Our Vision & Mission

Our Vision is an upward spiral of Leadership Excellence Achieved through Development (LEAD *) resulting in greater prosperity, connection, health and vitality in our community.

Our Mission is to establish a Servant Leadership culture in Rochester. We host the annual Global Leadership Summit (GLS) as the primary means through which to accomplish our goal because it is the most effective transformational leadership development opportunity available on the planet, with an excellent price point.

There are essentially 3 points to our mission:

1. Build an upward spiral LEAD - Leadership excellence Acheived through Development

2. Establish a Servant Leadership Culture in Rochester

3. Develop leaders who develop leaders

*Given to us by our friend and fellow Team Member, Dan Hedberg, former Rochester Rotarian, now in heaven.

Our Story

About The Global Leadership Summit in Rochester:
Introducing Lisa Hill DiFusco, a remarkable woman who, ten years ago, embarked on a journey to foster leadership within her local community. With boundless passion and unwavering dedication, she initiated hosting The Global Leadership Summit in Rochester that has since become a beacon of inspiration and empowerment. Lisa's nurturing spirit and warm embrace have created a space where aspiring leaders can find their voice, cultivate their strengths, and soar to new heights. Through her selfless efforts, she has ignited a flame of possibility in the hearts of countless individuals, leaving an enduring legacy of hope and transformation.

About The LightHeart Institute:
The LightHeart Institute is dedicated to awakening passion and igniting client's natural ability to succeed and thrive. By posing the question, "What if...you could achieve your dreams...?" the Institute invites clients on a courageous journey of hope, opportunity, creativity and achievement.

Lisa Hill DiFusco is a Senior Executive Coach, Holistic Psychotherapist and Functional Medicine Consultant. In 1987 at the encouragement and inspiration of (former) surgeon and NY Times best-selling author, Bernie Siegel MD, she founded The LightHeart Institute, a holistic coaching, counseling and consulting organization whose mission is to create an upward spiral of intentional leadership, health, healing and vitality, impacting Rochester, and beyond for generations to come.

Thanks to our 2025 Volunteers:

Glenn Balch, Promotion

Sabrina Barton, Operations

Dave Bassett, Signage, Technical Support

Kevin Clifford, ChiefConnect

Frank Crombe, Treasurer, Promotion

Mark Dulaney, Promotion,

Registration Support

David Finger, Technical Director

Jim Johnson, Promotion

Joy Lecesse, Leadership Coach

Emilie Schertzer, Event Volunteer

Gabby Schertzer, Event Volunteer

Sophie Schertzer, Event Volunteer

Stacey Steinmiller, Leadership Coach

Claire Spears, Promotion - Youth, Website Design

Karin Spears, Website Support, Promotion

Jim Stone, Head Leadership Coach, Promotion

Maureen Stone, Leadership Coach

Rehnuma Karim, Local Events Leader

Adita Kulkarni, Chief Registrar

David Mammano, Emcee

Fr. Michael Mayer, Promotion

Cintia Orsi, Leadership Coach

Kyle Palmer, Sponsorships

David Powe, Promotion, Partnerships Lead

Tammy Richards, Sponsorships, Flower Coordinator

Emily Scalzo, Graphic Design

Makayla Wright, Social Media, Photography,

Nermine Zakhary, Leadership Coach, Sponsorships