Center for Leadership Excellence at MVCC

24/10/2025

Feeling Good Friday... featuring our star alumni, past and present, at the Young Professionals Exchange in Rome!

Nothing makes us happier than seeing LMV grads (and current class members) out in the world making moves and staying connected to their roots.

Featuring nine superstars in the community toasting to a bright future alongside fellow leaders and friends of RYPE, including...

⭐️Eddie Barone (Class of 2019)
⭐️Travis Rabbers (Class of 2025)
⭐️Joseph Abraham (Class of 2025)
⭐️Paige Nashton (Class of 2025)
⭐️Morgan Deschamps (Class of 2025)
⭐️ Tim Kroecker (Class of 2026)
⭐️ Erica Spado (Class of 2026)
⭐️Adrienne Smith Levatino (Class of 2026)
⭐️Stephanie Davis - Clark (Class of 2026)

It’s moments like these that remind us… LMV isn’t just a program. Together, we're a community that grows, leads, and lifts each other up.

Tag an LMV grad who’s out there doing amazing things, and share their story with us! 👇

16/10/2025

Thankful Thursday has us feeling extra grateful for an incredible Human Services Day yesterday!

From start to finish, the day was filled with inspiration, gratitude, and countless examples of modeling the way. A huge thank you to our gracious hosts and Fuel the Fire sponsors at Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN) and to the powerful lineup of speakers who made the day unforgettable.

⭐️ We learned the secret sauce of ICAN and what makes their culture shine with Jeremy Butler.
🖼️ We toured the vibrant Utica Children's Museum with Meghan Fraser McGrogan.
🎤 We laughed and reflected on the importance of having difficult conversations with Anthony Lapolla from Empower Business Strategies.
💚 And we felt our hearts pull to serve after hearing stories from Wendy Goatz from the Utica Rescue Mission.

For the first time in CLE history, LMV brought a community give-back idea to life on this special Human Services Day, turning what we heard and learned into action through hands-on volunteering at the Utica Rescue Mission.

It was a beautiful reminder that leadership is about showing up, rolling up your sleeves, and making an impact together.

To our speakers, sponsors, cohort, and this incredible community ...thank you for making Human Services Day a success and for leading with heart.

03/10/2025

Feeling Good on Friday, and shouting out our partners and TWO LMV alumni stars... ⭐️Eddie Barone and ⭐️Katie Ullman!

Both (and many) of our First Source Federal Credit Union graduates are doing outstanding things across the Mohawk Valley. Check out what’s happening this weekend on Saturday, October 5th.

Eddie and Katie are leading with heart and making moves you won’t want to miss! Check it out by viewing the video below.

Do you know a graduate making waves in our community?
Send their story to our Executive Director, Alyssa Sacco Waters, at [email protected] for a chance to be featured in a future Feeling Good on Friday post! 💚

01/10/2025

Wait… It’s Already Wednesday?! 🤷🏼‍♀️

That means we’re just days away from the FIFTH module in our six-part Board Leadership Series! Join us Tuesday, October 7th, as we dive into Strategic Communication with our partners at NYCON.

📆 Tuesday, October 7th
⏰ 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
💲 $60
💻 Virtual!

Only one more session left after this, don’t miss the chance to strengthen your board leadership journey!

Contact Alyssa Sacco Waters at [email protected] to register.

24/09/2025

Wait… It’s already Wednesday?
One week since LMV kicked off, and we're feeling OVERWHELMED with gratitude!

Grateful for (long list!)
⭐️ Daneli Partners, David Casullo, and their incredible team, including Kayla Rockwell for hosting Opening Retreat Day One and serving as our "Fuel the Fire" sponsor (5-star meal from the Cafe at StoneMill Inn.)
☀️Katie Drake and Paul Muench for bringing dynamic energy to the morning session.
Alicia Dicks for inspiring the next generation of leaders and sharing her passion for the Mohawk Valley.
🔥Greg Mattacola, Esq., CFP®, ABFP® for his dedication to CLE as a board member, by graciously sponsoring lunch and being our "Fuel the Fire" sponsor on Day Two..
🐎 The Root Farm for their incredible hospitality and support year after year.
🏦 First Source Federal Credit Union for donating our class binders the second year in a row.
🍻 Grow Brewery and ALL of our supporters and donors, who helped us finish MV Gives with a record year.
👍🏻 The 37 incredible individuals who began this journey with open hearts, a promise to leave preconceived notions at the door, and a genuine appreciation for our community, CLE, and each other.
👏🏻 And last but not least...our board and alumni for making this possible and sharing how LMV has shaped them, especially Melissa Mann, Sandy Sherman, Austen Johnson, and Romesh Amarasinghe for kicking off cohort 2026 alongside our Executive Director.

