CNY Professionals Under 40

We are looking for an Event Sponsor for our upcoming August Networking Event! Sponsor will get a 5 minute speaking opportunity to the group! Networking Event is August 19th from 5-7:30pm at the Taphouse on Walton! Please message us if interested or comment below and we will contact you! Event Link: https://lnkd.in/dhYf9dP3

Today's member spotlight is the vibrant Amanda Hennessey! Amanda is the new complex director of sales at the Courtyard & Residence Inn Downtown Syracuse at Armory Square. Overseeing one of the most convenient hotels near downtown Syracuse, it will put you close to Syracuse University, The Oncenter, and popular attractions, including the Landmark Theater. The hotel is newly renovated with completion in March 2024, and the only downtown property with an indoor pool. She has been in the industry for over 13+ years working with other brands and properties, most recently in the Auburn, NY area. Amanda served on the Cayuga County Tourism Board of Directors for almost 5 years with other amazing dedicated tourism ambassadors. They have a heavy focus on DEI efforts while also showcasing the unique charm and endless possibilities that await visitors in that vibrant region. New to the downtown Syracuse area, Amanda anticipates diving into the intricacies of the contemporary travel landscape. Her eagerness lies in comprehending the evolving market dynamics and to grasp the competitive edge that defines hospitality sales in today's context. She aims to contribute positively to the vibrant hospitality scene of Syracuse. In her free time Amanda enjoys watercolor painting, scrapbooking, and traveling- the best perk of the job. Seeing new places and trying new food is always a good time. Join us in congratulating Amanda on today's member spotlight!

Today's member spotlight is the diligent Kevin Vieau! Kevin currently works at National Grid as a Senior Process Improvement Analyst under the Global Capabilities department within Enterprise Business Services. National Grid’s mission is to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to their customers, while also promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact. They aim to provide safe and reliable energy solutions, support the transition to a low-carbon future, and enhance the quality of life for their customers and communities. In his process improvement role, Kevin’s responsibilities include the development and rollout of standardized continuous improvement methodologies such as working with stakeholders across the organization to develop and embed process excellence standards and methodologies to enable consistent delivery of efficiency, effectiveness, and end user improvements across EBS’ service lines. Other key accountabilities include project planning and management through identifying potential risks to delivery and lead the resolution of issues/problems by bringing together Subject Matter Experts, Enterprise Process Owners, and Delivery Teams to drive consensus on the way forward. Prior to working for National Grid, Kevin held multiple various roles at a PBM (Pharmaceutical Benefit Management) company, culminating in being the manager of their analytics reporting team. These roles honed his skills of utilizing technology to drive process and financial improvement through automation of manual processes, partnering with business data analysts and client facing teams to provide analytics and projections for business partners, and interfacing with various external business partners as needed for program development and problem resolution. Kevin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Le Moyne College and volunteers often, through National Grid’s community focused “Project-C” team, with organizations such as Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Meals on Wheels, ARISE, and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. When he is not working, you can usually find Kevin either at the gym lifting, walking, or running. He also enjoys travelling, listening to all genres of music, attending live music and sporting events, and spending quality time with friends and family, especially his three nephews. Join us in congratulating Kevin on today's member spotlight!

Today's member spotlight and a speaker of our August 19th event is Carrie Murawski, Ph.D.! Carrie Murawski, Ph.D. (she/her) is the new Director of DEIA Learning and Development in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Syracuse University. In this role, she advances institutional infrastructure related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) learning and development, provides visionary leadership, collaborative decision-making, and gives thoughtful oversight of short and long-term professional development opportunities for Syracuse University through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Carrie is enthusiastic about community-building, DEIA initiatives, and public speaking. She has worked in higher education for 10 years, turning her passions into meaningful community connections. Carrie moved to Syracuse with her husband and dog in July 2024 from Roanoke, Virginia. There, she served as an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies in the Department of English & Communication Studies at Roanoke College for 5 years. She taught classes such as Introduction to Communication Studies, Public Speaking, Everything’s an Argument, Rhetorical Traditions, and Rhetorical Theory & Criticism. She also founded the Virginia Conference on Race, an annual conference to highlight community leaders and race scholarship promoting racial equity. Carrie earned her Ph.D. in communication with a graduate certificate in women’s and gender studies from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and bachelor’s degree in communication and sociology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. In her free time, Carrie enjoys being a patron of the arts: attending local theatre performances, taking art classes, and going to museums. She also enjoys exploring nature with her family and trying new restaurants. Carrie is excited to settle down in central New York and make new connections with folks in Syracuse who share her interests. Join us in congratulating Carrie on today member spotlight! We look forward to hearing her speak Aug 19th! Buy tickets to the networking event here: https://lnkd.in/eEjDTRf4

