Steve Maloney has returned to the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) as Director of Training after spending a decade in executive roles in Human Resources. Maloney previously led MACNY’s Training department for eight years before leaving in 2015.
Reflecting on his return, Maloney stated, “Fortunately, my purpose and career goals aligned with MACNY’s direction at the perfect time, and I am back home!”
Since rejoining MACNY, Maloney has been involved in training and coaching sessions throughout the summer and reconnecting with colleagues across the manufacturing community. He noted that there is significant potential for growth within MACNY’s programs and services. At the same time, he emphasized his own commitment to personal development.
Maloney shared that he participated in John Maxwell’s leadership conference this past March, where he completed training to become a John Maxwell Certified Trainer, Speaker, and Coach prior to starting his new role at MACNY. He credited the Live2Lead retreat held by MACNY in November 2024 as a pivotal moment for his mindset shift. David Freund, Chief Leadership Officer at MACNY and Maloney’s leadership partner and coach, encouraged him to attend.
“It was at this event that I began shifting into a new mindset of abundance and anticipation of growth,” Maloney said. “This is ultimately what would prepare me to take on my new adventure at MACNY with renewed purpose and invigoration toward achieving my new goals.”
Maloney described facing challenges during this period, including leading a reduction-in-force at his previous job through most of 2024 and dealing with family health issues. At the Live2Lead retreat, he heard from Chaunte Lowe—a world champion high jumper and breast cancer survivor—whose story inspired him to focus on an abundance mindset.
He outlined several key lessons from the experience:
– Lead yourself
– Maintain hope beyond current adversities
– Protect against self-doubt
– Pursue continuous learning
– Practice self-care
– Build resilience daily
– Encourage oneself positively
“When you change your thoughts, you change your reactions!” Maloney said.
He plans to share more about what he calls the Abundance Cycle in two weeks and invited others to contact him about their own experiences with mindset shifts.
