Participant Benefits
- Increased understanding of the critical issues and opportunities affecting the region
- New network of participants who come from different backgrounds and diverse interests
- Access to top leadership in the region
- Inspiration to address community challenges & produce change
- Strengthened leadership skills
“The past eight months have been one of the most educating experiences of my life. The exposure to not-for-profits and the education arenas was, to me, very humbling as well as educational. Meeting new people, participating in many experiences and gaining understanding of our community has in this short time positively changed my life and view of Tech Valley. I recommend participation in the program highly. At the inception of the opening retreat I met my new classmates. Over the course of the program we have evolved into good friends and in my opinion for many years to come.”
: : Joe Volpe | Einhorn Yaffee Prescott, Architecture & Engineering
“Being a part of the Leadership Tech Valley Class of 2008 has deepened my appreciation for the men and women of Tech Valley. From the industry, education and research and service sector leaders whom we visited to our own 2008 classmates, I was able to see that those who live and work in our region are hard- working, creative, caring and giving people. I believe the ties that have been forged over the past year will last a lifetime and benefit me personally and professionally.”
: : Harris Oberlander | Trinity Institution-Homer Perkins Center, Inc.
Employer Benefits
- Informed employees with enhanced business opportunities via broadened exposure and networking
- Awareness and appreciate of diversity in the workplace
- Camaraderie with community leaders
- Access to decision-making circles
“I strongly encourage employers to include the Leadership Tech Valley program as a core curriculum for their future business leaders.”
: : Hope DeRocha, PHR | Austin & Co., Inc.
“The Leadership Tech Valley program has opened my eyes to a multitude of things. I have come to realize that on a daily basis we are surrounded by extraordinary people and organizations doing extraordinary things for our community. The program has also provided me with so many experiences that I truly believe I would never have had the opportunity to be involved in had it not been for this program. It has offered me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, ultimately making me a better and more well rounded individual. Throughout the course of the program, I spotted those leadership skills within myself that I needed to improve upon and it also made me recognize those leadership skills that I already possessed.”
: : Nicole Helmer | Gordon, Tepper & DeCoursey
Community Benefits
- Informed and enlightened citizens
- A talent pool of trained leaders who can be called upon for collaborative decision making
- Citizens who are motivated to make a difference
“Leadership Tech Valley has not only given me a renewed outlook of the community in which I live and work, but also the bright and talented people who are doing great things within it.”
: : Courtney L. Haydock | M&T Bank
“Leadership Tech Valley has given me deeper access to regional issues, institutions and individuals, plus an even greater appreciation for where I live and work.”
: : James J. Salengo | Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation