Women of Excellence

2018

Stephanie F. Benson

Susan Parkes McNally

Mary Walsh Boatfield

Jacqueline Phipps Polito

Laurie Broccolo

Deana L. Porterfield

Flor M. Colon

Marisol O. Ramos-Lopez

Dianne Cooney Miner

Seema Ali Rizzo

Marisa Geitner

Kimberly Roberson

Shelby George

Laurie G. Sagona

Melissa Geska

Jessica M. Savage

LaShay D. Harris

Monica Savino

Pamela P. Heald

Karen Serinis

Staci Henning

Renu Singh

Cynthia Langston

Deborah C. Stamps

Kate McClung

Salley Thornton

Kathy Metcalfe

Patricia Uttaro

Cheryl Nelan Stein

Lori VanAuken

Dallas Nelson

Karen Zandi

Kathy Palokoff

Heidi Zimmer-Meyer

CI RCL E O F E XC E L L E N C E Lauren Dixon • Hilda Rosario Escher Anne Kress • Fran Weisberg Christine Whitman • Louise Woerner

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PUBLISHER Suzanne Fischer-Huettner EDITOR Ben Jacobs SPECIAL PRODUCTS EDITOR Colin Hogan COPY EDITOR Bill Alden WRITERS Mike Costanza Jim Barg Amaris Elliott-Engel Amanda Renko

ta b l e o f c o n t e n t s

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Robert Teitgen

Letter from the Publisher….............................….5

ACCOUNT MANAGERS Jean Moorhouse Michelle Sanfilippo John Sousa SALES COORDINATOR Jessica Sims GENERAL MANAGER Stephanie Sulfaro SPECIAL PROJECTS SUPERVISOR Kady Weddle

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE HONOREES Lauren Dixon ………....................................6 Hilda Rosario Escher ….........................…… 8 Anne Kress ……...................................…. 10

DESIGNER Jennifer McNally

Fran Weisberg …................................….. 12

PHOTOGRAPHER Kate Melton

Christine Whitman……...........................….13

(Circle of Excellence honorees)

To order additional copies of this publication, please contact us as (585) 232-6920 or email Colin Hogan at chogan@bridgetowermedia.com. © 2018 by Rochester Business Journal. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISSN 08963274. Printed in the United States of America.

Louise Woerner …............................…….. 14 WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE HONOREES ............ 16 WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE SPONSOR PROFILES ... 38

APRIL 13, 2018 • ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE

3

Independent Perspective | Real-World Solutions

Manning & Napier is proud to support the

RBJ’s Women of Excellence Congratulations Shelby George!

Manning & Napier 290 Woodcliff Drive Fairport, NY 14450 (585) 325-6880 | (800) 551-0224 www.manning-napier.com

T

he Rochester Business Journal has been providing essential business news for over 30 years. Over the past three decades there has been a great deal of change in the business community across all industries. More than ever before women are taking on top executive roles and blazing trails to remove barriers for the next generation of women leaders. As a woman publisher in an industry that was male-dominant for many years, I understand the importance of recognizing highachieving women and providing numerous ways for women to connect, learn and identify leaders they respect and want to emulate.

It is time to shine a spotlight on the incredible women business leaders in the Rochester market who are breaking barriers, leading organizations in new and creative ways and successfully juggling career achievement, community engagement, mentoring and family commitments.

And that is why the Rochester Business Journal launched Women of Excellence.

We announced the Women of Excellence awards program last fall at our annual Women’s Leadership Summit. Quickly the community took note and submitted more than 100 outstanding nominations.

You can image it was a difficult job to select the 40 women you will meet in this magazine.

Publisher’s Letter There are 34 Women of Excellence honorees. Each of these honorees are leaders professionally and in the community. The Women of Excellence were nominated by other business leaders and were judged on their professional experience, community involvement, leadership and sustained commitment to mentoring.

Six women will be inducted into the Circle of Excellence. These women were selected by the Rochester Business Journal for their longstanding, notable success professionally and in the community. These are the women we all want to emulate and the go-to women in this community when you need a mentor, sound advice or a champion. They lead the way for the next generation of leaders.

I want to give a special thanks to the 30 companies that are sponsoring Women of Excellence. Clearly the Rochester business community agrees it is time to celebrate high achieving women and provide the support necessary to make sure women continue to grow in leadership roles.

