Celebrating young professionals shaping the future.

Presenting Greater Rochester Chamber's Re:Gen Rising Awards

As part of our Greater ROC Young Professional (GRYP) initiative, Re:Gen Rising is an awards program that celebrates top young professionals ages 25–40 in the Greater Rochester area who are excelling in their careers, regardless of title or position, while redefining innovation, collaboration, and leadership. These trailblazers represent the next wave of changemakers shaping our region’s future by challenging norms, fostering meaningful connections, and making a lasting impact on their industries and communities.

Re:Gen Rising is a celebration that shines a spotlight on young professionals making an impact at every level, not just by title, but through the way they lead change, inspire others, and leave an enduring mark on their fields and beyond.

Stay tuned for 2027 application timeline and event details!

Re:Gen Rising is an evolution of Greater Rochester Chamber's longstanding IGNITE Awards for young professionals.
Originally launched as Re:Generation in 2017, we're bringing our brand back in 2026 with a broader focus, a better party, and a bigger impact.

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 20 Re:Gen Rising Award Honorees at Ceremony on Wednesday, June 24

Close to 200 business and community leaders joined us to celebrate the next wave of changemakers in Greater Rochester.

Meet our 2026 Award Honorees

Thank You to our 2026 Sponsors

Here's what we're looking for

Re:Gen Rising recognizes young professionals in our region aged 25–40 who are:

Driving Innovation

by bringing fresh ideas, creative solutions, or new approaches to their work

Making a Big Impact

by contributing to their team, organization, or community in meaningful ways

Exemplifying Excellence

through accomplishments, recognition, or consistently raising the bar

Looking Forward

by demonstrating potential, growth, and a vision for creating positive change in the future

Application Tips & What to Expect:

Application Process

Submit a Nomination or Self-Apply: Nominate an exceptional candidate or showcase your own accomplishments by completing the application form. If you nominate a candidate, they will be notified of the nomination and still have to fill out the application form themselves in order to be considered.
Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated and a selected pool of applicants will be featured as our Re:Gen Rising honorees
Celebrate: The honorees will be celebrated at the event on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Nominations will remain open until Friday, April 10, 2026, and applications will close on Friday, April 24.

What to Keep in Mind When Completing Your Application

We know that every career journey looks different, and you don’t need to have decades of experience or a “huge” project under your belt to apply. We want to hear about your wins, the creative ideas you’ve tried, and the ways you’re making an impact as a young professional.

When answering the questions, think about:

A project you contributed to that you’re proud of
A time you tried something new or approached a challenge differently
How has your work helped your team, organization, or community
Any milestones, recognition, or personal achievements that stand out to you

Your answers don’t need to be lengthy; just focus on providing substantive content with real examples that highlight who you are and the impact you’re making in the Greater Rochester community.

We're here to recognize and celebrate the young professionals who are shaping the future of Greater Rochester. By showcasing their talent, innovation, leadership, and contributions, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant community.

When we come together to celebrate, big things happen. Let's make some noise and celebrate the leaders shaping tomorrow - today!

Please note that there is no official merchandise for Greater Rochester Chamber's Re:Gen Rising. Any third-party solicitations claiming to offer such merchandise are unauthorized and not endorsed by us. Please contact Susan.George@GreaterRochesterChamber.com for more information.