Talk CNY

Today's guests of Talk CNY presented by NBT Bank is Dr. Juhanna Rogers, CenterState CEO’s Senior Vice President of Racial Equity and Social Impact

Dr. Rogers joins us to talk about why and how companies are investing in diversity, equity and inclusion. She will share her perspective on the benefits to companies who are doing this work, and the risks associated with not making this investment. 

Juhanna Rogers, Ph.D. is a member of CenterState CEO’s Corporate Leadership Team and serves as senior vice president of Racial and Equity and Social Impact. In this role, she develops and deploys diversity, equity and inclusion strategies that achieve more equitable outcomes both internally and across the organization’s portfolios of work, including helping members and institutions establish strategic action-oriented plans that drive inclusive change in their respective workplaces.

Previously, she served as vice president of Racial Equity and Social Impact, and also director of community engagement and empowerment, developing engagement strategies to drive change in Syracuse, New York. Before working at CenterState CEO, Dr. Rogers was the director for Health Services at Syracuse Community Connections. She also has a background in higher education. 

Dr. Rogers earned her undergraduate degree in integrative arts from Penn State University-Altoona, and a Master of Science from Indiana University in higher education and student affairs. She and seven other colleagues made history at Indiana University as the largest group of Black women to graduate simultaneously in the School of Education. This group of women, deemed “The Great Eight,” gained national attention and were selected as honorees for the 2016 Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 list. 

Dr. Rogers is a motivational speaker, commentator, artist and activist committed to social justice, education and the arts. As a critical race scholar, she builds platforms for critical conversations on race, justice and equity. Dr. Rogers has worked nationally and internationally to help address equity in higher education, exploring ways through which underrepresented populations can improve their lives and communities. She is also the creator of Behind the Woman, a WCNY television production that shares personal stories from diverse women leaders to empower other woman to pursue their goals and dreams.

Learn more about CenterState CEO’s RESI work.

Connect with Dr. Rogers on | LinkedIn | 

- CONNECT -

CenterState CEO: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

Cohost- Kate Hammer: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |

Cohost- Andrew Fish: LinkedIn | 

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Produced with 32One Media or Kate Hammer Consulting LLC | Read the Transcript

Today's guests of Talk CNY presented by NBT Bank is Melanie Littlejohn, Vice President of Customer & Community Engagement for National Grid-New York.

Melanie Littlejohn joins us to talk about the importance of companies investing in and do the real work associated with diversity, equity and inclusion. She will share how National Grid is benefitting from their investment and why she believes the Central New York Business Community should lead these efforts to create a more welcoming community.

As vice president of Customer & Community Engagement for National Grid-New York, Melanie leads a team responsible for engaging with customers and key community leaders and policy makers across New York State. She is focused on the delivery of safe, reliable and affordable energy to the 4 million customers and 800 plus communities, while advancing National Grid’s net zero solutions, while leaving no one behind.

Melanie is also responsible for the design and delivery of the Company’s corporate social responsibility effort called Project C.  The focus is to inspire positive change across New York communities. Through partnerships and collaborations, she is leading the charge to create a more equitable future for every customer, in every community that National grid serves. started Project C to inspire positive change across our New York communities. 

Prior to 2017 when Melanie was named to her current position, she served as Director of Customer & Community Management in Upstate New York. Melanie joined the company (then Niagara Mohawk) in April of 1994 as the Director of Inclusion & Diversity-US Operations.  

A thought-leader and visionary, Melanie is an active member of chambers of commerce, boards, and community organizations where she represents emerging industry trends and energy policy to ‘bring energy to life’ for customers. Melanie currently serves as Board Trustee and Vice Chair of Onondaga County Community College.  She is also on the Board of Directors for CenterState CEO, SUNY Morrisville Business School and Path Finder’s Bank.

Melanie has also received numerous awards such as the 2022-Yva Jourdan Foundation- Women of Prestige; 2019 Wisdom Keeper, 2014 Partners for Education and Business-Business Leaders Award, the 2012 House of Providence Humanitarian Award, the Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women in Business award in 2011, the 2011 Leadership Greater Syracuse Distinguished Community Leader Award, 2011 Community Wide Dialogue Racial Justice Award, 2010 NAACP Freedom Award, and CNY 40 Below.

