Bea González, a longtime Syracuse resident and respected civic leader, brings more than 40 years of experience in higher education and public service to Mayor-Elect Owens’ transition team. Born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, she became the first Latina elected to the Syracuse Board of Education in 1991 and later the first Latina president of the Syracuse Common Council in 2001. At Syracuse University, she served as Dean of University College and later as Vice President for Community Engagement, where she championed initiatives that expanded access to education and strengthened community partnerships. González has been recognized with numerous awards for her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to equity and inclusion, and continues to be a powerful voice for collaboration and civic empowerment in Central New York.

In 2014, Linda M. LeMura, Ph.D. became the first female lay person to become president of a Jesuit institution in the United States. A Syracuse native, under her leadership Le Moyne has achieved extraordinary success, including record-breaking enrollment and philanthropy. During her tenure, President LeMura has launched new academic programs and added more than 20 endowed professorships, chairs, faculty fellowships, and student scholarships. She co-chairs the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) and is actively engaged in strengthening the workforce development strategies for the region's business ecosystem. 

Melanie Littlejohn is the President and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation, a nearly century-old public charity dedicated to transforming community resources into meaningful regional impact. She brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience from National Grid, where she served as Vice President of Customer & Community Engagement, overseeing statewide initiatives focused on customer satisfaction, safety, reliability, emergency management, economic development, and corporate social responsibility.

Her professional background also includes leadership roles with the Urban League of Onondaga County and Banker’s Trust Company. She holds an MBA from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Stony Brook.

A committed civic leader, Littlejohn co-chairs the Micron Community Engagement Committee and serves on several regional boards. Over her career, she has contributed to more than 18 nonprofit boards and advisory groups. She has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Yva Jourdan Foundation’s 2022 Woman of Prestige Award and FOCUS Greater Syracuse’s Wisdom Keeper Award. She is also widely known for her commitment to mentoring emerging leaders.

For over 25 years, Tim Penix has championed educational access and economic empowerment across Central New York. As Vice President of the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center, he has transformed the institution into a beacon of opportunity.

His leadership in workforce training, community engagement, and the $42 million EOC renovation reflects a deep commitment to equity. Through roles on statewide councils and Micron’s Community Investment Fund, Tim ensures marginalized voices help shape regional growth.

Rob Simpson is president and CEO of CenterState CEO, the region’s leading independent business organization driving inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth in Central New York. He lives in the City of Syracuse with his family, where he’s rooted in the community he serves. Both professionally and personally, Rob champions growth and expands access to opportunity for all.