Dr. Seanelle Hawkins
2021 State of Black America
Dr. Seanelle Hawkins
In June of 2019, Dr. Seanelle Hawkins joined the Urban League of Rochester as its first female President and
CEO. Dr. Hawkins joined the Urban League from her position as Executive Director of Sojourner Home.
Her nonprofit executive leadership includes over 20 years in various executive leadership roles for nonprofits and program consultancies in New York and Washington, DC. Dr. Hawkins also serves as an adjunct professor at St.
John Fisher College in its doctoral program of Executive Leadership.
Dr. Hawkins received her Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University, Masters in Strategic Leadership at Roberts Wesleyan College, and in 2013 completed her Doctorate of Education, in the Executive Leadership Program at St. John Fisher College. She has been actively serving as a board member for The Council of Agency Executives,
INC, RochesterWorks!, Greater Rochester Housing Partnership, M&T Bank Directors Advisory Council, and Excellus Rochester Regional Advisory Board.
Dr. Hawkins lives in Rochester with her husband John and their three-year-old daughter Zoe.