4 Business, Community Leaders Join MCC Alumni Hall of Fame
November 2, 2022
Inductees recognized for professional achievements, continued connections to the college
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Four individuals will be inducted into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame at the Monroe Community College Foundation’s 31st Annual Salute to Excellence dinner to be held Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Inductees are honored for their leadership, professional achievement, support of Monroe Community College, and giving back to their respective communities. Their stories reinforce how their respective MCC experiences opened doors to careers, including in business, social justice, and community engagement.
Inductees are Myra P. Henry, Ed.D. ’09 (Greece), Douglas E. Parker III ’92 (Pittsford), Joseph L. Searles Jr. ’89 (Greece), and Erin L. Waller ’98 (Brighton).
Myra P. Henry, Ed.D. ’09
Dr. Myra Henry worked for two decades with organizational committees and with leadership teams in higher education, medical centers, and nonprofits in developing the area’s next generation of leaders. Her career achievements led her to take on her latest challenge, as president and chief executive officer of the YWCA Rochester & Monroe County. She now works to advance the YWCA’s commitment to partnering with agencies on issues affecting people of color in an effort to dismantle systemic racism, with the intent to “eliminate racism and empower women,” in her own words. She has launched new equity programming, focused on women of color fundraisers, and makes diversity, equity and inclusion the top priorities throughout the YWCA’s continuum of housing, supportive living and young adult services. Dr. Henry holds an associate degree from MCC, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in organizational management from Keuka College, and a doctorate in executive leadership with an equity lens from St. John Fisher University.
Douglas E. Parker III ’92
With more than 35 years of experience in the financial planning and investment management industry, Douglas E Parker III as senior vice president of Sage Rutty & Company leads a team that delivers financial planning and retirement plan management for 250 families and more than 70 businesses throughout the U.S. and is responsible for managing over $1.2 billion in client assets. That level of success has led to his recognition as a Top Financial Advisor by the Financial Times. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for Hope Hall School, the Pension Committee of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester, and the Monroe Community College Foundation. He also leads the 19-piece GateSwingers Big Band. After graduating from MCC, Parker earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Roberts Wesleyan College and a master’s in financial planning from the College for Financial Planning.
Joseph L. Searles Jr. ’89
From a young age, Joseph Searles Jr. knew he had a calling to empower historically marginalized communities. After graduating from MCC, he went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in organizational management from Roberts Wesleyan College to become what he calls a “servant leader” who works to engage the community on behalf of his employers. His current position as vice president and chief community engagement officer at Trillium Health is the culmination of decades of leadership in the health care field as a community engagement and diversity, equity and inclusion professional. In supporting Trillium’s mission of improving health throughout the community, his efforts have enhanced organizational cultures through implementation of corporate diversity and inclusion training programs, cultivation of employee resource groups, and championing the cause to recognize women in professional positions. Searles serves on the boards of the Avangrid Foundation, Community Technology Advisory Assessment Board, Ibero American Action League, and Urban League of Rochester.
Erin L. Waller ’98
As product manager for asset manager Invesco, Ltd., Erin Waller focuses on municipal bond funds, researching product and portfolio initiatives, marketing trends and multimedia deliverables. In addition, she is also a writer and performer, appearing for multiple years at the Rochester Fringe Festival. Her three one-woman shows, collectively titled “You Are No Match For Me,” are based on her experiences with online dating. She also serves as executive director for Listen To Your Mother Rochester, a live storytelling event created by Roc the Mic Productions to raise money for the Society for the Protection and Care of Children. She recently completed Leadership Rochester, joining dozens of other community leaders in better serving and strengthening Rochester through a stronger understanding of the community’s strengths and challenges. After earning an associate degree in communications and media arts from MCC, Waller went on to study communication and marketing at Rochester Institute of Technology.
The MCC Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to honor the outstanding achievements of MCC graduates. Including the newest inductees, there are 114 members of the hall of fame.