Candidates for the 2023 Board of Directors for Rochester Women’s Network
Christina DeGroff
Christina is a motivated, hardworking professional with over 15 years of sales and management experience. She attended SUNY Geneseo with a major in English Secondary Education but quickly realized she had a love for sales and management while working at Borders Books. After transitioning from retail sales in 2019 and joining the Complete Payroll family as an Account Executive, she has since been promoted to the position of Regional Sales Manager of Rochester and the surrounding area. She works with local businesses to find solutions that fit their business needs and allow them to move forward successfully.
After becoming a member of RWN in June of 2021, Christina joined the Referral SIG and Programs committee. Aside from being an active member of RWN, Christina is also a founding member of the VIP Network, another Rochester based networking group.
Christina loves horses, sunshine and her family (not necessarily in that order!) and lives with her husband and son in Livonia NY. During her free time she enjoys spending time outside; working on projects, gardening, or just hanging out with her horses, dogs, goats and chickens.
Jordan Fritz
Jordan is the owner of Sip Back & Relax Tours and JF Bookkeeping Solutions. She grew up in Eden, NY and came to Rochester to attend Nazareth College. Jordan began her career as a CPA and after 13.5 years in corporate businesses, she has transitioned into full entrepreneurship. She lives in Gananda with her husband and two young sons.
Jazmyn Haywood
Jazz Haywood is the Founder and Executive Director of Jazz Network. Jazz Network is a support network for girls ages 11-18 that provides positive mentorship, skill development, and networking opportunities to empower the next generation of women leaders.
Jazz was born and raised in Rochester, NY and takes pride in being a positive role model to girls and young women in her community.
She earned her Master’s degree in Sport Administration from Canisius College and a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Arts and Sciences from Clarkson University.
In her previous positions, she has served as a Program Coordinator for the Science and Technology Entry Program at Monroe Community College, a long-term substitute teacher in the Rochester City School District, an Academic Advisor at the University of Rochester, and the Community Relations Coordinator with the Buffalo Bills.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing basketball, and spending time with her family and friends.
Catherine Mattis
Catherine is the proud dog mom of a beautiful 5-year-old rescue Pitbull. She’s originally from Liverpool, NY, and moved to Rochester after graduating with a Journalism & Broadcasting degree from SUNY Brockport. Catherine currently works as an Account Manager at Audacy Rochester. Before taking on that role, she held three other roles at Audacy including Promotions Coordinator, Board Operator, and Production Intern.
Renee Nearpass
Renee Nearpass has been an active member of the Rochester Woman’s Network since 2014. Since then she has served on event committees and has been a member of both the RWN Rochester Woman Refer Groups 1 and 2. She recently served as co-chair of RWN Referral Group 2 and continues to participate on Support Imparting Growth and Wine SIG Part Deux.
As owner of Perinton Family Acupuncture, Renee enjoys engaging in her community and educating members about her profession. She also sees the importance of supporting women in her local community by encouraging connections, professional growth and promoting self advocacy. Renee has extensive leadership experience including a role on the her state professional Board of Directors, Acupuncture Society of New York, where she serves as the Secretary. Renee has a Master of Education from the University of Buffalo and Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Northeast College of Health Sciences.
Mary Roat
Mary is currently working to start her own leadership development consulting business. She is also the caregiver to her father who is 86, and her young grandson who is 4. She is very active in veteran programs such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and PFC Dwyer Program of Compeer Rochester. Mary is giving of her time, volunteering with the LPGAA and at other community events.
Mary has a very diverse background. She was a logistic specialist in the United States Navy, where she served 30 years. During that time, she supported Operation Enduring Freedom serving in Afghanistan and was the leader of the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps in Rochester. By retirement, Mary was a senior enlisted advisor being the most senior ranking enlisted member at the Rochester Naval Reserve center. As a civilian, Mary has been in the banking, recreation and event planning industries. Mary has always served to create a great customer service experience and has a strong belief in servant leadership.
Mary has an associate’s degree in accounting, a bachelor’s degree in recreation management and a master’s degree in strategic leadership. She also was a licensed cosmetologist and had a business doing in-home hair care for seniors. She has held several certificates in group exercise, Silver Sneakers, nutrition coaching, tai chi for arthritis, and other wellness areas. She is a proud life-long learner.
Mary joined RWN in November 2021, participates in the Leadership Sig and volunteers to substitute in the Referral Sig as often as possible.
Jui Trivedi
Jui Trivedi is a Merger & Acquisition Advisor at Next Point,LLC. She leads the firm’s Rochester, NY office. Her area of focus includes mergers and acquisitions, value enhancement strategies to increase enterprise value and strategic exit plans for small and middle market business owners. She uses her more than 20 years of broad-based entrepreneurial and advisory experience to provide practical advice to help clients grow the value of their businesses and sell it for the maximum return. Her prior experience also includes working with fortune 100 companies in various financial management roles, emphasizing financial analysis, business modeling and risk management.
Jui Joined RWN in 2020 and is a member of the Finance SIG. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from M.G Science Institute in India, where she grew up. Jui received M.B.A from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is committed to continuing education obtaining Certification in Mergers & Acquisitions from Columbia Business School as well as Certification in Exit Planning. Jui resides in Pittsford with her husband and two children.