Women of influence 2014 by Saratoga TODAY

Saratoga Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2014

Women of

Influence

Brought to you by:

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

Saratoga County’s 2014

Women of

Influence Publisher Chad Beatty

General Manager Robin Mitchell

Creative Director Colleen Sweeney

Writer

Megan Kretz

Advertising Sales Jim Daley Cindy Durfey

Photographers Mark Bolles Deborah Neary

Printing

Leader Herald

Sponsored by:

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

Colleen Carlson “ Photos by Deborah Neary

hen asked what keeps her in Saratoga, lifelong resident Colleen Carlson replied, “How could you live anywhere else? There’s such an amazing sense of community here.” And if there’s anyone who knows what this community is all about, it’s Carlson. From her role as Senior Sales Manager at Saratoga Casino and Raceway to the countless hours she spends volunteering her time, Carlson exhibits a passion for whatever she does. Born in Saratoga Hospital, Carlson has spent her whole life in the community she loves. At the age of fifteen, Carlson began working at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. She started by selling programs in the clubhouse and helping out with the named races. Carlson graduated from high school and moved on to study journalism at SUNY Morrisville and American Studies at Skidmore College. Upon graduating, Carlson was hired by the Ramada Renaissance Hotel (now known as the Saratoga Hilton). She started out at the front desk and soon after moved to the sales department. During this time, Carlson was still working at the track in the evenings. Eventually, Carlson’s hard work garnered her an offer for the Director of Sales position at the Casino and Raceway. Carlson worked a flexible schedule while her children were young, but transition over to full time in 2011. As the

Casino and Raceway’s Senior Sales Manager, Carlson coordinates all of the events and fundraisers held on the property. In the words of one of her nominators,

A native Saratogian who makes her hometown a better place for women…wherever they hang their hats.

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Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

– Barbara Ferraro

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

Jaime Williams, “Colleen goes above and beyond to make sure that all nonprofits are given an amazing experience that is also cost-effective.” When you ask Carlson about her nearly forty years at Saratoga Casino and Raceway, her love for her job and co-workers shines through. Her face lit up as she described the efforts of her team and the collaboration she can count on from colleagues. “Our executive chef is amazing, when it comes to any of our events, I know he has my back,” Carlson remarked. She gives credit to the Casino and Raceway’s owners for her positive work environment and cites their annual “Make A Difference” event as just one example of the culture of community involvement. Despite her work demands, Carlson has always made time to give back. She has been over fifteen years and years. Carlson has also co- multiple times. In 2013, her the Summer Gala. Carlson involved with the Saratoga has been on its board of chaired the Foundation’s efforts raised $396,000 dol- is also a long time comHospital Foundation for directors for the past two annual Summer Gala event lars in net revenue from mittee chair for Saratoga

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

7 new friends, and maybe even help your business,” she says. Carlson and her husband (who also works at Saratoga Casino and Raceway) are the proud parents of two sons and one daughter. Throughout their childhood, Carlson has shown her children the importance of giving back and her efforts are seeing dividends. She describes her youngest daughter as a “mini me” when it comes to volunteering. If Carlson can steal a few moments of free time, you can find her kicking

Hospital’s Flower and Fruit Mission and has been a member for seventeen years. She is on the founding board of directors for Jake’s Help from Heaven and was appointed to the Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission by the mayor. She is currently serving as the commission’s Vice Chair. Volunteering is such an integral part of Carlson’s life that she can’t imagine not giving back. “I tell people that if you volunteer for something, it will enrich your life, help you to make

back with a good book or catching up on the latest episode of the hit HBO show, “Game of Thrones.” You might also find her enjoying a happy hour drink at Lillian’s or dining out at one of her favorite downtown restaurants. For a woman who does it all, one of her nominators, Barbara Ferraro, sums her up best, “Colleen Carlson: A native Saratogian who makes her hometown a better place for women…wherever they hang their hats.”

