Greater Rochester Chamber and Monroe County celebrate the success of the inaugural RETAIN Program as 21 graduates complete the first year of the initiative

Rochester, New York – A new chapter in Rochester’s ongoing effort to keep young talent rooted in the community was marked this week with the graduation of the first class of the RETAIN Program. The celebration, hosted by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Monroe County, took place on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at The Penthouse overlooking downtown Rochester.

The RETAIN Program—originally created by Monroe County and now carried forward under the Chamber’s CampusROC initiative—was designed with a clear mission: encourage graduates of local colleges, universities, and trade schools to build both personal and professional futures here in the Greater Rochester area. Through mentorship, networking opportunities, and workshops focused on career development, the program provides young professionals with a launchpad for success. To make the opportunity even more meaningful, participants also receive a financial incentive to help them establish themselves locally.

“This program is about more than just career readiness,” County Executive Adam Bello said at the ceremony. “It’s about strengthening connections, fostering belonging, and making sure Rochester’s next generation of leaders see this community as the best place to build their lives.”

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The first graduating class featured 21 participants from a wide range of industries—health care, engineering, education, technology, marketing, and beyond. The diversity of their career paths reflects the growing opportunities in Rochester’s economy. Among them are engineers designing advanced technologies, health professionals serving local residents, artists and designers fueling cultural creativity, and entrepreneurs carving out their own path.

The 2025 RETAIN graduates include: Morgan Adams, Daniel Breault, Haley Brunstad, Louis Chavez, Jasmine Duran, Tristan Eldridge, Elisa Everett, Abby Hannel, Julia Jones, Lada Kozachok, De’Yoni Majors, Bethany Mansour, Rory McIntosh, Leila Pena, Manny Pizarro, Nicole Rogers, Sierra Sadowski, Oleg Savka, Zachary Sobel-Pressman, Colin Thompson, and Nicole Watson.

At the celebration, Greater Rochester Chamber President and CEO Robert Duffy commended the graduates for their achievements while pointing to the broader importance of the program. “This is about building a talent pipeline that keeps Rochester strong,” Duffy said. “We know our community can only thrive if bright, motivated individuals choose to stay here, raise their families here, and invest their energy in our future. The RETAIN program is helping make that choice easier.”

Program Manager Andrea Tuttle, who guided participants through the year, echoed that sentiment and highlighted the collaborative spirit behind the initiative. “This cohort represents what’s possible when community partners, mentors, and employers come together to invest in people,” she said. “Each of these graduates has made strides not just in their careers, but also in forming relationships that will keep them connected to Rochester for years to come.”

The graduation was more than a formal ceremony. Families and friends joined the new alumni, alongside local mentors and community stakeholders, turning the event into a celebration of collective effort. Many graduates credited the networking and mentorship aspects of the program as the most valuable part of their experience, giving them a deeper sense of belonging in the region.

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For Monroe County, programs like RETAIN are a strategic investment in reversing a challenge faced by many mid-sized cities—talented graduates leaving for larger metropolitan areas. By creating opportunities that tie professional development to community engagement, county leaders hope to stem the flow and instead make Rochester a magnet for young professionals.

The success of the first year has already paved the way for expansion. The second cohort of RETAIN participants will begin this September, with the program growing to include 35 young professionals—nearly double the inaugural class. Organizers expect the increased participation to further strengthen the program’s reach and reinforce Rochester’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.

As the first 21 graduates step forward into the next stage of their careers, they carry with them not only the knowledge and experience gained through RETAIN, but also a clear message: Rochester is a place worth calling home.