Rochester Professionals Under 40

05/19/2026

Today's member spotlight is energy reporting entrepreneur Drew Ferraro!

Drew Ferraro is the owner and operator of Energy Heights Services, a boutique consulting firm specializing in energy benchmarking compliance and sustainability filings for New York City Local Law requirements.

Each year, NYC buildings are required to report their annual energy consumption through the City’s benchmarking program. Buildings are then given a letter grade that they need to print and post. They also need to comply with increasingly strict building emissions limits.

Energy Heights Services has built a strong reputation for exceptional customer service and deep technical knowledge of these regulations, helping building owners understand their obligations and navigate compliance with clarity and confidence.

Beyond New York City, the company has expanded to support energy benchmarking compliance on a national scale, while also assisting clients with energy procurement strategies and utility bill credits.

Drew is also the founder of the energy software platform EnergiDash, a real estate investor, and a licensed notary public. He earned his degree in Communications from Buffalo State University in 2015 and has built his career in the energy consulting space through hands-on experience and the guidance of industry peers and mentors.

Outside of work, Drew is a lifelong skateboarder, snowboarder, and musician. He lives in Rochester with his fiancée, where they can often be found singing karaoke or playing music on public pianos.

Join us in congratulating Drew on today's well deserved member spotlight and we encourage you to connect with him!

04/20/2026

Please share this within your networks, schools, and community groups to help maximize reach and participation. Also, feel free to drop a comment below to help boost This is a free, full-day experience for girls ages 12–19, focused on real, practical skill-building art, social-emotional development, content creation, professional growth, and entrepreneurship.

Opportunities like this are critical. They create early exposure, confidence, and access things that directly shape future leaders, especially for young women in our community.

👉 Register here: https://form.jotform.com/260237872878168

The Women’s Foundation is also helping remove barriers by covering bussing costs for schools that want to attend.

If you’re in this group, you likely have reach use it.

Please reshare, tag educators or community partners, and drop a comment to boost visibility. The more awareness we drive, the more impact this event can have.

Let’s show up for the next generation. 🚀

Hello Rochester Professionals Under 40,

We’re pleased to share this opportunity on behalf of Taleah Donahue, former chapter lead helping support an upcoming event in partnership with the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley.

Golisano and Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley are hosting the Power Her Forward Girls Conference on May 2nd from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Golisano Institute. This is a FREE, full-day event for girls ages 12–19 featuring sessions on art, social-emotional development, content creation, professional growth, and entrepreneurship.

If you have daughters, students, or know any young women who could benefit from this experience, I highly recommend sharing this with them. it’s a great opportunity to build confidence, skills, and connections.

How you can help:
• Share this post with your networks
• Tag parents, educators, or mentors who may be interested
• Encourage girls (ages 12–19) to register and attend (bussing support may be available for schools)

Registration link: https://lnkd.in/e83hmysG

If you refer anyone, please feel free to email me (Taleah Donahue) at [email protected] with their names so I can track outreach.

If schools, community partners, or individuals have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ellah Jeffries at [email protected].

Please share, this is an awesome event for our Rochester community and a great way to support and empower young girls!

04/16/2026

Hello Rochester Professionals Under 40,

We’re pleased to share this opportunity on behalf of Taleah Donahue, former chapter lead helping support an upcoming event in partnership with the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley.

Golisano and Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley are hosting the Power Her Forward Girls Conference on May 2nd from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Golisano Institute. This is a FREE, full-day event for girls ages 12–19 featuring sessions on art, social-emotional development, content creation, professional growth, and entrepreneurship.

If you have daughters, students, or know any young women who could benefit from this experience, I highly recommend sharing this with them. it’s a great opportunity to build confidence, skills, and connections.

How you can help:
• Share this post with your networks
• Tag parents, educators, or mentors who may be interested
• Encourage girls (ages 12–19) to register and attend (bussing support may be available for schools)

Registration link: https://lnkd.in/e83hmysG

If you refer anyone, please feel free to email me (Taleah Donahue) at [email protected] with their names so I can track outreach.

If schools, community partners, or individuals have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ellah Jeffries at [email protected].

Please share, this is an awesome event for our Rochester community and a great way to support and empower young girls!

04/01/2026

Today's member spotlight is the dedicated Justin DeSalvo, CPA!

