Greater Rochester Chamber announces finalists for 2025 Inclusive Leadership Award
May 20, 2025 (ROCHESTER, NY) – Greater Rochester Chamber is excited to announce fourteen finalists for its 2025 Inclusive Leadership Award. Now in its fourth year, this award recognizes and honors top changemakers and their organizations in Greater Rochester who are promoting inclusivity in the workplace, whether as representatives within their organizations or as leaders at the helm. These organizations empower these individuals by providing the platform, resources, and opportunities needed to foster an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being. Together, they lead initiatives that promote empowerment and create lasting impact.
Our 2025 finalists are as follows:
- Stephanie Armstrong, Co-Founder & CEO, Moxie Creative Studios
- Amy Bach, Founder & CEO, Measures for Justice
- Jennyrae Brongo, Founder & CEO, Homesteads for Hope, Inc.
- Maritza Cubi, Director of Quality and Culture, Starbridge
- Marisa Geitner, President & CEO, Heritage Christian Services
- Tricia Marsherall, Founder & CEO, Donor Database Experts (Formerly Marsherall Partners, LLC)
- Dr. Lateef Melvin, Human Resource Manager, Amazon
- Dr. Evelyn Parker, Chief Diversity and Culture Officer, Catholic Charities Family and Community Services
- Becca Post, CEO & Founder, Helen + Gertrude
- Michelle Schleher, President & CEO, AAC Contracting, LLC
- Heather Smith, CEO & Partner, Velocitii Contact Center Services
- Melissa Suchodolski, President, USC Builds
- Elizabeth Williamson, Artistic Director/Co-CEO, Geva Theatre
- Tanya Mooza Zwahlen, AICP, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Highland Planning, LLC
The 2025 Inclusive Leadership Award will be presented at a ceremony on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available for the ceremony. Learn more and secure your spot here. The celebration will feature a keynote address from our 2024 recipient, Dr. Candice A. Lucas, Senior Vice President, Equity and Advocacy at Urban League of Rochester.
Greater Rochester Chamber President & CEO Bob Duffy said, “Every voice deserves to be heard, valued, and included. I am grateful for the work our fourteen Inclusive Leadership Award finalists are doing to ensure this is true in our community. Their efforts help build a better Greater Rochester for all, and we are proud to celebrate them and the organizations that back them. Congratulations on this recognition–we are looking forward to coming together to celebrate in July, and hope to see you there.”
A selection committee consisting of a diverse group of professional leaders from the Greater Rochester business community will select the recipient based on submitted applications. To learn more, please contact Susan George, Director, Events, Training, & Affiliates at Susan.George@GreaterRochesterChamber.com.