Theme: Believe in Better

People throughout the world want a better life.. Life circumstances and a lack of skills cause too many people to fall short of their goals. We’re asking you to believe in them and we are showing them to how to believe in themselves – believe in their ability to achieve a better life and believe in the power of education to create a better community.

4585 West Seneca Turnpike
Syracuse, New York, 13215
United States

Caron Grossman

Nurse

Caron Grossman is a Registered Nurse, Certified Transitional Life Coach and Owner of Open Door Coaching. As a nurse, she has worked extensively with families, patients and health care providers in organ donation, critical care, health coaching and addiction. Somewhere along the way her path shifted into focusing on her early love of working with people in grief, end of life and other complex life transitions and living losses. Caron is an inspirational speaker who offers different perspectives on grief. Topics range from Self Care for Healthcare Providers when Experiencing Grief, Learning to Communicate with your Grief, Caregiver Burnout and more...She finds great joy in creating and holding space in both large and small Grief Workshops as well as a monthly grief support group at Fayetteville Public Library.

Deka Dancil

Teen Program Director for Boys and Girls Club

Deka Dancil is a civic-minde community organizer and Syracuse native. She is the Teen Program Director for Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse and is a core trainer with RiseUp social training and education. Deka also serves as the President of the Urban Jobs Task Force, a local 501(c)4 advocating for equal access to employment opportunities for city residents. She is most proud to be a mother.

Dr. Oleksandra Kutsenko

Doctor of Medicine and Political Advocacy Chair for Society of Interventional Radiology

Dr. Oleksandra Kutsenko is a Radiology resident, medical student instructor, and Clinical Quality Improvement Committee member at SUNY Upstate University Hospital. Dr. Kutsenko is a Political Advocacy Chair for the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) resident/fellow section. She serves at SIR Government Affairs Committee, Advocacy, Health Policy, and Economics Committee, Women in IR Committee, and Comparative Effectiveness Research Committee. In 2018, she participated in IR Grassroots Leadership Program advocating for minimally-invasive medicine in Congress and House of Representatives. Her clinical interests include cancer treatment, minimally-invasive trauma control, non-opioid pain management, and reproductive health. She conducted multiple interventional radiology research projects, received various IR conference scholarships, and served as an abstract reviewer for the Society of Interventional Radiology and the American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meetings.

Gary Williams

Healthcare

Gary Williams has focused his efforts through the past seven years in healthcare clinical operations. His roles ranged from clinical operations consulting to public health-based program development. Currently, he is the Director of Healthcare Quality Improvement of Molina Healthcare of New York, a managed care organization. Mr. Williams is a graduate of Le Moyne College, with a bachelors degree in political science. He also earned a masters degree in public administration, with a healthcare administration concentration from Long Island University

Lorna Oppedisano

Marketing & Development Coordinator for Museum of Science and Technology

Lorna Oppedisano has always loved stories. From growing up in Syracuse with weekly library trips to honing the craft as Syracuse Woman Magazine Managing Editor to recently joining the team at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) as Marketing & Development Coordinator, she’s devoted her life to sharing important stories. Along with storytelling, Lorna fundraises each year for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s CNY Chapter and is a member of its Tomorrow’s Leaders young professionals group. She also serves on the board of Father Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society and is a co-director of Salt City DISHES.

Madeline Kroner

Student

Madeline Kroner is a 17 year old junior at West Genesee High School. At 15, she began to suffer from debilitating pain; she was then diagnosed with Endometriosis. Although the disease has no cure, she has not let this stop her from living her life. Her education is her biggest passion, especially in the areas of linguistics, chemistry, and foreign affairs. Singing and acting have also filled up large portions of her time, as she has participated in numerous community productions and attended the governor’s school for theater this past summer. While receiving treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital, Madeline volunteers with the children at the community housing programs. Her advocacy work has flourished in the last year, with her most notable feats being as a guest speaker for the Endometriosis Conference through Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard University and blogger for YoungWomensHealth.org.

Matthew Honeywell

Works with individuals with developmental disabilities at the ARC of Onondaga

Matthew Honeywell is a Central New York native who thinks we need to start taking a proactive approach to addressing root causes. Matthew grew up in the foster care system and was adopted at the age of 11. Through his experience there, and after studying Human Services at Onondaga Community College, he has learned about gaps in services that are being provided to the community. He wants to raise awareness about foster care and the impact it has on an individual’s life. He currently works for ARC of Onondaga working with individuals with developmental disabilities. He is a Governor with the New York State Jaycees, an organization that has given him the opportunity to speak on this issue. He is a husband of 20 years and a father to two children. Having a family was something he always longed for, so for him this is his proudest accomplishment.

Matthew Moore

Health Coach

Matthew Moore is a health coach who collaborates with physicians and patients to bridge the gap between medicine and preventative wellness. As a child in the Catskill Mountains of NY, he grew up interested in the outdoors and fitness. Matthew later attended SUNY Cortland earning a B.S. in Exercise Science: Kinesiology. He has professional experiences ranging from recreation therapy in at risk communities, personal training, and as a strength & conditioning coaching for professional athletes. Additionally, he has authored research studies in the fields of Exercise Psychology, Fitness Development and Biomechanical Efficiency. Matthew has developed a new model of health coaching that integrates into health care and focuses on each individual patient’s needs with the intention of building wellness and self-efficacy for life.

Nadine Prince

Musician

Folksy vocals infuse lyrics overflowing with Americana every time she takes the stage. This Syracuse native with gypsy roots uses her voice and six strings to spin tales that captivate listeners. If you’re disappointed with her performance she’s willing to make it up to you by forcing you to look at puppy photos of her husky.