Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter Honoree

Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) is the international honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB International.

The Chapter Honoree award is conferred upon those who have furthered the ideals of the Society through outstanding business and managerial leadership. Any person who has achieved distinction primarily in business and administration who possesses those qualities that Beta Gamma Sigma fosters may be nominated as chapter honoree by the chapter.

2018 Recipient

Kathleen R. Whelehan

President and Chief Executive Officer, The Upstate Bank

Kathleen Whelehan, president and CEO of Upstate New York Bank, was recognized as the School's Beta Gama Sigma Honoree, which acknowledges her outstanding commitment to the international honor society’s values of honor and integrity, pursuit of wisdom, and earnestness.

Whelehan joined Upstate Bank in 2011. Prior to this position, she held executive roles at the United Way of Greater Rochester, Bank of America, and HSBC, where she was Rochester regional president and consumer finance executive vice president.

She holds a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Nazareth College and an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Whelehan has been an Athena Award recipient and was honored by RIT's School of Business as a distinguished alumna.

Currently, Whelehan serves on the Saunders School Dean's Advisory Council for RIT, and holds board positions for Highland Hospital, Al Sigl Foundation, Stella Matutina Foundation, Episcopal Senior Life Communities, Geva Theatre, Independent Bankers Association of NY, Genesee Valley Club, Visiting Nurse Services, and serves on the advisory group for Monroe Community Hospital.

She is also an active and long-term volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Isaiah Home for the Dying, and the Rochester Psychiatric Center, work she has found to be very satisfying.

Past Recipients