Dr. Burt-Nanna succeeds SUNY Geneseo President Denise Battles as the Council's Academic Representative
The Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council (FLREDC) today announced that Monroe Community College President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna has been appointed to serve as Co-Chair of the Council, effective immediately. Dr. Burt-Nanna replaces outgoing SUNY Geneseo President Dr. Denise Battles. She joins Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy as council Co-Chair as the FLREDC continues its focused work to grow the economy in the nine-county Finger Lakes region, which includes Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties.
Monroe Community College President Dr. DeAnna Burt-Nanna said, “I am grateful to Governor Hochul for the honor of serving as co-chair of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. I look forward to working with Bob Duffy and all FLREDC team members who have worked tirelessly and with laser focus on the behalf of our region since the council's inception in 2011. I would also like to thank my SUNY colleague, Dr. Denise Battles, for her demonstrated commitment to the council and our community. Our region is better off because of her tireless advocacy on our behalf. There is equally important work ahead of us as we combine efforts across sectors to advance the Governor’s priorities for the state, creating opportunities for all to experience economic prosperity.”
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy said, “I would first like to thank Dr. Battles for her exemplary leadership, dedication, and vision on behalf of our region. Our success as a council has been grounded in the belief that the collaborations at and beyond our table are the key to driving real, lasting economic opportunity for the full diversity of our community. I am also so delighted to welcome Dr. Burt-Nanna as the new FLREDC co-chair and welcome her invaluable input and leadership regarding economic development efforts in the Finger Lakes as we continue our focused work to support innovation, and attract and grow the region’s workforce, enabling our residents and businesses to thrive.”
DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, Ph.D., is the sixth president of Monroe Community College. Dr. Burt-Nanna is nationally recognized for advancing student success, innovation, operational efficiency, organizational culture change, and creating college-going cultures in communities where she has served. She is a passionate advocate and a frequent speaker on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion; educational access and attainment; and workforce development at local, state, and national levels. Since assuming the helm at MCC in 2021, Dr. Burt-Nanna has been recognized by City & State New York magazine as a trailblazer in economic development, designated as a member of the Rochester Business Journal’s (RBJ) Power 100 list for four consecutive years, and twice named to RBJ’s Women of Excellence list including the Circle of Excellence. In 2025, she was a finalist for the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s ATHENA International Award. Dr. Burt-Nanna, along with other local leaders, helped spearhead the efforts to secure Tech Hub and ON-RAMP funding for our region and MCC, building on its acclaimed workforce development efforts. Her focused attention and advocacy regarding the critical importance of workforce development efforts have also led to her appointment on the Tech Hub Advisory Board. She also serves on the board of directors for Greater Rochester Enterprise, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region, and the Monroe Community College Foundation. Born and raised in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, Dr. Burt-Nanna holds doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees from Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, Michigan).
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “Monroe Community College President DeAnna Burt-Nanna is an exceptional leader and a strong community partner. I am confident that her commitment to education and workforce development will continue to propel the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council to new heights.”
Since 2011, the REDC process has transformed New York State government’s approach to economic development by creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. The Councils are public-private partnerships of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations.
To learn more about the FLREDC, visit https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/finger-lakes.
About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the State's approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, ten Regional Councils were established to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom-up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
Contact:
Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313