Events
Evolving Governance: Interactive Sessions for Strategic Boards
Get ready to level up your board skills with engaging sessions at Evolving Governance - it's where strategic minds meet!
True North Executive Solutions and RIT Executive Business Programs are partnering to bring this exciting interactive session designed for Board Members, Founders, Governance Professionals, Emerging Leaders, Non-profit Leaders & For-profit Leaders.
Come join us for a day of engaging discussions and interactive sessions tailored for non-profit and for-profit boards at the Genesee Valley Club. Learn from industry experts, share insights with fellow board members, and explore strategic approaches to governance. This event is your opportunity to evolve your board's practices and drive success in today's rapidly changing landscape. Don't miss out on this unique chance to enhance your governance skills!
Date: September 16, 2025
Time: 8:00 am-11:30 am
Location: Genesee Valley Club, 421 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607
Cost: $75.00 Early Bird Registration fee through 9/3/25
$100.00 Regular Registration fee after 9/3/25
Includes buffet style breakfast and refreshments
Christina Gullo, MBA, SHRM-SCP, MSW: Christina is a Co-owner & Partner of True North Executive Solutions, LLC.
Prior to this, she was the President/CEO for Villa of Hope from 2010-2023.
During her tenure, Gullo led a fiscal turnaround, created transformational strategic plans to move from a residential provider for kids to the behavioral health organization. She also initiated a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy, and guided an extensive agency rebranding effort. Over her career she was on a number Boards including Council of Family & Child Caring Agencies, Children’s Health Home of Upstate New York, Your Health Partners, The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester. She currently serves on Geva Theatre Board (former Board Chair & current Nominating & Governance Chair) and East House Board.
With a master’s degree in social work from Marywood University and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology, Saunders School of Business, Christina’s background includes clinical, human resources, and C-level business experience.
Christina co-authored Making Strategy Count in the Health and Human Services Sector and a white paper on Adaptive Change, chronicling the culture, leadership, and strategy transformations at the Villa. Most recently she authored a book about her own personal and professional leadership journey called “Courageous & Authentic Leadership.”
Kevin Surace: Kevin is a current RIT Board of Trustee and considered the father of the Virtual Assistant, Kevin is a Silicon Valley innovator, serial entrepreneur, CEO, and futurist. He was INC Magazines’ Entrepreneur of the Year, a CNBC top Innovator of the Decade, World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, Chair of Silicon Valley Forum, Planet Forward Innovator of the Year nominee, inducted into RIT’s Innovation Hall of Fame, and recently named a Top 10 impactful business speaker in North America. In addition to RIT, Kevin serves as the chair for Token, a next generation MFA and board member for Private Entertainment Network (PEN).
Jen Arbore, CPA: As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and partner at The Bonadio Group, Jen has dedicated her entire 27-year career to working with nonprofits. Most recently, by providing outsourced accounting services tailored specifically for nonprofit organizations. Jen has a deep understanding of the unique financial challenges and opportunities faced by nonprofits and how board governance is a critical factor is the success of organizations.
Agenda
8am-8:20am Check in & Breakfast
8:20am-8:30am Welcome & Introductions
8:30-8:50 Nonprofit Board Governance, Christina Gullo. MBA, SHRM-SCP, MSW
8:55 – 9:15am For profit Board Governance, Dan Tessoni
9:15-9:30am – Break
9:30-10:30 – Panel & Q/A (Panelists: Kevin Surace, Dennis Bassett, Dan Tessoni, Jen Arbore, Mike Amico)
10:30am – 11:15am – Breakout & Networking
11:15am – 11:30am - Close
Dan Tessoni: Dan has inspired countless students from undergraduate to executives as the assistant professor of Accounting in the Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology. He transformed his robust industry and board experiences to relatable experiential learning for all collegiate levels and informed his research in the areas of agency theory and positive accounting theory. He received his Ph.D. in Accounting from Syracuse University, a MS from Clarkson and a bachelor’s degree from St. John Fisher College. He has presented seminars and executive programs on accounting and finance related issues to numerous companies including Constellation Brands, ITT Industries Eastman Kodak, Xerox, Bausch & Lomb, Chase Manhattan Bank, First Empire Bank and Apple Computer. Dr. Tessoni has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of ACC Corp., a publicly- held long distance and cellular telephone company from 1987 until 1998 when the company was purchased by AT&T, and as chairman of the Audit Committee, and as a member of the Compensation Committee and the Executive Committee and several special committees.
Dennis Bassett: Dennis has held Senior level positions at Bausch & Lomb and Kodak. Current Board Chair of Batavia Downs & Gaming. Previously the Board Chair of Geva Theatre, and former board member for George Eastman, Rochester Community Foundation and Heart Association.
Mike Amico: Mike has over forty years of experience as a business analyst, account executive, and financial planner. He has been at UBS Financial Services since 2011. He is currently on the East House Foundation Board and was the former Board Chair for Villa of Hope. Mike also held Board positions at WXXI, Flaum Eye Institute and co-chaired the James P Wilmot Foundation. Mike also was an adjunct professor of business at Nazareth College.