Melanie obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. 

Learn more about National Grid.

Connect with Melanie Littlejohn on | LinkedIn

- CONNECT -

CenterState CEO: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

Cohost- Kate Hammer: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Cohost- Andrew Fish: LinkedIn

Produced with 32One Media or Kate Hammer Consulting LLC | Transcript

“Quarterly Market Insights: A Special Talk CNY Series”

Today's guest of Talk CNY - Quarterly Market Insights presented by NBT Bank is Ken Entenmann, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Economist for NBT Bank.

Ken joins us today to share what's happening in the markets and how it impacts you. He will focus on the first quarter of 2023 regarding the conflicting messages we're getting from the markets and what individuals and businesses should know.

Kenneth J. Entenmann is Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer & Chief Economist at NBT Wealth Management. Ken has over 33 years of investment experience. Prior to joining NBT Bank, he served as Director of Investment Management at Alliance Bank.

In his current role, he oversees more than $6 billion in assets under management and administration in Trust, Custody, Retirement, Institutional and Individual accounts.

Entenmann graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor's degree in Applied Economics and Business Management. He also graduated from William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester with an MBA. He has also earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Ken is a former Board member of the New York Bankers Association and was the Chair of the Trust and Investment Committee. He has served on the board of the Central New York Community Foundation from 2006-2012. He currently serves on the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse's Investment Advisory Committee.

• Learn more about CenterState CEO.
• Connect with Ken Entenmann on | LinkedIn 

- CONNECT -

• CenterState CEO: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
• NBT Bank: Website |Instagram  |  Facebook  | YouTube | LinkedIn
• Cohost- Kate Hammer: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |
• Cohost- Andrew Fish: LinkedIn | 
• Ken Entenmann: LinkedIn 

Produced with 32One Media or Kate Hammer Consulting LLC | Read the Transcript

“Digital Commerce: Adding a New Revenue Steam to Your Service Based Business”

Today's guest of Talk CNY - Expert Mini Series presented by NBT Bank is Christina Scalera, National Expert in Digital Commerce and Founder of The Contract Shop® & D-Commerce™

Christina Scalera joins this episode of Talk CNY to share her knowledge of digital commerce and the importance of adding this new stream of revenue to your business. 

Christina Scalera built an award winning, record-breaking 7-figure Shopify empire with The Contract Shop® by turning her legal services into digitally downloadable contract templates. Based out of the Northwest corner of the States, she now teaches service based business owners of all types (photographers, calligraphers, wedding planners, etc.) to turn their services into bestselling, passive digital download products sold through an online storefront. She's dubbed this "D-Commerce®" selling. Christina has been featured as an industry expert in Entrepreneur, Goal Digger, Being Boss, Don't Keep Your Day Job and Creative Live.

• Learn more about CenterState CEO.
• Connect with Christina Scalera on | LinkedIn 

- CONNECT -

• CenterState CEO: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
• The Contract Shop: Website |Instagram  |  Facebook  | YouTube | 
• Cohost- Kate Hammer: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |
• Cohost- Andrew Fish: LinkedIn | 
• Christina Scalera: LinkedIn | TikTok  | YouTube | 

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Produced with 32One Media or Kate Hammer Consulting LLC | Read the Transcript

“How To Tell Your Story: Making Your Offer Clear”

Today's guest of Talk CNY - Expert Mini Series presented by NBT Bank is Damian Vallelonga, Brand Strategist & Web Designer for Switchstance Marketing.

Damian Vallelonga joins us today to share some of his expertise on how to tell the best story for your audience and how to be precise in exactly what you’re offering. 

Damian Vallelonga is a Web Designer and Brand+Content Strategist. He builds websites and develops marketing language for small businesses that say the things their customers want to hear.

• Learn more about CenterState CEO.
• Connect with Damian Vallelonga on | LinkedIn 

- CONNECT -

• CenterState CEO: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
•  Switchstance Marketing: Website  |  Facebook |LinkedIn | 
• Cohost- Kate Hammer: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |
• Cohost- Andrew Fish: LinkedIn | 
• Damian Vallelonga: LinkedIn 

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Produced with 32One Media or Kate Hammer Consulting LLC | Read the Transcript

“Leveraging Technology for Best Practices in Accounting”

Today's guest of Talk CNY - Expert Mini Series presented by NBT Bank is Matt Gardner, CPA and Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of hiline. 

