Rochester Professionals Under 40

08/02/2026

Black Owned Rochester nonprofit launches free summer meals for kids this Tuesday

This Tuesday, one of Rochester’s newest nonprofits will serve its very first meals because one local entrepreneur decided her community shouldn’t have to wait.

When school is out for the summer, thousands of Rochester children lose access to their most reliable meals. Keishecka Miller saw that need in her own neighborhood and took action by founding Nourish Rochester, a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit providing free summer meals for children under 18.

What makes this initiative special:
• 100% volunteer-powered
• Just $4.50 provides a meal for one child
• Launching in partnership with the Westside Farmers Market
• Fresh, healthy meals with no registration required

An even bigger milestone: Keishecka is leading this initiative just two weeks before graduating from Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, turning entrepreneurship into real community impact.

📍 Tuesday, August 4
🕒 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
📍 Westside Farmers Market
831 Genesee Street, Rochester, NY

🥗 Free meals for all children under 18. Just bring your family.

If you can’t attend, please share this post. It could help a Rochester family learn about a free meal program when they need it most.

Together, we build a stronger Rochester, one meal at a time.

07/25/2026

What happens when bold ideas meet opportunity?

Join us for an evening of innovation, inspiration, and entrepreneurship as seven local entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their businesses for a chance to win funding and accelerate their growth.

From food and wellness to youth development, events, and creative services, these entrepreneurs are building businesses that are making an impact in our community.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, investor, student, or simply enjoy supporting local talent, you'll leave inspired.

📅 Thursday, July 30
🕠 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 Connected Communities Neighborhood Hub: 616 N. Goodman Street

Admission is free, but registration is encouraged.
Reserve your seat today: bit.ly/ccbpc26

07/23/2026

Applications Are Open: Leadership Rochester Signature Class of 2027

Know someone who’s making a difference in the Greater Rochester community? Now is the time to encourage them to take the next step in their leadership journey.

Applications are now open for Leadership Rochester’s Signature Class of 2027, and nominations are still being accepted. If you or someone in your network is passionate about leading, serving, and creating positive impact across the Rochester region, this is an incredible opportunity to grow alongside other community leaders.

Apply or nominate a leader today: https://lnkd.in/g3FzzyNv

Tag someone who should apply!

Applications are open, 🙌 and nominations are still underway for Leadership Rochester’s Signature Class of 2027!

If you know someone in the Rochester area who is a dedicated and passionate leader in their field, encourage them to apply today, we have a few weeks left!

Click here 👇 to apply
https://lnkd.in/g3FzzyNv

07/23/2026

🎉 DONATIONS NEEDED | Help Make an Impact Across Rochester

Looking for a meaningful way to support women and girls in our community? The Legacy Gala is currently accepting auction item donations to help raise funds for programs that create lasting opportunities throughout the Greater Rochester area.

They’re looking for donations such as:
• Gift certificates
• Local experiences
• Professional services
• Products and gift baskets
• Travel packages
• Unique items and more

You can also sponsor a teen’s first gala experience, giving a young woman the opportunity to attend an inspiring evening, connect with community leaders, experience philanthropy firsthand, and see what’s possible for her future.

Whether you donate an auction item, sponsor a teen, or attend the event, every contribution makes a difference.

Learn more, purchase tickets, donate, or become a sponsor: https://womensfoundation.org/thelegacygala

DONATIONS NEEDED:

We are currently seeking donated auction items that will help us raise critical funds to support programs for women and girls throughout our community. Gift certificates, experiences, services, products, travel packages, and other special items are all welcome.

You can also sponsor a teen to attend her very first gala. Your support will give a young woman the opportunity to experience an elegant evening, meet community leaders, witness philanthropy in action, and see herself represented in rooms of influence.

Purchase your ticket, donate an auction item, or sponsor a teen today.

Learn more and support the Legacy Gala:
https://womensfoundation.org/thelegacygala

07/22/2026

Support a Local Student Research Project!

A student entrepreneur at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship is researching a key question for founders and small business owners:

How important are marketing and personal branding compared to challenges like finding clients and managing cash flow?

If you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, founder, or freelancer in the Rochester area, your perspective would be incredibly valuable.

✅ Anonymous responses
✅ Completely voluntary
⏱️ Takes just a few minutes

Please complete the survey today and share it with others in your network. Every response helps strengthen this research and better reflect the needs of Rochester’s entrepreneurial community.

Survey: https://forms.gle/rEeLn2XSoaXJSKQp9

Thank you for supporting student research and Rochester’s entrepreneurial ecosystem! 💙

07/18/2026

RYP is excited to partner with , , and Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) on a Personal Branding Workshop this fall.

We’re looking for speakers who can share practical insights on personal branding, networking, thought leadership, career growth, and more.

Event date: September 22
Event location: Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship
Speaker application deadline: July 31

Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eQA57Q7u

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!