Justin is a Manager in the Small Business Advisory practice at The Bonadio Group, where he serves as a trusted tax and business advisor to clients across various industries including construction, real estate, manufacturing, and distribution. With a hands-on, client-first approach, Justin strives to be the first call his clients make when navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with running a business.

Justin joined The Bonadio Group in June 2018 and has spent his entire career with the firm, working year-round with clients to help them navigate complex tax rules, identify planning opportunities, and align their tax positions with broader business goals. His deep experience working with owner-operated businesses in specialized industries allows him to deliver practical, tailored guidance that goes well beyond the numbers. Whether it's advising on tax strategy, compliance, financial planning, or operational decisions, Justin takes pride in helping businesses succeed.

Justin is a graduate of Duquesne University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in accounting.

Originally from New Jersey, Justin now calls Pittsford home where he lives with his wife Brittany and their two daughters, Madison (3) and Brooklyn (1). Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and playing basketball.

Join us in congratulating Justin on today's well-deserved member spotlight and we encourage you to connect with him!

03/31/2026

Today's member spotlight is entrepreneur Devan Delaney!

Devan is a creative strategist and entrepreneur with a background rooted in visual storytelling and purposeful design. She is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, where she earned a degree in Visual Media, a multidisciplinary program encompassing graphic design, marketing, and photography. This foundation led her into the commercial furniture industry, where she spent the next five years building expertise, relationships, and a deep understanding of how thoughtfully designed environments impact people and performance.

Driven by a desire to influence change and work more closely in partnership with clients, Devan made the decision to build her own company, Framework Interiors, a commercial furniture advisory group rooted in service, collaboration, and long-term value. Framework was created with a clear mission: to help build environments where people and ideas thrive. Known for her adaptability, strategic mindset, and eagerness to challenge the status quo, Devan brings a human-centered approach to every project she leads.

Outside of work, Devan channels her creativity and problem-solving skills into home renovation projects, travel, and time spent with her incredible family. She notably spent a year and a half fully renovating her 1840s farmhouse alongside family and friends, an experience that sharpened her project management skills, resilience, and appreciation for process. These lessons continue to influence her work today, reinforcing her belief that the best outcomes are built through vision, collaboration, and commitment.

Join us in congratulating Devan on today's well deserved member spotlight and we encourage you to connect with her!

03/27/2026

Today's member spotlight is the dedicated Noor Mohamed!

Noor Mohamed is an operations and administration professional who builds strong foundations for businesses ready to grow with intention. She operates at the intersection of systems and people, designing streamlined workflows, strengthening internal infrastructure, managing data with precision, and positioning organizations for sustainable scale.

In small business environments, Noor doesn’t just maintain operations, she elevates them. She has led administrative transformations, optimized CRM systems, refined reporting processes, and partnered directly with leadership to create clarity, efficiency, and measurable progress. Her work is rooted in structure, strategy, and people-centered ex*****on, ensuring operations run not only smoothly, but powerfully.

Noor studied Psychology at the University of Vermont, grounding her work in a deep understanding of human behavior, communication, and organizational dynamics. Committed to continuous growth, she pursued additional coursework in information technology and technical systems through Monroe Community College, strengthening her ability to bridge operations with digital infrastructure and data strategy.

Beyond operations, Noor is deeply committed to building community through food. She believes cooking is a fundamental life skill that nourishes families, preserves culture, and creates meaningful connection. To her, food is revolutionary and empowering, a tool for self-sustainability, health equity and cultural preservation. Her vision is to build a business dedicated to teaching people of all ages and backgrounds how to grow and prepare wholesome meals. Food, in her view, is culture, storytelling, and a powerful catalyst for community-building and generational impact.

Originally from Burlington, Vermont, she has made Rochester home by actively cultivating connection through both her professional work and creative expression. Noor is a multidisciplinary artist, creating distinctive visual pieces using acrylic and watercolor, crafting intricate illustrations with ink, and preserving traditional henna artistry in honor of her Somali heritage.

Outside of work, she finds energy outdoors hiking, biking, kayaking, and brings that same spirit of curiosity and momentum into every space she enters.

Noor brings adaptability, cultural fluency, and bold intention to everything she builds. Whether strengthening systems or gathering people around a table, her work centers on growth, connection, and lasting impact.

