Alumni Hall of Fame - Alyssa S. Whitfield

Alyssa Whitfield ’90
Founder and CEO, Dress for Success Rochester and
The Whitfield Collective, LLC

Nominated by Emily Cohen, Ed.D., Essie Calhoun-McDavid and Lonette Merriman

“The opportunities I was able to explore during my time at MCC were instrumental in my academic and personal growth. The supportive and encouraging atmosphere instilled in me a strong sense of self-confidence and resilience. I learned to navigate challenges and persevere through difficult moments, which has been invaluable in my journey beyond college.”

Alyssa Whitfield is a dynamic and motivational leader who has dedicated her career to making a lasting impact on the local community.

Her career in the nonprofit sector spans nearly two decades, highlighting her unwavering dedication to community engagement, serving in leadership positions at Youth Lifeline Foundation, Encompass and The American Red Cross before founding Dress for Success Rochester in 2015, with the mission of helping unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence by providing career coaching, skill building tools, a network of support, and professional attire to help them thrive in their work and life. Since opening, the organization has helped more than 1000 women along their career journey. In addition, Alyssa launched the Whitfield Collective, a consultancy providing coaching to individuals and leadership development to non-profits nationwide.

Alyssa’s authenticity, passion and relationship-building prowess, combined with her experience in social impact partnerships, make her a powerful force for social change and community development. She credits her MCC experience as one that was transformative. In 2006, Essence Magazine and Maybelline New York recognized Alyssa for her work in the region, winning the $10,000 “Empowerment through Education” Award. Known for strutting down the city’s sidewalks as if it was her runway, Alyssa was also recognized as “One of the 10 Most Stylish Rochesterians” by Rochester Magazine.

A proud mom to four awesome children – Michael, Malcolm, Jamison, and Lauryn, Alyssa and her husband Michael are loving life as empty nesters dividing their time between Rochester and Long Beach, California.

She currently serves as a board member for the Rochester Area Community Foundation, board president for You Can’t Fail, Inc. and a member of the Harbor Area California Chapter of the Links, Incorporated.