Here’s to a powerful year of connection, growth, and leadership. Take a peek at some behind-the-scenes photos of the exciting start of the LMV Class of 2026!

22/09/2025

🌟 Monday Morning Moves featuring YOU! 🌟

We’re starting this week with gratitude! Thanks to our incredible community, our selfless donors, and the generosity of the UpMobility Foundation and The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, CLE raised nearly $9,000 during MV Gives 2025!

That’s an increase of more than $5,400 from last year’s total.

Your support helps us continue to impact the future of leadership development in the Mohawk Valley... and we couldn’t do it without you. 💙

19/09/2025

Feeling Good Friday ✨ TODAY'S THE DAY! Day!

Today is all about generosity, community, and the leaders who keep Mohawk Valley thriving.

Check out Katie Ullman's reason why CLE is for ME.
A true star advocate of CLE, LMV, and our community, Katie lives and breathes the Mohawk Valley through her work at First Source Federal Credit Union to support local families, strengthen community partnerships, and inspire new leaders. Katie’s passion and commitment remind us why every gift to CLE matters.

💚 Double your impact...matching dollars are active today!
https://www.givemv.org/organizations/center-for-leadership-excellence

18/09/2025

Thankful it’s THURSDAY! Help us brew it forward tonight from 5:30 - 7:30 at GROW. Remember, your support stretches further. Every dollar is DOUBLED!

Feeling Good on Friday… and for GOOD Reason! 🎉

Monday starts the biggest week in CLE history:
✨ The LMV Class of 2026 kicks off Opening Retreat.
🍻 Join CLE Alumni and Board Members at Grow Brewery on Thursday to "Brew It Forward."
💙 Officially MV Gives Week! Help support CLE and the future of our programming by donating. Remember, your gift to CLE is MATCHED thanks to the Upmobility Foundation and The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

➡http://bit.ly/3IhPpzC

Stay tuned for photos, updates, and stories to see why LMV alumni proudly say “CLE is for ME” and join their impact by donating. So raise a glass, brew it forward, and help us grow the next generation of Mohawk Valley leaders. 🌟🍻

17/09/2025

Wait… It's ALREADY Wednesday!?

Today, we spotlight Sarah Lam, a CLE board member and unstoppable advocate for Mohawk Valley Community College, our community, and more organizations than we can even list!

Join Sarah in fueling that impact. Your gift during MV Gives is matched, DOUBLING your power to help the next generation of Mohawk Valley leaders.

Donate today! https://www.givemv.org/organizations/center-for-leadership-excellence

16/09/2025

Terrific Tuesday is here… and so is your chance to DOUBLE your impact! 🌟

Morgan Deschamps, LMV Class of 2025 and shining star of AmeriCU Credit Union, shares why "CLE is for ME!"

Every dollar you GIVE today is matched thanks to UpMobility and The Community Foundation.

💚 Join Morgan and many others in supporting leadership growth and community impact.

👉 Donate now! https://www.givemv.org/organizations/center-for-leadership-excellence

15/09/2025

Monday Morning Moves Featuring Day ONE of ! 🎉

Hear from recent LMV graduate Heather Elias, Owner of Utica Coffee Roasting Company, as she shares how LMV strengthened her leadership and amplified her voice in the Mohawk Valley. ☕️

CLE is fueled by Utica Coffee, and Heather’s spark for community impact brewed even stronger after graduating from LMV!

Join us in making a difference...your gift fuels LMV and programs that develop the next generation of local leaders!

**Remember, your contribution is MATCHED, thanks to the generosity of The Community Foundation and Upmobility.

➡️ Donate HERE | https://www.givemv.org/organizations/center-for-leadership-excellence