Our Team

Leann West Co-Founder

Mrs. West is a founding partner of Strategic Development Specialists, LLC.  Her primary focus is the promotion of her clients and their projects to local and state officials.  Strong relationships in Albany and at all levels of government throughout the state allow Mrs. West to facilitate face-to-face meetings with key legislative and regulatory principals and staff personnel so that clients may present their needs and concerns directly.  

Mrs. West has been in the government relations field since 2010 when she began working at the Wladis Law Firm.  Her experience includes working with numerous business, municipal, and not-for-profit clients assisting them with their government relations and economic development needs, including business development, project advocacy, funding acquisition, contract procurement, tracking of legislation, development of and advocacy for or against legislation, and coalition building. 

Mrs. West obtained her B.A. in Global Studies and French with honors from St. Lawrence University. Her community involvement includes volunteer work for the American Heart Association, participating in several races benefitting the American Cancer Society and the Jimmy Fund, prior service on the Board of Directors of the Prevention Network, and current service on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Northern New York.  She has also served as a delegate to the Social and Economic Justice Conference in Atlanta, Georgia

 

Diane Wladis Co-Founder

Mrs. Wladis’ primary focus is grant writing, community relations and marketing. As a freelance writer for over twenty five years, working extensively with a wide range of community focused agencies, her experience lends a creative frame of reference in advocating for her clients projects.  They rely on her insight and fresh approach as she helps to guide their strategic development plans. 

A lifelong community volunteer and activist, she has worked with a diverse group of community agencies including Girl Scouts of America, the Samaritan Center, The Jewish Community Center, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Syracuse Children’s Theatre, and Good Life Youth Foundation. In addition, she co-founded and co-produced the first three seasons of The Syracuse Area Live Theater Youth (SALTY) Awards. She was recognized in 2009 by the United Way with the “Celebrating People In Action” Award. Her tireless devotion to the community is evidenced by the countless volunteer hours she has spent championing the interests of these and other organizations.

Mrs. Wladis is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication and holds a B.S. from Syracuse University where she majored in journalism with a minor in fine arts.

 

Marissa Freeman

Since Marissa Freeman joined Strategic in January 2024 she has quickly become an asset, successfully completing a wide variety of grant writing and grant administration projects for Strategic’s clients.

Working closely with Leann West, Ms. Freeman’s primary duties include project assessment, funding identification, and grant writing. With her unconventional legal background, she has the ability to evaluate client needs from an alternative perspective, offering a unique strategy in realizing client objectives. Skilled in research, analysis, writing, program administration, and project development, Ms. Freeman is an experienced, detail-oriented, and highly capable professional with a strong grasp of federal, state, and local funding vehicles.

Ms. Freeman obtained her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies Summa Cum Laude from Hilbert College. After receiving her BS, she went on to attain her Juris Doctor (JD) from Syracuse University College of Law.