Foundation Board Member Spotlight: Tricia Sticca ’99
Tricia Sticca, a 1999 alumna of SUNY Poly, has served on her alma mater’s Foundation Board of Directors since Fall 2023. Her experience and background in business and leadership to support local, yet globally-recognized higher education institutions is a great asset to the Foundation Board, as they significantly contribute to SUNY Poly meeting the goals of its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan
One of the plans’ four pillars is student success. Tricia’s training and experience in business management, leadership development, and professional coaching allows her to contribute insight for students to uncover their gifts and talents and create purpose around that in their academic career and beyond.
Moreover, she has been in the local business arena for over 30 years specializing in sales, relationship management, and executive leadership, which allows her to build external partnerships and promote SUNY Poly’s brand through the broad network I have built over my career.
When she isn’t taking part in Foundation activities, as a leadership development professional, Tricia is busy unlocking the potential within leaders so they can build high-performing teams and thriving organizations.
“I do this through program delivery and individual coaching resulting in leaders feeling heard, supported, and connected more deeply in their relationships, both at work and in life,” she said. “They create meaningful solutions to challenges and live a more fulfilled life. My approach focuses on aligning my clients with their values and purpose to create exciting, yet digestible, goals that they feel confident in achieving while experiencing a greater sense of happiness and success. I believe we all have the answers within us. I am simply a mirror for your best ideas; and help you to see them more clearly.”
Tricia is also the Co-Founder of Success Circle, which equips female executives-turn-business owners in the Mohawk Valley with practical strategies, support, and mindset to unlock their potential. Their programs take a holistic approach that combines deep community support, comprehensive financial management (think—feeling like the CEO you are), and personal and business development.
In addition to her work life, Tricia is involved in the community serving as the Vice President on the Board of the Center for Family Life and Recovery as well as an active member in growing CNY BizTalkers, a Toastmasters International Club in Utica, NY.
Reflecting on SUNY Poly’s transformation since her graduation, Tricia says her perception revolved around community and business collaboration growth.
More specifically, she notes that the campus has grown significantly in its alliance with advanced technical and manufacturing organizations from around the world. Most notably, the presence of these organizations like Semikron Danfoss and Wolfspeed right on campus, which gives SUNY Poly students access to relationships that will lead to greater success.
Tricia notes that SUNY Poly’s “foundation of academic excellence with the skilled and experienced faculty and curriculum” helped prepare her for career success in the business world.
“My fondest memory from SUNY Poly is the relationships I forged with my fellow students, particularly in my senior year’s capstone class,” she said. “Many of the members from my capstone team are still serving our local business community.”
SUNY Poly is grateful to have engaged alums like Tricia, who work tirelessly to help create new opportunities for our students and eliminate barriers they face on their path to personal and professional success. Thank you Tricia!
