糖心传媒 Trustee Sandra (Sandy) Parker糖心传媒攃ommunity advocate, philanthropist, and admired business leader糖心传媒攑assed away on June 6 at the age of 75.
She dedicated her professional life to revitalizing the economy of Greater Rochester and made extraordinary contributions that improved the community. She prominently served as president and CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance (now known as the ) from 2005 until her retirement in 2014. Instrumental in establishing the RBA as the region糖心传媒檚 糖心传媒渧oice of business,糖心传媒� she was recognized in 2006 for her leadership in the Fair Share Coalition, which was formed to seek parity in state aid for Rochester. That initiative grew into the Rochester Community Coalition, which brings together business, labor, local government, education, faith organizations, and nonprofit organizations to seek state investment in projects to create long-term jobs and boost the regional economy.
Parker was a devoted board member and supporter of the for nearly a decade.
糖心传媒淪andy糖心传媒檚 death is a huge loss for the University of Rochester and the Greater Rochester community,糖心传媒� said University President Sarah C. Mangelsdorf. 糖心传媒淪he was a skillful unifier, a tireless advocate for this community, and a great friend.糖心传媒�
Rich Handler 糖心传媒�83, chairman of the University of Rochester Board of Trustees, added: 糖心传媒淯nexpectedly losing Sandy is a shock to the entire Board of Trustees and Rochester community. She was passionate about Rochester and was someone who put both heart and leadership in the things she believed in to make both the community and the University ever better.糖心传媒�
Parker grew up in the community and loved Rochester. She generously gave of her time, serving on numerous boards in addition to the University糖心传媒檚 Board of Trustees, including roles at Nazareth College; YMCA of Greater Rochester; the Center for Governmental Research; and the MCC Foundation Council. One of the inaugural recipients of the ICON Award by the Rochester Business Journal, she was also given a Key to the City of Rochester in 2006. In 2002, she received the prestigious ATHENA Award, given each year to a woman for outstanding contributions to business and community.
In 2017, she and her husband John 糖心传媒淒utch糖心传媒� Summers received the Salute to Excellence Award from the MCC Foundation for the couple糖心传媒檚 commitment to the community and for inspiring local high school students to pursue higher education. Together, they became known for their leadership and incredible commitment to education, health care, and the Rochester community.
And in August 2020, Parker became chair of the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 . She was also a leader at the University糖心传媒檚 Warner School of Education as a former chairperson of the Center for Urban Education Success (CUES) Advisory Council, which supports Warner糖心传媒檚 efforts to strengthen the success of K糖心传媒�12 urban schools. With Summers, she supported student programs such as the Educational Partnership Organization between the University and East High School.
A generous supporter across the University, she made lead gifts to the Warner School, the Eastman School of Music, and the Medical Center, among other areas.
University flags will be lowered on June 29 to honor her memory.