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

Karen Flewelling T

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Her first project involved saving endangered flamingos in Lake Bogora, Kenya. It was here where Flewelling first saw the impact she could have on the lives of women and children in developing countries.

here are many influential and successful women in our community, but perhaps none quite like Karen Flewelling. While many of her peers are enjoying a retirement full of relaxation, hobbies, and golf, Flewelling has begun a second career in humanitarian work. Just forty-eight hours before our meeting, Flewelling was finishing up work in a remote area of Tanzania, proof that her “retirement” is anything but slow and quiet. Originally from the Hudson area, Flewelling earned her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland and her Master’s degree from Russell Sage College. She then spent thirty years as a physical education teacher and administrator of girls’ sports. During this time, Flewelling was also a field hockey coach and helped begin the area’s first high school lacrosse league for girls in 1989. While coaching, Flewelling went above and beyond the regular season and served as head coach for U.S. field hockey teams competing against teams in Europe, South America, and Australia. Flewelling wanted to expose her athletes to international teams as they are often more advanced and serve as tougher competition. Her dedication to the sport earned her multiple awards including the NYSPHSAA Award for

coaching, NFHCA Award for coaching, Sectional and Regional coaching championships, Honorary Field Hockey Award from Section II, as well as coaching positions for the Empire State Games, and the Futures Field Hockey Program. After three decades in the classroom and on the fields, you’d think Flewelling would be ready for a break, but you’d be mistaken. Shortly after retiring, Flewelling became involved with Earthwatch. Her first project involved saving endangered flamingos in Lake Bogora, Kenya. It was here where Flewelling first saw the impact she could have on the lives of women and children in developing countries. “Her commitment to these people began during her time working for Earthwatch where she observed that women and girls spend many hours each day carrying polluted water back to their villages which precludes the girls from attending school,” says Linda Snyder, Flewelling’s nominator. She made it her mission to improve water cleanliness and accessibility, thereby preventing cholera and dysentery and allowing girls more time to attend school. As Flewelling explains it, evidence shows that more educated girls tend to marry

later, have fewer children, and lead longer, healthier lives. In the past nine years, Flewelling has travelled to fourteen countries on twenty separate trips. During this time she has raised funding and oversaw the drilling of over thirty-two wells, ten cisterns, and dozens of

Photos by Deborah Neary

Week of May 23 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 29, 2014

Photos by Emma Dodge Hanson water filters. In order to dig a well, Flewelling must work with a liaison to request government approval. Flewelling meets with local elected officials, secures a location, and then oversees drilling to ensure funds are being used appropriately. The areas most in need of assistance are always in remote locations that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer the comforts of home. Flewelling takes this all in stride and has grown used to very basic accommodations (often without running water). To her, this brief time of inconvenience pales in comparison to the conditions the people she helps must endure. During her interview, Flewelling spoke of how little people have in developing countries. Lack of basic utilities such as electricity and running water makes daily living difficult

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

and receiving adequate medical care nearly impossible. Flewelling spoke of a doctor who was using his own money to improve the conditions of his hospital and how grateful he was for her assistance. “Once the hospital was able to install running water, he excitedly brought me to each room, showing off the individual sinks in every one,” she remarked. While providing clean water is Flewelling’s core mission, she also helps in other ways. Flewelling donates goats and chickens to villagers, often providing pregnant animals whose offspring can be passed on to another needy family. In addition, she funds fistula operations for needy women. A fistula occurs because of childbirth complications that don’t receive medical attention. A woman can lead the remainder of her life with this deformity and become ostracized because of it. There is a lot

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014 of shame associated with fistulas, so women are often hesitant to ask for help. Flewelling has made great strides with this issue, first by identifying women in need and then by providing them with transportation to the hospital for free surgery and a place to recover and rebuild their confidence. There are an estimated ten to twenty thousand women with fistulas, with nearly all of them living in developing countries. Through her tireless fundraising and advocacy, Flewelling is doing her part to change the lives of affected women. While she may be thousands of miles away from the playing fields of upstate New York, Flewelling’s love for sport follows her on her travels. “The first place I go when I visit a country is a store to buy footballs [soccer balls]. I tell my

driver, if we see a game on the side of the road, we’re stopping. There’s nothing like a soccer ball to make a child smile,” she says. Whether its coaching high school field hockey here in the United States or negotiating the price of goats in Tanzania, Flewelling is completely devoted to whatever she’s working on in the here and now. Flewelling is a diligent champion of her work abroad, but she emphasized that none of it would be possible without her supporters, specifically St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, The Rotary Club, Soroptimist International, and the Principessa Elena organization. For anyone interested in learning more about Flewelling’s work abroad, you’re in luck. Her first book, “Drilling for Hope”, was published in October 2013 and is available at local bookstores.

