Erin Tolefree

Rochester Business Journal Staff//February 10, 2023//

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Erin Tolefree

President, Baldwin Richardson Foods Company

Years in current role: 3

What advice would you give young professionals in the Rochester business community?

I have received two pieces of advice that I always pass on. The first is to remember that the path to success is not linear. If you take two steps forward and one step back, you’re still making progress. As long as you’re passionate about what you do, those steps backward and bumps in the road won’t feel like setbacks. They will feel like challenges that you can handle.

The second is to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. When you’re too comfortable, that’s a sign that you are not challenging yourself enough. Discomfort means you’re pushing your own boundaries, and that’s growth.

What do you think will be different about the Rochester community in five years?

We have everything to be a great place to work, live and play — I’m excited to see how public and private investments in the region will make it an even better place for families, businesses and innovation – creating even more opportunity.

I am also excited to see how the Rochester Procurement Equity Project—a project I’ve been deeply involved with in partnership with the RACF — will create more opportunities for Black- and Brown-owned businesses. Some of the largest companies in the area are signed on and are looking to spend more equitably. I look forward to helping make this happen.

What is your favorite way to relieve stress?

At work, I have found the most powerful way to relieve stress is to surround yourself with great people you know you can trust to give their all. I am very fortunate to have a great team, and I know we’re aligned in our mission and goals. Outside of work, I love clearing my head with long runs, workouts at Orange Theory and lots of relaxing time enjoying my family.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 100 list for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.