Meet the team
Lindsay Ward
Regional Director |
Ward brings over 20 years of combined experience in the non-profit, private, and government sectors to her new role, where she facilitates the success of small businesses in the Greater Rochester area and surrounding counties. She has executive leadership experience serving on multiple boards, including the American Speech and Hearing Association Governmental Affairs and Public Policy Board, and the Creative Environment Children’s Learning Center Board. Ward is an alumnus of the Masters of Public Administration program at SUNY Brockport and earned a Master of Arts from SUNY Plattsburgh.
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Chloe Anderson
Business Advisor |
Anderson obtained a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport College. While there, she studied abroad in Ghana, West Africa. She holds Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Rochester Institute of Technology. Chloe has been an entrepreneur for over a decade. She currently has a wellness center inside of the Women of Color New York, which is in the City of Rochester. Women of Color New York is a collaboration of 10 Women & Black Owned Businesses under one umbrella. Her suite offers herbal consultations, yoni steams, and the primary focus is Doula services. On the shelves of the retail section, she offers a whipped shea body butter for your skin, and other all-natural products. She has been a client of SBDC. Now, her experience in building clientele, customer service, developing products, obtaining, and managing funding, community networking, and pursuing her purpose; is benefiting other clients of SBDC. Chloe looks forward to helping elevating people’s life prospects by coaching, referring, researching, facilitating, and encouraging so they can envision then accomplish successful entrepreneurship.
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Leslie Arengi
Administrative Assistant |
Arengi has worked at various types of businesses over the years. Mainly in accounts payable, receptionist, and teller positions. Where she learned attention to detail, communication and strong organizational skills. Joining the SUNY Brockport Small Business Development Center in 2017, she is the initial contact with the client seeking business counseling with business advisors. Leslie supports the office staff and director on a day-to-day basis. Performs tasks to run the office smoothly. In her off time from the office, she enjoys gardening, baking, crafts, and camping.
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Gina Mangiamele
Certified Business Advisor |
Since 1992, Mangiamele has leveraged her background in accounting, finance, marketing, intellectual property and business development to assist over 1600 clients. As a certified business advisor, trainer, program developer and author, Gina has provided numerous one-on-one advisement sessions with clients, delivered webinars and in-person training workshops. Beyond her work with entrepreneurs, Gina spends her free time playing cello and flute, making fiber art creations and being in her happy place; the travel camper.
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Kristine Rudgers
Business Advisor |
Rudgers joined the SBDC as a Small Business Advisor in April 2023. As a Small Business Advisor and NYSBDC Lender Relations Committee member, she helps educate and counsel small business customers on starting up their new business or expanding their existing business. Previously to joining the SBDC, Kristine worked in Retail Banking as a Senior Branch Manager for 10 years. Her work focused on the credit/lending, financial management and networking aspect with small business customers. In addition to her financial background, she assisted in operating a small family-owned business and understands the challenges many small business owners face. She has a strong passion for guiding business owners towards the path of success. Kristine holds a BA in Organizational Management from Roberts Wesleyan University, and held board positions at the Greece Chamber of Commerce and Spencerport Rotary. She currently lives in Hilton, NY with her husband and three children.
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Jaira Santiago Business Advisor |
Santiago is a Rochester native, proud Afro-Latina of Puerto Rican descendant, community volunteer, mother of three, and CEO of Beads & Bangles by Jaira. Her journey to jewelry making started as a child. She always loved working with her hands, as a child she made cakes and party favors. She was inspired to found Beads & Bangles by Jaira in 2001. Jaira creates exquisite handcrafted jewelry from beads which requires great attention to detail, patience, and passion. Jaira has mastered each of these components. Her diligence and excellence are apparent as Beads and Bangles by Jaira evolved from home based to brick and mortar within the first five years. This is no easy feat as 50 % of businesses fail within the first five years.
Jaira became a SBDC Advisor in 2023. She offers advice and encouragement to current and aspiring local entrepreneurs. Jaira is a successful business owner, dedicated mother, generous volunteer, and an inspiration to other Rochester women. Area of Interest and Specialization:
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Michelle Speach
Business Advisor |
Speach is dedicated to advancing entrepreneurial and small business efforts. Before the SBDC, she worked as a business and entrepreneurship educator teaching a variety of courses. Fostering experiential and practical learning, Speach received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching from Cayuga Community College. Speach is an Ice House Entrepreneurial Mindset Certified Facilitator and Direct Selling Education Foundation Teaching Ambassador. She has held positions at a privately held and family owned firm, nonprofit and government office. Speach earned an MBA from Columbia College and MSEd from the State University of New York at Oswego.
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Meet the Interns
SUNY Brockport's School of Business & Management and SBDC Brockport offer
students professional learning experiences through a collaborative internship program.
students professional learning experiences through a collaborative internship program.
Thomas Meal
Spring 2024 Intern Marketing Major |