Photos by MarkBolles.com

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Kathleen Fyfe

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

The world is run by those who show up.

athleen Fyfe’s passion for strengthening the Saratoga Community is immediately evident. Her eyes light up as she talks about her work with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, specifically the Leadership Saratoga program that she heads up. This program has brought Kathleen a rewarding career, lasting friendships, and even an introduction to her husband, but more on the love story later. Kathleen grew up in Vermont and Maine, but moved to Saratoga Springs with her parents in 1993. Though technically new to the area, she had visited Saratoga on a family vacation and always had a feeling that she’d love living here. After earning her B.A. in Art History from SUNY New Paltz, Kathleen

spent some time in Arizona and then back upstate before eventually heading to New York City to enroll in a Masters program in Art History, Connoisseurship and History of the Art Market. After graduating, she managed a successful Manhattan art gallery for a time, but eventually felt the pull to return upstate. “Saratoga has always felt like home,” Kathleen said. “I knew I was going to come back some day.” A year after returning to the area, Kathleen assumed her current role as Vice President of Community Development at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. She had first become involved with the Chamber as a volunteer in the late 90’s, so the transition to a full time employee “felt very natural, almost like coming home to a family,” Kathleen remarked. She began her tenure by running all of the Chamber’s events, but after a few

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

years in the position, upon the retirement of Linda Toohey, the Leadership Saratoga Program founder, she was tapped to run the Leadership Saratoga Program. As a 2009 graduate of the program that trains local leaders, Kathleen is now in her second year of coordinating the program and also serves as the facilitator of Leadership Saratoga’s Alumni Association. Under Kathleen’s guidance, forty-eight people have been trained to be community leaders and volunteers. After graduates complete their training, Kathleen works with local nonprofits to connect them with Alumni who can then serve on committees, leadership boards, and special projects. Kathleen’s work to make the Saratoga Springs community a better place is tireless. She has led the effort for the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce to be the first (and only) chamber in the state to join the New York State Council on Nonprofits. This allows every nonprofit member of the Chamber to reap the benefits of this special council. She also facilitates collaboration between local nonprofits by organizing regular meetings for the Nonprofit Executive Director group. Kathleen’s advocacy extends

16 beyond the nonprofit sector in her involvement with the Chamber’s Women in Business Program and Saratoga Young Professional Network. Helping to draw attention to the area’s natural healing springs, abundance of outdoor space, and access to farm-fresh food, she is also working directly with the Chamber’s President on their Health and Wellness Council. Their aim is to garner Saratoga County recognition as one of the healthiest places to live. This goal is a fitting one for Kathleen as she strongly believes the healing water of the local springs permeate through the entire community. “Good begets good,” she says. “There’s a sense of pride and decency that is at the core of this city.” Kathleen’s dedication to building up the community has trickled over into her personal life. While she was volunteering with Saratoga Plan as part of her Leadership

Saratoga training, she became friendly with a project liaison named Andy who eventually became her husband. The two married in 2012, but even a wedding couldn’t deter Kathleen from her work. She planned and successfully executed a large retirement party for the Chamber’s former Leadership Saratoga Director just a few days before her own nuptials. Throughout her life, Kathleen has also remained a dedicated patron of the arts. She is a past chair of Saratoga Arts, has been a volunteer for Saratoga Artsfest, and is currently working with fellow philanthropist Barbara Glaser and the city of Saratoga Springs to restore Spencer Trask’s iconic “Spirit of Life” memorial in Congress Park. Keeping true to her artistic background, Kathleen has experimented in many mediums. She currently enjoys utilizing her tactile and visual senses to refinish old

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

furniture. When she needs to unwind even more, you can find Kathleen and her husband taking advantage of all the outdoor activities the area has to offer - from camping to snowshoeing, they do it all. When pressed for a life motto, she quoted something her boss at the Chamber often says: “The world is run by those who show up.” Making a difference doesn’t require a certain pedigree or background, but it does require action and you can count on Kathleen Fyfe to make things happen.

