SPEAKERS
Meet the speakers
On the main stage, we'll host panel discussions throughout the day hearing unique perspectives from those involved in the industry, from educational institutions, training partners, grant recipients, program managers, nonprofits, government partners, recruitment/HR directors, and more.
Attendees will hear about trends in the industry and unique conversations on topics that continue to affect workforce initiatives to date. There will be an opportunity to interact with speakers and ask questions.
Name
Chris Suozzi
Job Title
Executive VP of Business & Workforce Development
Company
Genesee County Economic Development Center
Speaker Bio
Chris, spearheading business development for Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), has successfully transacted over $10 million in industrial real estate, marking Genesee County a hub for strategic industry growth. Over his 17-year economic development career, he was instrumental team member in developing the 1250-acre mega site, Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in Genesee County and was the lead in securing Plug Power and Edwards to the STAMP site. With a steadfast commitment to economic growth, GCEDC has catalyzed over $2 billion in capital investment, leading to the creation of over 5000 + jobs during his tenure.
In workforce development, he created “Coach SwazZ” to be the workforce champion for our emerging talent in k-12. He branded the Genesee FAST workforce model, which embodies a proactive approach in supporting sectors like food processing, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades, enhancing the local talent pool. In collaboration with industry and workforce partners, he established serial workforce entrepreneurial mindset in developing programs. He led the way for the agency to purchase $700,000 in mechatronics equipment for our career and tech high school and co-founded "GLOW with your Hands", a career exploration annual event fostering early engagement and aligning students with local careers. Over the last seven years, he accounts for leading over 15,000 students in our workforce programs.
Chris holds a 2-year degree in STEM from Genesee Community College, BS in Industrial Engineering from Alfred University, EMBA from Jacksonville University, plus 20 years of industry experience prior to joining GCEDC over the last 17+ years. He is on numerous boards and always volunteering at local events.
Name
Jennifer Gilbert Wakefield
Job Title
Executive Director of Workforce Development
Company
Genesee Community College
Speaker Bio
Jennifer Gilbert Wakefield is a visionary leader in workforce development and higher education, with a strong focus on strategic planning and economic growth. As the Executive Director of the Workforce Development and Business and Employee Skills Training (BEST) Center at Genesee Community College, she has been instrumental in designing and implementing workforce training programs that align with industry demands.
A doctoral candidate in Executive Leadership at St. John Fisher University, Jennifer specializes in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and workforce innovation. She holds a Master of Arts in Adult and Higher Education Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with a minor in Spanish from The Ohio State University. Her academic foundation and professional experience enable her to develop forward-thinking strategies that bridge the gap between education and evolving labor market needs.
Jennifer has secured and managed millions of dollars in grant funding to support training programs in high-demand industries such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and clean energy. Her leadership in workforce development has strengthened partnerships with regional businesses, workforce boards, and educational institutions, fostering economic growth and community development.
In addition to her leadership roles, Jennifer is an advocate for innovative education models and policy-driven workforce strategies. She serves on multiple boards, including the GLOW Workforce Development Board and the Continuing Education Association of New York, and has been recognized with the SUNY Leadership Fellow distinction and the Leading Change in Higher Education Badge of Distinction.
In speaking engagements, Jennifer shares insights on strategic planning, workforce transformation, and the future of education. She is deeply committed to shaping policies and programs that create lifelong learning opportunities and drive sustainable workforce solutions.
Name
Colleen Blagg
Job Title
Manager of Corporate Services & Workforce Development
Company
Manufacturer's Association of CNY
Speaker Bio
Colleen Blagg is MACNY, The Manufacturers Association's Manager of Corporate Services & Workforce Development. With over 12 years of experience in workforce development, she oversees MACNY’s pre-apprenticeship programs, including the Real Life Rosies, which aim to diversify the advanced manufacturing workforce. Colleen is a graduate of Florida State University.
Name
Erica Schoff
Job Title
Senior Director of Academic Programs and Workforce Pipelines
Company
Griffiss Institute
Speaker Bio
Erica Schoff is an accomplished educator and administrator with 19 years of experience in K-12 education and workforce development, focusing on creating talent pipelines aligned with national security and defense needs. Beginning her career as a teacher, she later transitioned into leadership roles, where she spearheaded the creation of the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (PTECH) as the founding PTECH Principal. This initiative provided underrepresented students with the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and a college degree, while gaining essential career skills in STEM fields.
Ms. Schoff was then given the opportunity to expand career connected learning as the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the Utica City School District. She developed numerous Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, building robust programs that connected education to critical workforce demands.
Currently, Ms. Schoff serves as Senior Director of Academic Programs and Workforce Pipelines at Griffiss Institute, where she leverages her extensive experience to create sustainable workforce pipelines that address emerging needs in national defense and technological advancement. Her work ensures that the next generation of STEM talent is prepared to meet the evolving demands of industries vital to the nation’s security and defense infrastructure, strengthening the connection between education, career readiness, and defense-related workforce development.
