Webster Chamber's Business Person of the Year on Why Giving an Hour Changes Everything.

When Julianne Groff was asked to apply for the Executive Director role at Webster Comfort Care Home in 2021, her first reaction was that she was a social worker, not a business person. Today she is the Webster Chamber of Commerce 2026 Business Person of the Year, and her story is a reminder that leading with your heart is its own kind of business strategy.Discover how Julianne went from making referrals to Webster Comfort Care as a hospice social worker to running the organization, and why she believes that if your heart is truly in the work, the rest falls into place. Learn about the depth of her community involvement across church groups, the Webster Health and Education Network, Soul Sisters, Free Mom Hugs, the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly, the women's club, the food pantry and her recent advocacy work for people living with long haul COVID.Julianne also shares a deeply personal story about how the Webster Museum became a monthly refuge for her and her father during his battle with dementia, a place where his long term memories came alive and connected them in ways nothing else could. That experience deepened her love for Webster and for the kind of community that makes those moments possible.Barry Howard, President and CEO of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, explains the criteria behind the Business Person of the Year award and why Julianne embodies everything the honor is meant to recognize. In keeping with chamber tradition a donation has been made in Julianne's name to a charity of her choice, the Webster Museum.Learn more about the Webster Chamber and upcoming volunteer and membership opportunities at websterchamber.com.