Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce presented Nicole VanGorder with its second annual IGNITE Future Leader’s Award on September 30, during a virtual event. The IGNITE Award recognizes a young professional, 21 to 40 years old, for leadership, community service, and personal and professional achievements. The goal is to recognize and celebrate Rochester’s future leaders who serve as a positive influence in bettering our community.
VanGorder is Chief Operating Officer at Upstate Special Needs Planning, which she founded with her husband. USNP is a comprehensive financial planning group that specializes in working with families who are caring for an individual with developmental disabilities, mental health issues, or (TBI) Traumatic Brain Injury.
VanGorder has over 10 years of experience in financial services, including mentoring many young people in the industry. Her community involvement includes serving as vice chair for the Mental Health Association of Rochester, a member of the board of trustees for WXXI Public Media and the Little Theatre, secretary of the board of directors for the Villa of Hope, YMCA Ambassador, and chair of the membership committee for the Genesee Valley Club.
A selection committee consisting of a diverse group of professional leaders from the Rochester and Finger Lakes business community determined the finalists and recipient based upon submitted nominations. The full list of finalists is on the chamber’s website, https://greaterrochesterchamber.com/about-us/newsroom/news-releases.
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