Join us in congratulating Noor on today's well deserved member spotlight and we encourage you to connect with her!

03/25/2026

Today's member spotlight is higher education professional Josh Colon!

Josh Colon’s journey into higher education is one of resilience, reinvention, and a deep commitment to student success. A Rochester native, Josh’s path was far from traditional. As a teenager, he left high school without graduating and lacked direction until he learned his mother, Shondell, had been diagnosed with cancer. Determined to build a future she could be proud of, he earned his GED at Threshold Community Center in Rochester, a turning point that reshaped his life.

Josh began his college career at Monroe Community College (MCC), studying Communication & Media Arts with early dreams of becoming a sports broadcaster. Everything changed when he became a Peer Advisor, discovering how naturally he connected with students facing academic and personal challenges. Inspired by this work, he transferred to SUNY Brockport to study Communication Studies with a minor in Women & Gender Studies. There, he immersed himself in campus life and leadership as the Student Union Manager.

During his first semester at Brockport, Josh faced the devastating loss of his mother to cancer. Despite profound grief, he stayed enrolled, completed the semester, and continued working toward his degree, carrying forward her strength and the purpose she instilled in him.

Josh launched his professional career at MCC, recruiting and advising Career/Technical Education students, supporting transfer pathways, and managing a large and diverse student caseload. His work strengthened his skills in academic and transfer advising, retention, student support, and relationship-building, skills that would define his career.

Today, Josh serves as an Advisement Coordinator in the School of Business & Management at SUNY Brockport, where he advises more than 200 undergraduate and graduate students annually. He trains faculty, improves degree progress and retention, enhances student success initiatives, and plays a key role in shaping program-wide advising practices. He is also pursuing his MBA at SUNY Brockport, expanding his expertise in leadership, operations, and strategic student support.

A hallmark of Josh’s work is his ability to connect students with impactful, career-launching opportunities. He has mentored students through internships with organizations such as the New York Football Giants, Northrop Grumman, Morgan Stanley, Wegmans, ESL Federal Credit Union, University of Rochester, Enterprise Mobility, ADP, North American Breweries, Rochester Red Wings, Rochester Americans, First American Equipment Finance, Aflac, Charter Communications, NCIS, The Bonadio Group, and many others.

From a young man searching for direction to a higher education professional shaping futures every day, Josh Colon’s story is rooted in perseverance, purpose, and a commitment to honoring his mother’s legacy by empowering students to forge their own path forward.

Join us in congratulating Josh on today's member spotlight!

03/16/2026

Today's member spotlight is the versatile Caleb Jakes!

Caleb Jakes is a motivational speaker, emerging entrepreneur, and student leader whose work sits at the intersection of faith, resilience, and purpose-driven impact. Raised in Newark, New Jersey, Caleb’s early life was shaped by instability, fatherlessness, and personal health struggles that could have easily dictated his future. Instead, those challenges became the soil from which his leadership, discipline, and calling were formed.

Currently a senior at the University of Rochester, Caleb is double majoring in Language, Media, and Communication while studying business, pairing storytelling with strategy to influence systems, people, and culture. On campus, he serves as President of the Minority Business Alliance, Resident Advisor, Brady Scholar mentor, and a trusted voice in student leadership spaces. Across these roles, he is known for creating programs that do more than check boxes. His work focuses on access, accountability, and advancement, particularly for students who feel overlooked or underrepresented. Whether leading entrepreneurship bootcamps, mentoring first-generation students, or coordinating alumni engagement, Caleb approaches leadership with both conviction and care.

Beyond campus, Caleb is the founder of Joyionaire Enterprises, a motivational speaking and personal development brand rooted in the belief that joy is not circumstantial, it is cultivated. His published book, Shedding Pounds, Gaining Purpose: The Weighty Joy of Surrender, chronicles his 100-pound weight loss journey alongside the emotional and spiritual transformation that followed. The work has resonated with young adults navigating identity, discipline, and self-worth, positioning Caleb as a relatable yet principled voice for a generation hungry for authenticity. His speaking engagements, workshops, and content consistently center on transformation that is internal, intentional, and sustainable.