Jessica Petraccione W

inner of Albany B u s i n e s s Review’s 40 Under Forty Award, recipient of Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s SwantekWoodworth Sales Award, recognized as one of Success Magazine’s Who’s Who in Success, and named Tech Valley Business and Professional Woman of the Year. Jessica Petraccione’s list of accomplishments is lengthy, but her impact isn’t difficult to describe. In her nomination letter, Theresa Skaine and Melissa Ward sum it up best: “Jessica sees what needs to get done, knows how to do it, and

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Photos by MarkBolles.com

It’s okay to change your path...

makes sure it gets done!” It takes a great deal of efficiency and intelligence to become one of only three female Vice Presidents of Retail and the youngest female to be appointed Branch Manager with The 1st National Bank of Scotia. Luckily, Petraccione has both of those traits. From her first day with the Bank, it was clear to others that she would go far. However, for Petraccione, the path wasn’t always so obvious. A native of Schenectady, Petraccione

graduated from high school and applied for a teller job with the Bank. She decided to postpone college plans in order to stay close to family for a bit and considered the teller position to be a “just for now job.” However, within six months she was already making a name for herself. Petraccione became the teller supervisor and shortly after began taking night classes with the American Institute of Banking. As time passed, Petraccione realized how

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

much she enjoyed working for the Bank and eventually entered its management program. Throughout the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Petraccione garnered experience as Assistant Manager of the Rotterdam and Clifton Park branches. She began earning a reputation for bringing in business and her acumen at handling loans, accounts, and client relationships set her apart from her peers. Always willing to help out with whatever needed to be done, Petraccione worked with the Rotterdam Business Development Manager to implement online banking in the early 2000’s, which at that point was still an emerging technology. Eventually she became Manager of the Clifton Park branch and was promoted to Area Manager in 2004 and Vice President in 2006. What began as a temporary gig right out of high school has now developed in to a successful and rewarding career. When asked the secret of her success, Petraccione emphasized the importance of hard work and being open to new opportunities. “It’s okay to change your path,” she remarked. One of the things that kept her at the Bank was the feeling that it was “a true community bank.” The 1st National Bank of Scotia emphasizes the importance of building one-on-one relationships with clients and truly understanding their needs. When it comes to loans for local businesses, “people right here in our own communities are making the lending decisions,” said Petraccione. This is different from a large national corporation where the decision makers might not have any connection to their clients and community. “Being able to call up the President of the Bank with a question or concern has really made it feel like a Mom and Pop type of company,” stated Petraccione.

20 While her career successes are numerous, her list of volunteer accomplishments is equally long. Petraccione recently finished up a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center of Saratoga County. She is a strong advocate for women and has spent her time on the Board making sure women in difficult situations always have a place to go. Petraccione is also a long time member of the Twin Bridges Rotary Club, serving on the Board of Directors for eight years, and as the club’s President in 2010 and 2011. Petraccione has been involved in all of the organization’s fundraisers and activities; from the annual karaoke contest to the free community Thanksgiving dinner. When it comes to the Rotary Club, Petraccione has worked especially hard to embrace younger members and make it a very dynamic group. The organization was

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

so impressed with her efforts that she was named the 2008 Rotarian of the Year. Petraccione is also a Director for the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of the Leadership Saratoga Program. Despite a schedule so full of professional and volunteer work, Petraccione has always found time for her family and friends. She’s well known throughout the community (at least two people stopped to say hello during the course of our interview) and never without a smile on her face. Petraccione has been married to her husband Vince for eighteen years and the two live in Clifton Park with their energetic black

lab, Benny. The couple has strong ties to their families and played a very active role in raising one of Jessica’s nieces, Teresa. Petraccione was barely out of high school when she began acting as a mentor and caretaker for her young niece and has remained by Teresa’s side as she grew in to a successful young woman. As explained in her nomination letter, Petraccione’s loving nature and personal sacrifices helped her niece to succeed and thrive. From her professional and philanthropic accomplishments to her devotion to family, Petraccione exemplifies the Rotary club’s motto of “service above self.”

