Meet the 2026 event speakers

Rosemary Avila

Executive Director, CNY Works

Rosemary oversees the Onondaga County Workforce Development Board and Career Center at CNY Works' workforce development programs of youth, adults, dislocated workers, and individuals with disabilities.

Dr. Robert Corona

Chief Executive Officer, Upstate University Hospital

Dr. Corona is the chief executive officer of Upstate Medical University Hospitals which includes University Hospital Downtown, Community Hospital and Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Aimee Durfee

Vice President of Workforce Innovation, CenterState CEO

Aimee leads the Work Train team, which creates partnerships and workforce strategies designed to attract, train, retain and advance un/underemployed individuals into careers in high-growth industries.

Lisa Jackson, MS

Associate Provost and Director, SUNY UCAWD

Overseeing a $72 million statewide system, Lisa manages Educational Opportunity Centers and the ATTAIN project, which provide education and training access to underserved New Yorkers.

Lillian Kohlbach

Industrial Welding Registered Apprenticeship, JENSEN Braun

Lilly is approaching her third year in a four-year Industrial Welding Registered Apprenticeship at JENSEN Braun under MACNY (The Manufacturers Association) sponsorship.

Melanie Lewis

Director of Workforce Strategies, Micron Technology

Melanie Lewis is Director of Workforce Strategies at Micron Technology, where she leads efforts to expand the technician talent pipeline in support of Micron’s U.S. expansion.

Amina Mecca

Senior Director of Advertising, Advance Education

Amina leads a dynamic, diverse team of creative and forward-thinking marketing professionals working with clients in education and workforce development throughout the country.

Joe Nehme

Senior Manager for External Affairs, Micron Technology

Joe currently serves as Senior Manager for External Affairs at Micron Technology where he supports the company’s New York expansion.

Mike Powlin

High School Partnership Coordinator, Monroe Community College

Mike builds connections between high schools and MCC to expand access to optics education and inspire the next generation of skilled optics professionals.

Dave Seeley

Executive Director, RochesterWorks, Inc.

Dave leads the Monroe County/Rochester Workforce Development Board and oversees the operation of three federally funded one-stop career centers.

Amy Stewart

Workforce Development Specialist, Partners for Education & Business

Amy works with several schools in Central New York to coordinate work-based learning programming, such as site visits and career readiness activities.

Nikita Bair

Esports Program Manager, Syracuse University

With a focus on preparing learners for post-graduation, Nikita has provided ample experiential learning and professional development opportunities for students in the esports industry.

Eileen Donovan

Manager of Apprenticeship & Workforce Development, MACNY, The Manufacturers Association

Eileen is the Manager of Apprenticeship & Workforce Development at MACNY, The Manufacturers Association since October 2019.

David Furney

Dean of Health and Technology, Onondaga Community College

Since August 2024, David continues to innovate educational spaces and strategies and has been active in advancing OCC's health & technology programs, ensuring they align with contemporary workforce needs.

Thomas Tee Jones

Education Associate, Cornell University-ILR School; Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative

At Cornell University’s ILR School, Labor and Employment Law Program, Thomas supports employer‑focused training and outreach for the CJEI.

Daniel Kolinski

Central New York Regional Director, Empire State Development

Daniel Kolinski serves as the Central New York Regional Director at Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s chief economic development agency.

Dr. Jody Manning

Executive Director, STEAM High School

Jody has been involved with the Science Technology Engineering Art & Math (STEAM) school since its inception and the school aims to become a local “employability incubator."

Kathleen Miller-Murphy, RN, BSN, CCE

Director of Employee and Community Engagement, Crouse Health

Kathleen leads Crouse's Workforce Development Program, who made a strategic commitment to create long‑term employee opportunities.

Rob O'Connor

Co-Founder, ELITE Gaming, LLC

Rob works with schools and community partners to broaden access to technology, strengthen digital skills, and connect students to STEAM and CTE career pathways.

Angelina Sanfilippo

Apprenticeship Business Developer, SUNY Apprenticeship Program

Angelina partners with employers, workforce stakeholders, and SUNY campuses to expand Registered Apprenticeship and connect industry to sustainable training opportunities.

Kristin Sine

Senior Director of Strategic Transformation, Level 7 Market Research

Kristin combines analytical rigor with creative problem-solving to deliver actionable insights and impactful solutions for many organizations.

Chris Suozzi

Executive Vice President Business & Workforce Development, GCEDC

Chris has successfully transacted over $10 million in industrial real estate through business development, marking Genesee County a hub for strategic industry growth.

Rosalie Clemens

Executive Director, RIT Certified

With a career spanning engineering, global business development, national workforce programs, and now higher education, Rosalie brings the perspective of a lifelong learner who helps others navigate changing workforce demands.

Kerry Douglas-Duffy

Bureau Director, New York State Department of Labor, Office of Workforce Development

Kerry is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a law that aims to improve the nation's workforce development system.

Shawna Gareau-Kurtz

Director, Center for Workforce Development, Monroe 2‑Orleans BOCES

Shawna Gareau‑Kurtz leads regional efforts connecting education, workforce systems, and industry and is leading efforts to launch a regional Business & Education Alliance.

Tim Kennedy

Regional President, Advance Local

Tim Kennedy is the Regional President for Advance Local, overseeing operations in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and serves as the President the publisher of The Post-Standard and syracuse.com.

Dr. Carlene M. Lacey

Chief Executive Officer, CNY ON-RAMP

As CEO of CNY ON-RAMP, Dr. Lacey leads the organization’s mission to expand equitable workforce opportunities across CNY’s advanced manufacturing and construction industries.

Keri Martin

Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator, Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association (RTMA)

At the RTMA, Keri leads efforts to strengthen the connection between education and workforce development to create pathways into high-demand careers.

Dan Murphy, M.S.Ed.

Associate Director of Educational Opportunity Center Operations, SUNY UCAWD

Dan supports program evaluation, partnership development, marketing and communication, and data-driven decision-making across the statewide EOC system.

Tim Penix

Vice President, Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center

Tim oversees operations of the urban workforce development facility, including academic & business affairs, enrollment, and student support.

Jon Sanfratello

Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Programs, Genesee Valley BOCES

Jon leads programs in Adult, Career & Technical, Alternative and Special Education, while advancing regional workforce development efforts.

Nick Stanley

Fabrication Operations Manager, JENSEN Braun

Nick brings his strong commitment to developing strong TEAMS and TEAM members to the effort to promote and improve access to careers in manufacturing and industry.

Denise Zieske

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development, State University of New York (SUNY)

Denise Zieske champions the State University of New York’s (SUNY) workforce efforts at the state and national level.