I am excited to announce that the Rochester Business Journal will be launching Path to Excellence, a quarterly magazine

focused on women in business, and highlighting their accomplishments, sharing their struggles and lessons learned, providing tips and entertaining tidbits and engaging women to make a difference. You will learn more about our Women of Excellence honorees in Path to Excellence. The first issue is June 22.

In addition to Women of Excellence and Path to Excellence we will continue the tradition of the annual Women’s Leadership Summit, bringing together women in all levels of their career to learn, network and build business relationships. This year’s event will be held on October 12 and the speakers and panel topics will be announced soon. Go to RBJ.net for more information.

The RBJ is proud to honor this year’s Women of Excellence honorees. We want to thank you for your passion, commitment to excellence and ability to share your knowledge to help others. Together, we all can create opportunity for women and break any barriers.

Suzanne Fischer-Huettner Publisher Rochester Business Journal

Empowering Women in Business PATH TO EXCELLENCE

Premiers June 22 Path to Excellence is a quarterly magazine focused on women in business— highlighting their accomplishments, sharing their struggles and lessons learned, providing tips and entertaining tidbits and engaging women to make a difference.

October 12 | Rochester Riverside Convention Center The fourth annual summit will convene Rochester’s most influential leaders for career development, networking, and more. Both seasoned and emerging female leaders will come together for an afternoon of learning and conversation.

Reserve your seat at rbj.net/events/womens-leadership-summit April 11 | Rochester Riverside Convention Center This awards event honors high-achieving women for their tremendous accomplishments. They are judged on their professional experience, community involvement, leadership and sustained commitment to mentoring.

Nominate for 2019 at rbj.net/events/women-of-excellence

Be part of the excitement! Contact your account manager or Robert Teitgen at rteitgen@bridgetowermedia.com to advertise and sponsor.

APRIL 13, 2018 • ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE

5

C I R C L E O F E XC E L L E N C E

Lauren Dixon CEO DIXON SCHWABL

BY MIKE COSTANZA

F

or Lauren Dixon, a good business produces more than a healthy bottom line.

“Our focus is on creating a great culture,” says the CEO of Dixon Schwabl Inc., a full-service advertising, public relations and digital media firm.

That focus on business culture has helped Dixon and her husband, company president Mike Schwabl, grow their Victor-based agency from a two-person shop to one that employs about 120—and has over 100 clients nationwide. Dixon Schwabl celebrated 30 years in business in 2017.

Those who watched local news back in the 1980s might have seen Dixon covering stories for WOKR-TV 13 (now WHAM-TV 13). After nine years as a television journalist and news anchor, she joined the sales team at WROC-TV 8.

After a time, Dixon decided to put her skills to work in another field—advertising. In 1987, she started Lauren Dixon Advertising Inc. Just 48 hours after she opened shop, Dixon had her first three clients.

When asked what personal qualities have helped her advance and her company grow, Dixon points to one right off the bat.

“Being a good listener,” she says. “There are folks within your organization that would have far better and grander ideas than you could ever come up with.”

In addition, Dixon strongly supports the idea of “servant leadership.”

“By serving all of my team members, it makes them be the best team members they could be,” she asserts.

Dixon also adheres to the six core values that she and her husband have set for their 6

“I think it’s important to lead by example and believe it’s imperative that you always go above and beyond even when no one is looking. You can’t expect your team to go above and beyond unless you do.” firm—she can reel them right off.

“Respect, integrity, community, teamwork, fun, innovation,” she says.

Dixon and her husband have sought to inculcate those values in their firm’s operations and its employees, in part through personal touches. Two or three times a week, they take individual team members out to breakfast or lunch. The informal meetings give members a chance to let their hair down, talk about their lives and bring up new ideas.

“We’re very into encouraging people, if they have a great passion, to let us know about it, and we’ll help them make it happen,” Dixon says.

Such attitudes might easily be among the reasons that Dixon Schwabl has been lauded as a good place to be employed. In 2016, Fortune magazine placed Dixon Schwabl at the top of its list of medium-sized marketing firms for which to work. The agency has also been one of the Top Small or Medium Workplaces in America on the Great Place to Work list for 12 years running.

