Yukali Okkotsu
2025 Emerging Fundraising Leader Award Winner

Yukali Okkotsu (she/her) is the Development Coordinator for St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, where she supports fundraising, social media, and community engagement efforts. Although early in her fundraising career, Yukali has already become a meaningful contributor in Rochester’s nonprofit landscape by building relationships, elevating mission-driven stories, and helping advance access to compassionate care.

Yukali proudly serves on the AFP Genesee Valley Chapter Board as the IDEA Vice Chair, and volunteers on the development committee for Connected Communities, as well as with other agencies across Rochester. She is passionate about creating inclusive spaces, connecting people, and ensuring individuals feel seen and valued in both her work and daily life.

In her time in the field, Yukali has supported the YWCA’s Equity Through Empowerment Program, helping make fundraising education more accessible for women of color. She continues to grow her skills through AFP and her work at SJNC, and remains committed to strengthening community partnerships and contributing to a more equitable and connected Rochester for all.

Baldwin Richardson Foods
2025 Outstanding Corporation Award Winner

At BRF, we are passionate about making a positive impact by creating opportunities that advance equity and build a pathway for individuals to reach their full potential.

Our Vision: To lead our industry with excellence and flavorful innovations that delight the world and enable us to make a positive impact on the lives of our people, partners, and community.

Our Mission: To enrich the flavor of life through our passion for safely creating high-quality and delicious products. We are focused on sustainable growth and building a better future. We deliver exceptional results for our customers and drive positive change within the communities we serve. And we do it with heart and purpose because we C.A.R.E.

Our Values: C.A.R.E. represents words to live by at BRF. This is how we rally together, bringing our unique skills and strengths to the table—and how we show up to work every day for each other, our partners and customers.

Social Impact

Empower Youth - We partner with organizations that provide a foundation and support for youth so that they can reach their fullest potential.

Advance Education - We believe that education creates opportunity. We support schools and higher education institutions that provide professional and educational opportunities to individuals who may not otherwise have access.

Build Entrepreneurship - At BRF, we invest in organizations and programs that support the next generation of minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, committed to creating opportunities that provide pathways to economic prosperity.

Drive Equity - We focus on initiatives that break down barriers and promote equity, believing that education is a key driver of opportunity.

Promote Art & Culture - Recognizing the importance of arts and culture in building vibrant communities, we also support the arts in meaningful ways to enhance exposure and access, particularly through the storytelling and showcasing history of excellence.

Shill Cares Foundation
2025 Outstanding Foundation Award Winner

Ed Shill, Founder

A self-proclaimed workaholic and economics junkie, co-founder and board member Ed Shill has vast experience in various roles throughout his career.

As the former CEO and President of QCI Asset Management and Managing Partner of Wealth Enhancement Group, both based in the Greater Rochester area, Ed brings a wealth of financial knowledge to the foundation.

Dedicated to ending the cycle of violence, Ed serves as an honorary board member of Willow Domestic Violence Center and is a former board member of the Society for the Protection and Care of Children.

Inspired by his wife, Molly, a huge animal lover, Ed also serves as the campaign co-chair of the 2023 Lollypop Farm Capital Campaign.

Personal Life: Growing up on a farm in Bath, NY, Ed has always known the value of hard work. He funded his way through college by changing tires at a truck stop. Later in graduate school, he taught economics to fund his own education.

Today, Ed spends his spare time with the love of his life, Molly Branch Shill, and his three children, Katie, Mike, and Matt. He also loves his three cats, and two horses.

Molly Shill, President

Molly is passionate about caring for others and making the world a more peaceful and loving place.

For the past 22 years, Molly has run a private acupuncture practice in Bushnell’s Basin. She specializes in oncology, acupuncture, and preventative care. She often states that Chinese Medicine is the best preventative medicine.

Together with her husband and family, Molly hopes to oversee the Molly & Ed Shill Cares foundation's growth and help more people and animals in her local community. She is also on the Board of Directors for The Golisano Children’s Hospital and serves as co-chair of the 2023 Lollypop Capital Campaign.

Personal Life: A Finger Lakes native, Molly loves living on Canandaigua Lake with her husband, Ed their cats and horses. Most days, she can be seen in her garden or woodland area caring for birds, plants, and pets. She is also an avid reader and researcher, particularly on the topics of preventative medicine and oncology. She enjoys cooking and incorporating lots of vegetables!