Name
Kelly Burkett
Job Title
Local Workforce Development and Business Relations Representative
Company
ACCES-VR, Syracuse District Office
Speaker Bio
Kelly Burkett serves as the Local Workforce Development and Business Relations Representative for ACCES-VR's Syracuse District Office. Representing New York State's Vocational Rehabilitation Program, ACCES-VR, she bridges the gap between employers seeking talent and individuals with disabilities pursuing career success and independent living.
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Before joining ACCES-VR, Kelly was a Rehabilitation Counselor in the Traumatic Brain Injury Unit at the Centers at St. Camillus. She began her work with ACCES-VR in 2014 as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, leveraging her Bachelor's degree from Le Moyne College and dual Master's degrees in Community Mental Health Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling from Syracuse University. Kelly maintains professional credentials as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and Certified ADA Trainer through the Northeast ADA Center.
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Kelly's focus is on understanding employer needs and directly connecting them with qualified ACCES-VR clients, while providing essential support to individuals on their career journeys. By facilitating these connections, she enables employers to build diverse workforces that contribute to the growth of the Syracuse community and beyond. Outside of her professional life, Kelly enjoys spending time with her family and supporting her two sons in their endless swim meets, baseball, and football games.
Name
Michael Bianchi
Job Title
Senior Director, Education & Career Training
Company
D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families
Speaker Bio
Mike Bianchi is the Senior Director, Education and Career Training, for the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).
Mike served in the U.S. Army for 28 years, retiring in 2015. During his career, he made numerous worldwide deployments including assignments as Recruiting and Operations Officer and Professor of Military Science Army ROTC, at Syracuse University. Mike joined the IVMF team in 2015 as the National Program Director for the DoD Skillbridge Program, Onward to Opportunity. As O2O’s senior team member, he oversees program delivery on 19 military installations and online training for distance learners. Onward to Opportunity trains over 10,000 participants yearly on technical and soft skills, serving as a gateway to employment in over 50 different in-demand career fields.
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Mike is a 1994 graduate from Southern Illinois University and has a Master of Business Administration from Webster University.​
Name
Seth Kronenberg, MD
Job Title
President & CEO
Company
Crouse Health
Speaker Bio
A board-certified internist, Dr. Kronenberg previously practiced at Internists Associates of Central New York and Crouse Medical Practice. He joined Internist Associates of Central New York in 2001, becoming managing partner in 2005. In 2010, Internist Associates became part of Crouse Medical Practice, PLLC, and he was appointed President and Medical Director. Dr. Kronenberg was appointed President and CEO of Crouse Health in March 2023, during which time the health system has experienced significant progress and growth.
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Dr. Kronenberg holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and attended medical school and completed residency and chief residency in internal medicine at Upstate Medical University.​
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His current affiliations include: member of the board of directors of Centerstate CEO; Syracuse Community Health Center; Community Memorial Hospital; HealtheConnections; Lab Alliance of CNY; Greater New York Hospital Association; Healthcare Association of New York State; Iroquois Healthcare Association and 1199 SEIU Training Fund.
Name
Kristin Sine-Kinz
Job Title
Chief of Staff
Company
Monroe Community College
Speaker Bio
Kristin Sine-Kinz, MBA, serves as the chief of staff to the vice president for the division of Economic & Workforce Development & Career Technical Education at Monroe Community College (MCC). Ms. Sine-Kinz has a rich background in professional services, having crafted business and marketing strategies for major brands like Motorola, Kodak, and Honeywell. At MCC, Ms. Sine-Kinz reports to the division Vice President, and is deeply involved in strategic projects and initiatives, both college-wide and within her division. Her current focus is workforce development and internal education related activities relevant to the semiconductor industry. Ms. Sine-Kinz's extensive career of almost 30 years includes nearly 14 years at MCC, including a year as the MCC Interim Vice President for Economic & Workforce Development & Career Technical Education. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Western Governor’s University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Name
Rosemary Avila
Job Title
Executive Director
Company
CNY Works
Speaker Bio
Rosemary Avila serves as the Executive Director of the Onondaga County Workforce Development Board and Career Center—CNY Works in Syracuse, New York, where she oversees workforce development programs of youth, adults, dislocated workers, and individuals with disabilities under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). In addition, Rosemary oversaw the Syracuse Build initiative while it was housed at CNY Works.
Rosemary has extensive experience across multicultural environments, the private sector, non-profit organizations, workforce development, and federal and local government. Prior to her current role, she was the Executive Director of the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board, overseeing programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), individuals with disability, and the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Before that role, she worked at the Center for Community Alternatives in Syracuse, where she oversaw workforce programs for formerly incarcerated young adults and adults returning to the workforce. In addition, Rosemary served as the business relations liaison with second chance initiatives and young adults. Rosemary worked for the U.S. Department of State where she worked in Consular Affairs in Washington, D.C. and at overseas posts in Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, and Haiti.
Rosemary currently serves on the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES CTE Advisory Council, Child Care Solutions Board, and is a member of the board of trustees of Loretto Management Corporation.
Rosemary has an M.P.A. from Norwich University and a B.A. from the University of Florida. She is fluent in Spanish and Italian.