This year, Dixon Schwabl created “Companies Are People Too,” a program that is designed to help other companies develop a positive

workplace culture. The program is based on a book of the same name by Sandra Fekete.

“One of the things I have always been very passionate about is helping other companies become a great place to work,” Dixon says.

When not running their company, Dixon and her husband have sought to serve their community. Their firm was the event coordinator for the American Heart Association’s 2018 Rochester Heart Walk and Run free of charge, which raised a total of $780,000. Dixon and Schwabl also will co-chair this year’s Golisano Children’s Hospital Gala, the hospital’s primary annual fundraising event. In addition, the pair serves on the boards of a number of nonprofits.

For Dixon, such service is all part of the philosophy that has shaped her business for decades.

“We have evolved into the personality that we always wanted to be, and are very proud of,” she says.

Mike Costanza is a Rochester-area freelance writer.

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE • ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

Reliant Community Credit Union Celebrates the Women of Excellence Honorees!

Congratulations, Pamela!

We are proud of you for being a 2018 Woman of Excellence honoree.

It is a true reflection of the outstanding leader and mentor that you are to the entire Reliant team—through your work within the credit union and also your involvement in the greater community.

Pamela P. Heald President & CEO

You set the example for what leadership should be.

For that, and for all you do, we

thank you!

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Cheryl Lynn Nelan MBA ’96, Saunders College of Business

Rochester Institute of Technology congratulates all of the 2018 Women of Excellence honorees for their leadership and contributions to the Greater Rochester community.

We are especially pleased to celebrate these members of the RIT family. www.rit.edu

Karen Serinis MBA ’81, Saunders College of Business

Christine B. Whitman Chairman, RIT Board of Trustees

Renu Singh MS, Health Systems Administration ’97, College of Applied Science and Technology Deborah Stamps MBA ’17, Saunders College of Business Salley Thornton MBA ’14, Saunders College of Business

C I R C L E O F E XC E L L E N C E

Hilda Rosario Escher PRESIDENT & CEO IBERO-AMERICAN ACTION LEAGUE

BY MIKE COSTANZA

H

ilda Rosario Escher first walked through the doors of the Ibero-American Action League Inc., in the early 70s, after leaving her home in Puerto Rico.

“When I came to Rochester, I took English classes at Ibero,” she says.

Rosario Escher went on to become the president and CEO of the nonprofit, which employs close to 300 people from Rochester to as far away as Albany.

“I am excited every day about coming to work, just to see the impact that we have in the community” she says.

Ibero is a multifaceted agency that provides a wealth of bilingual services to the communities it serves. Parents, youths, families, senior citizens and those who have developmental disabilities can all turn to the nonprofit for assistance. Though Ibero was founded in 1968 to advocate for Monroe County’s growing Hispanic population, it opens its doors to all.

“The majority of the people we serve live in poverty,” Rosario Escher explains. “We work to help them be self-sufficient.”

Except for two brief periods with other agencies, Rosario Escher has spent all of her working life with Ibero—over 26 years in all. She joined the agency as the coordinator of a bilingual secretarial training program and eventually rose to become vice president of its Developmental Disability division. At the time, there weren’t many services for that population in Rochester—Ibero had only one group home for developmentally disabled adults.

“There were a lot of parents that met with 8

“I have many (role models), but the most important is God.” me to see whether I could bring into the city group homes, vocational programs and some resources,” Rosario Escher says.

Rosario Escher grew passionate about the need for such services, and set out to create them at Ibero.

“I started developing the different programs according to the needs of the community,” she explains.

Nowadays, Ibero has 10 group homes and a number of supportive apartments for the developmentally disabled. The nonprofit even offers Fashion Works, a prevocational program. Enrolled adults work in a thrift store of the same name that Ibero owns in Rochester.

“They work in this store to develop their social skills,” Rosario Escher explains.

“From there, we find them competitive employment.”

Altogether, Rosario Escher’s efforts have helped make Ibero’s Developmental Disabilities division the largest at the agency.

A trip to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria struck spurred Rosario Escher to take action on another front. At that time, most on the island had long endured being

without power, potable water and other essentials.

“I was so angry, because we have been treated as less than second-class citizens,” she says.

Channeling that anger, Rosario Escher tried to keep Puerto Rico’s plight in the spotlight, and set out to help those who were escaping Maria’s effects.

