Leadership

Our President

As the first woman to serve as President and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester, Dr. Seanelle Hawkins has consistently proven her mettle in transparently engaging with and advocating for the Rochester community.

Dr. Hawkins takes a careful, personal approach to every program and staff member; she has helped ULR to exceed expectations in program performance, fundraising, and community recognition, even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, ULR has returned to its roots as the premier civil rights organization in the Greater Rochester area with the introduction of INTERRUPT RACISM and an entirely new Equity and Advocacy division.

Dr. Hawkins is an expert in community engagement and cultural change, advocacy, transitional and permanent supportive housing, fiscal stewardship, strategic planning, and staff development. Her nonprofit executive leadership includes over 20 years in various executive leadership roles for nonprofits and program consultancies in New York and Washington, DC. She also serves as an adjunct professor at St. John Fisher College in its doctoral program of Executive Leadership.

A native of Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Hawkins received her Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University, Master’s in Strategic Leadership at Roberts Wesleyan College, and her Doctorate of Education from the Executive Leadership Program at St. John Fisher College.

She actively serves as a board member for The Council of Agency Executives, Inc., RochesterWorks!, Greater Rochester Housing Partnership, ROC2025 Board, M&T Bank Directors Advisory Council, Excellus Health Plan Inc., Trillium Health, and she is the President of the Women’s Council.

Dr. Hawkins lives in Rochester with her husband John and their four-year old daughter Zoe.

“I am thrilled to serve as the first female President and CEO. And I am so proud of how we at the Urban League continue to address systemic racism head-on by increasing education and employment opportunities. Together as a community, I believe we can interrupt racism and create a more equitable Rochester. ”

— Dr. Hawkins