Myra Henry, CEO of YWCA Rochester & Monroe County, has joined the NSF Engines: Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine as director for regional community engagement, effective Dec. 1. She will continue to work 50% of her time as YWCA CEO.
Henry, who holds a doctor of education in executive leadership from St. John Fisher University and a master’s degree in management from Keuka College, is adept at leading large, diverse, cross-functional teams for improved outcomes and efficiency. With 25 years of experience in higher education at the University of Rochester, where she was deputy dean overseeing human resources, finance, facilities and organizational effectiveness, she honed her skills and passion for inclusive engagement, building relationships with diverse constituencies and working across differences to impact change.
“Myra brings with her extensive experience in higher education administration as well as non-profit leadership,” said Meera Sampath, CEO of the Engine. “We are delighted to have Myra as a key member of the Engine’s leadership team. Her deep commitment to underserved communities and her extensive background at a premier research institution make her the ideal candidate to drive the Engine’s inclusive engagement priorities and goals. As a trusted community leader, she will help strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones to realize the Engine’s goal of delivering economic opportunities to everyone in its region, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.”
Henry’s focus is on strongly aligning and connecting the work of the Engine to the diverse communities in its region of service. She will begin with the Rochester Institute of Technology, which is a core partner institution, and the YWCA, her home institution, and expand to the many other partners and areas the Engine touches. Drawing upon her broad organizational effectiveness experience, she will help the Engine develop and implement frameworks that provide the lens of diversity and inclusion across all core functions of the Engine, including research, technology translation and workforce development.
“For me, this is a full-circle moment because when I went back to school for my doctorate I knew I wanted to work in service of others and be an executive leader with an equity lens,” Henry added. “How will I as an executive leader build relationships to impact change? By connecting research to the community in a very meaningful way that’s understandable for our neighbors, but also valuable to the researchers working in that space.”
The chair of the YWCA board is supportive and excited about Henry’s new position. In particular, the YWCA team is interested to see how her new role can help their constituents, especially female students, get introduced to battery science.
“As chair of the YWCA Board, I am proud to express my full support for Myra, whose exceptional leadership as CEO of YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County continues to make a profound impact on our community,” said Cora Conklin. “Myra was specifically sought after for the opportunity to support the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine due to her proven expertise, innovative vision and deep commitment to elevating upstate N.Y. through her work at the YWCA. This unique partnership holds tremendous potential, with Myra’s leadership enabling the success of both the YWCA and the Engine. I am confident that under her guidance, we will continue to see meaningful progress and lasting impact for our region.”
About the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine
The NSF Engines: Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine, led by Binghamton University, is a National Science Foundation-funded, place-based innovation program. The coalition of more than 40 academic, industry, nonprofit, state and community organizations includes Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, LAUNCH-NY and NY-BEST as core partners. The Engine advances next-gen battery technology development and manufacturing to drive economic growth and bolster national security. Its vision is to transform upstate New York into America’s Battery Capital.
The YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County
The YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County has been a powerful resource in our community since 1883, helping women and girls who are faced with personal crises including homelessness and teen pregnancy. Working hard to dispel stereotypes and promote racial justice, our goal is to empower women to regain control of their lives and get on the path to a healthy, successful future. YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County is #OnAMission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
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