“All of these Latinos, Puerto Ricans were coming to Rochester,” Rosario Escher says.

“They would go through a cultural shock, in addition to weather shock.”

While running Ibero, Rosario Escher is always ready to mentor other women.

“Whether it’s Latinas, African-Americans, Caucasians, I’m always open to pass on whatever I have learned,” she says.

In her spare time—what there is of it— Rosario Escher volunteers for a number of nonprofits, serving on the steering committee of New York State Council on Women and Girls and board of the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School, to name just two.

She was selected as a 2012 Woman of Distinction by state Sen. Joe Robach, R-Greece, and was a 2017 Rochester Business Journal ICON Honoree.

When speaking of her life, Rosario Escher sounds a bit surprised about how far she has come.

“I never thought that one day I would be leading the largest Latino organization outside of New York City.”

Mike Costanza is a Rochester area freelance writer.

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE • ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

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C I R C L E O F E XC E L L E N C E

Anne Kress

PRESIDENT MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BY MIKE COSTANZA

A

fter over eight years on the job, Anne Kress still looks forward to starting her workday.

“I am always excited to come to Monroe Community College,” says Kress, the president of the college.

Kress came to MCC after serving as provost of Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fla. “I was new to New York State; I was new to Rochester; I was new to the State University of New York,” she says. “My first challenges were simply getting up-to-speed with all of those differences.”

Soon after Kress took office, plans fell through for the downtown development Renaissance Square, leaving the college without a new site for its Rochester campus. At the time, MCC students who were taking classes in Rochester did so at the Damon City Campus on two leased floors of the Sibley Building.

“The challenge was to help the college identify a new site for the downtown campus, and to really bring what was a 20-year-pluslong dream of a permanent home for MCC downtown to reality,” Kress explains.

Atop that, MCC also had to contend with a serious drop in funding. Due to the recession, New York State reduced its aid to the college by about 20 percent in 2010 alone.

“Enrollment was skyrocketing at the very moment that state funding started to fall for the first time anyone could remember,” Kress says.

To those challenges, Kress brought very important qualities, including a spirit of collaboration and the ability to listen to all views.

“I’m willing to meet with almost anyone to hear their perspective on the work that we 10

“One of the things I value most about being a woman in a leadership position is having the ability to assure other women’s voices and perspectives are heard and inform decisions and directions.” do here…and how we could partner with others,” she says.

Under Kress’s leadership, MCC’s faculty and staff have managed to do more with less—and everybody has kept their jobs.

“Our class sizes increased,” Kress explains. “People’s workloads increased, whether they were advisers or counselors.

Whether they were working in financial aid or student life, they were seeing more students and serving more students.”

At the same time, MCC searched for a new site for its Rochester campus. The site finally selected for the $78 million, 255,000-square-foot Downtown Campus was once part of Eastman Kodak Co.’s corporate headquarters in the High Falls neighborhood. The facility, which features green roofs, innovative classroom and meeting spaces and other attractions, first welcomed students in September.

While helping to improve her college’s physical plant, Kress has also guided its efforts to become more capable of meeting the needs of its students and of the business community.

When she came on board, enrollment in MCC’s optics program was declining.

“We got new leadership in that program.

We got folks who could work very closely with business and industry to understand how MCC could be of best use, in terms of preparing optics technicians for companies,” Kress says. “Now it has the highest enrollment that it’s had in decades.”

In addition to running MCC, Kress gives her time to a great number of nonprofits, in many cases by sitting on their boards or chairing those bodies.

Her dedication to worthy causes has earned a host of accolades, including the Athena Award, which the Women’s Council, an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance Inc., presented to her in 2013, and the Community College Humanities Association Distinguished Service Award.

Though Kress appears to have accomplished much to be proud of at MCC, she’s quick to say that she’s just one of many who are dedicated to serving the college’s students.

“I always recognize that there is little that happens that I will do myself,” she asserts.

“That’s not the way that leadership in higher education works at all.”

Mike Costanza is a Rochester-area freelance writer.

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE • ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

Congratulations Cynthia Langston for being named a Woman of Excellence by the Rochester Business Journal

Since 1911

C I R C L E O F E XC E L L E N C E

Fran Weisberg

FORMER PRESIDENT & CEO UNITED WAY OF GREATER ROCHESTER

BY MIKE COSTANZA

D

own through the years, Fran Weisberg has headed major Rochester nonprofits and helped shape this region’s health care system.

