Greater Rochester Chamber to Honor Faheem Masood with its 2026 Golisano Philanthropy Award
ROCHESTER, NY (July 14, 2026) – Greater Rochester Chamber will present Faheem Masood with its Golisano Philanthropy Award on Thursday, November 5 as part of its 40th anniversary Top 100 Awards Celebration. This award is being presented in recognition of his unwavering commitment to advancing Greater Rochester’s community vitality and investing in its future.
Faheem Masood served as President & CEO of ESL Federal Credit Union from March 2016 until his retirement in April 2026. Under his leadership, ESL Federal Credit Union has focused on empowering and supporting the region’s efforts to further fuel financial empowerment for individuals as well as economic development for our small and commercial businesses. Under his leadership, ESL returned nearly half-a-billion dollars to the Greater Rochester community since 2017 through the Owners’ Dividend, Community Impact philanthropic grants, and other business decisions such as fee reductions and eliminations, and grants for first-time homebuyers.
Active in the community, Masood serves on the board of directors of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, Geva Theatre Center, Together Now, and Lifetime Health Care Companies and its Rochester Regional Advisory Board. He also serves on the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.
“Faheem Masood has been one of Greater Rochester’s most significant business and community leaders over the last three decades – and his legacy will be felt for many more decades to come. Throughout his career, he has touched thousands of lives through his strategic investments, his tireless leadership, and his humanity and kindness,” said Bob Duffy, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber. “I am honored to have worked with Faheem over the years, and am grateful for the impact he has created. His story is one that showcases the best of Greater Rochester, and the life one can make here. We at Greater Rochester Chamber are proud to thank and recognize him for his financial, economic, and philanthropic impact on our community.”
“Our community has given me and my family a great life and I can’t express enough gratitude for that. I love this community and am proud and honored to have played a role in impacting individuals and organizations across our region,” said Masood. “Tom Golisano has blazed a path with not only his entrepreneurship but also his work to make this community stronger through his leadership and philanthropy. To receive the award that bears his name in truly humbling. Thank you to Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce for this recognition.”
Masood is the first recipient of the Golisano Philanthropy Award, presented by Greater Rochester Chamber to individuals in our region who have achieved significant business success and economic impact while driving community philanthropy and investment that Golisano championed. The award is an evolution of Greater Rochester Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to B. Thomas Golisano in 2024.
The Greater Rochester community is invited to join us and help celebrate at the 2026 Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100 Celebration showcase and award ceremony on Thursday, November 5 from 3:30 to 6:30 PM at the Floreano Convention Center. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available. A full list of companies being recognized at the event will be announced in August.
About Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is the region’s one-stop shop for business support, influence, and community connection. Rooted in advocacy, compliance, talent, and belonging, our organization combines an unmatched depth and breadth of business support with the agility and dedication to turn possibility into progress and accelerate opportunity and action. Here, you’re in good company. Learn more at GreaterRochesterChamber.com.