Matt Gardner is passionate about technology and accounting. On this episode of talk CNY he joins us to share his insights on how to embrace technology, along with its many changes, to make accounting awesome for you and your business.

Gardner is the father of the two coolest kids around. Lucky husband. Entrepreneur. Investor. Business builder. Golf-head. Music lover. CPA on a mission to blow-up old-school perceptions of the accounting profession. Breaking the conventional and reimagining a more meaningful and fruitful career path for aspiring accountants. Obsessed with the customer experience and helping SMB founders/owners make better investment decisions around the finance function in their businesses.

• Learn more about CenterState CEO.
• Connect with Matt Gardner on | LinkedIn 

- CONNECT -

• CenterState CEO: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
• hiline: Website |Instagram  |  Facebook |LinkedIn | 
• Cohost- Kate Hammer: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |
• Cohost- Andrew Fish: LinkedIn | 
• Matt Gardner: LinkedIn 

Produced with 32One Media or Kate Hammer Consulting LLC | Read the Transcript

“How to Handle Burnout: Prevention & Management”

Today's guest of Talk CNY - Expert Mini Series presented by NBT Bank is Colleen Blake-Miller, National Expert in Mental Wellness; Registered Psychotherapist & Keynote Speaker.

Blake-Miller joins us today to discuss burnout, what it is, how to recognize it in yourself and colleagues, and how to manage and prevent it from happening. 

As a registered psychotherapist and speaker, Blake-Miller has worked diligently, for more than a decade, supporting hundreds in achieving health, wellness, and personal growth. She couples her dynamic speaking style with her clinical expertise in such areas as identity, worth, depression, and trauma in order to support healing and growth in the lives of the women and men she works in her community. Blake-Miller is committed to helping individuals uncover the emotional and psychological hurdles that hinder their forward progression and impede their achievement of high-level success.

In addition to being in private practice, she works within the community through workshops, special projects and community initiatives.  She has served for over 16 years supporting individuals and families in need.

Blake-Miller is a mother of 3 boys, and a little girl, who appreciates time alone with her husband, watching movies and eating salt and pepper wings. She also enjoys laughing, making others laugh, and working with her hands on DIY projects at home.

• Learn more about CenterState CEO.
• Connect with Colleen Blake-Miller on | LinkedIn 

- CONNECT -

• CenterState CEO: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
• Colleen Blake-Miller: Website |Instagram  |  Facebook |LinkedIn | Twitter |  TikTok
• Cohost- Kate Hammer: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |
• Cohost- Andrew Fish: LinkedIn | 
• Colleen Blake-Miller: LinkedIn 

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Produced with 32One Media or Kate Hammer Consulting LLC | Read the Transcript

“Leaning In To Leadership Opportunities”

Today's guest of Talk CNY - Expert Mini Series presented by NBT Bank is Gwen Webber-McCleod, President & CEO, Leadership Consultant, Gwen Inc. and member of CenterState CEO's board of directors.  

Webber-McCleod joins us to share leadership insights and the importance of focus, mentors, and remembering that “leadership is not a job to do alone”. 

Webber-McCleod’s belief is reflected in the mission, vision values and beliefs that create the strategic framework of Gwen, Inc. a company solely devoted to supporting mid level to executive level leaders on the leadership journey.

During her 30-year leadership career, Webber-McCleod noticed a pattern among emerging and established leaders who quietly floundered while attempting to achieve business goals, often arriving at their positions as a result of technical ability or longevity, rather than their capacity to lead and manage teams. Their technical skills did not extend to strategic relationship building necessary to motivate, mobilize, and inspire employees. Webber-McCleod found leaders were not intentional about developing their own skills and were experiencing feelings of inadequacy, finding themselves at a loss where to turn for help.

