ATHENA International Awards brought to you by Female entrepreneurs share Bridget Martin ...... 13 Lori O’Brien ...... 18 secrets to success ...... 4 Angela Panzarella ...... 13 Sarah Rutherford ...... 18 The art of taking over ...... 6 Hilda Rosario-Escher ...... 14 Michelle Schleher ...... 19 Finding ways to help Pamela Schickler ...... 14 Karen Webber ...... 19 Jane Shukitis ...... 15 Melissa Wentland ...... 20 others is rewarding ...... 8 Sara Taylor...... 15 Caroline Whelan Tolbert ...... 20
® 2019 ATHENA Award Finalists 2019 ATHENA Young 2019 ATHENA Organizational Jill Cicero ...... 10 ® ® Amy DelCorvo ...... 10 Professional Award Finalists Award Finalists Megan Alchowiak ...... 16 Broadstone ...... 21 ATHENA International Awards brought to you by Andrea DeMeo ...... 11 Cheryl Dinolfo ...... 11 Shaquana Patrice Divers ...... 16 Capstone Information Mary Jo Gugino-Colligan ...... 12 Jennifer Dunivent ...... 17 Technology ...... 21 Mary Alice Liotta ...... 12 Leticia Fornataro ...... 17 HCR Home Care ...... 22
reater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and its Women’s Council affi liate are pleased to present the 33rd Annual International ATHENA Award® fi nalists, the fi nalists of Rochester’s ATHENA Young Professional Award®, Gand the ATHENA Organizational Award® fi nalists. The awards are designed to recognize outstanding leader- ship and organizations in the Greater Rochester region, as well as empower the next generation of women leaders. Each fi nalist represents the ATHENA leadership model at its best, and our community benefi ts greatly from their excellence, service, and vision. In addition, we appreciate the tremendous generosity of our sponsors whose contributions allow us to present the ATHENA Awards program each year. The women and organizations profi led in this special supplement of the Rochester Business Journal represent nearly every sector of our business community including corporate, entrepreneurial, education, legal, health care, and nonprofi t organizations. The contributions of each fi nalist to her organization have produced exceptional results. Their work in our Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, Publisher community as leaders and individuals who recognize and embrace the importance of assisting other women in their per- Ben Jacobs, Editor sonal and professional development cannot be overstated. The internationally recognized ATHENA Awards program was founded in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan by ATHENA Lisa Granite, Associate Editor International Founder Martha Mertz. The award was originally established to honor the achievements of exceptional wom- en leaders. More importantly, it was established to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and business Bill Alden, Copy Editor lives. Since 1982, more than 7,000 top leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Inter- national Award in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Jean Moorhouse, Account Manager United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA International Awards program seeks to inspire others Michelle Sanfi lippo, Account Manager to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives. The program was introduced to the Rochester community in 1987 by Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and Jessica Sims, Events & Marketing its affi liate, the Women’s Council. The ATHENA International Awards program is a tribute to all who participate, in- Coordinator cluding our outstanding fi nalists and their nominators. As the only international awards program in Rochester dedicated solely to recognizing outstanding female leadership and organizations, we thank the community for its continued support and participation. Rachel Zachary As you read and learn more about the ATH- ENA International Awards fi nalists, we know Public Notice and Advertising Coordinator you will agree that they are outstanding exam- Tracy Bumba ples of achievement and leadership. We invite you to join us for the 3rd Annual ATHENA In- Audience Development Manager ternational Awards dinner, Thursday, January Robin Graves 24, 2019 at the Floreano Convention Center, as we honor and celebrate the accomplishments of Graphic Designer this year’s 25 fi nalists and announce the 2019 ATHENA Award®, ATHENA Young Profes- Kady Weddle sional Award®, and ATHENA Organizational Special Projects Supervisor Award® recipients. For tickets or more information, contact Great- er Rochester Chamber of Commerce Affi liate Li- Rochester Business Journal aison and Events Coordinator, Cassidy Franklin, Bob Duffy Stephanie Seiffert 16 W. Main St. Suite 341 at (585) 256-4665 or Cassidy.Franklin@Great- President and Chief Executive Offi cer President Rochester, NY 14614 erRochesterChamber.com Greater Rochester Chamber Women’s Council (585) 232-6920 • www.rbj.net of Commerce A Greater Rochester Chamber Affi liate
2 2 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® OUR GREAT LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS MAKE AN Special congratulations to 2018 ATHENA Award finalist and IMPACT ESL Senior Vice President/Director of Operations, Mary Alice Liotta.
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CELEBRATE HER. NOMINATE HER. Nominations close February 15, 2019
Nominations can be made online at You know her. She’s that amazing woman you admire. rbj.net/events She leads by example, is involved in everything, and still finds time to mentor others. She is very successful and juggles all aspects of SAVE THE DATE: her life with ease. You’ve often thought she should win an award AWARDS CELEBRATION for being so outstanding. Well, now is your chance to nominate her. May 9, 2019 • Convention Center
For more event or sponsorship information, email [email protected]. 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
The finalists for the 2018 Athena Young Professional Award.Photo by Fernando Lou Gonzalez Female entrepreneurs share secrets to success
By AMARIS ELLIOTT-ENGEL ple in recovery came out. you want to be happy,” Khashper says. “We weren’t thinking about how isolated “You want to make sure it’s not something hree years ago, Yana Khashper and we had been or how cold it was,” Khaspher that you resent.” her partner, Sean Smith, started to says. “We were just laughing and connect- When Lindsey McCutchen founded Ca- feel their sobriety slipping. ing and engaging.” reer Start, a recruitment and staffing agen- T That winter hike was the start of RO- cy, she says she had nothing to lose. Both Khashper and Smith are in recovery from addiction, and they were becoming Covery Fitness, an organization dedicated After graduating in 2006 with a degree more and more isolated, Khashper says. to bringing people interested in fitness and in communications and minor in sociolo- “We were really heading down to re- sober living together. Within six months gy, McCutchen got a contract position with lapse,” Khashper says. “We had both ex- of that hike, Khashper quit her job as a the Monroe County Department of Social perienced it before. We knew what was social worker to try to make the organi- Services working with people receiving happening.” zation a reality. public assistance to enter the workforce. Smith had introduced Khashper to ad- ROCovery now has four employees and When the 10-month position ended, Mc- venture fitness, and they decided to or- has received funding from the Office of Al- Cutchen founded her own business work- ganize a win- coholism and Substance Abuse Services to ing as a contractor with social service de- ter hike on expand peer recovery-based fitness to oth- partments and nonprofits to help people an unseason- er parts of the state. They also now serve with barriers to employability. ably cold day 1,000 people a year and had an angel in- “One of the things that helped me was in the winter vestor who had lost her son to an overdose that I was fearless,” McCutchen says. “I of 2015. They purchase a firehouse for ROCovery to es- really had nothing to lose by starting my posted news tablish a community center. business.” of the hike on Khashper says one of the takeaways of When Donna Shultz founded Mirror social media, her story is the importance of making sure Show Management, a company special- and they were the risk of launching your own business or izing in putting together trade shows, in surprised that nonprofit is truly what you want. 1993, she was inspired to do so because the YANA KHASHPER about 10 peo- “You want to find a purpose of life and president of the company she was work- 4 4 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® ing for at the time said that if only she was ness model is necessary. not have the same people at the top with a man, she would be really successful in For McCutchen, she realized that fund- you. You have to have self-awareness and the industry. ing for grants for employment assistance organizational awareness. It’s OK to have “At the time, it was a male-dominated was cyclical and that she needed to change to hire new blood and have new perspec- industry, so while I’m sure he meant well direction. A few years into the life of Ca- tives instead of pulling people through the by that statement, that moment was a cata- reer Start, she converted the business into ranks with you.” lyst for me to make a change,” Shultz says. a staffi ng agency. Khashper says self-care is essential in While the industry was male-dominated, She notes that anything can happen in the process of founding and building an Shultz points out that she went from not business, and smaller businesses are able organization, especially for her in main- being taken seriously as a woman in the to navigate faster. taining her sobriety. “Being active in re- industry to becoming the current president “In order to move fast, in order to be covery isn’t the same as being active in of the trade association of the industry, agile, you have to have good intuition and the Experiential Designers and Producers you have to drop the fear and you just have your own recovery,” she says. Association. to proceed forward,” McCutchen says. Shultz says business founders and lead- MSM has grown to have 85 full-time Now Career Start can do large-volume ers should be givers, not takers. If custom- employees and four full-time contractors. placements for local manufacturers who ers are receiv- Shultz advises female entrepreneurs to need an entire workforce to ebb and fl ow ing the best ser- have faith that they can succeed in busi- with the production cycle, McCutchen vice and prod- ness because of how far women in business says. Career Start also does staffi ng for uct you can have come in her lifetime. the health care industry. provide, then While women are going to face addition- “We do highs and lows for businesses,” “everything al obstacles in business due to their gender, McCutchen says. “We are able to fl ex up else will take “all of them can be overcome and doing so and down with them.” care of itself,” will only make Her organization now has 35 internal she says. you stronger,” employees. The company places over Part of being Shultz says. “A 5,000 W2 employees, and supports over a giver is en- DONNA SHULTZ sizeable num- $120 million in earned income, McCutch- suring that employees have equal oppor- ber of success- en says. tunities, especially around pay. She notes ful firms are McCutchen also advises business own- that MSM now has employees as part own- now headed ers who have achieved an initial level of ers through its employee stock ownership by women and success to be prepared to make changes in the list grows who works for the organization. plan and that MSM is known for its in- every day. So In the beginning of a startup, everyone clusiveness. “When you treat everyone as equals, LINDSAY don’t let any- has to wear multiple hats, but the people thing hold you you start with might not be the people who women naturally rise,” Shultz says. “In MCCUTCHEN back.” stay with you, McCutchen says. fact, a sizable majority of our leadership McCutchen says that another important “Not everyone wants the pressure and team is female.” thing for female business leaders is to have wants to reach for the stars like you do,” Amaris Elliott-Engel is a Rochester-area good intuition when a change in their busi- McCutchen says. “As you grow, you might freelance writer.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield congratulates Shaquana Divers for her nomination for the Athena Young Professional Award.
