Felisha Legette-Jack Will Serve as the 2025 Economic Champions Celebration Speaker

CenterState CEO will host Felisha Legette-Jack as the keynote speaker for its 2025 Economic Champions Celebration event, Oct. 29, 2025. Legette-Jack is Syracuse University’s Women’s Basketball head coach and former Syracuse University athlete. In three seasons leading the Orange, Legette-Jack has resurrected a Syracuse program from the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to one of the top teams in the nation’s best conference. Legette-Jack guided Syracuse to back-to-back 20-win seasons in her first two years and made a postseason tournament both seasons. She is also a graduate of the Syracuse City School District and Syracuse University.  

CenterState CEO’s Economic Champions event celebrates hundreds of outstanding businesses and organizations that are contributing to the growth of the Central New York economy—through new jobs, new business openings, expansions and investments, company milestones and more. 

During the event, Legette-Jack will share her own personal journey of recovery and rebuilding, and how it mirrors Syracuse’s current trajectory.  

“I knew the city as a kid, came back for a time as an assistant head coach, and now, after twenty-two years away, I feel blessed to finally be home again,” said Legette-Jack.  “In many ways, my own path of growth and recovery runs alongside Syracuse’s story. I’ve seen the loss of businesses and industry, but I also see the exciting possibilities that are ahead for our community. I see hundreds of businesses preparing to embrace the future of 'My City—Our City,' and I’m simply here to celebrate that future with you.” 

“Central New York is built on the spirit of turning challenges into fuel for progress. At a time of new growth and possibilities for our region, it's important to recognize the collective impact and outstanding achievements—large and small—of the business community that are the foundation of that success," said Ben Sio, acting president and CEO of CenterState CEO. "We’re thrilled to have Coach Jack joining us as this year's speaker, to share her enthusiasm and lessons in resilience, recovering from setbacks and preparing for the future, particularly as we look ahead as a region and rally forward toward event greater progress.” 

The event will also feature remarks from CenterState CEO President Rob Simpson, and the presentation of the 2025 Community Visionary Award. The award is presented to an organization that embodies a vision of economic opportunity and is creating a significant impact on community prosperity. 

CenterState CEO’s Economic Champion’s Luncheon is supported by Parking Sponsor: PMI; Supporting Sponsor: Canandaigua National Bank; Media Sponsors: Central New York Business Journal and This is CNY.

More about Felisha Legette-Jack: 

Felisha Legette-Jack, a 1989 graduate of Syracuse University and Orange All-American, is home. The Syracuse native and 20-year collegiate head coach took the reins of the Orange basketball program on March 26, 2022. 

In three seasons leading the Orange, Legette-Jack has resurrected a Syracuse program from the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to one of the top teams in the nation’s best conference. Legette-Jack guided Syracuse to back-to-back 20-win seasons in her first two years and made a postseason tournament both seasons. 

In 2022-23 she took Syracuse to the Super 16 of the Women’s NIT (WNIT) and finished with a 20-13 record. The Orange reached new heights in her second season on The Hill matching program bests in regular season wins (23), conference wins (13) and ACC road wins (6). Syracuse was picked to finish ninth in the ACC but posted a 13-5 record and earned the No. 3 seed in the ACC tournament, tying the biggest jump from preseason expectations to final standings in ACC history. Legette-Jack was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2024, becoming the first Syracuse head coach to earn the honor in men’s or women’s basketball.  

She led SU to its first NCAA Tournament win since 2021 as the Orange finished 24-8 after an eight-point loss to UConn in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. Syracuse is 36-13 at home during Legette-Jack’s tenure at Syracuse and is 56-40 through her first three seasons on The Hill. 

Legette-Jack is the first female in Syracuse Athletics history to have her jersey retired. She was the 1985 Big East Freshman of the Year and was the second All-America honorable mention selection in program history. At the time of her graduation in 1989, she was the program’s leader in career points and rebounds and led the Orange to its first NCAA Tournament in program history. 

She was an assistant on Marianna Freeman’s staff in the 1990s and returned home to Syracuse as head coach of her alma mater in March 2022.