The Western NY Tech Hub: How You Can Engage

The NY SMART I-Corridor, a regional tech hub spanning Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Ithaca, is building America’s semiconductor future in Upstate New York by aligning workforce development, supply chain activation, and innovation to drive regional impact. Speakers from across the corridor, including Syracuse and Buffalo as well as Rochester, will share updates on progress, early outcomes, and opportunities for engagement.

Come hear about exciting developments that promise a stronger economic future for Upstate New York, and learn how local businesses can engage.

The presenters

• Innovation / Leadership / Governance Office, Shannon Ealy, Vice President of Innovation, OneROC

• Commercialization and Collaboration Center (C3), Yoanna Ferrara, Director for Technology Innovation, Syracuse University

• Supply Chain Activation Network (SCAN), Jennifer Flagg, Director, University at Buffalo Center for Supply Chain Analytics

• Semiconductor Talent and Employer Partnership Upstate New York (STEP UP), Jim Gertner, Project Manager, Monroe Community College Economic & Workforce Development Center

About the speakers

Shannon Ealy serves as Deputy Regional Innovation Officer for the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub, supporting coordination across Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse to advance semiconductor supply chain development, workforce initiatives, and cross-sector collaboration. She is Vice President of Innovation at OneROC and brings more than a decade of experience in economic development, communications, and partnership-building at Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.  Shannon holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Syracuse University Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Yoanna Ferrara leads operations of the Commercialization and Collaboration Center (C3) in the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub. She brings 18 years of experience promoting engineering research and advancing university partnerships with industry and public-serving organizations. She served in research development and corporate relations roles at the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University and directed the research administration service center at Cornell Engineering. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Cornell University.

Jennifer Flagg is director of the University at Buffalo Center for Supply Chain Analytics where she leads the Supply Chain Activation Network (SCAN) component of the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub. Jennifer holds an executive MBA from the University at Buffalo and has led numerous industry-supported and grant-funded research, development and service initiatives related to supply chain growth, workforce training, technology commercialization and environmental stewardship. She is committed to bridging industry and education to create lasting economic and social impact.

Jim Gertner currently leads the collaborative efforts of the Semiconductor Talent and Employer Partnership Upstate New York (STEP UP) component in the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub and its work in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Ithaca. He retired in January 2025 as Director, Workforce Projects and Operations at MCC's Corporate College after 13 years.  Jim brings more than 25 years of training and workforce education leadership experience in both corporate and public education organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communications from St. Bonaventure University.

JOIN US FOR THIS FREE WEBINAR

Date: Wednesday, March 11

Time:  12:00 - 1:00 pm EST

Location:  On-line, via Zoom

Cost:  Free to GRQC members and non-members

Registration:  Click below to register.  

Can’t make it live but interested in the content?  Register anyway: all registered attendees get a link to the recording after the session!

If you require special accommodation, please let us know by March 2.

Please direct questions to events@grqc.org.

Greater Rochester Quality Council events, programs and initiatives are supported in part by the Greater Rochester Chamber Foundation.