Sharpen the Saw
For more than two decades, Sharpen the Saw has brought together EMBA students, alumni, faculty, and community partners to pause, reflect, and invest in their ongoing personal growth and business knowledge development.
The 22nd Annual Sharpen the Saw is slated for Thursday, June 4, 2026 in Rochester, New York featuring a keynote from Patrick McGee, NYT best-selling author of Apple in China. We can’t wait to bring our community together again for a powerful day of learning and connection.
Keynote
Patrick McGee, NYT Bestselling Author of Apple in China
Patrick McGee is San Francisco Correspondent for the Financial Times, where he's been a reporter since 2013 on three continents. He joined the paper in Hong Kong to cover Asian business and markets, moved to Frankfurt to report on the Volkswagen diesel scandal and emerging crises in German industry, and since 2019 has been based in the Bay Area covering Apple and tech hardware.
Patrick's tech reporting won a San Francisco Press Club Award — best tech article for a newspaper, 2023 — for his deep dive into Apple’s HR problems. His FT magazine cover article, "Inside Peloton's epic run of bungled calls and bad luck," received an Honorable Mention for SABEW's Best in Business Awards, 2022 (co-authored with Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson).
His focus over the past decade has been on Apple, digital advertising, robotaxis, electric vehicles, German industry, and connected fitness.
Patrick's book, Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company, is a three-decade narrative on Apple's ascent from the brink of bankruptcy to world's most powerful company. The first major history of Apple in the 21st century, the book is based on 200+ interviews with current and former Apple executives and engineers. It tells the story of how tech giant tied its fortunes to America's biggest rival, transforming both company and country. Apple in China was called "absolutely riveting" by Oxford historian Peter Frankopan and "a once-in-a-generation-read" by Foreign Affairs writer, Robert Kaplan. It was also named a most anticipated title of 2025 by both Foreign Policy and Publishers Weekly, was listed in “What to Read in 2025” by Financial Times and was an instant New York Times Best Seller.
Previously, he was a bond reporter at The Wall Street Journal in New York. He has a Master’s in global diplomacy from SOAS, University of London, where he wrote a thesis arguing that America's military budget and strategy were not fit for 21st century threats. He also has degree in religious studies from the University of Toronto. Originally from Calgary, Canada, Patrick resides in the Bay Area.
EMBA Speaker - Magaly Rosario
Leading Through Conflict: Confident Conversations That Drive Results
Magaly Rosario, MBA, SBL/SDL, serves as Executive Director of Genesee Community Charter Schools in Rochester, NY. She leads two campuses, oversees complex multi-stakeholder governance, and steers organizational success across academics, operations, and culture. A proud alumna of RIT’s Saunders College of Business, Magaly brings over twenty-five years of leadership experience in education, nonprofit management, and community development.
She has successfully guided organizations through renewals, facility negotiations, workforce transitions, and financial turnarounds, offering her a grounded, real-world perspective on navigating uncertainty. Magaly holds an Advanced Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University and is completing her doctorate at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education.
A national presenter on leadership, equity, and conflict resolution, Magaly is recognized for building high-trust teams, aligning diverse stakeholders around shared goals, and transforming difficult conversations into decisions that propel organizations forward. Her work resonates across sectors, as the challenges she addresses, communication breakdowns, competing priorities, and leading change are universal to leaders managing people and outcomes.
Resilience - EMBA Speaker Panel
Mike Privitera (EMBA ‘09)
Living in the Greater Phoenix area and now enjoying a portfolio career, Mike Privitera serves as a Peer Advisor with Lee Hecht Harrison’s International Center for Executive Options (ICEO), where he partners with senior leaders as a coach, mentor, and strategic thought partner, providing guidance to executives in navigating transition, shaping strategy, and strengthening their leadership impact.
Mike brings over 35 years of global experience in enterprise governance, operational management & transformation, risk and regulatory oversight, and human capital strategy. His career at a Fortune Global 500 financial institution culminated as Board Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer of its $1.3B U.S. service company—supporting more than 50 affiliates worldwide and driving scalable, resilient operations across a highly regulated landscape.
An RIT Executive MBA graduate, Mike is a certified director with the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD.DC) and Senior Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM-SCP).
Joe Spilman (EMBA ‘17)
Joseph (Joe) Spilman, CEO of Optimax Systems, Inc., has been with the company for over 16 years, progressing through roles such as Business Development Manager, Sales Manager, Director of Sales and Marketing, and President.
Joe holds a Bachelor's degree in Optics from the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology’s Saunders College of Business. With more than a decade of experience in engineering, sales, and business development in the optics market, Joe has been instrumental in driving Optimax’s growth and success. His leadership combines technical expertise with strategic business acumen, positioning Optimax as a leader in precision optics.
David Pritchard (MBA ‘95)
David Pritchard graduated with a BS from St. John Fisher College in 1983 and subsequently earned an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology1995. Post-graduation from St. John Fisher & RIT, David held various leadership positions in the automotive industry with Delco Products, ITT Automotive and Valeo. He then moved into the medical device industry serving as Director, Business Development building an international business presence in 55 countries and then was nominated and served as President of Getinge Sourcing in Henrietta, New York.