2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL/JANUARY 11, 2019 5 5 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® THE ART OF TAKING OVER By LISA GRANITE
tepping into a leadership role at an established business requires a steady hand and a bit of finesse. The hurdles The 32nd Annual ATHENA Awards ceremony in Rochester, held in January 2018 and hosted by the Greater Rochester Chamber of S Commerce and its affiliate, the Women’s Council.Photo by Fernando Lou Gonzalez are many—and can include everything from shoring up an organization’s lackluster per- became interim president, which was in Ju- At Genesee Country Village & Museum, formance to reassuring an apprehensive staff. ly of 2016.” Wehle faced some rebuilding as well. She Susan Horne, president and CEO of Sur- Wehle had been with the University of says she realized the museum needed to work motech LLC, and Becky Wehle, president Rochester for 18 years when the museum’s on relationships with other local organiza- and CEO of the Genesee Country Village & president announced his retirement, but tions. Museum, both shared their tactics for leading working at the museum was something she “We had been fairly insular and are now a business or organization to the next level. had in the back of her mind for some time. making connections with the tourism com- COMING ON BOARD “It had been something I had always munity and others in Rochester,” she said. Susan Horne credits solid teamwork for thought about, because it is one of the plac- “It was a little surprising because I thought making a smooth transition when she arrived es in this community that is most important we did have that presence, but we weren’t at the helm of Victor-based Surmotech, an to me because of the family connection,” she quite as collaborative as we could be and electronic manufacturing firm. At the time, said. “So when this opportunity came up, I that’s something we have been working on.” the company was struggling and down to raised my hand and said I would give it a go.” Wehle also made an effort to ensure the just 21 employees. DIGGING IN museum’s staff felt heard and appreciated. Horne said those 21 Surmotech employees Horne and her new team had some rebuild- “The staff here didn’t always feel like they they started with were “industry experts, the ing to do. In the process, she wanted every were listened to before,” she said. “I wanted cream of the crop. We could never have done employee to feel secure with their job status. to come in and make change, but it took some it without them.” “Jeff and I agreed that we wanted our em- slowing down and making sure everyone “We came over from SenDEC, the four of ployees to go home every day and know they was comfortable and being mindful of that.” us,” she remembered, referencing Jeff Thal- have a job,” she said. “Our goal was to keep A FEW SURPRISES er, John Stryker and Vince Andrews, who people employed.” Horne said that while her team was “ready joined her in the move to Surmotech. “We For her part, Horne worked front-end to and focused” when they came in Surmo- couldn’t have done it without this team, be- get the company more contracts and said she tech’s door, one thing they were not expect- cause it brought credibility with us. And we never turned down a meeting. ing was an audit. came over and just went to work. “I took a meeting with anyone who would “We had an audit after only being here five “We came in and (told the staff) we are take one with me,” she recalled. “We also days!” she mar- going to do everything we can to turn this visited all the current and all the past cus- veled. “And we place around and get some customers.” tomers.” sat down with When Becky Wehle started leading the Working together, Horne’s team and the this auditor Genesee Country Village & Museum, the original employees developed a diverse cus- and were like, situation was a bit different: She had a fam- tomer base and grew Surmotech to its current oh boy, but we ily legacy to continue. Her grandfather, John 67 employees. Their diligent efforts paid passed with fly- “Jack” Wehle, founded the museum in 1966. off—2016 was the first year the company ing colors. That “I grew up being a part of the museum became eligible for the Rochester Chamber really affirmed world, joining the board in 1998,” she said. Top 100 (Surmotech was No. 50), and in we had a good “And I served on the board until the time I 2018 they made it to No. 16. system and in- BECKY WEHLE 6 6 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
frastructure in Surmotech, Horne said she would recom- you are open to what worries them,” she said. here.” mend a little patience. “Your staff’s feelings about change and new Wehle said “I thought things were going to happen leadership can surprise you.” one of the most much faster than they did,” she said. “I wish One thing both Horne and Wehle agree on eye-opening I had realized that it was going to take lot is they would do it all over again. things for her longer to build. I added a lot of pressure to “Our family has been a strong presence was the differ- myself wondering why it wasn’t happening in the Rochester community for many gen- ence between quickly, and I wish I had understood that I erations,” Wehle said. “I’m very pleased to being a board just needed to be a little more patient. have this leadership role, and to be helping SUSAN HORNE member and “I really thought it was going to be 18 make us a great resource for the community.” being a staff months and customers would be fl ocking!” “There’s days where (Jeff and I) look at member. she laughed. “It takes a while to prove your- each other and say, ‘what they heck did we “Oh, I thought, ‘I know what goes on self, so I wish I had a little more patience do?’ But we have never regretted it,” Horne there’ when I was a board member, but you with myself in the beginning.” said. “There is not an employee here who really don’t!” she said. “Of course, on the For Wehle, she would advise paying at- doesn’t feel like they can come to us if they board you’re not supposed to be part of the tention to employees’ concerns and ideas. have a problem and we will help them work day-to-day operations. I am on the boards “Something I have learned in my time here it out. We’ve had a lot of people come in of other institutions now, and it’s given me is to really stop as you come into an organi- and tell us they’ve never worked anywhere a new perspective.” zation and listen to the staff and make sure so nice. I’m proud of what we built here.” Another unexpected part of her job? The oxen. “We have quite an array of animals that 2019 ATHENA International Awards® Selection Committees who live at the museum who are part of the ATHENA Award ATHENA Young Professional ATHENA Organizational visitor experience,” she explained, “So part Selection Committee Award Selection Committee Award Selection Committee of my job includes everything from making Justin Copie Kim Allen Jaime Saunders sure they are well taken care of to making Innovative Solutions Dixon Schwabl United Way of Greater Rochester sure they don’t escape, which is something Kristen Duckles Meaghan de Chateauvieux Jim Stefano Broadstone Willow Domestic Violence Center Synergy IT Solutions that has happened. Andy Gallina Jim Dennis Susan Munn “We have some oxen who have gotten out Gallina Development Mason Digital Entercomm Radio several times, including at our July 4 cele- Brad McAreavy Kimberly Jones bration,” she continued. “They were literally Rochester Automobile Dealers Association Butler/Till in the road that runs up to the museum! Fig- Sharon Napier Yael Schneiderman uring out how to keep that from happening Partners & Napier Simon Business School again is certainly something I didn’t expect.” Suzanne Nasipak-Chapman A LITTLE ADVICE USA Insurance Services Matthew Tipple If she were able to go back in time and give JPMorgan Chase herself some advice when she fi rst came to
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We congratulate all of the Athena honorees for the positive impact they have made in the Rochester community.
