LaBella Associates, a Rochester, N.Y., based design firm, graduated 17 program participants from its inaugural “Propel” leadership development program. The cohort dedicated a significant amount of time to the program, above and beyond their normal work hours and responsibilities, the company says. Participants met in Rochester two days on a bimonthly basis for six months—although the last two sessions were conducted virtually due to COVID-19 issues. The program’s syllabus focused on public speaking and effective presentations; effective communication and active listening; conflict resolution; emotional intelligence; and coaching and developing others. The first Propel graduates, in alphabetical order, are: Mike Barbasch, Chris Bayer, Jeff Davis, Jerry DeRomanis, Jennifer Gillen, Dan Hill, Tom Miller, Mike Rogalski, Tony Sanganetti, Ryan Smith, Jon Spurr, Ruben Gay-Vazquez, Anne Weis, Stacy Welch, Caroline Wheadon, Matt Wing and Adam Zebrowski.