In April 2026, David retired as President & COO of Gorbel®, Inc., a privately held organization located in Fishers, New York serving the material handling industry and warehouse distribution sector. He began his career with Gorbel in September 2015 and previously served as their Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Sales & Customer Experience.
David was a member of the inaugural St. John Fisher College Management Programs Advisory Board supporting the original accreditation process for the School of Business. He is a current board member of the Dean’s Leadership Council (DLC) for the SJFC School of Business, a member for the SJFC Family Business Initiative Steering Committee and a guest lecturer in the SJFC MBA program focusing on Leadership and Strategy. David was given the SJFC Dean’s Medal for Outstanding Service recognizing exemplary and sustained contributions of individuals in service to the College and the School of Business. In addition, David has spoken in Management classes at RIT Saunders School of Business and recently accepted a position on the Saunders School of Business Management Advisory Board.
He also served a twelve-year commitment as a member on the Board of Directors, Endowment and Executive Committees at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, in Rochester, New York.
He lives in Pittsford, New York with his wife Robin.
Alison Jones (EMBA ‘20)
Alison Zero Jones serves as Senior Manager of Marketing and Events for Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, a nonprofit organization that supports more than 171,000 people each year through programs including Goodwill Vision Enterprises, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and Goodwill Learning Academy. She brings a dynamic background in media, public relations, and live event production, having previously served as Director of Corporate Sponsorship at WXXI Public Media and as a Senior Publicist at Girlie Action Media & Marketing, where she led national campaigns for artists such as The White Stripes and My Morning Jacket. Earlier in her career, she worked at WBFO, Buffalo’s NPR affiliate, producing a weekly live concert series and reporting on music. Originally from Long Island, Alison now lives in Honeoye Falls, New York, with her husband, two children, and a lively crew of misfit pets. She serves on the board of the Mendon Public Library and, in her free time, enjoys songwriting, spinning records, and exploring the natural world.
Featured Speaker - Leah George VanScott
Economic Development in Rochester
Leah George VanScott
As the senior member of GRE’s business development team, Leah manages relationships with corporate executives, site selectors, and regional economic development officials to attract private capital investment and new jobs to the 9-county Greater Rochester, NY Region. GRE is described as the concierge to the region, providing critical and confidential information and connectivity to key business partners to support growth.
Leah works tirelessly to implement continuous process improvements and to successfully guide companies through the economic development process.
Leah was directly involved in the attraction of Coca-Cola Fairlife, Edwards, Toyota Material Handling North America, and UltraPhil and the expansion of QED Technologies, EvolvOptic, Vuzix Corp., Corning, Zweigles, Oxbo International, Carestream Health, Pactiv Corporation, Durst Image Technology US, ITX Corp., and many other companies.
Leah serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and St. John Fisher’s School of Business Dean’s Advisory Council.
She is a recipient of the Rochester Business Journal’s Women of Excellence, and 40 Under 40 awards, and St. John Fisher’s ‘Victor E. Salerno Award for American Enterprise’ and Excellence in Management.
Prior to joining GRE, Leah spent more than a decade as a broadcast journalist.
Leah graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a B.A. in communications, public relations and business and earned an M.B.A. from St. John Fisher College.
Employee Ownership - Speaker Panel
Building Enduring Firms: What Employee Ownership Reveals About Leadership, Inclusion, and Growth
Ryan Williams - Moderator
Ryan Williams is an ecosystem builder and strategist focused on helping communities strengthen the systems that support entrepreneurs and small businesses.
He serves as an Ecosystem Coordinator with OneROC, where he supports regional efforts to align stakeholders, activate collaboration, and accelerate entrepreneurial ecosystem development across Western and Southern Tier New York. His work centers on strengthening connections between entrepreneur support organizations, improving access to resources, and helping build a more coordinated and inclusive ecosystem.
Ryan also serves as an Economic Recovery Corps Fellow with Third Eye Network, one of 65 fellows selected nationally, partnering with organizations across Western New York to advance equitable economic development initiatives and expand opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
He is the Founder of RAW Solutions, a strategy and capacity-building practice supporting mission-driven leaders, organizations, and cross-sector initiatives. His work spans nonprofit leadership, economic development, and collective impact, supporting efforts such as the formation of the Syracuse College Attainment Network (SCAN) and facilitating the process that led to Syracuse’s certification as a My Brother’s Keeper Community.
Previously, Ryan served as Chief Operating Officer of The Good Life Youth Foundation, where he helped scale programs, secure significant public investment, and expand community impact. A veteran and trusted facilitator, he brings a grounded, relationship-driven approach to systems change, rooted in clarity, collaboration, and community.
Mike Mandina (EMBA ‘03)
Mike Mandina is a founder of Optimax Systems and joined the company in 1991 as its first full-time employee. He served as President until 2021, leading Optimax’s growth from a single employee into the largest optics manufacturer in the United States. Under his leadership, the company expanded from a small operation into a major advanced manufacturing organization supporting aerospace, defense, and semiconductor technologies.