Calling CNY young professionals looking to network and learning about public speaking! We are having our next Networking Event 5-7:30pm August 19th at the Taphouse on Walton. Guest speakers will be at 630pm and are Carrie Murawski, Ph.D., who will talk on public speaking, and Maximilian Eyle who will talk about Central Current, a local non-profit news organization. https://lnkd.in/edg6pjrq We are looking for sponsors of this event so please contact us if interested! Light for will be provided with entrance ticket of $10. Tickets must be purchased online before the event and can be purchased here: https://lnkd.in/e48EBFAf Come join us!

Today's member spotlight is the intelligent Mary Kielar! Mary Kielar is an Investigative Reporter on CNYCentral WSTM NBC3, WTVH CBS5 & CW6 I-Team in Syracuse. She is responsible for telling stories focused on the CNY community and the issues that matter to the people in it. For more than eight years, she’s lived in Syracuse and worked at the station, along with a talented news team passionate about local news and the community they serve. Her investigative work focuses on accountability and viewer advocacy, which often means asking tough questions to people in power. The goal is to bring an otherwise unknown issue to the forefront and help push for meaningful change by providing a voice for the voiceless. It’s also about tracking how large chunks of money, especially taxpayer money is spent and if it’s being spent correctly. She enjoys her work and the people she’s met and connected with so far through it. Mary recently joined the Loretto Foundation Board, which she is excited to serve on with other members who make CNY the wonderful community it is. The foundation advocates for significant investments related to bettering the lives of Loretto residents and employees through programs and initiatives. Throughout her reporting career, she’s been able to meet many wonderful residents and staff members in the organization. It’s an honor for her to serve on the board. Mary's previous job before coming to Syracuse was in Bemidji, Minnesota at Lakeland Public Television. It’s a PBS station with a local news entity. Mary spent a year there making memories and lifelong friends in the Northwoods of Minnesota after graduating from Ithaca College with a degree in journalism and a minor in French. In her spare time, Mary enjoys running on CNY’s beautiful trails by Onondaga Lake or the Erie Canal. She also likes to spend time with family and friends and explore new restaurants, breweries, and shops in the area. Mary also likes to travel and learn about different cultures whenever she can. She hopes to keep working and building more relationships in the community she now calls home. Join us in congratulating Mary on today's member spotlight!

Today's spotlight is the caring Cassandra Knight! Cassandra works at Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, where she holds a dual role within the Adult Health Home Program: care manager and Intake Coordinator. This program supports individuals who are homeless, diagnosed with chronic conditions, or dealing with serious mental illnesses. In her care management role, Cassandra’s responsibilities include coordinating healthcare teams, connecting clients with providers, ensuring they meet personal goals, and accessing community resources like jobs, legal services,assistance programs and mental health support. As Intake Coordinator, she processes incoming referrals, determining eligibility for services, and educates providers and the community on accessing care management. She conducts outreach at places like Upstate Hospital, homeless shelters, other nonprofits, as well as monthly parole re-entry orientations. Cassandra's ultimate goal is to foster self-sufficiency among her clients. Advocating for vulnerable populations has become her passion, recognizing the challenges they face. Many simply need someone to listen and advocate on their behalf, guiding them toward available resources to support themselves and their families. This aspect of her work brings her immense joy and fulfillment. At CCOC, she began in Emergency Services assisting housing-vulnerable individuals and later worked part-time as a Youth Skill Builder, aiding children with behavioral issues. Cassandra also accredits work experience gained from Hillside Family of Agencies and Advocates Inc. These roles have honed her skills in active listening, crisis intervention, and fostering empathy across diverse backgrounds. Cassandra holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development from SUNY Oswego, and volunteers with Upstate Golisano, Helping Hounds, and Catholic Charities' monthly Fresh Food Distribution. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, curating Spotify playlists, listening to true crime podcasts, attending live music and Syracuse trivia events, and exploring local coffee shops and food trucks. Join us in congratulating Cassandra on today's member spotlight!