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Recipients of the 2018 Young Women of Distinction honor given by the Women’s Council, a Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce affiliate.Photo by Fernando Lou Gonzalez Finding ways to help others is rewarding
By MIKE COSTANZA terviews,” she says. izes in developing financially sustainable Since Dasher mentored him, the man has lifecare solutions for families that have mem- iving your time and energy to others tried out for two promotions—and gotten bers with special needs. While helping to run can be its own reward. both of them. the company, VanGorder created The Social “I really believe that we’re at our Dasher also gives back in a different Exchange, a Meetup group that gives adults G way—as the head coach of her 10-year- with special best selves when we are serving others,” says Nicole VanGorder, COO and co-founder of old daughter Jael’s cheerleading team. The needs a place Upstate Special Needs Planning. “I feel good team is part of the Brighton Junior Barons, to socialize. when I’m doing that.” an all-volunteer nonprofit that offers youth VanGorder VanGorder is just one of the Rochester-ar- the opportunity to compete in cheerleading also sits on a ea career women who enjoy the feelings that and on the gridiron—her son, 13-year-old number of local come from giving back. Their generosity can Jaden, plays football for the Junior Barons. boards, includ- take many forms. Since she began coaching her team about ing that of the Veronica Dasher, Manager of Community three years ago, Dasher has spent hundreds WXXI Public Outreach & Development for Rochester Gas of hours a year guiding her young charges. Broadcasting and Electric Corp., enjoys guiding co-work- “As a coach, you have a huge opportu- Council, and is ers as they strive to advance in the company. nity to impact these young women in ways Vice President “I have had incredible mentors profession- that are transferrable outside of their sport,” of the Board of NICOLE ally,” she says. “It’s important to share that she asserts. Directors of the mentorship, and the lessons learned, with VanGorder admits that service to others Mental Health VANGORDER others.” doesn’t exactly run through her genes. Association of After a man who was working in RG&E’s “I’ve come from a wealthy family,” she Rochester. Such roles bring their own re- call center was repeatedly turned down for explains. “It’s not something that was really wards. better jobs, Dasher gave him some of the tips engrained in me.” “When meeting other people, or just hav- and tricks she’d learned. Despite that, VanGorder has given to oth- ing different experiences out of your typical “I actually did a mock interview with ers at many stages of her life and career. day-to-day activities, you’re opening your him to help him prepare for upcoming in- Upstate Special Needs Planning special- mind,” VanGorder explains. “It allows you 8 8 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® to think differently.” unteer in Ma- and empowerment,” Batiste-Harrison ex- Jeanette Batiste-Harrison has lawi, a country plains. “Our work focuses on strategic plan- long been drawn to giving her time in southeastern ning, leader development and team build- and energy to worthwhile causes. Africa where ing.” “One of the most powerful ways to show she worked on The shift to the for-profit world forced Ba- someone you care is to give them your time,” a communi- tiste-Harrison to undergo a kind of transition. she says. “It’s such a precious resource.” ty-based nat- “I … felt disconnected from one of my Batiste-Harrison co-founded Batiste Lead- ural resource values, which is service value,” she explains. ership with her father, retired Army Major management “How do I stay plugged into this?” General John Batiste, and shares the leader- program. When Batiste-Harrison—and her firm—have ship of the firm with him. her stint with “plugged into” service to others through pro Service runs deeply through Batiste-Har- that organiza- VERONICA bono work for such nonprofits as the Willow rison’s family. Her maternal and paternal tion finished, DASHER Domestic Violence Center. grandfathers made careers in the US Army, she stayed on in “We give of our time, talent, energy, re- as did her father. Batiste-Harrison, a self-pro- that community, performing the same type claimed “Army brat,” gained the rewards of work for two nonprofits. sources to help advance different nonprofits’ of serving others while in high schools in Upon returning to the states, Batiste-Har- missions and help support nonprofit leaders,” Germany and Italy, where she joined oth- rison took a position with Foodlink, which she says. er classmates on service projects in Estonia is dedicated to fighting hunger and build- Can anyone give back to their communi- and Lithuania. ing healthier communities in the Roches- ty? Batiste-Harrison makes it sound easy to “It left a very big impact on me—some- ter region. By 2015, she was the nonprofit’s find a way to do so. thing I’ve never forgotten,” Batiste-Harri- Co-Executive Director. That year, she joined “If you set out to find the opportunity, the son says. with her father to form Batiste Leadership. opportunity will arise.” Upon graduating from college, Ba- “We help organizations to build high-per- Mike Costanza is a Rochester-area free- tiste-Harrison served as a Peace Corps vol- forming teams defined by decentralization lance writer.
2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL/JANUARY 11, 2019 9 9 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Jill Cicero 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
Owner and Founder themselves. When we recognize and empower women, we send The Cicero Law Firm LLP the message that we value the differences that women bring to the business, charitable and political worlds, and that outcomes Education: B.A., Colgate University; and organizations are better because of those differences. J.D., Cornell Law School What makes a good leader? Family: Daughter, Claire C. MacAulay; A good leader is one who inspires both confi dence and trust, late husband, Paul D. MacAulay is a model of unquestioned integrity, is accessible and uses Professional and community process to make sure all voices and perspectives are heard, but leadership: Monroe County Bar also has the ability to lead people to consensus and action. Association, President; Rochester Area What advice do you have for young women looking to Community Foundation, former Board Chair; Foundation of make a difference? the Monroe County Bar, former President; Genesee Land Trust, I would advise young women who feel overwhelmed by the Board Member, former Chair of Governance Committee; Al Sigl demands of career and life, or are feeling they Foundation, former Board Member, former Chair of Major Gifts have little impact on these organizations, to Committee; Monroe Community College Foundation, former hang in there. I am not suggesting that they Board Member; Estate Planning Council of Rochester, former stay with organizations that do not meet their President; Rochester Women’s Network, former President; HUGS needs or appreciate their contributions, but I Foundation, former Board Member. hope they fi nd ways to stay involved and make Why is it important to empower and recognize women? their voices heard, in their professions and I believe men and woman are different. They are often in our community, until they are themselves different in how they communicate, in how they process in positions of power and infl uence, and information, in their priorities, in how they lead organizations can change policies to make it easier for the and teams, in their experiences and in their perspectives. When women following them. We need more women we empower and recognize women, we convey the message CEOs, Managing Partners and Board Chairs, that women do not need to be “as good as men” or to behave and that will only happen if women fi nd a way professionally and personally in the same manner as men to be to hang in there, even when they feel most successful and satisfi ed in their lives and careers. They can be challenged and discouraged.
