Cultivate with Alex Canavan

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, we’re honored to be joined by Melissa Murphy, a highly respected Aging Life Care Professional®, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Certified Care Manager. As the Founder and CEO of Aging Advocates, Melissa has dedicated over a decade to guiding families through the challenges of eldercare with expertise and compassion. Beyond her organization, Melissa is also th...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, Alex sits down with Crystal Paolelli. Crystal is the Marketing Director of Feldmeier Equipment, Inc. and Meier's Creek Brewery. Crystal continues to have an amazing career in Upstate New York having formerly worked as a Senior Director of Marketing at del Lago, and a Marketing Project Supervisor at Turning Stone Resort and Casino. During the episode Alex and C...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, Alex sits down with Elena Bombardier. Elena is a certified holistic health coach and certified life coach. She helps women who want to get healthier and become the best and healthiest version of themselves. Elena is also a digital creator specializing in user generated content. During the episode Alex and Elena discuss Elena's interest in leading a consistent, hea...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, Alex sits down with Francesca Scutari, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Medicine Based Beauty. Medicine-Based Beauty is an aesthetic medicine practice in Upstate New York with locations in Syracuse, Skaneateles, and Ithaca. Offering luxury beauty treatments like botox, filler, laser treatments and cosmetic dermatology, MBB stands behind our philos...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, Alex sits down with Daniele Backus, who after her son’s autism diagnosis began her journey leaning into becoming an accessible education advocate and a champion for autonomous communication on AAC (augmentative alternative communication). This past year Daniele officially opened her business, Accessible Education Advocate, assisting families of other neurodivergen...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, Alex sits down with Emily Gozy, an accomplished registered dietitian, and virtual nutrition coach. Emily is also the Founder and CEO of Nourished with Emily where she is passionate about helping men and women ditch dieting for good and build healthy habits that last a lifetime. During the episode Alex and Emily talk about starting Nourished With Emily, the history...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, Alex sits down with the amazing trio behind Root to Rise, Meghan Thomas, Jaime "JJ" Weisberg, and Tracy Dando. Root to Rise offers transformational retreats based on the framework of Root, Rise, Connect, and Be Seen. During this episode Jaime, Meghan, Tracy and Alex discuss how Root to Rise came to be, Vanderkamp, and their newest retreat, Ascend and Elevate. You...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, Alex sits down with Randy Wolken, president of MACNY, the Manufacturer's Association of Central New York. MACNY serves approximately 330 companies with over 55,000 employees in a twenty county region in Upstate New York. Randy also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and a Masters in Public Administration degree from Ma...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY, Alex sits down with Andy Orr, Designer and Partner, at The Lab Creative. The Lab Creative is an award winning studio specializing in creating compelling websites and designing successful brands. Andy has brought his design skills to some pretty amazing brands across CNY and the country! During the episode Alex and Andy discuss the start of The Lab Creative, design...

In this episode, Alex sits down with Cassie Brown, a dynamic health visionary and the founder of Renewed Vitality, a center where cutting-edge neurofeedback meets heartfelt care. Cassie has transformed the lives of countless clients through brain-based therapies like LENS neurofeedback and qEEG brain mapping. Cassie is also the head of the Neurofeedback department at the Melillo Centers in Manhatt...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY Alex sits down with Katrina Tulloch, editor and journalist at Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard! She's a 3x New York Emmy nominee and Associated Press award winning journalist. In 2013, Katrina was the lead resorter on a true crime podcast and documentary called "Firecracker," which charted #11 for all true crime podcasts in the United States. During the episode A...

In this episode of Cultivate CNY Alex sits down with Casey White, founder and president of Chimera Integrations! A SUNY Buffalo Business Administration and Management graduate, Casey quickly advanced from sales to vice president roles, demonstrating leadership and strategic vision. His achievements include making the "40 under 40" list and earning the CNY Business of the Year award. During the epi...

In this episode Alex sits down with CNYCF's Melanie Littlejohn, Kimberly Sadowski, and Katrina Crocker! Their conversation explores topics like boundaries, developing resilience and leadership, as well as so much more. Be sure to check out our mini-bios on each of the guests below! Visit the CNYCF website ! Checkout the CNYCF Instagram ! Melanie Littlejohn is the President and CEO of the Central N...

This episode Alex sits down with Mary Jumbelic, M.D. Mary is an author and former chief medical examiner of Onondaga County. A board certified forensic pathologist, Mary has performed thousands of autopsies during her 25-year career. She's also been recognized as a trailblazer by the National Organization of Women. In retirement, Mary has published many nonfiction stories using her voice to demyst...

This episode, Alex sits down with Rachael Dunsmoor, owner and event planner as well as designer of RD Events & Design and Refine Rentals. During the conversation, Rachael and Alex discuss some of the newest trends sweeping weddings right now, planning events, RD Events & Design, Refine Rentals and so much more! Rachael is currently booking 2025 weddings for both planning and full service r...

In this episode, Alex sits down with Michaela Kawrga, owner and founder of The Emerson Official, Soul Society, and GlamSquadSyr. In our conversation we discuss Michaela starting GlamSquadSyr, curating content on social media, The Emerson and Soul Society, and so much more! Checkout The Emerson's website Visit the Soul Society website here Learn more about GlamSquadSyr Follow TheEmerson on Instagra...

This episode, Alex sits down with Lauren Kochian, president of the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST). Under her leadership the MOST has seen significant growth and investment, dramatic increases in attendance, and new strategic partnerships with myriad nonprofit organizations and private businesses. During our conversation we discuss fundraising, public relations the imp...

In this episode, Alex sits down with Kera Wasserbach, owner of Traveling Event Planner, LLC. Traveling Event Planner is a company that offers event coordination, strategic planning, event coaching and self-guided tools for planning and running your transformational events. Kera is an event strategist and coordinator dedicated to helping service based leaders create transformational experiences for...

This episode features Alyssa Flood, a fine art wedding photographer who thrives on capturing genuine connections and heartfelt moments. In our conversation we talk about Alyssa's passion for photography, her approach in preparing for shoots and so much more! Checkout Alyssa's website here . Follow Alyssa on Instagram . Keep up with Alyssa on TikTok . Join The Collective by CNY Women’s Netw...

This episode features Lauren Cobello. Lauren is the Founder and CEO of Leverage with Media PR. Her agency helps non-fiction authors with PR needs. In our conversation we talk about Lauren's journey from getting her family out of debt through couponing, becoming a television personality, a successful author, and now a leader in the PR field. I can't wait for you all to listen to this episod...

This episode features Kelly Landau. Kelly is the Owner of SYNPLE, a lifestyle boutique located in Camillus, NY. At SYNPLE Kelly curates a unique and eclectic mix of clothing, gifts, accessories, and home decor, and loves connecting with every SYNPLE shopper. In our conversation we talk about how Kelly started SYNPLE, navigating competition, and dive into advice for young entrepreneurs as well as s...

This episode features Gianna Michalak. Gianna is the founder of Autoimmune Babe and creator of the Road to Remission program. She helps women with autoimmune diseases regain control of their health, and experience long-lasting relief from once-all-consuming symptoms. In our conversation we talk about Gianna's experience with autoimmune diseases, the importance of mindset, and so much more. I c...

This episode features Kim Sadowski. Kim is the Vice President and CFO of the CNY Community Foundation. Kim has also served as the CFO for ARISE Child and Family Service Inc. Kim was recently accepted into the Leadership & Performance Coaching program at Brown University. In our conversation we talk about how Kim was introduced to the world of accounting, as well as her early work as a CPA. We...

This episode features Melquea Smith. Melquea is a Black, Queer, multi-award winning children’s book illustrator and virtual assistant for children’s book authors and entrepreneurs. In our conversation we talk about how she became the artist she is today, the process of creating children’s books, and the meaning behind what Melquea does. Stay in touch with Melquea here .Check out some of Melquea’s...

This episode features Lekia Hill. Lekia is a hybrid entrepreneur and currently serves as the Lead Consultant of Lekia Tech LLC. She is also the founder of Powerful Voices App, the YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County Board of Directors, ACR Health Board of Directors, and presides on the Community Foundation's Black Excellence & Equity Council. She was also recognized as the 2019 MACNY Mento...