Andrew Branch, Vice President

Andrew started his career at Xerox and has worked at several tech startups in Rochester and Silicon Valley. Andrew is passionate about using technology, innovation, and design to build products that positively impact people's lives.

He is currently the owner of Branch Software Studio, which helps purpose-driven organizations with digital strategy.

Personal Life: Andrew was raised in Honeoye, NY, with his two sisters, where he learned how to hit a baseball, skip a stone, fix a bike, and clean a barn. He has always been deeply curious about science, technology, and human affairs. Today, he lives in Brighton, NY, with his wife, Kimberley, and daughter Helen.

Greg Connors
2025 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award Winner

Greg has dedicated his entire legal career to protecting New York’s injured workers. Having appeared at thousands of Workers’ Comp hearings, he knows how frustrating and confusing Workers’ Comp can be for you and your family. This is why injured workers need experienced and dedicated Workers’ Comp attorneys like the skilled practitioners at Connors & Ferris.

Outside the practice of law, Greg is active as a member of the Hunter’s Hope Board of Directors that was created by Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly and his wife Jill. Greg has been recognized as a recipient of the Rochester Business Journal “Forty Under 40 Award.” WNY Leaders in Law award in 2015 and 2016. Further awards, honors, and recognitions reflect his continued excellence and influence including the 2021 Rochester Business Journal’s Power 30 Law listing, Daily Record’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement accolade, Rochester Business Journal’s Power 50 Law listing as well as being recognized by Thomson Reuters as one of NYS Super Lawyers and was most recently named a recipient of the Section V Mark Vienna Community Services Memorial Award and the Hornell Sports Night Sportsman of the Year benefiting the Special Olympics. These awards underscore his enduring impact on the legal profession, the lives of those he has helped as well as the community as a whole.

Greg is a graduate with honors from Alfred University, and Ohio Northern Law School. Greg has served on the Alfred University Board of Trustees since 2007 while also serving as Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2022. Greg is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Erie County Bar Association, the Monroe County Bar Association, as well as the New York State Injured Workers Bar Association. Greg has lectured for the Monroe County Bar Association and throughout the state with the Injured Workers’ Bar Association. He has represented clients before the Workers’ Comp Board, Workers’ Comp Board Office of Appeals, the Third Department Court of Appeals as well as the New York State Court of Appeals which is the highest Court in New York State and the Social Security Administration.

Cornell/Weinstein Family Foundation
2025 Multi-Generational Award Winner

For nearly forty years, the Cornell/Weinstein Family Foundation has been a pillar of philanthropic leadership, exemplifying multigenerational generosity, civic engagement, and a deep commitment to community well-being. Founded in 1986 by Harry Cornell, the Foundation has grown into a dynamic force for good, now led by his children Linda Cornell Weinstein and David Cornell, their spouses Sherwin Weinstein and Olivia Cornell, and grandchildren Joshua Weinstein and Michael Cornell.

Their impact spans a wide spectrum of causes—from education and healthcare to the arts and social services—reflecting a shared mission to uplift and empower. The Foundation has supported organizations such as the Education Success Network, Geva Theatre Center, Golisano Children's Hospital, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Federation of Rochester, Monroe Community College Foundation, and Willow Domestic Violence Center, among many others. Through intentional collaboration across generations, the Cornell/Weinstein Family Foundation has nurtured a legacy of compassion and civic responsibility that continues to shape Rochester’s philanthropic landscape.

 Donna and Jack DePeters
Outstanding Philanthropist

Excerpt from the DePeters NPD nomination submitted by St. John Fisher: Jack and Donna DePeters have long exemplified a deep commitment to service, philanthropy, and education in the Rochester community. In 2019, they gave $1 million to establish the DePeters Family Center for Innovation and Teaching Excellence at St. John Fisher University, matched by Wegmans in honor of Jack's 52-year career.

