Sady Alvarado-Fischer named Minett Professor

Award-winning Queer Latina changemaker Sady Alvarado-Fischer has been announced as RIT’s Frederick H. Minett Professor for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Alvarado-Fischer serves as the vice president, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion officer at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and volunteers for numerous community organizations. As a result of her own intersecting identities, she has a strong passion for social justice with a special interest in women, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ issues.

“I am honored to be named the next Minett Professor, joining a list of dedicated leaders in our community whose shoulders I stand on.,” said Alvarado-Fischer. “RIT has a robust diversity and inclusion division and I’m excited about the partnership and the ability to both share my expertise and learn from what the campus community is doing in the DEI space. I truly believe that inclusion, diversity, equity, and access is everyone’s responsibility and look forward to advancing positive change together!”

The Minett Professorship brings distinguished Rochester-area multicultural professionals to the RIT campus to share professional knowledge and experience, emphasizing the connections between education and industry while highlighting the value of diversity. The position is an annual appointment with the honoree selected by the Minett Professors Emeriti and appointed by RIT President David Munson and Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Keith Jenkins.

“Sady is a proven changemaker,” said Jenkins. “Her experience and accomplishments will be an asset to students, faculty, and staff across campus. We are thrilled to name her this year’s Minett Professor.”

In her current professional role, Alvarado-Fischer leads the company’s DEI strategy, including developing a framework that became one of the company’s core values. Her leadership has led Excellus BCBS to receive numerous workplace inclusion awards.

Alvarado-Fischer is also involved with the Rochester Latinx Roundtable, the United Way’s Leadership Development programs, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce Women’s Council, YMCA of Greater Rochester, Greater Rochester Health Foundation, and Causewave Community Partners. Her list of awards includes the Power List of LGBTQ+ Business Leaders by the Rochester Business Journal, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Colors of Success DEI Leadership Award winner, and one of 200 women featured in the Changemakers exhibit at the Rochester Museum and Science Center.

Alvarado-Fischer takes over the professorship from Distinguished Professor Sherry Perry Tshibangu, who served the previous academic year. Others who have held the role include many prominent business, academic, medical, and law enforcement professionals working in Rochester.

The professorship is named after one of RIT’s early benefactors, Frederick Minett, who started a tool and die company on Water Street in downtown Rochester in the early 1920s. He was familiar with RIT, formerly called the Mechanics Institute, and employed some students. Minett died in 1971, leaving a more than $5 million endowment to RIT. Originally divided between RIT’s College of Continuing Education and the general endowment, the bequest was intended to support Minett’s and RIT’s vision of career education.