Lender Center Director Kendall Phillips welcomes Expo attendees. About 280 community residents attended the two-day event. (Photo by Enfoque Images)
Dialogue, Partnership, Progress: Lender Center Hosts Second Community Expo
More than 280 people representing approximately 110 organizations gathered in downtown Syracuse recently for the 2026 Lender Expo. This is the second year the communitywide convening and dialogue has been hosted by the University’s , and the expanded schedule was made possible by a new sponsorship from .
The Lender Center addresses important social issues through interdisciplinary research, community engagement and faculty and student fellowships. The expo is among the most visible expressions of that mission, offering organizations an opportunity to share resources, build partnerships and engage in dialogue about the area’s most pressing needs, says , director.
The program opened with a “State of the Region” panel discussion featuring Syracuse Mayor , Onondaga County Executive , U.S. Rep. and Syracuse City Court Judge .
Also addressing the group was , chief administrative officer and president of health plans at , who discussed the company’s efforts to address community health needs. Workshops covered grant writing, mental health, data collection, legal services, artificial intelligence and conflict resolution. A session, “Where Service Meets Progress,” drew a wide audience on the second day.
The convening also included recognition for , president emerita of InterFaith Works and founding member of the Lender Center Advisory Group, who was honored for her many years of social justice advocacy and community service.
More Event Photos
Local government leaders discussed the region’s outlook for the future. From left are Syracuse City Court Judge Joseph Cecile, Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and U.S. Rep. John Mannion. (Photo by Enfoque Images)
Joseph Twardy, an executive with Nascentia Health, discussed area-wide health care and wellness. Nascentia was the presenting sponsor for this year’s expo. (Photo by Enfoque Images)
A total of 56 nonprofit and community groups took part in the expo’s information fair. (Photo by Enfoque Images)
Organizations offered an array of information and services during two days of tabling sessions. (Photo by Enfoque Images)
Community group representatives connected with Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens (far right) at the expo. From left are Gwendolyn Muok, president of the Syracuse and Onondaga County chapter, NAACP; and City of Syracuse Citizens Review Board members Adonia Wade, civic engagement coordinator; Don Johnson, chairman; Nolita Tanyhill, administrator.
Consultant Mary Carney presented on data collection strategies for nonprofits. Her work in social sector issues supports a range of regional nonprofit groups. (Photo by Enfoque Images)
Syracuse University graduate research assistant Prasad Shimpi (left) and Lender Center research associate Janire Pascual-Gonzalez presented their research, Lender Data Portal: Creating Community Opportunity. (Photo by Megan Chelednik)
Catherine Gerard, Maxwell School professor of practice emerita, led a workshop on de-escalating conflict. (Photo by Megan Chelednik)
Alumna Rachel Johnson ’17, G’19 led a workshop on tips for maintaining positive mental health. Johnson is a therapist and founder of local wellness organization Half Hood Half Holistic. (Photo by Enfoque Images)
Community nonprofit leaders participated in the Thursday Morning Roundtable discussion, “Where Service Meets Progress.” Seated from left are: Loretta Zolkowski, executive director of Human Services Leadership Council of Central New York, Hasan Stephens, chief executive officer of the Good Life Youth Foundation, and Beth Broadway, president emerita of InterFaith Works of Central New York. (Photo by Megan Chelednik)
