Nixon Peabody sends off its employees to the 2018 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge with a team photo prior to a short walk to the Downtown Rochester race site.
ROCHESTER, May 6, 2019 – When the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge moved from Rochester Institute of Technology in suburban Henrietta to Downtown Rochester in 2017, it caught the attention of Nixon Peabody, a Global 100 law firm.
“Let’s cut to the ‘Chase’, Rochester is a great community and we are proud to be a part of it,” said Michelle Rivera, Nixon Peabody’s co-team captain for the Corporate Challenge. “We’re located in the heart of Downtown Rochester, so when the Challenge moved back to this area it only made sense that we support our home base and continue participating in this event.”
And Nixon Peabody will be there on Tuesday, June 4, when an anticipated crowd of over 9,000 entrants from more than 350 companies take part in the 29th annual running of Rochester’s largest after-work sporting/social event.
“The Corporate Challenge gives us a much different networking experience from the traditional receptions and meeting spaces,” said Jessica Morrow-Gallmon, co-team captain. “It gives us an opportunity to find a new commonality and bond with clients, as well as be a part of an uplifting community, cheering and helping each other through the event.”
Morrow-Gallmon and Rivera enthusiastically share the duties of shepherding Nixon Peabody’s participation. Rivera takes charge of the advance communications and the race day festivities, while Morrow-Gallmon focuses on presentation graphics and t-shirt design.
“We currently have a contest in our office for people to submit ideas for the t-shirt design, then we’ll all vote for the winner,” Morrow-Gallmon said. “It’s definitely a fun opportunity for everyone to collaborate and have a chance to be a part of the Corporate Challenge, whether they participate in the actual event or not.”
Nixon Peabody’s culture centers on helping people and improving the health and wellness of its colleagues – a core value that is promoted throughout the firm’s 17 global locations.
“Getting out and moving has positive benefits – both mentally and physically – for everyone, especially when you find yourself working on those last-minute projects and deadlines,” Rivera said. “We have runners and walkers of all skill levels on our team. It doesn’t matter how we get to the finish line, just that we get there together. This is also an opportunity to get together with some of the clients and vendors we work with regularly and build our relationships by spending some time out of a conference room, in a different environment.”
Nixon Peabody’s senior leadership in Rochester has taken notice of the importance of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge and will be out on the 3.5-mile course, supporting event beneficiary United Way of Greater Rochester. Longtime participants and supporters include Office Administrator Jennifer Vrielynck, Chief Information Officer Michael Green, partners Kevin Saunders and Christian Hancey, and Office Managing Partner Jared Lusk.
Nixon Peabody’s Downtown location has led to a convenient and comfortable race night routine for its Corporate Challenge entrants.
“On the race night, since we’re conveniently located within walking distance to Frontier Field, we will gather in our reception area for a team photo before we all head out together for a ‘warm up’ walk to the race,” Morrow-Gallmon said.
“Of course, we all go at our own speed, but after the race we meet back at our very own ‘Finisher’s Village’ after party, where we have food, raffles, race awards, and time to unwind and relive our experience,” Rivera added.
There is still time to join Nixon Peabody on the Plymouth Avenue starting line. Online registration information is open for the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge until May 10. Entry fee is $38 per employee and businesses may enter a minimum of four with no maximum. Support is available to team captains and interested new participating companies at rochester@corpchallenge.jpmorgan.com or (585) 295-8551.
