Leesa Perrazo excited for new step as human resources manager

Leesa Perazzo has been named human resources manager for Proctors, the largest arts organization in the region. Perazzo joined the company in 2011, serving consecutively as group sales manager and director of special events. In her new role, she will manage almost 200 employees at Proctors (Schenectady), Capital Repertory Theatre (Albany) and Universal Preservation Hall (Saratoga Springs).

“I love creative people,” Perazzo says, “and Proctors is a remarkably progressive, creative environment, which has played such a strong role in the revitalization of downtown Schenectady.”

Early in her career, Perazzo—a devoted civic leader currently serving as president of the Schenectady City Council—worked for 21 years in a variety of positions, including human resources, with Mazzone Hospitality at Glen Sanders Mansion.

From 1992–1996, she ran her own award-winning upper Union Street dinner and jazz club, Leesa’s Restaurant.

And directly prior to Proctors, Perazzo spent five years focusing on government affairs and workforce development as director of member services and business resources for the Chamber of Schenectady County.

“I have always been well-organized, and strong in mediation and follow-through” Perazzo says. “I am versed in changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act, and my experience with Mazzone taught me how to maintain a consistent work environment and foster a deeper level of satisfaction for employees. I’m very excited to take this new step in my own career.”

Perazzo—a graduate of Leadership Tech Valley 2008—maintains a menu and graphic design business, Eat My Words, and serves on the board of directors for the Schenectady Greenmarket and the board of trustees for Heritage Home for Women. She is a past board member of A Place for Jazz, Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties and Quest. And she is a member of Schenectady Business and Professional Women, the Schenectady Rotary Club and the League of Women Voters.

In 2009, Perazzo received a Community Service award from the NAACP Schenectady Chapter. In 2013, the Schenectady Business and Professional Women named her Woman of the Year and, in 2015, she was recognized as a Woman of Achievement by the YWCA of Northeastern New York.

In 2013, Perazzo created Give Graffiti the Brush, a program that engages youth on probation. The initiative just completed its second successful year covering graffiti around the City of Schenectady every other Saturday at no cost to taxpayers.