Mike’s career in optics spans nearly five decades. He founded his first optics company in 1976 and has since played a central role in building the American precision optics industrial base. Beyond Optimax, Mike has been deeply committed to workforce development, industry collaboration, and regional economic growth. Today, he serves as Chairman of the Optimax Board and as a Trustee of the Optimax Trust, helping ensure the company’s long-term independence, success, and commitment to its employees. Mike is also a long-time Board Member for Vertus High School, a Rochester based Charter School for young men. Mike holds an EMBA from RIT.
Tracy Till
Tracy is the co-founder & former co-CEO of Rochester-based agency, Butler/Till. Her marketing mind and media prowess were what clients, and agency partners alike, desired most from her partnership. She easily bridged enterprise divides by humbly seeing no “boundaries” in terms of her role and her “seat at the table.” Internally at Butler/Till, her focus was on her people, the products, and processes – always striving for remarkable. When the time came to plan a successful exit, opting for an Employee Ownership model was easy. No one better to succeed the leaders, share in the profits & solidify retirement futures than the employees who helped build Butler/Till. Today, Tracy brings that same passion as an Independent Board of Director to Employee-Owned (EO) firms in the USA. Leveraging her experiences as a business founder, CEO, marketer, board governance and strategic planning professional. Tracy also served the broader EO community as a Board member of EOX, the Employee Ownership Expansion Network.
Bruce Peters
Bruce Peters is Co-Founder of Beyond Ownership, where he specializes in executive leadership development and equipping leaders to cultivate agency and accountability across their organizations. With a diverse career as a lawyer, executive, entrepreneur, and educator, Bruce has spent the past 25 years helping leaders and organizations cultivate purpose, self-leadership, and adaptability.
He works closely with leaders of second-stage companies and those entering their third act, guiding them through critical transitions and preparing them for what comes next with clarity and intention.
Bruce created the Beyond Ownership Facilitative Leadership Program (FLP), which he has led more than 1,000 individuals through since the first cohort in 2006. His work centers on helping leaders move beyond where they are today to create what’s next.
Michaela Gascon
As CEO of KJT, I focus on ensuring insights help healthcare decision-makers act with confidence and purpose.
I joined KJT as employee #1 nearly two decades ago. What was intended to be a short-term leap became a long-term commitment to building an enduring firm, to strengthening our industry, and to supporting decisions that ultimately affect patients’ lives. Succeeding our founder has been both a responsibility and a privilege. I carry deep gratitude for the mentors, teammates, clients, and family support system that have made this journey possible. That perspective keeps me grounded and mindful of the impact our work can have.
Throughout my career, I’ve challenged the assumption that rigorous market research must be slow and methodical to be credible. In certain contexts, depth is essential. But healthcare leaders operate in environments that demand clarity and speed. At KJT, we integrate therapeutic depth, real-world evidence, and strategic foresight to deliver decision-ready insight grounded in human truth and designed for real business impact.
Some of the most meaningful moments have come through rare disease brand launches, where insights are directly connected to advancing innovation and expanding options for patients with limited alternatives. In those situations, our work transcends deliverables. It contributes to stronger performance and, more importantly, better patient outcomes. I do not take that responsibility lightly.
Under my leadership, we have strengthened our talent philosophy and financial discipline while expanding our industry connectivity. We expect our teams to combine empathy with consultative precision, commercial literacy with methodological rigor, and now, AI fluency with strategic thinking. “Ever Better” is not aspirational. It is operational. Growth is expected.
Integrity and authenticity guide how we engage. We will push back when something isn’t sound. We will speak clearly in crowded environments. We believe healthcare decision-makers learn best when human truth is activated with courage and purpose.
Featured Speaker - Scott Reardon
Scott Reardon (‘96)
Scott Reardon BS ’96 is a member of RIT’s KGCOE National Council to advise the Dean on strategic issues and initiatives of major significance to the College, while also shaping visionary plans for the future. He has also served as a member of the Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board.
While working full-time and attending RIT as a graduate student, Scott started D3 Engineering in 1999, and he has led the company through growth and challenges over the past 24 years. D3 partners with major semiconductor companies to provide product development and manufacturing for performance-critical embedded systems across industrial, medical, and automotive applications. D3 currently employs over 70 people in Rochester, N.Y. Over half the staff are RIT alumni and D3 has employed nearly 100 co-op students over the past 20 years. D3 is an engaged member of the RIT community, supporting multidisciplinary senior design projects, various clubs and other activities across the campus.
Scott lives in the Rochester region with his wife, Liz, and their two children.
Location/Directions
Parking
Please park in Parking Lot S. Once registered, external guests will receive additional instructions on how to access a parking pass.
Download Campus Maps: Interactive Campus Map
Sharpen The Saw Map: Parking Lot S to Max Lowenthal Hall
Map/Directions
RIT’s campus is conveniently located five miles from the Greater Rochester International Airport and the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90). GPS Link to: Parking Lot S, Reynolds Dr, Rochester, NY 14623