“I’m a change agent,” Weisberg says. “I believe in helping a community to move the needle on the very daunting problems that we have.”

The Pittsford mother and grandmother also chaired the Monroe County Democratic Committee at one time and guided a successful campaign for the House of Representatives—and she’s not done yet.

Regional Council on Aging, she recruited and trained nursing home volunteers.

Weisberg then headed off to work for other nonprofits, but returned to the agency in 1994 as president and CEO of what had come to be named Lifespan of Greater Rochester Inc. By the time she left in 2004, Lifespan had grown from a $1.8 million to a nearly $4 million umbrella organization. The agency continues to serve seniors around the Rochester region, or help them obtain the services they need.

“Lifespan is the premier organization for older

“I love helping other women succeed, grow and go way beyond me!”

Weisberg gained her first taste of community organizing as a University of Rochester student in the early 1970s. Back then, she led an effort to give Rochester youths the chance to spend time on the university’s campus, and university students the opportunity to visit city neighborhoods.

“We had a very radical notion of building a bridge to the community,” Weisberg explains.

The experience appears to have helped shape her career goals.

“I work across all kinds of barriers and lines to really get people to work together,” Weisberg says.

Health care issues and the care of senior citizens seem to be of particular concern to Weisberg. During four years with the 12

adults in this community,” Weisberg asserts.

Weisberg took the helm of the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency (now Common Ground Health) in 2006, at a time when Rochester-area hospitals were stretched to capacity and clamoring to build more modern facilities—and add beds. The agency convened the 2020 Commission, a group of community, business and health care industry leaders and government representatives who sought to determine how many hospital beds were needed in the region, and where they should be placed.

“It was a bed study that got the community together to say ‘How many does the community need?’ not what each institution wanted,” explains Weisberg.

The 2020 Commission unanimously recommended that the area’s hospitals be allowed to add just over half of the beds that hospitals had requested.

“We got everybody to agree on a process to make the community better,” Weisberg says.

The state Department of Health approved the plan, which saved $126 million in capital costs.

After leaving Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency in 2013, Weisberg worked as an independent consultant on health and human services. Then in 2015, United Way of Greater Rochester Inc. hired her to take over as the agency’s first female chief.

Under Weisberg’s guidance, United Way’s annual fundraising campaign took in more than $25.4 million in 2017 alone, besting its goal by more than $200,000. In December, she handed the agency’s reins to its new president and CEO, Jaime Saunders.

As Weisberg puts it, she just didn’t want to run a large organization anymore.

“I wanted to be more of a helper and a consultant for nonprofits,” she says. “I’m helping United Way with the transition.”

These days, Weisberg runs her own one-person consulting business, Weisberg Consulting. She also sits on the boards of The Children’s Agenda and Jewish Senior Life.

“I’m passionate about making a difference in the community, but I also don’t give up.”

That passion has drawn praise. Weisberg was a 2017 Rochester Business Journal ICON Honoree.

Mike Costanza is Rochester-area freelance writer.

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE • ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

C I R C L E O F E XC E L L E N C E

Christine Whitman CHAIR & CEO COMPLEMAR PARTNERS

BY MIKE COSTANZA

B

ack when Christine Whitman was working in a local university’s lab in 1974, she had no thought of heading a company.

“My goal was to be able to pay my bills at that point,’” she says.

About 44 years later, Whitman is the co-founder and managing partner of the investment firm CSW Associates Inc., heads or serves on the boards of several other firms and is the first woman to head the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Board of Trustees.

After graduating from Syracuse University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in the arts and sciences, Whitman took a job as a research assistant with the University of Rochester. Though she enjoyed solving problems, Whitman did not look forward to doing so in a biochemistry laboratory for the rest of her life.

“It just wasn’t what I was passionate about,” she says. “I decided I wanted to see the world.”

In 1978, CVC, Inc., a supplier of thin film process equipment for the semiconductor and data storage industries worldwide, beckoned with the offer of a product manager’s position.

“One of the criteria that they outlined for the job was that I would be traveling around the world,” Whitman explains. “I loved it, and I never looked back.”

In order to do her job as well as possible, Whitman set out to do a great deal of personal research.

“I read lots of articles; I attended technical conferences; I got to know many people who worked in research at various

“(I value) having the opportunity to be part of organizations that are delivering positive impact.” universities; and I learned of the state of the art technology in the semiconductor industry,” Whitman explains.

Eventually, Whitman worked her way up to become CVC’s vice president for marketing, sales and research and development. In 1990, she led a management buyout of CVC. “I wanted to be working for a company which was known as the best in the industry,” Whitman explains. “The folks who were running the company…were interested in retiring, and they didn’t want to put in what it took to take the company to the next level.”

Whitman became CVC’s CEO, and her diligence and learning paid off. The firm’s revenues, which totaled $10 million in 1990, rose to $100 million by 2000, when it went public.

That year, Veeco Instruments Inc., acquired CVC. Whitman served as Veeco’s president during that transition, and then headed off to become the founder and managing partner of CSW Associates Inc., an investment firm.

For over 15 years, CSW has provided the

financial backing and business expertise that startups and young companies need.

“Your primary goal is to create more value,” says Whitman. “In the case of these kinds of projects, you’re trying to create five to 10 times your original investment.”

When CSW took on Complemar Partners, Inc., as a turnaround venture, Whitman became the firm’s chair and CEO as part of the deal.

“We do product fulfillment,” Whitman says. “Think of us as a mini-Amazon.”

At the same time, Whitman is the Chairman of Mosaic Microsystems, a small, two-year-old systems integration and packaging company, and sits on the boards of number of companies, including Soleo Communications Inc., VoicePort LLC and OneStream Networks LLC. She is also the founder of the Rochester Angel Network, the cofounder of Greater Rochester Enterprise and the Chairman of the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Board of Trustees, and gives her time to other nonprofits, as well.

Down through the years, Whitman has drawn plaudits for her work in business and in the community. She was inducted into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame in 2017, and has received the Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award and the Nathaniel Rochester Society Award, among many others.

When she looks back upon her career, Whitman sounds just a touch surprised that she’s come as far as she has.

“I call myself an ‘accidental entrepreneur,’” she says.

Mike Costanza is a Rochester-area freelance writer.

APRIL 13, 2018 • ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE

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C I R C L E O F E XC E L L E N C E

Louise Woerner CHAIR & CEO HCR HOME CARE

BY MIKE COSTANZA

A

s a young child living on Rochester’s Harvard Street, Louise Woerner experienced firsthand what it is to care for someone at home.

“My one grandmother died in our home of breast cancer, and I helped my mother take care of her,” says the Chair and CEO of HCR Home Care. “I like to say I was a ‘fiveyear-old hospice worker.’”

The experience left her with a positive view of homecare.

“The idea that you should be able to stay at home as long as possible became part of my DNA at that point,” she says.

That idea helped lead Woerner to create HCR. Founded in 1978, the firm now employs about 800, and provides home-based nursing, therapeutic and paraprofessional services to 25 New York State counties.

Under Woerner’s guidance, HCR has acquired a reputation for developing and providing innovative services. Years ago, the company began engaging in a practice that was then unheard of—the prescreening of patients.

“We went into somebody’s home before they went into the hospital to talk about what it was going to be like when they came out,” Woerner explains.

The practice, which is now commonplace, leaves patients better prepared to recover from their treatments or surgeries at home.

HCR also adopted the transcultural strategies espoused by the late Dr. Madeline Leininger, PhD, RN. “Dr. Leininger, who was an anthropologist as well as a nurse leader, came up with the idea of 14

meeting people where they are,” Woerner says.

“It’s patient-centric, rather than the hierarchical model where the practitioner has the answers and the patient has to do it the way they (practitioners) think it should be done.”

She also founded and became the first president of the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research, and is now the honorary co-chair of the nonprofit’s 25th anniversary celebration. Woerner has also held seats on

“Do your best, your very best, and do it every day.”

The approach has allowed HCR to devise home care programs that are more appropriate for diverse populations.

“We’re working very successfully in the refugee and the LGBTQ Community,” Woerner asserts.

In recognition of that work, the Transcultural Nursing Society presented HCR with the Leininger Breakthrough Honorable Mention Award in 2008.

