Leadership Greater Syracuse reveals Class of 2022

DeWITT, N.Y. — Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS), a nonprofit that offers a yearlong civic-leadership training program, recently announced its Class of 2022, the 32nd class in the organization’s history. “As evidenced throughout 2020 and 2021, excellent community leadership is as important as it has ever been,” Pam Brunet, LGS executive director, said in a news […]

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DeWITT, N.Y. — Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS), a nonprofit that offers a yearlong civic-leadership training program, recently announced its Class of 2022, the 32nd class in the organization’s history.

“As evidenced throughout 2020 and 2021, excellent community leadership is as important as it has ever been,” Pam Brunet, LGS executive director, said in a news release. “Whether it be serving on a board or in an elected capacity, leadership through good times and in crisis matters. Central New Yorkers look to LGS to create a pipeline of committed community leaders.”

She adds that the 52 participants in the latest LGS class “will be immersed in the issues and achievements of our community — and through the year-long program, they will be provided the tools and the connections they need to give back to CNY in a way that is significant to them.”

LGS teaches class members about community leadership, empowerment, group dynamics and community opportunities. Participants will become current on trends in government; education; health; economic development; and diversity, equity, and inclusion, the organization contends. 

An LGS survey showed that about 80 percent of all LGS graduates are still living in Central New York and have held more than 800 volunteer positions.

The 52 members of the 2022 LGS Class represent a cross-section of citizens who live in various communities across Central New York. 

“The LGS Class of 2022 are diverse in gender, age, race, ability, residence, profession, volunteer interest and type of employer,” said Brunet. “What they have in common, is a belief in our community and willingness to do their part to make it even better.”

Leadership Greater Syracuse was founded by Centerstate CEO, Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse, and Onondaga Community College. It is financially supported by many organizations including United Radio, Community Bank, and VIP Structures.   


Elana Agrasto, Daniella’s Steakhouse
Nathan Antonacci, Saab, Inc.
Chioma Bekwelem, Bristol Myers Squibb
Lindsay Bentley, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Kelly Berger, SUNY ESF
Erin Bolsei, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Samuel Burgess, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC
Carrie Carapella, SRC, Inc.
Matthew Cook, OCM BOCES
Kelly Covert, Symphoria
Callie Cushman, Hueber Breuer Construction
Shaun Dolbear, Dairy Farmers of America
Aubrey Francis, Turning Stone Resort Casino
Shannon Fults, CenterState CEO
Kim Gailor, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Emily Greene, SIDEARM Sports
Katie Hanlon, United Way of CNY
Dana Harper, Central New York Community Foundation
Ryan Hartnett, Mackenzie Hughes LLP
Meredith Howe, Pyramid Management Group LLC
Devin Howell, NY State Senate - Office of Senator John W. Mannion
Eric Hunter, Bankers Healthcare Group
Charles Iavarone, American Medical Response
Deidre Keefe, SUNY Upstate Medical University 
Julie LaFave, City of Syracuse
Chad Martin, Goodroot Inc.
Megan Melkioty, St. Joseph’s Health 
Jennifer Mullane, VIP Structures
Ryan Noone, Bowers & Company, CPAs
Kaitlyn Nowodworski, C&S Companies
Joelene Orlando, WHOLE ME, Inc.
Rianne Parker, Carrier
Austin Philleo, Mower
Rebecca Phillips, Byrne Dairy
Jessica Pitcher, Syracuse University
Flagan Prince, Onondaga Community College
Robert Reilly, North Eastern Rescue Vehicles
Gregory Riley, KeyBank 
LaShea Sabur Empower Federal Credit Union Syracuse
Gil Schnorr, Parish Maintenance Supply
Charles Shubert, Syracuse Community Health Center 
Adam Soper, AccessCNY
Michael Squier, 174th Attack Wing
Shelly Thompson-Liedka, M&T Bank
Wenona Timmons, YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County Inc.
Kelly Vaccaro, Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY
Nathan Van Wie, C&S Companies
Vincent Vullo, Empower Federal Credit Union
Dan White, Lockheed Martin
Brian Winchell, City of Syracuse
Ryan Woodruff, Clear Path for Veterans
James Zino, SRC, Inc.

Adam Rombel: