Celebrating Central New York’s Workforce Excellence at MACNY’s 2025 Talent Development Awards

Date: June 17, 2025

Yesterday, many gathered at The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (The MOST) for MACNY, The Manufacturers Association’s, 2025 Talent Development Awards to celebrate the region’s brightest students, dedicated educators, and innovative employers. Hosted by MACNY and Partners for Education & Business, Inc. (PEB), the event honored outstanding achievements in talent development across Central New York.

The program, emceed by Michael Frame, Executive Vice President of MACNY, began with a keynote address from Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, who highlighted the city’s leadership in launching new Registered Apprenticeship Programs and building inclusive career pathways.

The event celebrated:

  • The 2025 CNY STEM Scholarship honorees — a distinguished group of 10 high school seniors from across the region who exemplify outstanding achievement in STEM education. The CNY STEM Scholarship program is proudly supported by industry leaders such as Beardsley Architects + Engineers, King + King Architects, Novelis, SRC, and TTM Technologies.
  • Eaton, OCWA, and Usherwood Office Technology – honored with the Business Partnership of the Year Award for their dedication to student engagement and STEM career exploration.
  • Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo – recognized as the Community Partner of the Year for their dedication to promoting STEM careers and their innovative contributions to the Henninger P-TECH program.
  • Cody Clark (Byrne), Adrienne Hickey (SUNY Upstate Medical University), Kathy Millett (Belden), and Kevin Wade (BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services, LLC) – honored with the Career Spark Award for mentoring students on their career journeys.
  • Elise Ranieri – named SRC STEM Champion for her leadership in inspiring young women to pursue careers in architecture and STEM.

Special awards highlighted achievements in pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship:

  • Alexandra Bakiewicz, Katrina Genier, Paige Perl, and Jennifer VanLuven, graduates of MACNY’s Real Life Rosies® program, were presented with The Riveter Award. They were recognized for their determination, enthusiasm, and drive to build meaningful careers in a field where women have long been underrepresented.
  • Khaing Hein, a graduate of MACNY’s Advance 2 Apprenticeship™ program, received the Advance 2 Apprenticeship Pathfinder Award for his initiative and leadership.
  • 46 Registered Apprenticeship graduates were honored for completing the program, with one graduate (Toni Aho) becoming the first Real Life Rosie to achieve Journeyworker certification.

Also recognized were instructors from the Advance 2 Apprenticeship and Real Life Rosies programs and companies that launched or expanded their Registered Apprenticeship Programs in 2024/2025.

The program concluded with two inaugural awards:

  • Irwing Laureano-Torres of 110 Metalworks received The Jason Poole Apprenticeship Impact Award, honoring his mentorship and advocacy for apprenticeships.
  • Erin Noto, Executive Director of Career and Technical Education at Syracuse City School District, received The Robert A. Leslie Award for Trailblazing Educators for her transformative work expanding CTE programs and apprenticeship access.

“This celebration reflects the strength of Central New York’s talent pipeline and the extraordinary collaboration between students, educators, and employers,” said Randy Wolken, President and CEO of MACNY. “Together, we’re building a future where opportunity and innovation go hand in hand.”