DisrUpstate Expands Bold Leadership Movement, Seeks Mentors for the DisrUpstate Exchange

Syracuse, NY — October 7, 2025 — Following the breakout success of DisruptHR North Country, DisrUpstate is gearing up for an even bigger stage in Syracuse this November — and calling on bold business and HR leaders to step forward as mentors for its new DisrUpstate Exchange Mentorship Program.

The inaugural Watertown event drew rave reviews from attendees, including one participant who said, “This is refreshing, and so different from other events. Not at all what I was expecting — and I can’t wait for more.”

The upcoming DisruptHR Syracuse event, presented by DisrUpstate, will take place on November 13th at INSPYRE Innovation Hub, featuring eight powerhouse speakers, impactful networking, and vendors and sponsors committed to changing the future of work. The event serves as both a flagship gathering for the region’s leadership community and a key fundraiser supporting People on Purpose Inc. (POPI) — a local nonprofit providing HR and business advisory services to underserved organizations in Central New York.

“DisrUpstate is about shaking up the norm — but with heart and soul,” said Lindsay Mastrogiovanni, Director of DisrUpstate and Founder of ConsciousHR. “We’re creating spaces where small business owners, HR professionals, and community leaders can be real about what it takes to lead today. POPI is how we turn that energy into action — connecting conscious business with community impact.”

The DisrUpstate Exchange mentorship program, launching alongside the DisruptHR Syracuse event, will match experienced professionals with early-career HR and business leaders ready to grow, innovate, and lead. Mentors are invited to share their experience, challenge outdated ideas, and help build the next generation of conscious leaders.

“Our goal isn’t just to talk about leadership — it’s to live it,” said Mastrogiovanni. “The Exchange is how we make sure this disruption has roots. We’re connecting doers with dreamers who want to make workplaces, and communities, better.”

Get Involved

• Apply to Mentor or Sponsor: www.disrupstate.com/

• Attend DisruptHR Syracuse: November 13, 2025 | INSPYRE Innovation Hub, Syracuse, NY

Proceeds from DisrUpstate events benefit People on Purpose Inc. (POPI), fueling HR and leadership development for nonprofits and community organizations that need it most.

Media Contact:
Lindsay Mastrogiovanni
Director, DisrUpstate
[email protected]