Cultivate with Alex Canavan

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Kristin Thompson Henry , Community Impact Officer at Empower Federal Credit Union and Syracuse native dedicated to empowering her community from the ground up. Kristin shares her journey of championing financial literacy, building meaningful partnerships, and advocating for those often overlooked—all while staying rooted in her hom...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Valentino Indelicato , Syracuse University physics student who recently went viral as a Timothée Chalamet lookalike on Druski's "CouldaBeenRecords." Valentino shares how one spontaneous night transformed his trajectory, opening doors he never expected. He discusses balancing his physics studies, working at Pastabilities, and buildi...

In this special solo episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan takes listeners behind the scenes for an intimate year-in-review reflection as she prepares to step into 2026 with clarity and intention. Get the ⁠ 2026 Vision Guide ⁠ Alex also shares The High Performer's Framework for Intentional Decision-Making—a powerful five-part system she's used throughout 2025 to navigate leadership, business...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Dr. John Torrens , award-winning professor at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management, three-time Inc. 5000 entrepreneur, and co-founder of Sprout Therapy Group. John shares his journey from speech-language pathologist to scaling a company to hundreds of employees, getting diagnosed with ADHD in his 40s, and transfor...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Marya Burgio Wlos , Executive Vice President and CFO at Community Financial System , Inc. With nearly two decades in banking and finance—including senior roles at UBS, Citadel, and Bank of America—Marya is leading Community Financial System's historic $100+ million investment across Upstate New York, opening new headquarters an...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Michele Roesch , co-founder of Emerald Cocktail Kitchen , Syracuse’s first rooftop bar located in the historic Tipperary Hill neighborhood. Michele shares the story behind launching Emerald alongside her mom, Nora — from renovating a nearly 140-year-old family pub to reimagining the space as a multi-level hospitality experience. Sh...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Andy Breuer , President of Hueber-Breuer Construction Co., Inc. and the sixth-generation leader of Central New York’s oldest continuously operating construction company. Andy shares the remarkable story of a family legacy that spans more than 150 years, beginning with his ancestors—stone masons working on the Erie Canal—and continu...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Tricia Matthews , CEO of Vera House, and Rebecca Shiroff , Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships & Intergovernmental Affairs, to discuss one of our community’s most critical missions—supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Tricia and Rebecca bring decades of combined experience in nonprofit leadership, policy,...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Rob Simpson , President of CenterState CEO and one of the key leaders shaping Central New York’s economic future. Rob shares insights into the development of the INSPYRE Innovation Hub, a transformative project designed to fuel entrepreneurship, creativity, and inclusive growth in Syracuse’s urban core. He also opens up about his r...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon , a lifelong public servant who has played a key role in some of Central New York’s biggest economic milestones. Ryan shares the story behind the development of White Pine Commerce Park and how years of planning helped pave the way for Micron, the largest economic development investment in U.S...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Lindsey Cole-Branca, a Disney Legacy Award winner, certified sommelier, and the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. From her early days at Walt Disney World to helping grow one of Syracuse’s most iconic hotels, Lindsay has built a career grounded in leadership, hospitality, and connection. She shares...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Mayor Ben Walsh, the 54th Mayor of Syracuse and the city’s first independent leader in over a century. From launching the Syracuse Surge to championing affordable housing and preparing for the transformative I-81 project, Mayor Walsh has guided Syracuse through a period of growth, innovation, and renewal. Now, as he reflects on two...

This week on Cultivate CNY , we’re pulling back the curtain to spotlight one of the driving forces behind our digital presence — Aryal Smith . If you’ve ever liked one of our posts, attended an event, or connected through the CNY Women’s Network, there’s a good chance Aryal played a role. Since joining the team in 2023, she’s helped grow our community, elevate our content, and strengthen partnersh...

Welcome back to Cultivate CNY, I'm your host Alex Canavan, and today we couldn't be more excited to welcome Maria Gigante-Baggett to the pod! Maria Gigante-Baggett is an OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience specializing in menopausal health and weight management. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Nurse Practitioner program, she also serves as a national trainer fo...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, we’re joined by Evelyn Ingram, Director of Community and Media Relations for Wegmans Food Markets—a trusted leader whose authentic, people-first approach has made her a cornerstone of the Syracuse community. Through her work with Wegmans, the United Way, and countless local organizations, Evelyn has built partnerships, guided teams through challenges, and champion...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, we’re joined by Gabrielle Lloyd —a licensed cosmetologist, dedicated mother of three, and a powerful force for connection and wellness in the Syracuse community. As the owner of her own solo salon, Gabrielle creates more than just beautiful transformations—she cultivates a space of empowerment and self-expression where her clients leave feeling seen, supported, an...

In this very special episode of Cultivate CNY , we’re celebrating our 100th episode by taking you out of the studio and into the fields at Tim’s Pumpkin Patch —a beloved family farm in Marietta, New York, that’s been growing memories since 1986. What began as a small roadside stand has blossomed into one of Central New York’s favorite fall destinations, complete with sprawling pumpkin patches, a c...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY , we’re excited to welcome Allison Graff to the show! Allison is a mindful health coach whose work blends yoga, holistic health, and integrative nutrition to help people live with balance and intention. As the founder of Ginger Tea Yoga Company , she has created a welcoming space for movement, mindfulness, and community connection in Central New York. Allison’s wor...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY , we’re excited to welcome Jeff Knauss and Jake Tanner , the co-founders of Arcovo AI , to the show! Together, Jeff and Jake are transforming how businesses operate with AI-powered digital employees—bringing innovation, efficiency, and human-centered strategy to the future of work. Jeff is a serial entrepreneur, AI strategist, and angel investor with a track record...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY , we’re excited to welcome Jan Lane to the show! As Development Officer at the Central New York Community Foundation , Jan has been redefining how individuals, families, and businesses approach philanthropy—proving that giving isn’t reserved for a select few, but something everyone can embrace to build a legacy each day. Since joining the Foundation in 2013, she ha...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY , we’re excited to welcome Angela Mosley to the show! Angela is the founder of Modern Fit Moms and a certified Women’s Health Coach and Pre & Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist. With more than 1,900 moms worldwide benefiting from her programs, she has guided women through healing diastasis recti, eliminating leaking, and reversing prolapse symptoms, all w...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, we’re excited to welcome Jeremy Walker to the show! Jeremy is the founder and creative director of Mariola, a motion graphics and VFX studio recognized for producing cinematic, high-impact visuals that bring stories to life. From nonprofits and sports teams to major global brands, Jeremy and his team create work that leaves a bold, lasting impression. Passionate a...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, we couldn't be more excited to welcome Dr. Sam to the pod! As a chiropractor and passionate advocate for whole family wellness, Dr. Sam has built more than just a thriving practice—she's created a movement that transforms how families approach health and healing throughout every stage of life. Her approach goes far beyond traditional adjustments; it's about empowe...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, we couldn't be more excited to welcome Kelly Springer to the pod! As a registered dietitian and the visionary founder of Kelly's Choice, Kelly has built more than just the largest woman-owned nutritional consulting company in the world—she's created a movement that transforms how we understand and approach true health. Her work goes far beyond traditio...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, we couldn't be more excited to welcome Kristin Almasian and Anthony Rojas to the pod! As visionary architects at in-ARCHITECTS, Kristin and Anthony are driven by design, innovation, and community impact that extends far beyond blueprints and buildings. With over 25 years of combined experience, they've mastered the art of transforming client visions into reality t...