Leadership Greater Syracuse announces new executive director

DeWITT, N.Y. — Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS), a nonprofit annually offering a yearlong civic-leadership training program, announced that Michele Diecuch of Syracuse has started work as the organization’s new executive director.

She replaces Pam Brunet who announced her resignation in June, following 11 years in the role, LGS said in a Wednesday announcement.

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, LGS said.

“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,” Amy Lawler, president of the LGS board of directors, said in the announcement.

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 $2 million.

“As a lifelong and deep-rooted Syracusan, I am looking forward to this new opportunity to focus my efforts in my hometown” Diecuch said. “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.”

About LGS

LGS says its mission 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 1,400 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.