Amy DelCorvo 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
CEO/Executive Director signifi cant female infl uences on some of the greatest leaders New York State Association for since our existence. It can be challenging balancing the pull Computers and Technologies in being a strong leader, involved parent, supportive spouse and Education (NYSCATE) active volunteer, however it is more important than ever that we are solid role models for the young women in our society. It is Education: B.S., Elementary important to recognize and celebrate successful woman as they Education, Slippery Rock University; have eliminated the artifi cial boundaries that have been placed M.S., Advanced Teaching, SUNY around them. Geneseo; M.S., School and What makes a good leader? Administration Supervision, Canisius A good leader believes there is good in everyone. The College; Educational Doctorate key is mining their individual strengths to pull together an Degree, Executive Leadership, St. John unstoppable team of talented individuals, each with unique gifts Fisher College they bring to the table. Successful leaders empower and enable Family: Husband, Mark L. DelCorvo; Children, Tyler, 25; Brandon, others to succeed without seeking credit or glory. One must be deceased; Kathryn Alfano, 25; Marisa DelCorvo, 16; Elena comfortable in their own skin to make tough DelCorvo, 15. decisions with their head as well as their heart, Professional and community leadership: International knowing blame and fault will only set you back. Society of Technology in Education, Board of Directors; What advice do you have for young women Consortium for School Networking, Board of Directors; New York looking to make a difference? State Education Department, Technology Policy and Practice Become involved with community service Advisory Council, Education Technology Advisory Council; organizations such as Rotary, YMCA, or State Education Technology Director Association; YMCA, Board countless others and share that passion with Member/Board Chair Westside Branch; Rochester Rotary; your colleagues and friends. Networking takes Aquinas Institute, Girls Soccer Team/Program Parent Lead, Girls place not only in the work environment, but Basketball Team/Program Parent Lead, Girls Lacrosse Team also in community organizations and schools. Parent Volunteer; Hilton Heat Soccer, Board of Directors; Hilton Meeting like-minded individuals who share a Basketball Program, Board of Directors. passion for giving back to the community for Why is it important to empower and recognize women? future-generations creates synergy in and out Females face a unique set of challenges from early school of the workplace. It is up to your generation to years through the workplace. Societal views have portrayed commit to making a difference for those less females as the weaker, softer gender, yet there have been fortunate.
10 10 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Andrea DeMeo 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
President & CEO achieve their professional aspirations, raise their families, or Trillium Health give to others. Every woman deserves the affi rmation of her worth, intelligence, and power, and it’s especially important that Education: B.A., Business, Skidmore women support and encourage one another. College; Executive M.B.A., Rochester What makes a good leader? Institute of Technology A good leader holds the utmost respect of others; demands Family: Husband, Mark DeMeo; a culture that embraces diversity; and recognizes the value of sons Cory Lennon, Kelley Lennon; differing perspectives, opinions, and thought to achieve the best daughters Casey Angeley, Laura Caley. outcomes. She is an active listener who leads from her heart, Professional and community role models what she expects of others, and inspires others to leadership: Community Health Care Association of New York do their best. A good leader remembers those who encouraged State, Board of Directors Nominating Committee; Council of her along the journey that brought her to where she is today, Agency Executives, Board of Directors; Healthcare Business and commits herself to serve as that source of Academy-Rochester, Board of Advisors; Prevention 1st, Board of encouragement to others. Directors; Greater Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross, What advice do you have for young women former Board of Directors Member & Chairperson; United Way looking to make a difference? of New York State, former Board of Directors; YMCA Corporate, Find a mentor who will help you learn former Board of Directors’ Executive Committee, former from their experiences; discover what you’re Program Committee Chair; Junior Achievement of Greater passionate for, and link that passion with a Rochester, former Board of Directors. cause with which you can lend your time and Why is it important to empower and recognize women? talent; be brave and never forget that you Women who are empowered contribute to their communities can do anything you put your mind to—if you and society in many ways—economically, politically, and stumble and fall, get up and learn from it; and socially—helping to make the world a better place. By trust your instincts, always be humble, respect recognizing women, their efforts are validated, furthering their others, and remember that everyone has sense of empowerment, and fostering their courage to pursue something to offer—even if it’s just the start of their own goals whether it be to enrich their community, an idea.
Cheryl Dinolfo 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
Monroe County Executive stronger economy for all of us. Monroe County What makes a good leader? When it comes to good leaders, look no further for inspiration Education: LeMoyne College; University than right here at home. Our community’s tremendous pride in of Buffalo Law School Susan B. Anthony’s leadership, courage and accomplishments Family: Husband, Vince; sons Patrick inspires each and every one of us, motivating us to work harder and Russell; daughter Jennifer; and strive for greatness. Being a leader means setting the grandchildren Finley, Edith and Plum. example and providing opportunities for the next generation to Professional and community succeed. We must encourage our young women that their path leadership: Volunteer with is not already written in stone. That the next generation can and organizations including New York State will accomplish anything they want if they put in the time and Association of Counties, the Women’s Leadership Council for United effort. These are the women who can change the world. Way, the Advisory Committee to the NYS Offi ce for the Aging, the What advice do you have for young women Monroe Council for Elders, the CURE Childhood Cancer Association, looking to make a difference? the Monroe County Bar Association, NYS Odyssey of the Mind, the Never give up. Be persistent, be strong, be Irondequoit Council of the Rochester Business Alliance, the Italian confi dent. The faith you have in yourself is American Women’s Civic Club and the National Kidney Foundation’s Board of Directors. worth more than anything. Are there obstacles Why is it important to empower and recognize women? that will pose challenges along the way? Sure, In Monroe County, we are home to 20,000 women-owned but you cannot allow any obstacle to prevent small businesses and we have been working to empower you from pursuing your true calling or keep them and get them the recognition they deserve. Recently, you from serving your community. I have met through The Entrepreneurs Network, we launched the fi rst so many young women brimming with talent class exclusively targeted to women entrepreneurs. Statistics and potential. I would encourage them to keep show that women are half as likely as men to start a business pursuing their dreams with a fi ghting spirit and remain underrepresented among entrepreneurs across the and the confi dence to know that they can and state and nation. Our fi rst all-female TEN class was designed to will be future leaders. They will be amazed to help close the opportunity gap so even more local women can see just how far they can go with integrity, hard lead from the front as we work to grow more jobs and build a work and compassion. 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL/JANUARY 11, 2019 11 11 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Mary Jo Gugino-Colligan 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
President/Founder What makes a good leader? Angels of Mercy, Inc Passion is extremely important. I believe there’s nothing more inspirational than seeing someone who cares about Education: Associates Degree, Dental what they do. Our team will respond and work together much Hygiene, Monroe Community College more effectively if they know I am passionate and then a Family: Husband, Joe Colligan, spark ignites and the passion spreads. I believe having a joyful children, Janessa Marcello, Lacey spirit and serving others helps to make a good leader. It also Colligan; 3 grandchildren Professional and community requires dignity, courage and clarity. Having vision, goals, great leadership: Sisters of Mercy of the communication skills and remaining humble is something I try Americas, Associate; Italian Woman’s Civic Club, Member; to live by each day. If one is passionate about what you know, or Dress A Girl Around The World, New York State Ambassador/ care about, it’ll shine through and people will follow. Rep; Rochester Regional Coalition Against Human Traffi cking, What advice do you have for young women Member; Rochester Monroe County Domestic Violence looking to make a difference? Consortium; American Association of University Women, I am fortunate to have many young women Member; The Century Club of Rochester, Member. doing their Senior Projects with Angels of Why is it important to empower and recognize women? Mercy. When they contact me with what they I am passionate about preventing sex and human traffi cking are interested in doing, I tell them to go for here, nationally and around the world. When a young girl or it. Don’t give up. Volunteer, serve, educate woman’s soul is affected by sexual or domestic abuse, it rips yourself about what’s going on in the world out their souls and leads to feelings of low self-worth. Too many women have been affected by these horrifi c crimes and often today. This will help you realize the area(s) times they turn to drug/alcohol abuse, self-harm and attempted you feel passionate about. They can make a suicide. Their lives are a struggle to regain self-esteem, worth, difference in any area of life as long as they knowing they are important and that their past doesn’t have to have compassion, respect for self and others determine their future! and can be a good listener.
Mary Alice Liotta 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
SVP, Director, Operations and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in
ESL Federal Credit Union the world to pursue and achieve their own dreams.
What makes a good leader? Education: Bachelor’s Degree in I believe you lead by example. Lift up those around you to Accounting, St John Fisher College become the best they can be. Be open to all perspectives. Family: Husband, Steven Liotta. Be willing to take a stand for what you believe in. And most Professional and community leadership: Member of the important, be open to feedback to continue to Senior Leadership Team at ESL Federal Credit Union; Previously, grow as a leader. Senior Leader at First Federal Savings & Loan and HSBC; Several
fi nancial services industry advisory boards; Planned Parenthood What advice do you have for young women
of Central and Western NY, Finance Committee, Executive looking to make a difference?
Committee, former Board Chair. Follow your passion. Believe in yourself and
Why is it important to empower and recognize women? the value you can add. Make professional and
Early in my career I did not have strong female role models. It personal choices that are right for you. Be true
is important to me that every girl/woman know they are valuable to yourself.
