Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce selects new executive director

UTICA, N.Y. —The board of directors of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce has appointed Kari Puleo as its new executive director.

She will be replacing Meghan Fraser McGrogan, who served as executive director for the last six years.

The official transition will happen at the end of February, per a Wednesday news release from the chamber.

Puleo has been a resident of Utica for more than 15 years. For the past seven years, she has been the director of advancement for Notre Dame Schools, leading development, admissions, public relations, and marketing functions.

In that role, Puleo has been responsible for “strategically” promoting the school’s brand, cultivating relationships, and soliciting donations that support the school’s mission.

“The board is very much looking forward to Kari’s contributions to the positive momentum we’ve been building over the last several years,” Jennifer Osiecki, chair of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce board of directors, said. “Kari’s vast experience and active community involvement position her to further solidify the Chamber’s commitment to help our members succeed.”

Puleo brings to the position more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, development, marketing, and communications, the Greater Utica Chamber said.

Puleo in 2018 was recognized as one of the Genesis Group’s Striving for Success award recipients and is a member of the Leadership Mohawk Valley Class of 2017. She currently serves on the board of directors for Utica Dollars for Scholars, Boilermaker entertainment committee, and volunteers for a number of organizations. Puleo also served on the Greater Utica Chamber’s catalyst steering committee, “engaging young professionals with the organization.”

She holds degrees in English and professional communication and information design from Nazareth College, near Rochester.