Today's member spotlight is the bright Brynn Ellen Semeraro! Brynn Semeraro is a Workforce Development Specialist for Partners for Education & Business, Inc. an affiliate of MACNY - The Manufacturers Association. In this role, she works closely with key partners, including schools, employers, and community organizations, to bridge the gap between education and the workforce needs. She engages these partnerships to address the needs of both students and employers through work-based learning experiences, with an emphasis on career exploration programming for high school students. Additionally, she assists in the planning and execution of PEB and MACNY events that serve the same goals, such as Manufacturing Month in October. Additionally, Brynn is a local author and poet under the pen name Brynn Ellen. Her first collection, Poems About You, was published by Tiny Newt Press, LLC in January 2024 and is available at several local bookstores including Doyle’s Books in Fayetteville. She does readings and gives talks on the writing process, as well as holding book signing events around the area. Her Instagram page is a great place to catch spoken word performances of her pieces. Brynn is very passionate about seeing young people succeed. With a degree in Adolescent Education from SUNY Oswego and previous positions in education/child care, literacy outreach, and youth programming, she stands for the upcoming generations’ positive impact on our economy, culture, and their effect on the world at large. With two young children of her own, she applies the “always put the kids first” point-of-view in all facets of her life. Coming from a background in agriculture, Brynn finds joy in farming and gardening, being outdoors, reading and writing, porch-sitting, and cooking delicious food for her family. She lives with her partner, two children, and a cat, but dreams of someday starting a homestead farm that can support many more people and animals. Join us in congratulating Brynn on today's member spotlight!

Today's member spotlight is marketing expert Alannah Gallagher! Alannah is the Director of Marketing at Destiny USA, New York’s largest shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. She is responsible for leading the marketing department as well as Destiny USA’s digital marketing, public relations, on-site events, community partnerships, and travel and tourism initiatives. Gallagher has over a decade of experience in marketing, communications, and guest relations, including senior management positions spanning multiple industries including SAAS and manufacturing. Born and raised in the Hudson Valley, Gallagher moved to CNY in 2022. She is passionate about solidifying Destiny USA as a community hub and furthering its position as Central New York’s top travel and tourism destination. Alannah lives in Auburn, NY with her partner and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys paddle boarding, gardening, and a good documentary. Join us in congratulating Alannah on today's member spotlight!

Todays member spotlight is the exceptional Eric G. Schuler, P.E.! Eric is the Deputy Commissioner for Onondaga County Water Environment Protection (OCDWEP) who oversees Capital Programming, Engineering, Construction, Asset Management, Collection Systems, and Fleet Services. OCDWEP has the primary responsibility of operating and maintaining the system that collects, treats, and discharges sewage generated by domestic, commercial, and industrial properties within Onondaga County's Consolidated Sewer District. Prior experience in the consulting industry coupled with his previous public sector leadership roles has given him a well-rounded, forward-thinking, and fiscally responsible perspective for management of utility systems. He is passionate about being on the "owner" side of things and enjoys having a critical role in the public infrastructure improvements necessary to meet regulatory requirements and support system growth due to economic development in the region. As a Utica NY native, Eric graduated from Clarkson University approximately 15 years ago and is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York. He holds the following leadership positions within several volunteer professional societies: North American Society of Trenchless Technologies (NASTT) Board of Directors, NASTT-NE Past Chair, American Public Works Association (APWA) NY Central Branch President, and Central New York Water Works Conference (CNYWWC) Board of Directors. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife Brittany and their two kids, Joanna and Grant. They spend a majority of weekends in the Adirondacks, and are avid skiers and snowmobilers in the wintertime. Join us in congratulating Eric on today's member spotlight!