12 12 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Bridget Martin 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
Vice President just a few of the positive outcomes created by this cycle which Monroe Capital, Inc. benefi ts all, not just women. What makes a good leader? Education: A.A.S, Herkimer County Good leadership qualities transcend business and community. Community College Techniques may vary, but the essence of who you are as a leader Family: Husband, Todd Martin; should not. A good leader is someone who can create a culture children Shannon, 24, Shawn, 23. that energizes, challenges and appreciates while leading by Professional and community example and being a true team player. Empathy often plays a leadership: Spencerport Education key role in leading by example. When you can empathize with Fund, Founding Board Member, others, I believe that you are better able to understand other Treasurer; Bivona Child Advocacy points of view. Once you can do this, you can more effectively Center, Summit Committee Member, Network Event Co- and effi ciently achieve the desired goal while respecting and Leader; Turn Around Management Association, Upstate New incorporating the opinions and ideas of others, York Chapter, Board Member, Current Program Chair, Former thus creating the team mentality. Membership Chair; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Team What advice do you have for young women Captain, Light the Night, Currently assisting with Executive looking to make a difference? Committee; St. John’s Meadows, Volunteer; Camp Good Days and Special Times, Volunteer; Spencerport Central Schools, Decide what kind of difference you want Budget Focus Committee Member; Ronald McDonald House, to make and be sure it is something you are Volunteer. passionate about. Don’t be afraid to reach Why is it important to empower and recognize women? out to others and ask for help in making a Empowering and recognizing women gives others, especially difference. Sharing ideas is critical to effecting young women, positive infl uences to follow. Empowerment and change. In addition, I always believe you should recognition go hand in hand because empowerment leads to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. It is achievement and achievement leads to recognition. Through in these moments that the most potential for recognition, other women are empowered to achieve their change exists. Lastly, never ever give up. If you goals, thus starting the cycle all over again. The more times the want to make a difference, you can, and you cycle repeats itself, the more women that become empowered will. It may take some time, you might struggle, and recognized. Productivity, self-esteem and satisfaction are but giving up should never be an option.
Angela Panzarella 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
President and CEO policies. In short, we all gain from empowering everyone in our
YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County community to achieve and contribute to their full potential.
What makes a good leader? Education: B.A., St. John Fisher The recognition that no matter how smart, experienced or College; J.D., Albany Law School of creative you are, your greatest achievements come through the Union University efforts of your team. A good leader brings out the best in people, Family: Widow to Stan Tucciarello; clarifi es priorities and helps remove obstacles holding them daughter Catherine Tucciarello. back from success. Professional and community leadership: United Way of What advice do you have for young women Greater Rochester, Board Member, Consultant; Transcat Inc.,
Board Member; UR Medicine Home Care, Board Member. looking to make a difference?
Why is it important to empower and recognize women? Be curious about your community. Take the
Women comprise half of the world’s population. Fully time to explore an aspect of the community
empowering women will drive greater economic growth and that is new to you or that you may have taken
productivity, harness more creativity and intellectual capital for granted. You’ll start fi guring out what
directed toward technological innovation, arts and sciences, issues, organizations, or causes ignite your
and bring more viewpoints to shape better, more inclusive passion and are worth your efforts.
2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL/JANUARY 11, 2019 13 13 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Hilda Rosario-Escher 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
President & CEO Investing in women sets a direct path to end poverty and
Ibero American Action League economic growth that is inclusive. Women make enormous
contributions to the economic growth of this country. Education: Bachelor’s degree, Social Empowering women is one of the most important things for our Work/Education, University of Puerto community and society as a whole since we are the primary care Rico, Rio Piedras Campus; Certifi cate givers, so how and what we teach our young girls and boys is in Strategic Leadership, Rochester refl ected in how we do as a society. Institute of Technology; Certifi cate in Non-Profi ts, Roberts What makes a good leader? Wesleyan. Development and empowerment of your Family: Melisza Campos, Herb Escher, Doug Escher.
Professional and community leadership: NY State Empire staff. Creating an environment of trust where
State Development Corp., Board Member; NY State Women & people can thrive.
Girls Council, Member; NY State MWBE Council, Member; NY What advice do you have for young women
State Child Care Task Force, Member; Strong National Museum looking to make a difference?
Of Play, Board Member; Willow Domestic Violence Center, Board Get involved with causes that can make a
Member; Women’s Leadership Council, Member. difference in improving the quality of lives of
Why is it important to empower and recognize women? young people and families.
Pamela Schickler 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
Founder, CEO and Director regard to standards of body image dictated by both the fashion 25 North Dance, Sea Her Shine, Tessa’s and entertainment industries and promoted through media and Treasures social media. What makes a good leader? Education: B.S., Packaging, Rochester Kindness, principle-centered and dedicated to community. Institute of Technology; B.S., Dance You must be able to multi-task, plan, implement, work hard Education, Sam Houston State and fi nish every time. Jumping right in to the not-so-glamorous University/SUNY Brockport. tasks. On any given day I can be found cleaning one of my Family: Parents Jack and Peggy; spaces or calming an upset child. I know every parent and their siblings Anne Marie, David, Jeannie. child by name. Appreciation across the board: My Team and Professional and community leadership: Created the what they contribute, my customers, my family Nazareth Academy Dance Curriculum and was awarded and my life. Everything is a blessing. the Harvard-Radcliff Honorary Teacher Innovation Award for What advice do you have for young women Educational Excellence. Owns and operates 25 North Dance (two looking to make a difference? locations), Directs the Our Lady of Mercy Dance Company, Sea Tenacity. Be fi ercely determined, energized, Her Shine LLC in Pittsford, and Tessa’s Treasures. ready to fall on your face and to get back up Why is it important to empower and recognize women? stronger than you were before you fell. Always I recognize the importance of inclusivity and understand that trust your gut, have a strong supportive the seeds of empowerment sewn during the formative years network, believe in your journey, embrace provide the foundation for growth and development of strong, every moment, have Faith and don’t forget to independent, self-aware young women. All of my businesses laugh. affi rm and celebrate the individual exactly as she is, without
14 14 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Jane Shukitis 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
President and CEO What makes a good leader? UR Medicine Home Care (formerly A good leader must fi rst and foremost have a fundamental VNS of Rochester and Finger Lakes) character of integrity—an unshakable commitment to always do the right thing for the right reasons. They must be committed Education: B.N., Roberts to honesty and accountability to the people and organization Wesleyan College; Master of they are leading. They must never make a promise they cannot Public Administration, Health Care keep and always do what they say they will do. Good leaders Concentration, SUNY Brockport Family: Husband George Shukitis; son set a vision, share the vision, and stay the course. They give all John Shukitis; daughter Cori Louden. credit to their workforce for success and take all responsibility Professional and community on themselves for failures. They are never too busy to talk, and leadership: Lifespan, Board of Directors; Leading Age and always have the back of their people. They are kind, yet strong. Home Care Association of NY, Board of Directors; International Good leaders pray for wisdom and strive for knowledge. United Marriage Encounter, Board of Directors; UME Weekends, What advice do you have for young women Lead Presenter; Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Lay Leader looking to make a difference? and Worship Leader; FLHSA/Common Ground, multiple advisory Believe in yourself. Seek to understand your and strategic planning committees. talents and your limitations, and continually Why is it important to empower and recognize women? strive to grow and improve. Use setbacks as a It is a joy and a privilege for me when I can share my way to refl ect and get stronger. Accept—even experiences with younger women, and help them navigate seek out—constructive criticism and use it to through their career and life challenges. I have learned, mostly grow. Find a woman friend or mentor you can on my own, how to be successful as a woman leader in a world that remains male dominant. I have come to believe women talk with honestly and openly, and use that need role models, mentors and women peers/friends to be their connection to get support and encouragement advisors and advocates. We need to help each other nurture and when you need it. Do things that fulfi ll you and develop the confi dence and self-assurance required in today’s be sure to maintain balance in your life. Family competitive world to successfully demonstrate our value and must always be part of the equation—don’t capabilities, and in doing so to thrive as leaders. neglect them.
