Veterans Day Breakfast at RIT 2025
Event | Available (Membership Required)
FREE for all members of the community! Guests welcome.
When: Friday Nov 7, 2025 · 8am – 10am (Eastern Time - New York)
Where: Gordon Field House and Activities Center, Rochester, NY 14623
If you would like to bring a guest and/or carpool, please email osher@rit.edu after you register.
Keynote speaker: Commissioner Viviana DeCohen, NYS Department of Veterans’ Services
Appointed in December 2021, Viviana DeCohen became the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services.
A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Viviana DeCohen previously served as the Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Veterans Service Agency. She is the Associate Pastor at Mt. Vernon Heights Congregational Church.
She has dedicated her time and talent assisting veterans, ensuring food, shelter, clothing, education, employment, and a little motivation, earning her the affectionate title of “Mama V.”
Her military service allowed her to earn a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Science, and a Master’s in Health Service Management, both from Mercy College where she received her start formally working with veterans and developing programs to enhance their academic and overall wellness, along with two Veterans Centers. She is the Veteran Affairs 2021 Trailblazer https://www.va.gov/womenvet/cwv/trailblazers2021.asp
She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Gerontology, at Concordia University, Chicago after being a two-time family caregiver, Caregiver coach and speaker to Caregiver groups around the country with her segment entitled “Real Talk.”