Reconnect Rochester Names Co-Executive Directors, Adopts Shared Leadership ModelROCHESTER, N.Y. —

Cody Donahue (left) and Mary Staropoli (right)

Reconnect Rochester has named Mary Staropoli and Cody Donahue as Co-Executive Directors, adopting a shared leadership model to strengthen the organization’s mission of improving transportation in Monroe County.

“Shared leadership models are trending in the nonprofit sector and for good reason,” says Staropoli. “There are many benefits to the arrangement, like engaging with our different strengths and offering leadership capacity in more areas, to name a few.”

Staropoli, who joined Reconnect Rochester in 2016 as its first employee, previously served as Director of Planning & Development before stepping into the Executive Director role three years ago. Under her leadership, the organization grew from an all-volunteer effort to a staff-driven team of seven managing diverse programs and advocacy efforts.

In her new role, Staropoli will focus on internal operations, including fundraising, marketing, human resources, and financial management. She'll also oversee on-street projects like the Complete Streets Makeover.

Donahue, who has led Reconnect Rochester's policy and advocacy efforts for the past 18 months, emphasized the benefits of shared leadership.

“It’s good to have a thought partner and someone to bounce ideas off of,” says Donahue. “We now can share the responsibility and talk through important decisions to produce the best outcome for the organization.”

Donahue has experience working with UNICEF, international NGOs, and Planned Parenthood of Central & Western NY. His focus will include policy initiatives, legislative efforts, media engagement, and bicycle programming.

Both leaders will jointly manage strategic planning, staff supervision, and diversity and inclusion efforts.

“We’re excited to tackle our mission from a position of even greater organizational strength,” says Staropoli. “We have a lot of challenges and opportunities in store for 2025, and look forward to getting on with the important work of championing better mobility in Monroe County.”