Sara Taylor 2019 ATHENA Award® Finalist
Vice President of Employment to oppress them. As a woman of color, the challenges are even Rochester Rehabilitation Center Inc. greater. Empowering women and providing forums to celebrate President/CEO the accomplishments, leadership, professional and community Positive Steps Consulting contributions are essential for the continuation of women helping other women succeed and a reminder that “I have not Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Social achieved my full potential and purpose until I am willing to Work, SUNY Brockport; Master’s reach down for your hand to pull you up with me”! in Human Service Administration, What makes a good leader? St. John Fisher College; Ministerial Someone who is passionate about their work, willing to License, Pentecostal Churches of the humbly serve versus be served, invest in developing and Apostolic Faith Inc. mentoring others, willing to own their mistakes, takes risks, Family: Son Darwin C. Jones; grandchildren Jaxon and Zara. willing to take a stand on controversial issues, listens to Professional and community leadership: Homeless Services understand not to be understood, recognizes Network, Steering Committee; Supportive Housing Network of that their gifts, skills and experience are to be New York, Steering Committee; Volunteers of America, Head used for a greater purpose and call. Start Parent/Policy Committee; Beechwood Neighborhood What advice do you have for young women Association; Emmanuel Church of Jesus Outreach Ministries; looking to make a difference? Mental Health Parent Advocacy groups; National Faith Based Don’t allow the “P’s”: past mistakes, pay, Initiative Consortiums; NY, PA & NE States Council of Pentecostal position, power, present circumstance, people, Churches of the Apostolic Faith; Destiny Christian School, Parent popularity and prestige to prevent you from Committee; Christian Meeting Association; Teen Mom Advocacy understanding your purpose and the greater groups; Monroe County Self-Suffi ciency & Employment call on your life. Giving back and allowing your Consortium. gifts, experience, skills and infl uence to be used Why is it important to empower and recognize women? for causes and issues that you are passionate Women are still experiencing various levels of social, about will help lift another woman up or could professional and economic inequalities and continue to fi ght to ultimately be a deciding factor in whether she rise above practices and systematic barriers that are designed lives or dies.
2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL/JANUARY 11, 2019 15 15 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Megan Alchowiak 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award® Finalist
Director of Business Development Why is it important to empower and recognize women? Image360 Rochester When a woman is acknowledged for her hard work and efforts, it is one way to show she is valued as a person and as Education: B.S., Business a professional. It costs nothing to tell someone they’ve done a Administration, Advertising good job, but it can make such a positive impact on a person, Communications, Gannon University now and in the future. Family: Husband Keith Alchowiak; What makes a good leader? daughter Melanie Jean, 7; Son Leo A good leader is someone who isn’t afraid to get involved James, 20 months. and work collaboratively with people to get a job done. A leader Professional and community leadership: Rochester Rotary makes people feel engaged, appreciated and cared for. Good Club, Board Member, Vice President of Marketing, Marketing leaders inspire others. Committee, Community Service Committee; Webster PROSAR What advice do you have for young women looking to (Parks, Recreation, Open Space, Athletic Review), Committee make a difference? member; Causewave Community Partners, past Community Learn from every opportunity, Impact Campaign Advisory Committee member; St. Joseph’s every project and every person Church, Lector; Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, 2018 you come in contact with. If you’re CLIMB Program (Chamber Leadership Initiative Mentorship looking to make a difference, you are for Business), FLAC (Future Leaders’ Advisory Council); Small going to be working with people to Business Owner, TranQuillity Designs paper quilling. make that happen.
Shaquana Patrice Divers 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award® Finalist
Executive Program Manager, Health can bring more balance and acceleration to our world. Yet we Care Network Management need more opportunities, supportive environments and tools Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield that enable our self-actualization. Recognizing women helps to illuminate us within our communities so that we have further Education: B.S., Community Health, access to quality networks and purposeful ways to make a Hofstra University; Masters, Health difference. Administration, Hofstra University What makes a good leader? Family: Partner A.J. James; Children Aside from the often-mentioned qualities of striving for Tai Ali James, 20; Kary Kai James, 17; excellence, great communication and courage, I want to call Dajania James, 13. out that good leaders are generous with their knowledge and Professional and community leadership: East High networks. They share access to the people and skills that can School, Governance Council; Greater Rochester Chamber change the life trajectories of others. of Commerce, Health Care Planning Team, Future Leaders What advice do you have for young women looking to Advisory Council, Healthcare Business Leader; Rochester make a difference? Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., Executive Board Time is precious, so take full Member; A Princess for a Day (APFAD), Board Member; advantage of your youth by seizing Leadership Rochester, Health Care Planning Committee; professional and life experiences Memorial Art Gallery, Celebration Series Advisory Committee; that help you identify your strongest YWCA Stand Against Racism, former Advisory Board Member. talents and use them in your sphere Why is it important to empower and recognize women? of infl uence. Make self-care a lifelong The innate qualities that women have—keen intuition, priority, develop healthy habits and astuteness, resilience, compassion—if harnessed for leadership, seek inspiration.
16 16 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Jennifer Dunivent 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award® Finalist
Director of Operations, Outpatient leadership is equal to their counterparts. By recognizing women, Services our daughters will be exposed to these great examples of Rochester Regional Health-United inspiration and have a path to follow. Memorial Medical Center What makes a good leader? A good leader is humble, kind, giving, strong, honest, Education: B.S., Nursing, University respectful, transparent, accountable, and willing/able to admit of Rochester School of Nursing; M.S., they have made a mistake. There is always something new to Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, University learn! Being open to learning new things, leading by example, of Rochester School of Nursing; MBA, and drawing on the expertise of those around you are key to Medical Management, University of being a great leader. You know you have created a great team Rochester Simon School of Business when you can walk away and things don’t fall apart. Family: Children Brandon, 24; Ariana, 14; Natalie, 12; Julia, 11. What advice do you have for young women looking to Professional and community leadership: March of Dimes, make a difference? board member; The Junior League of Rochester, member and Be true to yourself! Find your passion and create a life and co-chair volunteer committee; Girl Scouts, troop leader; Genesee career around that passion. The majority of your life will be spent Orleans Wyoming Opioid Taskforce, member and committee within your chosen career. Spend your youth exploring what chair; Pop Warner Cheerleading and Football, Volunteer of the ignites your fi re and you will be able Year; Cameron Community Ministries, volunteer. to create a fulfi lling life for yourself Why is it important to empower and recognize women? and others. When you love what you Despite a great deal of progress, women remain do, and have a passion for it, you underrepresented in leadership roles. Gender bias still exists! can’t help but to make an impact on In order to counteract this bias, we need to empower and those around you. If you truly want recognize women from the very early stages. They need to know to make a difference, get out there their value and worth and be encouraged to step outside of and do you! “Live the life you love, the box (or better yet, break down the box) so that their path to love the life you live.”
Leticia Fornataro 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award® Finalist
Architect, Senior Associate to the pay you bring home. My passion to empower others SWBR stems from both having had obstacles in my career path, and wanting to make sure others don’t have similar issues, as well as Education: M.Arch & B.Arch - empowering young women to know they are valuable members University of Utah of our society. As a professional in a male dominated industry Family: Husband Rob and two and a mother of two - a boy and a girl - I feel a responsibility to amazing kids, Vitoria and Luca show girls, like my daughter, that yes, we can do what men can. Professional and community I want to show her that she can choose her career path based leadership Professional: on what she’s passionate about and what she wants to do with Senior Associate, SWBR her life, not based on what society tells her is acceptable as a WForum, SWBR profession for women. Community: Practice & Design Director, Board Member - AIA What makes a good leader? Rochester Approachability, work and personal ethics/values, and respect RIT Architecture School - Curriculum Advisory Board, Mentor, for others. Guest speaker and critic What advice do you have for AIA National - Equity by Design Committee member young women looking to make a Kirkhaven Transitional Care, Board Member difference? Town of Pittsford - Design Review Board Member Get involved. Community outreach Why is it important to empower and recognize women? is a great way to make a difference! As a woman in a male dominated fi eld, I feel that we have Find a woman who inspires you to come a long way since my early days in the profession, but be your champion along the way... we still have far to go. I believe that there should be equity women can lift each other if you ask in the profession, from the way you are treated on a job site, for help!
