The Regional Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics or STEAM School welcomed its first class at the start of this school year. The new school is the first of its kind in the Central New York region and brings the historic Central Tech building back to life in downtown Syracuse.

It’s a major accomplishment, bringing together numerous partners across private, public and nonprofit sectors, to create a school that will help us meet the moment and help more people access more of the area’s opportunity. On this episode of Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, STEAM School principal Dan Straub and Syracuse City School District’s Executive Director of Career and Technical Education Erin Noto join us to discuss how classes are going so far and how the school fits into the region’s growth.

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Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn

In this episode of Talk CNY: Leadership Lessons, presented by NBT Bank, we sit down with Felisha Legette-Jack, Head Coach of Syracuse University’s Women’s Basketball Team. In just three seasons, Coach Jack has turned the Orange into one of the ACC’s top contenders, earning ACC Coach of the Year in 2024—the first Syracuse head coach, men’s or women’s, to ever receive that honor.

Beyond the wins, Coach Jack shares how her faith, family and life lessons drive her leadership, and how she empowers young athletes to chase—and surpass—their dreams. From navigating challenges to building mental toughness, her passion for helping people shines through.

Tune in to hear how she leads with purpose and creates lasting impact.

We are so close to opening the doors to CenterState’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub. This 90,000-square-foot facility will be the largest innovation hub of its kind in New York state and one of the top five largest in the entire country.

The resources and programs at INSPYRE are designed with founders in mind. Offerings range from state-of-the-art work spaces and a new maker space to funded accelerator programs, mentorship opportunities and much more.

Before the public is welcomed into this facility, we wanted to share a few INSPYRE essentials. The CenterState CEO team has been featured across season 3 of Talk CNY discussing different parts of the INSPYRE Innovation Hub, from its name to its significance to the region.

On this episode of Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, we’re going back into the season to get the answers to some INSPYRE questions.

This episode features clips from:

Season 3, Episode 3: Project and Partnerships Impacting CNY

Season 3, Episode 7: Building the Largest Entrepreneurship Hub in NY

Season 3, Episode 8: Inspiring Growth Through Innovation

Season 3, Episode 9: Celebrating and Supporting Small Business

Season 3, Episode 14: CenterState Leadership Team Takeover

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INSPYRE Innovation Hub Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn

It’s been just over a year since the New York SMART I-Corridor was named a federally funded Tech Hub. It’s the only Tech Hub focused on semiconductors in the country to receive federal dollars. When the award was first announced, we spoke with leaders from the convening organizations back when the Tech Hub was first announced to learn about its goals in creating a global semiconductor hub in upstate New York.

Now on this episode of Talk CNY presented by NBT Bank, we’re check back in on the Tech Hubs progress with those leaders: Dottie Gallagher, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Joe Stefko, President and CEO at OneROC and Ben Sio, acting president and CEO of CenterState CEO.

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Dottie Gallagher LinkedIn

Ben Sio LinkedIn

Joe Stefko LinkedIn

Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn

One of the ways that CenterState CEO is working towards its goal of creating a region where businesses thrive and all people can prosper is by supporting programs that help create greater access to in-demand careers in the community. The Bridge to Manufacturing Careers program is one such initiative. Thanks to the many community partners that have helped to make it possible, more than a dozen people are now pursuing a degree at Onondaga Community College that could help them to find a career in the region’s growing advanced manufacturing sector.

On this episode of Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, we are joined by CenterState's Director of Workforce Innovation Emilija Postolovska to talk about the program and its success so far.

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Emilija Postolovska LinkedIn

Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn

When Governor Kathy Hochul charged CenterState CEO with leading the One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships or ON-RAMP Syracuse planning process, one of the first things the team knew to do was look for an innovative, dedicated and experienced professional to lead this new organization.

They found her right here in Central New York. After conducting a national search, CenterState CEO appointed Dr. Carlene Lacey as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of ON-RAMP Syracuse.

On this episode of Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, Dr. Lacey joins us and shares a little bit about her professional journey and her hopes for ON-RAMP.

Learn more about ON-RAMP on our website. Find out how to get involved by contacting Dr. Lacey (clacey@centerstateceo.com).

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Dr. Carlene Lacey LinkedIn

Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn

This episode of Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, is a bit different. We’re passing the host mic to the CenterState CEO corporate leadership team for this episode, recorded at the Redhouse Arts Center in downtown Syracuse.

With CenterState CEO President Rob Simpson on sabbatical, the Corporate Leadership Team is taking charge of all the projects this organization currently has underway, from the INSPYRE innovation hub and new ON-RAMP site, to office renovations and staff development.

This episode is hosted by CenterState CEO’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Elle Hanna, she is joined by Acting President and CEO Ben Sio, Interim Senior Vice President of Strategy, Policy and Planning Kevin Schwab, Senior Vice President of Inclusive Growth Honora Spillane, Senior Vice President of Member and Business Experience Andrew Fish, Senior Vice President of Racial Equity and Social Impact Dr. Juhanna Rodgers and Senior Vice President of Administration and Human Capital Andrea Hahn.

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CenterState CEO Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Ben Sio LinkedIn

Kevin Schwab LinkedIn

Dr. Juhanna Rodgers LinkedIn

Honora Spillane LinkedIn

Andrea Hahn LinkedIn

Andrew Fish LinkedIn

Elle Hanna LinkedIn

Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn

In this episode of Talk CNY, presented by NBT Bank, host Katie Zilcosky sits down with David Kavney, President of Central New York and Pennsylvania at NBT Bank. From supporting major economic developments to helping CNY leaders tackle the housing crisis, Kavney shares how NBT Bank is strategically aligning its services to drive innovation and regional impact.

Tune in to this episode to learn more about NBT Bank’s expansion into new markets and how they are well-positioned for emerging opportunities.

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CenterState CEO Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

NBT Bank LinkedIn

Host: Katie Zilcosky LinkedIn