LGS elects board officers, new board member

DeWITT, N.Y. — Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS), a nonprofit that offers a yearlong civic-leadership training program, recently announced new officers and a new member for its board of directors.

Amy Lawler, senior VP of Finance for CenterState CEO, has been elected as president of the LGS board and will serve a two-year term. She participated in the LGS Class of 2011 and immediately started volunteering upon graduation. Lawler joined the organization’s program committee and finance committee. She was elected board treasurer in 2014 and most recently served as board vice president from 2020-2021. 

Ryan McDermott, VP of commercial banking at M&T Bank, was elected as LGS board vice president and treasurer, also for a two-year term. He took part in the LGS Class of 2011 and joined the organization’s finance committee in 2013. McDermott was first elected as board treasurer in 2020. 

Renae Rokicki, senior leadership and development coordinator at SUNY Upstate Medical University, was elected as LGS board secretary following six years as a board member including two years on the governance and nominating committee. She will serve a two-year term as secretary.

Additionally, Jin Gwak, chief digital and information officer at AmeriCU Credit Union, was elected to a three-year term as an LGS board member. Gwak was a member of the LGS Class of 2015. 

“LGS is honored to have these high-caliber professionals serve on our board of directors,” LGS Executive Director Pam Brunet said in a statement. “These individuals are leaders within their organizations, and they epitomize the LGS mission by taking an active role in the community.”

The LGS Class of 2022 recently began its program year. It’s the 32nd class in the organization’s history.