2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL/JANUARY 11, 2019 17 17 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Lori O’Brien 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award® Finalist
Deputy Director perspectives and life experiences to broaden the capacity of Legal Assistance of Western New our communities, companies and organizations to exceed their York, Inc. (LawNY) potential. What makes a good leader? Education: B.A., Political Science/ A good leader works creatively to motivate and inspire those Sociology; SUNY Potsdam; J.D., around them through their own actions. Equally as important, Brooklyn Law School good leaders provide recognition, support, and encouragement Professional and community to others. Being a good leader does not mean being infallible. leadership: Monroe County Bar Good leaders provide candid feedback and accept constructive Association, Board of Trustees, criticism eagerly. They embrace transparency and proactively Trustee; Chair of President’s turn their mistakes into opportunities to improve. They also see Commission on Access to Justice; the bigger picture, utilize the strengths of the individuals on Council of Agency Executives, Board of Directors, Secretary; their team and help others develop realistic, concrete ways to achieve goals. True leadership is not about you at all. It is about The Telesca Center for Justice Legacy Society, Cabinet Member; what can be achieved with, and for, those around you. Monroe County Long Term Care Council, Member; Rochester What advice do you have for young women looking to Monroe Anti Poverty Initiative, Social Service Provision make a difference? Workgroup, Member; Justice for All Leadership-Advisory The fi rst step is to recognize the immense impact that one Committee, 7th Judicial District of Court Administration individual can have on the people they interact with and on Justice for All Campaign, Co-Chair of the Prevention and Legal the community surrounding them. Next, identify your personal Needs Assessment Workgroups, Member; Greater Rochester mission—what is the cause that you Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA), Former Member care about most? It is incredibly of the Board of Directors, Former Chair Continuing Legal important to stay true to yourself, Education Committee. fi nd your voice, and speak up. If Why is it important to empower and recognize women? you want to make a difference, you Women are still underrepresented in offi cial leadership must devote both time and energy. roles as well as informal positions of infl uence within our Our greatest achievements do communities. While some barriers can be attributed to the glass not happen easily or immediately, ceiling, it is important to recognize that we often hold ourselves so have patience when delays or back with self-imposed barriers. It is our obligation to help each setbacks occur. Finally, surround other break down these barriers. Through empowerment, we yourself with others who emulate can allow more opportunities for women to share their unique the qualities that you fi nd inspiring.
Sarah Catharine Rutherford 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award® Finalist
Muralist What makes a good leader?
Self Employed A good leader inspires, encourages and enables others to use
and develop their individual strengths. Education: B.A., Studio Arts, What advice do you have for young women looking to University of Vermont make a difference? Professional & Community My advice for young women looking to make a difference Leadership: The Yards Collaborative would be to recognize their inherent worth and surround Art Space, co-founder; Roc Paint Division, co-founder; Wall\ Therapy, organizing team; Her Voice Carries, mural project; themselves with people who will help build their worth, University of Rochester, adjunct professor, Introductory and creativity, and skill sets. I would also advise to trust in the Advanced Painting. unknown. Each path will be unique and unfold itself as each
Why is it important to empower and recognize women? new opportunity arises. Lastly, I would encourage young women It’s important to empower and recognize women because to explore both the privileges and
women are often not given the public accolades they deserve adversities within their own story
for their passion and work. The intersections of race, class and interrogate how they can
and sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and/or disability leverage these experiences as a
compounds inequity, and thus increases the need to empower source of power. and recognize people holding these identities.
18 18 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Michelle Schleher 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award® Finalist
Senior Construction Project Manager educate & guide interested women to open their eyes to these Rochester Regional Health opportunities. I am able to accomplish this through teaching at RIT, involvement with Women’s Council , NAWIC, as well as on the job at Education: SUNY College of Technology RRH. at Alfred; Associate in Applied Science - Proper recognition of amazing women is so imperative especially Architectural Engineering Technology when in a male dominated career as well. No matter what the Rochester Institute of Technology; achievement, recognizing & celebrating a job well done allows Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering women to feel accomplished & appreciated ultimately pushing Technology them to achieve even greater goals in the future. Rochester Institute of Technology; What makes a good leader? Master of Science - Facility Management To be a successful leader, one must be present. Family: Husband - Dan, Son - Danny, I have learned over the years the most effective leaders are those Daughter - Emma that are visible and engaged. A successful leader listens, provides Professional and community leadership feedback & support. They jump in when needed but also know RIT Adjunct Professor when to back off. They have the ability to pull together people from Rochester Women’s Council - Board Member varying backgrounds and create a positive culture along with an Make-A-Wish - Executive Gala Committee Member environment in which collaboration & communication is expected. Rochester Young Women of Distinction 2018/2019 Committee Chair They lead by example and mentor consistently creating an effective NAWIC (National Association for Women in Construction) - Member GVRAHE (Genesee Valley Regional Association for Healthcare team of people that can eventually stand on their own. Engineers) - Member What advice do you have for young women looking to make a Why is it important to empower and recognize women? difference? Empowering women can be accomplished through mentoring, Don’t be afraid to be different. recognition, and support. It is important for women to embrace this Don’t be hesitant to speak up or ask mindset as it creates a positive culture amongst women resulting in questions. Don’t be fearful of making successful relationships, careers, and outcomes. I have learned that mistakes but instead learn from them. providing other women with the knowledge and tools to succeed Follow your heart, your passions, and or even just helping them navigate through a tough time can be do the right thing always. And most benefi cial for both parties. Being a woman in a non-traditional importantly, whatever you set out fi eld, I strive to empower other women or young girls who are also to do, give it 110% of effort and you considering such a career. An engineering and construction career will never be disappointed with the is a fi eld where women can excel and I feel it is my duty to support, outcome.
Karen Webber 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award® Finalist
Founder and President coming after us to strive for the same. Webber CPA, PLLC What makes a good leader? A good leader is open, relatable, and trustworthy. I always Education: Associate of Science, wanted to know the “why” behind the decisions management Business Administration, Monroe made. Now that I’m in that role, I try to share as much Community College; Bachelor of information as I reasonably can about my day-to-day decisions, Science, Accounting, The College at even when it means admitting error, fear, or unmet goals. We’re Brockport; Master of Science, Forensic all human, we’re all vulnerable, and acknowledging that within a Accounting, The College at Brockport team builds trust. Family: Husband, Blake T. Webber. What advice do you have for young women looking to Professional and community leadership: College at make a difference? Brockport Alumni Association, Immediate Past President; If you fi nd something—or someone—you really love, give Genesee Valley Club, Governor. Why is it important to empower and recognize women? it everything you have. Making a difference doesn’t have Women in leadership are examples to other women in an to mean getting famous, or winning all kinds of awards; it organization or industry. Sharing our struggles and successes means serving others with your can be a very powerful form of inspiration. In the fi eld of greatest skills, passion, and focus. I accounting, for example, approximately 50 percent of graduates frequently tell people to say yes to and staff-level auditors are women, and at each promotion level, every opportunity, but what that that percentage drops. Only about 20 percent of fi rm leaders really means is: say yes to every are women. To keep talented women in this fi eld and others, opportunity that serves your passion we have to celebrate the women who made it to the top and and moves you in the direction of recognize what we did to get there so we can inspire all those your goal.
2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL/JANUARY 11, 2019 19 19 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Melissa Wentland 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award® Finalist
Project Manager yourself in a position of authority, however, if we can show young DGA Builders women what it looks like, just think about how much further they’ll be able to go. Education: Bachelors of Science, What makes a good leader? Building Construction Management, There are so many things that make a good leader, but Michigan State University. the main things are integrity, creativity, a drive for excellence, Family: Husband Kyle Wentland; Sons accountability, passion, the ability to inspire others, and most Connor, 5; Drew, 2. importantly—love. You need to love what you are doing in order to lead people to do it. You need to love those that you are Professional and community leadership: National Association leading so that you can see the potential in them. of Women in Construction, Board of Directors, President of the What advice do you have for young women looking to Greater Rochester Chapter; Journey Church, Guest Services make a difference? department. Find something that you are passionate about and dive in! Why is it important to empower and recognize women? Use your strengths to do what It is important to empower and recognize women in general you are passionate about with because women have not historically been taught to be leaders. excellence. Find groups that It is important in the construction industry because women are passionate about the same only make up 9 percent of the total workforce. Recognizing thing as you and get involved in the women who are making a difference in the industry shows whatever capacity you can, whether women who are just starting out—or afraid to even start—what it is volunteering, serving on a it looks like to be successful. It is sometimes hard to picture committee, or mentoring.
