Shelly THOMPSON

Director of Development & Marketing

LEADERSHIP GREATER SYRACUSE

* Age: 33

* Do you have ideas to attract and keep youth in the Syracuse area? A strong relationship between the universities and colleges and the community at large needs to be present. We must entice youth to come here for higher education by showing how their education will be utilized in careers, not just jobs.

* Where do you see the community and yourself in the next 10 years? I predict that the community will continue on its path of "green" and I could possibly be marketing our "green" successes to neighboring communities.

* Who has been the most influential person in your career? My parents. They have been there for me at every step and crossroad in my life.

* What are your guiding principles in life? Follow your heart with conviction and have pride in what you do.

* What has been your best career decision? Accepting a position with Partners Trust Bank. I feel that this was a springboard to my career.

* How has your life turned out differently than imagined? I never expected to be a development director for a nonprofit organization after being in retail and banking management for the last 12 years.

* What is one of your quirks? I am highly organized and I try to organize others around me.

* What are the core values that have been essential to your success? Integrity. You cannot be successful without it.

© 2008 Central New York Business Journal Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.