In 2024, they donated another $1 million to renovate Lavery Library, creating the Donna DePeters K-12 Resource Collection to support aspiring educators. Beyond their generous gifts, Jack and Donna have served as Spire Society members and dedicated volunteer leaders. Jack, Fisher Class of '73, served as Chair of the Board of Trustees, while Donna, a former teacher, continues to share her passion for education. In 2023, they received the United Way Tocqueville Society Award for over 30 years of involvement and leadership, helping secure thousands in donations. They've also supported St. Ann's Community, The Children's Institute, and other nonprofits. Donna remains active with the Children's Institute, Rochester Childfirst Network, and literacy efforts at Buffalo Bills Training Camp. 

Canandaigua native, to now West Irondequoit resident for 21 years, and lover of all things Rochester. Dino graduated from Canandaigua Academy in 1979, attended SUNY Geneseo as a Speech Communication major and played Lacrosse.

Dino was hired at WCMF radio in 1982 as a promotions lackey. Dino worked his way up to the fulltime overnight DJ on 98 PXY in 1987. He’s just kept rolling with the punches through the year where he is now the afternoon DJ on Country 100.5. (1-4pm).

While working at PXY Dino met his lovely wife of 33+ years, Tammy. She’s the mother of their two sons Billy (wife Erin) & Dean Jr. (wife Bridget) who have two sons, Connor (2) and Rory (7mos). Billy is a manufacturer sales rep for Keyence and Dean is an Irondequoit Police officer.

Dino is very fond of Happy Hours and is an avid, but not very good, golfer? He spends a great deal of time emceeing charitable events and volunteering on committees for Lollypop Farm, Al Sigl Community of Agencies, Mercy Flight Central, Veterans Outreach Center, Camp Good Days & Special Times, ALS, Honor Flight, Holy Childhood and many more!!! He's also the Main Music Stage emcee for the Rochester Lilac Festival every May, Party in the Park, Bands on the Bricks, Bands at Barnard and various concert venues in the area every Summer.

As his wife Tammy would say, Dino’s never met a mic he didn’t like!

Mark Zawacki
2025 Robert A. Clinger Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award Winner 

Mark Zawacki’s distinguished 25-year career in fundraising is marked by transformational growth and innovative leadership. As senior vice president of advancement at Heritage Christian Services and executive director of the Heritage Christian Services Foundation, Mark has generated extraordinary philanthropic success in support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

After a career in entertainment and broadcasting, working in production for shows such as “Saved by the Bell” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Mark entered the nonprofit sector at WXXI Public Media in Rochester, New York, where he cultivated new relationships and exceeded annual fundraising goals by 50 percent. Under his leadership, a small team increased underwriting support for public education programming by 30 percent and earned the PBS Corporate Foundation Award for Best Underwriting Program. Later, as national sponsorship director with the PBS Sponsorship Group at WGBH in Boston, Mark developed fundraising strategies to secure funding for PBS programing including “Nova,” “Masterpiece” and “Antiques Roadshow.”

At Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, Mark was a major gift officer during its Campaign for the Colleges. In that role, he secured significant campaign and endowment gifts, stewarded more than 300 donors and directed events in Chicago and Philadelphia.

At Heritage Christian Services, Mark played a pivotal role in the success of the Homes with Heart capital campaign. Launched in 2020, the campaign exceeded $10 million, surpassing the $9.1 million goal by 10%. The project supported the renovation or construction of 13 fully accessible homes, ensuring that more than 400 people can age in place with dignity, even receiving end-of-life care and hospice services in the comfort of their own homes. HCS President & C.E.O. Marisa Geitner said, “This campaign would not have moved forward without Mark’s tremendous leadership.”

Other notable accomplishments at HCS include:

• More than quadrupled Foundation assets, created comprehensive leadership giving and gift planning programs. and grew annual appeal success tenfold over 18 years.
• Annual giving revenue increased from $46,000 in 2006 to more than $626,000 in 2020.
• Created and launched the Leadership Circle in 2007, now a cornerstone of the Foundation’s giving strategy, quadrupling participation and growing to nearly 350 committed members, including 71 new donors in the past year alone.
• Expanded the Heritage Christian Legacy Society, increasing the number of known legacy donors more than sixfold. As of 2025, the Society includes 138 living members and has honored over 200 people since its founding, generating more than $2.5 million in realized legacy gifts to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mark continues to provide strategic guidance to HCS leadership, overseeing endowments and developing earned revenue opportunities. He is a collaborative, joyful leader known for championing innovation while staying grounded in the mission of love and inclusion.