Caroline Whelan Tolbert 2019 ATHENA Young Professional Award® Finalist
Associate Director, Advancement Why is it important to empower and recognize women?
Events Women get things done! When women encourage other
University of Rochester women, we all benefi t.
What makes a good leader? Education
Authenticity and accountability. Be yourself. Commit and B.A., Boston College; M.A., Santa Clara University.
follow through. Family
Husband Isaiah Tolbert; daughter Eleanor Tolbert. What advice do you have for young women looking to
Professional and community leadership make a difference?
Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women, Chair, Board Connect with other women who
of Trustees; Junior League of Rochester, Vice President of are interested in making a difference
Governance, Board of Directors. in the world!
20 20 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
Broadstone 2019 ATHENA Organizational Award® Finalist
scheduling. Broadstone is currently supporting a number of female employees with educational and professional advancement opportunities. The company is very supportive of families and recently developed a new “Pa rental/Primary Caregiver Leave Policy.” Primary caregivers receive 10 weeks of leave at full pay following the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child. A non- primary caregiver parent employee can receive four weeks of parental leave at full pay. Broadstone believes in giving back through both time and money. Women working at the company often donate their time to speak to women’s groups. And the fi rm supports several women-focused organizations and events, including the YWCA Empowering Women Luncheon, the Sojourner Home & the Gala for Strength, and the Girls Scouts of Western NY & Leadership Breakfast. Amy Tait co-founded Broadstone in 2006 along with Normal Broadstone was also a corporate sponsor of the RIT Summer Leenhouts and Robert Tait, and the full-service real estate Math Applications in Science with company has been supporting women ever since. Hands-on (SMASH) Experience There are three women on Broadstone’s nine-member for girls in 2017. Designed to executive committee, and more than half of the fi rm’s 103 engage area middle-school girls in employees are women (51.5%). mathematics and science, SMASH Broadstone works to help all employees to reach their brings rising eighth-grade girls onto full potential and believes in the recruitment, hiring and RIT’s campus to spend one week advancement of women. The company has developed a working on mathematical modeling workplace in which employees are able to balance personal projects and self-affi rmation and professional responsibilities, including offering fl exible activities.
Capstone Information Technologies 2019 ATHENA Organizational Award® Finalist
needed to reach those goals. Capstone pays for technical training and professional development, and employees receive mid-year and year-end reviews to make sure they’re on track. The women of Capstone regularly gather to discuss their needs, with a female member of the leadership team present, and each female team member has a mentor who supports her professional development and other needs. Half of the women working at Capstone are mothers, so the company is committed to providing fl exibility in scheduling, including work-from-home options. Capstone encourages its employees to pursue their passions outside of work as well, including joining committees or leading in community activities. Capstone also encourages its employees to mentor women and girls in the community and has invited young ladies from the Rochester City School District, The Champion Academy and Victor Junior High School’s Young Women’s Leadership to visit Capstone to see a business in operation and work alongside female leadership team members. Sitima Fowler, co-CEO of Capstone, is a regular presenter at Rochester Institute of Technology to encourage undergraduate women Sitima Fowler co-founded Capstone with her husband, Mike, to pursue a career in STEM (Science, in 2003 and has worked since then to support females in a Technology, Engineering and typically male-dominated industry. Mathematics) fi elds and typically Capstone has 39 employees, 30 percent of whom are women. mentors three to four female Since the IT industry and Capstone’s staff are predominantly entrepreneurs at a time. Sitima has male, Capstone takes extra steps to provide ongoing helped girls completes the YEA! professional development for female staff members. Program and actively participates Each woman at Capstone has a professional development in the Women’s Professional plan with identifi ed goals and coordinated courses that are Organization, Rochester Chapter.
2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL/JANUARY 11, 2019 21 21 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS®
HCR Home Care 2019 ATHENA Organizational Award® Finalist
meeting costs for its employees, and several women from HCR serve on boards or committees for other organizations. The company itself gives back as well, and has provided sponsorships for women’s organizations such as Champlain Valley Business and Professional Women, Dress for Success Rochester, Latinas Unidas, Rochester Women’s Network, Susan B. Anthony Museum and House, Women’s Club of Pittsford, Women’s Council, Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley, Zonta Rochester Foundation, Zonta Batavia/ Genesee. HCR also provides internships and work experiences for many women. The company has provided internships through the Young Women of Distinction Program and has provided fi nancial support for the program since its inception. Founded in 1978 by Louise Woerner, HCR Home Care has Woerner, HCR’s CEO, serves as a member of the a history of supporting the development of women. It is the National Advisory Council of the Friends of Women’s Rights National Park Inc., and she chaired the 150th anniversary of largest woman-owned business in the Rochester area, which the Women’s Rights Convention, sponsored by the National has continued even after it became an Employee Owned Women’s Hall of Fame. Company. HCR employees have been the Five members of HCR’s senior leadership team are women, caretakers of Lillian Wald’s gravesite three of its four Directors of Patient Services are women and 54 at Mt. Hope Cemetery for more than of its managers are women. In total, 89.5 percent of HCR’s 837 30 years. Wald, a Rochester native, employees are women. is widely regarded as the founder of HCR not only hires and promotes women into leadership community health nursing, and HCR positions, it also encourages women to volunteer and take honors her each year during nurses leadership positions in other organizations. HCR pays dues and week.
ATHENA Award Finalists: Mary Jo Gugino-Colligan ’70 and Pam Schickler from 25 North Dance ATHENA Young Professional Award Finalists: Megan Hogan Alchowiak ’01 and Caroline Whelan Tolbert ‘02 ATHENA Organizational Award Finalist: HCR Home Care of which Congratulations! Elizabeth Noonan Zicari ’75 is President
Mary Jo Gugino-Colligan ’70 Pam Schickler Megan Hogan Alchowiak ’01 Caroline Whelan Tolbert ’02 Elizabeth Noonan Zicari ’75
Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women is truly blessed to have so many Grades 6-12 within the Circle of Mercy receive nominations for the 2019 ATHENA Awards!
1437 Blossom Rd., Rochester NY 14610 • (585) 288-7120 • www.mercyhs.com 22 22 JANUARY 11, 2019/ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS® Congratulations, Bridget! BEST WISHES TO 2019 ATHENA AWARD FINALIST BRIDGET MARTIN, MONROE CAPITAL VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS! FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT
BARCLAYDAMON.COM 200 Five Star Bank Plaza, 100 Chestnut Street, Rochester, NY 14604 | 585.295.4400
At Rochester Rehabilitation, we are driven to maximizing each person’s potential to lead a full and active life by breaking down the barriers to success. We do this one life at a time, every day, every year. We help adults with disabilities and other disadvantages successfully find and SARA TAYLOR keep jobs by: Vice President of Employment • building job skills through short-term training courses and certifications Rochester Rehabilitation • providing employment opportunities, including contract manufacturing and janitorial services 2019 Athena Award Nominee
Celebrating 100 Years of Work. Wellness. Independence. | www.RochesterRehab.org
congratulations to our President & CEO Andrea DeMeo, on your 2019 Athena Award nomination! We are deeply proud of you and all that you do on behalf of our patients, staff, and community.
trilliumhealth.org | 585.545.7200 33RD ANNUAL
INTERNATIONALATHENA AWARDS 2019 SPONSORS Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and its Women’s Council affiliate are pleased to bring the 33rd Annual ATHENA International Awards program to our region. We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the ATHENA Awards program partners and sponsors.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PARTNERS
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PREMIER SPONSORS SUSTAINING SPONSORS Constellation Brands Goodbody & Associates, Merrill Lynch HCR Home Care People Inc. Optic Sky Productions Harris Corporation Chase
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