Through The Leadership Connection®: A Resource Centered on Great Leadership, a division of Gwen Inc., the company provides leadership education, professional consulting and facilitation, mentoring/coaching, and technical assistance in organizations, businesses, and public venues whose leaders are working to achieve their potential.

She is also the founder of You Can’t Fail Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides strategically designed multicultural leadership development experiences for emerging and established women leaders. These experiences explore and place emphasis on the unique leadership journey of professional women of color and those who support them.

• Learn more about CenterState CEO.
• Connect with Gwen Webber-McCleod on | LinkedIn 

- CONNECT -

• CenterState CEO: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
• Gwen Inc: Website | Facebook|  LinkedIn | Twitter
• Cohost- Kate Hammer: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |
• Cohost- Andrew Fish: LinkedIn | 
• Gwen Webber-McCleod: LinkedIn 

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Produced with 32One Media or Kate Hammer Consulting LLC | Read the Transcrip

“More Than a Mission Statement: How to Create a Lasting Culture of Secure and Productive Employees”

Today's guest of Talk CNY - Expert Mini Series presented by NBT Bank is Todd Henry, National Expert in Business Leadership, Founder of Accidental Creative, and 6 times Published Author.

Todd joins us today to touch on some differences between managing and leading and how you can use those differences to create a welcoming culture of creativity to inspire and retain your employees. 

Positioning himself as an “arms dealer for the creative revolution”, Todd Henry teaches leaders and organizations how to establish practices that lead to everyday brilliance. He is the author of six books (The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder Than Words, Herding Tigers, The Motivation Code, Daily Creative) which have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks and consults across dozens of industries on creativity, leadership, and passion for work. With more than fifteen million downloads, his podcast The Accidental Creative offers weekly tips for how to stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy. His latest book, Daily Creative, offers daily sparks of inspiration and practical advice for creative pros.

• Learn more about CenterState CEO.
• Connect with Todd Henry on | LinkedIn |Instagram |Facebook |Twitter |

- CONNECT -

• CenterState CEO: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
• Todd Henry: Website | Facebook|  Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
• Cohost- Kate Hammer: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |
• Cohost- Andrew Fish: LinkedIn | 
• Todd Henry LinkedIn 

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Produced with 32One Media or Kate Hammer Consulting LLC | Read the Transcript

“Growing Your Talent Pool: Tips on Attracting Stronger Candidates”
Today's guest of Talk CNY - Expert Mini Series presented by NBT Bank is Susan Crossett, the chief executive officer of CPS Recruitment, and treasurer of CenterState CEO's board of directors.  

Finding skilled workers and attracting talent to fill open positions at all levels is a challenge faced by many Central New York companies. So, this month we’ll take a closer look at what business and community leaders are doing to address the talent challenge.  Through this episode we’ll explore what companies are doing to attract and retain talent with our guest Susan Crossett, the chief executive officer of CPS Recruitment, and treasurer of CenterState CEO's board of directors. 

Susan’s career started like many young women with a retail job at the local mall.  After college she was hired as a recruiter for a staffing firm. Today she is the sole stockholder and CEO of CPS Recruitment.  CPS Recruitment delivers customized recruiting solutions and staffing services to businesses throughout the Northeast in the fields of engineering, information technology, supply chain, sales & marketing, accounting and finance, administrative, manufacturing, customer service, and healthcare.

Always civic minded, Crossett serves as treasurer of CenterState CEO. She also served its predecessor, the Metropolitan Development Association as the first woman to chair the organization. Crossett is chairman of the board of Nascentia Health, serves on the executive leadership team of Go Red for Women, and is a member of Circle of Red for the American Heart Association. Crossett served the United Way of Central New York as Community Chair for the 2010-11 campaign and as a member of the resource development committee. Currently she is a member of Women United. In addition to a BA and MPA from Syracuse University she has completed executive education programs at The Wharton School.

• Learn more about CenterState CEO.
• Connect with Susan Crossett on | LinkedIn | 

- CONNECT -

• CenterState CEO: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
• CPS Recruitment: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
• Cohost- Kate Hammer: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |
• Cohost- Andrew Fish: LinkedIn | 
• Susan Crossett LinkedIn 

Produced with 32One Media or Kate Hammer Consulting LLC | Read the Transcript