO, Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse and Onondaga Community College. It is supported by many organizations including United Radio, Community Bank and Turningstone Resort and Casino. For more information about Leadership Greater Syracuse, visit http://www.leadershipgreatersyracuse.org.