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

Heather Straughter “

...when you speak with Straughter and hear her story, you soon realize that her family isn’t an ordinary family – they’re extraordinary.

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Photos by Deborah Neary

Master’s degrees in teaching. While teaching in Boston, Straughter met her husband, got married, and gave birth to her son Ethan. While Boston wasn’t too far from her parents, Straughter yearned to move even closer and in 2006, the family relocated back to Saratoga Springs. In May of that year, the Straughter’s second son, Jake, was born. Jake was born a perfectly healthy baby boy and for the next eight months, the family continued their active lifestyle – traveling, taking the boys to museums, and enjoying all that the region has to offer. In January 2007, Jake unexpectedly had a seizure and the Straughters’ world

o an outsider, Heather Straughter seems like any other young mother. She and her husband, Brian, live in a beautiful home on Circular Street and are parents to an active nine-year-old name named Ethan. However, when you speak with Straughter and hear her story, you soon realize that her family isn’t an ordinary family – they’re extraordinary. They’ve turned a personal heartbreak into a cause that helps the lives of many. Straughter grew up in nearby Delmar, attended Bethlehem high school, and eventually moved to Boston to pursue her Bachelor’s and

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

was rocked. The family spent the next 117 days in the hospital by Jake’s side as doctors tried to figure out what was wrong. However, they were not able to give a conclusive diagnosis. After the initial seizure, Jake began experiencing complications ranging from liver disease to bone problems. The Straughters went from being a typical family of four to pouring all of their energy and focus into making Jake’s life as comfortable as possible. They still traveled with the boys whenever they could and did whatever it took to maintain Jake’s quality of life. Sadly, in December 2010, just five months shy of his fifth birthday, Jake unexpectedly passed away. Through her grief, Straughter was able to find a way that she might help other children while honoring Jake’s memory. In 2011, the non-profit named Jake’s Help From Heaven was created and a board of directors was established. When choosing the directors, Straughter made a concerted effort to look beyond her circle of immediate friends and family. She and her husband assembled a topnotch advisory team including: an IT expert, a social worker, and fellow parents with special needs children. They also developed their mission, which is to provide travel reimbursements as well as medically necessary/medically convenient equipment to special

needs families. In the past three years, Jake’s Help from Heaven has assisted dozens of children, from basic mileage reimbursements for medically necessary travel to ipads that allow children to communicate with their families. In Straughter’s nomination letter, there were several moving

testimonies including one from Lori Kidd, a social worker for the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York: “I was with a little boy who was still using a high chair (he is 9), the high chair was the only thing he could sit in safely. He was never truly part of the family

meals. I requested a special chair that would allow him to be close to the table to eat with the family and be age appropriate for him as well. He is so happy in it and his appetite has also appeared to be improved [from] eating with the rest of the family. Thanks Jake.” With each year, Jake’s Help

24 from Heaven aims to not only increase its fundraising revenue, but also increase awareness and let families know that assistance is available to them. Straughter works tirelessly so that there is zero overheard for Jake’s Help from Heaven and all money raised can go toward helping children. In 2013, Jake’s Help from Heaven awarded over fifty thousand dollars and 2014 looks to be an even bigger year. At the fourth annual Family Fun Day held at Saratoga Strike Zone, the non-profit raised a record seventy-one thousand dollars. Straughter is also very involved with the Saratoga Bridges organization, which she says has a great synergy with Jake’s Help from Heaven. She is co-chairing Saratoga Bridge’s annual white party for the second year in a row and when talking to her, you can tell that this event is something she loves to do. Straughter’s fun-loving nature also shines through in events

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

like her Finest Fillies fundraiser held every summer at the Saratoga Casino and Raceway. Straughter and her family continue to stay active and live their lives in Jake’s memory. Whether it’s going skiing in nearby Lake Placid, riding their bikes over to the track during the Summer, traveling

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

to New York City and Boston, or just spending a quiet day at home, Straughter feels that “Jake is always with us.” Straughter and her family have survived a terrible heartbreak and have ended up thriving. As one of her nominators, Natalie Sillery, explained “She is a role

model to all regarding turning her tragedy in to a purpose with passion. Fearless, determined, [she’s] a ‘Go Big or Go Home’ kind of gal!” Straughter’s strength, inherent goodness, and passion for helping others are what truly set her apart from the crowd.

