Contact Us

Ann Miller

Director, Imagine RIT and Special Events

Conferences & Special Events

(585) 475-4329

Ann Miller, Director of Imagine RIT and Special Events, for the department of Government and Community Relations, is a proud RIT Alumna. Ann's career began at the university in 2017 as the Events and Promotions Manager of the College of Art and Design. Her prior career experience included an events position with the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY. This was after completing her undergraduate degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, with concentrations in Event Management and Communications.

As Director of Imagine RIT and Special Events, Ann continues to enjoy working on a variety of campus-wide events, with the primary focus on programming and logistics for the Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival.

Ann is people oriented with a dynamic, inclusive, and engaging personality. She is a strong advocate for others and motivated to empower people around her. Ann enjoys many activities and is passionate about her involvement in church ministries of the greater Rochester area.

Lynn Rowoth

Associate Vice President

Conferences & Special Events

lcrgrl@rit.edu

(585) 475-7408

Lynn brought over 20 years of conference and event planning experience to RIT when she joined the Office of Government & Community Relations in 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University. Currently as Associate Vice President of Community Relations and Special Events, Lynn oversees the conference and events staff, serves as Director of Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend, and represents the division on various university committees. Much of her responsibilities have a community relations focus with her management annually of RIT’s ever-increasing presence in the Rochester Fringe Festival and in the logistical role for the annual Davis Distinguished Public Service Awards.

Additionally Lynn has coordinated RIT’s annual United Way Campaign since 2006. The RIT community has raised over $6.3M for local charities in the years that she managed the campaign. Under her supervision, the university has received multiple awards for exemplary service to the Rochester community: President’s Award (2008 and 2015), Richard P. Miller Award for Outstanding Campaign Coordinator (2010), Student Award – Extraordinary Fundraising (2012), Chairman’s Award (2014), Century Award (2018) and Unstoppable Award (2020 during COVID-19 shutdown).

Cate Fox

Sr. Staff Assistant

Conferences & Special Events

cmfgrl@rit.edu

(585) 475-2069

I began my career at RIT in 2008 as a Senior Staff Assistant in the Center for Residence Life. During my time with Residence Life I provided support to the leadership team, budget management and assisted in planning many of the department events. In my personal time I enjoy home remodeling projects and spending time with family and friends.

Lori Gentile

Analyst, Financial and Technical Services

Conferences & Special Events

laggrl@rit.edu

(585) 475-5012

Lori joined RIT’s Office of Government and Community Relations in May of 2012. A native of Greece, NY, Lori brought many years of customer service, human resources and supervisory experience to RIT. She currently oversees the financials for the department and is responsible for assisting the associate vice president and directors. As the head of GCR’s front desk, Lori often handles inquiries from the community and assists individuals and organizations with the initial phase of RIT event requests. Lori assists in coordinating RIT’s presence at the Rochester Fringe Festival and is involved in supporting RIT’s participation in many events in the Henrietta and Rochester community. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from RIT. Outside of campus, Lori enjoys supporting her children’s interests in dance and soccer and serves on many fundraising committees.

Michelle Lezette

Director, Technology Management & Business Strategies

Conferences & Special Events

mlsgrl@rit.edu

(585) 475-4968

Michelle Lezette has been at RIT since 1996, first as a student then as a staff member. She is a two-time alumna from RIT with a Bachelor of Science in Printing Management and Master of Business Administration. She has worked in Government and Community Relations since 2001, and during that time has planned and executed over 500 events and conferences. For ten years she served as director of RIT’s Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend, an all-encompassing weekend celebration for alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the university. She has also worked on a number of small and large-scale community events including the FIRST Robotics Competition, JDFR Walk to Cure Diabetes, JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge, as well as numerous groundbreaking and building dedication ceremonies for RIT. In her current role as EMS Administrator, Michelle is responsible for managing and administering an enterprise software system utilized campus-wide at RIT for comprehensive event management.

Nicole Prahler

Associate Director. Conference & Special Events

Conferences & Special Events

nmpgrl@rit.edu

475-7814

Nicole considers her home town to be “Everywhere and nowhere.” As a child, her parents were in the military and the family was stationed in several different states. Nicole moved to Rochester in 2007 to attend RIT and has been an RIT employee since 2015. Previously to joining the Government and Community Relations in 2019, she worked for Career Services. Nicole brings event/project management, customer service, database, and data analytics skills to the team. In her current role, Nicole is responsible for supporting the RIT United Way Steering Committee, and assists with executing the award-winning United Way Campaign for the university. Nicole also supports the Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend Programming Committee to carry out the essential elements for the weekend program. Nicole is passionate about service and currently serves as an advisor to the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity on campus where she mentors a group of women to become better leaders and team members.

Susie Sieling

Associate Director. Conference & Special Events

Conferences & Special Events

sesgrl@rit.edu

(585) 475-2075

Susan, also known as Susie, joined the Government and Community Relations Division in 2019. She graduated from RIT in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in International Hospitality and Service Management. Prior to working for RIT she was the Convention Services Manager at the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa. She has been able to use much of what she learned from planning events at the Woodcliff in her role current role as Associate Director of Conferences and Special Events.

In her current position, Susie gets to help external clients plan their events on campus and support campus wide events such as Imagine RIT.

Outside of work Susie enjoys volunteering with her church’s youth group, having game nights with friends, and doing yoga.

Lisa Stein

Associate Director. Conference & Special Events

Conferences & Special Events

lmsgrl@rit.edu

(585) 475-6941

Lisa originally hales from Syracuse, New York and joined RIT in the Government and Community Relations Division in 2005. During her first few years at RIT, Lisa managed the office budget and supported the development of the online registration system for RIT’s Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend. After several years working side by side with event planners, Lisa gained the necessary experience to take on the role of Associate Director for Conferences and Special Events in 2010. While Lisa is well- versed in all aspects of operations and logistics for events large and small, Lisa has particular expertise in assisting clients executing athletic camps, K-12 programs, and professional conferences on campus. Lisa also uses her event planning experience on a personal level by volunteering and planning events with her children’s schools and extracurricular activities. Lisa is passionate about interior decorating and enjoys DIY projects. Lisa is currently taking classes in Project Management at RIT.

You are here