Anthony “Tony” L. Gugino Recognized with 2026 Community Bridge-Builder Award
November 5, 2026Anthony “Tony” L. Gugino is the recipient of the 2026 Community Bridge-Builder Award, in recognition of his deep practice of service and generosity.
This award honors professional advisors who actively bridge sectors, foster meaningful partnerships, and help clients achieve their goals for charitable impact.
Meet Tony Gugino
Tony is the father of two cherished daughters, Lydia and Amelia, husband to Earlene, and an executive vice president and wealth advisor with Tompkins Financial Advisors. He cares deeply about his family, his community, his work, and his clients.
“It’s so gratifying. I’ve been in practice for 44 years, and I still have clients from the very beginning. And helping them, their children, their grandchildren. It’s very, very rewarding. I still pinch myself every day and how for how blessed I am.”
In 2021, Tony earned Rochester Business Journal’s Financial Leaders Lifetime Achievement Award.
A commitment to relationship-building and deep sense of gratitude motivates him to find alignment behind clients’ goals and the needs in our community. He has helped connect countless clients with charitable strategies that reflect their values, strengthen their communities, and create lasting impact.
Volunteering in Greater Rochester
Tony is a valued volunteer with a long history of involvement with local philanthropy. As far back as 1996, Tony was lending his talents to the Community Foundation through the sponsorship committee for Evening Out at Home, helping invite others into the mission of community-based philanthropy.
Currently, he serves as co-chair of the “Toast to your Health Wine Auction” supporting the Strong Memorial Hospital.
What makes him so successful at mobilizing resources for charitable causes is a deep belief in the power of philanthropy and the generosity of our community: “It’s mainly just asking people for help for the right reason. And Rochester is such a giving community that people just want to be asked and then thanked.”
Giving Back to Community
Some of the community needs that inspire Tony to give back are education and food insecurity.
He is an advocate for scholarships, wanting to help the younger generation see all of the different avenues they can take towards a bright future.
He contributes to local food pantries and food drives, and engages his children in putting together food baskets for families in need through the YMCA.
In 2018, Tony and his wife established the Anthony L. Gugino and Earlene C. Siebold Fund, recognizing that a donor-advised fund would allow him to do better tax planning for his family while giving back to the hometown that has been good to him, his loved ones, and his practice.
“I just love our community.”
Recognizing Values in Action
Rochester Area Community Foundation is proud to recognize Tony Gugino with the 2026 Community Bridge-Builder Award.
« Back to News