Fisher Well Represented in 2021 Forty Under 40

The Rochester Business Journal has selected Melissa Greco Lopes, assistant director of marketing and communications at Fisher, and Chad DiBiase ’11, ’12 (MBA), as 2021 Forty Under 40 honorees.

Forty Under 40 recognizes 40 men and women, under the age of 40, who have achieved professional success and who are giving back in meaningful ways to the Rochester community. A panel of judges consisting of previous winners from various professions selected the Forty Under 40 honorees. Since its founding 27 years ago, 1,080 outstanding young professionals have received this honor.

“This year's Forty Under 40 are an impressive group of leaders who have achieved professional success and have made significant civic contributions to our community at a young age,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, senior group publisher of the Rochester Business Journal. “They meet challenges head on and pursue opportunities and passions to make the Rochester area an even better place to live and work. We at the Rochester Business Journal are pleased to honor them for their achievements.”

Greco Lopes joined Fisher’s Office of Marketing and Communications in 2015, bringing with her eight years of higher education public relations experience. At Fisher, she develops and executes media relations efforts, promoting faculty as subject matter experts and generating news coverage of events, activities, and initiatives at the College. She has served on the Staff Recognition Committee and works closely with student interns serving as a mentor for aspiring public relations practitioners. Prior to joining Fisher, she served as a social media manager for Dixon Schwabl Advertising Agency and the press officer for student life and teaching at the University of Rochester.

A longtime advocate for the public relations profession, Greco Lopes is a long-time member of the Rochester Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and currently serves as the chapter president. During her time with the organization, Greco Lopes has helped organize the annual PR Apprentice program, a two-day boot camp that challenges teams of college students to create a PR plan for a local non-profit. In addition, she has served as co-chair of its Diversity and Inclusion Committee. In 2020, she earned her accreditation in public relations (APR) through PRSA.

Greco Lopes holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and a master’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She is a member of Cohort 16 in Fisher’s Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership program and expects to complete her degree in 2024.

DiBiase originally enrolled at Canisius College in 2001, and shortly after 9/11, he joined the Marine Corps Infantry. In 2006, he was deployed to the Horn of Africa, and then returned home on active duty orders at his Reserve Center to assist with day-to-day operations of the unit for training. He has completed many professional military instruction courses including Infantry Squad Leaders Course, Desert Survival, Martial Arts Instructor Course, Corporals Course and Sergeants Course, Combat Marksmanship Coaches Instructor Course, SERE School, High Risk Concealed Carry, Foreign Weapons Instructors Course, and Advanced Tactical Drivers Course. In addition, he was deployed to Iraq in 2009 for a Convoy Security Team, and in 2014, he spent eight months in the Middle East training foreign fighting forces as a security cooperation advisor. Most recently, he was the company gunnery sergeant for a Unit Deployment Program in Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. Currently, he serves as a platoon commander and operation chief for Weapons Company 1/25 Marines. He plans to continue to serve in the reserves.

He is a vice president of small business for Bank of America in Rochester. In addition, he serves on a variety of non-profit boards including the Marine Corps Coordinating Council. He also serves on the Bank of America Leadership Council, which focuses on helping the local community through Ture De Cure, Habitat for Humanity, and Veterans Outreach Center programs.

DiBiase obtained his bachelor of science in business management from Fisher in 2011 and one year later, received his MBA. On campus, he was the co-founder of the Veterans Affairs Club and was responsible for numerous fundraising events that benefited local veteran foundations.

The honorees will be recognized during an online celebration Nov. 16 at noon. Each will be celebrated for their achievements through video storytelling. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the program with their congratulations and cheers using social media platforms from their homes or offices. For tickets, visit https://rbj.net/events/forty-under-40/. The event hashtag is #RBJevents.