What distinguishes Caleb is not simply what he has accomplished at a young age, but how he carries responsibility. While balancing academic excellence, leadership, and entrepreneurship, he has also navigated the ongoing reality of caregiving for his mother as she battles dementia. That experience has deeply shaped his empathy, patience, and long-term vision for service. Caleb leads with an understanding that success without integrity is hollow, and that purpose is proven by what one builds while under pressure.

Looking ahead, Caleb plans to continue building platforms that equip young people to lead with clarity, courage, and character. Whether through education, entrepreneurship, or public speaking, his commitment remains the same. To turn adversity into alignment, pain into purpose, and leadership into legacy.

Join us in congratulating Caleb on today's well deserved member spotlight and we encourage you to connect with him!

03/09/2026

Today’s Rochester Professionals Under 40 spotlight features Holly Evans!

Holly is a Certified Public Accountant and finance leader with more than a decade of experience in governmental accounting and municipal finance. A former auditor, she developed a strong foundation in compliance, internal controls, and financial reporting before transitioning into public-sector leadership. She currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for the Fairport Municipal Commission, where she oversees financial strategy and long-term planning for the municipal electric utility. Holly also holds her School District Business Leader certificate and was recently published in CPA Publisher for her article on managing change during a software conversion.

Throughout her career, Holly has built a reputation for transparency, fiscal stewardship, and collaborative leadership. She aspires to continue growing in executive public finance while mentoring and connecting with the next generation of professionals, and is especially interested in building relationships with young people exploring careers in billing, accounting, or public-sector finance.

She earned her degrees from Rochester Institute of Technology and Mercyhurst University, where she competed as a Division II coxswain on the rowing team — an experience that shaped her leadership style, resilience, and ability to guide teams under pressure.

Outside of her professional role, Holly is an endurance athlete with a passion for pushing both physical and mental limits. This spring, she is taking on an ambitious challenge: running two marathons in eight days — the Paris Marathon followed by the Boston Marathon. This 52.4-mile journey is both a personal test of resilience and a fundraising effort supporting causes close to her heart, including the ALS Therapy Development Institute and Cotting School. Those interested in learning more or supporting her efforts can visit cottingschoolinc.betterworld.org

Through this dual-marathon challenge, Holly hopes to inspire others to pursue bold goals while rallying support for organizations creating meaningful change. She believes the discipline, perseverance, and grit required in endurance sports closely mirror the mindset needed in leadership and public service.

When she’s not working or training, Holly enjoys traveling, skiing, petting any dog she sees, and spending time with family and friends.

Join us in celebrating Holly’s accomplishments and cheering her on as she takes on 52.4 miles in just over a week — all for a purpose bigger than herself!

03/07/2026

Today's member spotlight is the customer oriented Trevor Yantz!

Trevor Yantz is a Commercial Banking professional driven by a strong desire to build high quality financial relationships across the Western New York region. He enjoys working with privately held businesses and nonprofits to help them achieve their financial goals and overcome the challenges that their industries face. He currently works as an Assistant Vice President, Commercial C&I Portfolio Manager at Five Star Bank, where he plays a key role in assisting the bank and its clients by constantly working to improve workflow procedures, and collaborating with external and internal partners to optimize business relationships. Trevor continues to focus on constantly improving and driving the best results for all clients across the bank’s wide reach.

Trevor received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from The University of Buffalo, where he received a dual concentration in Marketing and Operations to achieve a well-rounded academic background. Trevor eagerly follows a path of continuing education and development. He has continued his studying by taking classes and programs through organizations such as American Bankers Association and Shockproof training. This has allowed him to better be prepared for every changing challenges in the business world. In addition, using the diversity of his educational background has allowed him to use a variety of different tactics and viewpoints to better assist the commercial customers within his portfolio.

He began his finance career in personal lending, developing a sharp credit mind while simultaneously assisting individuals in the community that he has been a part of his whole life. Giving back to the community is also a strong pillar of Five Star and Trevor has begun to be involved with several charities in the Western New York region and is looking forward to continuing to give back and support the community. He brings those ideals to his employment, and to support the businesses, clients, and nonprofit organizations in the Western New York region.

Outside his professional life, Trevor enjoys both playing and watching sports, going on hikes and walks with his wife and two dogs, and trying new things in the kitchen.

Join us in congratulating Trevor on today's well deserved member spotlight and we encourage you to connect with him!