About

Michelle Daniels is the founder and Executive Director of the Daniels Democracy and Community Foundation, Inc. and the Frederick Douglass Club. She has a long history of supporting and representing the underprivileged, underrepresented, and under-recognized.

Mrs. Daniels has received accolades at the local, state, and federal levels. In recent years she has received prestigious honors such as the “Key to the City of Rochester,” Action for a Better Community Signature Citizen of the Year Award,” “New York State Woman of Distinction,” “United Negro College Fund’s Frederick Douglass Patterson Leadership Award”, and recognition of “Michelle Garcia-Daniels Day (May 9, 2017)” in the City of Rochester.

Michelle holds an A.A.S. in Communications from Monroe Community College and a B.A. in Communications from S.U.N.Y. Brockport.

DDCF Chairwoman Ineabelle Geena Cruz is CEO of Heels of Greatness Inc., founder of ROC with Her, and co-founder of the National Father's Day Pledge. She has provided training to law enforcement, educational institutes, labor, community, and religious organizations on domestic violence.

Ms. Cruz is also the New York State Ambassador for The United State of Women, an organization dedicated to convening, connecting, and amplifying voices in the fight for full gender equality. Ineabelle Geena Cruz has been officially recognized by New York State Senator Joseph Robach, Monroe County Legislators, and the Gates Town Supervisor for her efforts during COVID-19 and relief efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

Her numerous awards include the National Coalition of Domestic Violence Voices Rising Award, the Regional Robert Wilson Award, the Women and Young Girls Empowerment Award, Psi Omega Zeta Sisterhood Award, the Frederick Douglass Award, RESOLVE Grassroots Revolutionary Award, and Mayoral recognitions for her activism and bridging the gaps in her community.

Ms. Cruz received a Master of Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from SUNY College at Brockport, Bachelor of Science in Human Service from SUNY at Empire State College and is also certified as an Institutional Review Board (IRB) Professional and personal life coach.

Dr. Sean Bennett was born in Rochester, New York, and is a proud graduate of Rochester City Schools.

Dr. Bennett has served as Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Salem State University since 2020. He is charged with leading the university’s strategic diversity and inclusion priorities by working collaboratively with stakeholders throughout campus to develop, implement and embed inclusive excellence in all university endeavors.

He entered Salem State with more than 20 years of leadership experience across Higher Education and K-12 environments. Prior to joining Salem State, Sean served as Assistant Dean for Academic Operations & Student Success in the College of Engineering Technology at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY.

Dr. Bennett holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Clarkson University and a Master's of Education degree from both the State University of New York at Brockport and Harvard University. Sean completed his doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.

In addition to his professional commitments, Sean serves on the City of Salem Racial Equity and Justice Task Force, The City of Salem Human Rights Coalition, and Salem United.

Eric Daniels is the Managing Director of the Life Sciences investment team at Manning and Napier, a Rochester, NY-based investment management company, which manages in excess of $20 billion.

He leads the firm’s global investment efforts in the healthcare space. Mr. Daniels is also a member of the firm’s Leadership Council, Committee for Diversity and Inclusion, and Research Recruiting Group. Prior to Manning and Napier, Eric was a Vice-President at JPMorgan Investment Bank.

Personally, Eric serves on the Board of Directors as well as the Finance and Audit Committee of East House. He is also the Western New York Chair of Stanford On-line Volunteer Alumni Link (OVAL) where he coordinates Stanford alumni volunteer efforts.

Eric holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. He is also a proud graduate of Wilson Magnet High School.

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Dr. Sean Bennett was born in Rochester, New York, and is a proud graduate of Rochester City Schools.

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