Michael J. Hardy

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Director of Partner Development, Zen Life Holdings, Inc. / JCA Specialist

Years in current role: 1

What do you enjoy most about your position in your company and/or your role in the community?

The Employment Retention Tax Credit (ERTC /ERC) Service we provide under the JCA Specialist arm of Zen Life Holdings assisting for-profit and nonprofits apply to qualify for up to $26,000 per W2 employee through the CARES Act can be so rewarding as it is a life changer as pandemic relief and economic stimulus for small, struggling organizations. Sometimes I/we feel like superheroes helping those in need.

As part of the area’s LGBTQ+ family I have always strived to network, connect and engage people to build strong, mutually beneficial relationships that aid in progress, fund- and friend-raising, education of issues and needs for our community. We have a rich and progressive history in our area of faith-based, corporate and nonprofit cooperation that I am proud to be a small part of.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish before the end of the year?

We have had amazing episodes of collaboration among LGBTQ+ institutions, our allies (as individuals and large and small for-profit and nonprofit organizations) in our region in the past that seems to have faltered a bit. I hope to help to play a role in reigniting, re-invigorating and re-engaging people in common goals, needed unity and solidarity through collaborations. We have old and new traditions to recognize, honor and begin, together, to be sure our history (past, present and future) is acknowledged and makes a difference. I would like to see the Empty Closet and the Library of the newly formed Rainbow Union thrive.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your career?

My first instinct in answering this question is to say boredom. That may amuse some, it does me. I had/have an extremely rewarding career, mostly in hospitality and tourism which allowed me to interact with so many diverse co-workers, clients and partners, but when a job becomes repetitive, task-oriented or predictable I start to shut down. If I feel ineffective or making less impact for those I work with, or for, I have to seek different opportunities. I have had lengthy and brief employments, but I am confident both left me, and all those involved, better off before moving on, and I often say: “Once I have been part of a team I am always part of that team.” That holds true as an element of volunteerism and/or community engagement as well, whether part of a job description or self-choice.

What are your favorite things about the Rochester area?

Our arts and culture, history, landmarks and legacies in Rochester and the Finger Lakes are what keeps me here, draws me back when I leave and makes me most proud to invite others to visit, gather or move here. In the LGBTQ+ arena specifically, ImageOut’s film festivals (in its 31st year) and their art and writing events, a long history of Drag and Pride events, a healthy, supportive Rainbow Seniors organization for our elders and agencies and institutions that reach out, engage and include us regularly, sincerely, authentically and appreciatively make me the most proud to be a gay Rochesterian! Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus concerts, Gay Days at The Red Wings, Seabeeze and Seneca Park Zoo, LGBTQ+ Films at both the George Eastman Museum’s Dryden and The Little Theaters are all favorites!

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Rochester?

I am curious to see the life cycle, actions and results the trend of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) developments take. It is a serious commitment by all those that espouse it, and it holds so much promise for the entire city, county and region, most especially as all marginalized communities these efforts initially serve have LGBTQ+ members in them. These initiatives have to be part of a better, stronger K-12 education system (city- and county-wide). They have to be injected in our business environments and governmental and community change. I also firmly believe if more resources (time, planning, people and money) were dedicated to mental health issues and all those challenged with it, our youth, homeless and impoverished would be much improved as would our community.

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