Photos by MarkBolles.com

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Amy Sutton “

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

It’s never just you personally, it’s the people you work with too. It’s about group success, not individual success. – Amy Sutton

hether it’s brokering multi-million dollar real estate deals, championing philanthropic causes, or devoting herself to her family, Amy Sutton can do it all. With her friendly demeanor and knack for the real estate market, it’s easy to see why Sutton is one of the area’s most successful businesswomen. Originally from Syracuse, Sutton moved to the area to attend Skidmore College. Shortly after graduating with her B.A. in English, Sutton fell in love and married a local Saratogian. Sutton first made a name for herself in the community as she worked at a specialty-clothing store downtown. It was during this time that she began to meet and mingle with local business leaders. One of those leaders was Tom Roohan, President and Owner of Roohan Realty. In 1984, Roohan convinced Sutton to come work for him and give the real estate business a shot. Soon after she came aboard, Sutton gave birth to her first daughter. However, not even motherhood could slow her down and a few weeks later she was back in the office. Sutton continued working for

Roohan for the next fifteen years, before taking a break to spend more time with her family and support her girls in their scholastic and athletic pursuits. As her nominator explained, “Amy’s involvement in her daughters, Patricia and Katherine’s, athletic and academic careers was significant and spanned their time at Saratoga High and The College of the Holy Cross, where both girls matriculated.” Sutton was a decade-long member of the Saratoga High School Lacrosse, Tennis, and Basketball booster clubs and continued her parental support as Patricia and Katherine played Division I Field Hockey at the collegiate level. Her girls are now successful young women thriving in Boston. Patricia is an assistant lacrosse coach at Harvard University and Katherine works in Reebok’s Boston office. As they were growing up, Sutton sought to instill the importance of giving back and being kind and generous. Anyone who meets with Sutton knows she must have been successful. In August of 2011, Sutton was asked to return to Roohan Realty to head up their commercial real estate division and in Sutton’s words “it felt like coming home.”

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

Since returning to Roohan, Sutton has quickly become one of the company’s top performers. For the third year in a row, Sutton has led the commercial services group to the number one spot in terms of total volume sold. Sutton and her group handled twentythree million dollars worth of transactions last year and they continue to raise the bar for 2014. In her nomination letter, she is described as follows: “Amy is an integral part of the Roohan team, as she is known for her consummate professionalism, sunny disposition,

and impressive sales record. Regardless of whether a client or customer is leasing a 400 square foot office or purchasing a $3,000,000 property, Amy gives 100% of her utmost attention.” It would seem that a busy career and active family life would fill Sutton’s schedule entirely, but she has always found time for giving back to her community. The Flower and Fruit Mission at Saratoga Hospital is a cause near and dear to Sutton’s heart. A member for an impressive twentyfour years, Sutton is currently

the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 20142015 President. In her two and a half decades with the Mission, Sutton has chaired a total of ten luncheons and dinners. The annual luncheon in May and the December dinner/ dance are fundraisers that bring in the most revenue to bolster the Missionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s causes, namely supporting maternity services and nursing education at the hospital. Through her involvement with the Mission, Sutton has garnered lifelong friendships and has helped to make Saratoga Hospital a premiere location for Women and Children.

Week of May 23 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 29, 2014

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014

Making Saratoga Springs a better place for its residents and visitors is a cause that Sutton has always championed. Throughout her time working at the clothing store and in real estate, Sutton has seen how hard work has led to a revitalization of the downtown. This vibrancy is something that Sutton strives to maintain every day. When asked for the secret to her success, Sutton says, “It’s never just you personally, it’s the people you work with too. It’s about group success, not individual success.” For Sutton, working for the community-minded and collaborative Roohan Realty is a perfect match.

Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014