Innovation need not take only therapeutic forms. HCR also struck off in a different organizational direction in 2004.

“We became…the first employee-owned homecare agency in the State of New York,” Woerner explains. “The employees own the stock in the company—it was given to them.”

While running HCR, Woerner has also focused on issues that transcend the business of home healthcare. She is the executive director—a voluntary position— of HCR Cares, a nonprofit research and educational organization that focuses upon the development of independent living strategies.

the boards of businesses, nonprofits and banks, including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s now-defunct Buffalo branch, where she served for two terms.

Many organizations down through the years have praised Woerner for her professional accomplishments and dedication to her field. Though she has an MBA, and not a degree in nursing, she holds many nursing awards—she was the first non-nurse inducted into the American Academy of Nursing. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan presented Woerner with the Presidential Award for Entrepreneurship. She is also the first living woman to be inducted into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame.

When asked what personal qualities helped her reach the pinnacle of her field, Woerner lists one at the top.

“Hard work,” she says. “I may not be the smartest person, but very few people would out-work me.”

Mike Costanza is a Rochester-area freelancer writer.

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE • ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

Congratulations Marisa Geitner!

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Stephanie F. Benson PARTNER/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Edgemere Development, Inc.

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or Stephanie F. Benson, striving to better whichever community she calls home has been her life’s work for over 30 years. From her beginnings at the Syracuse Housing Authority to her current position as partner/ chief operating officer at Edgemere Development, aiding local residents has come easy to Benson.

Before joining Edgemere in 2002, her career path mostly alternated between the states of New York and Virginia, sandwiching two stints with the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County in between time spent working for Fairfax County and the City of Roanoke.

The common thread throughout her career is a desire to improve the

Mary Walsh Boatfield PRESIDENT & CEO

Ability Partners, Inc.

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s president and CEO of three local organizations devoted to aiding individuals with disabilities, Mary Walsh Boatfield has been a force for good in the region for decades.

Boatfield’s years of service have been spent with organizations like CP Rochester and the Happiness House Foundation, helping to broker a partnership between the two known as the Ability Partners Foundation in 2015.

Through the various organizations run

by Boatfield, more than 6,000 local individuals are given much-needed help. She also currently serves on the Women’s Council and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, passing along her experience to others.

It’s that record of civic service that prompted the New York State Senate to honor Boatfield last year with a spot on the 16

state’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Board by Senate Minority Leader Brian Kolb, calling Boatfield’s experience “a valuable asset” in the nomination letter.

It’s the second time Boatfield has earned state honors for her work, as she was bestowed the Women of Distinction Award by state Sen. Michael Nozzolio in 2010.

Kolb sums up Boatfield’s history in one sentence. “Mary’s impact on the communities she lives and works in is truly astounding.”

Despite the challenges of her work, Boatfield still finds her inspiration by simply looking to all the good her programs do.

“When I think that I am having a challenging day, all I have to do is walk down the hall and visit one of our programs, and I am reminded of why we do what we do every day,” she says.

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local housing situation, no matter if it’s here or in Virginia. She says she finds inspiration in “knowing our work — our collective work — makes a positive difference in people’s lives, in neighborhoods, and communities.”

To that end, Benson makes sure that every project that Edgemere works on has Women Owned Business and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) elements, two HUD mandates that strive to ensure women and minorities are involved in any housing development work.

“My approach as a woman in this field [of housing development] is to be informed and educated with a strong ethical foundation,” she says.

WOMEN OF EXC E L L EN CE

Laurie Broccolo FOUNDER

Broccolo Tree and Lawn Care

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hroughout her 40-year career, Laurie Broccolo has always lived by one rule: Pass it forward.

Beginning work at Ted Collins Tree and Landscape in 1978, she eventually moved her way up to vice president before going out on her own in 1990 and founding Broccolo Tree and Lawn Care in Fairport.

In the 28 years since, not only has her business thrived and expanded to include a garden center, she’s also served as a mentor for other women in the area who want to break into what are traditionally male-dominated fields.

For example, Broccolo is a part of Cornell’s Cooperative Extension

program, which gives students the chance to intern across the state.

Closer to home, Broccolo works with Rochester City Schools as part of the PENCIL program, which is designed to match businesses with students who are interested in a particular type of work.

She’s a member of a number of local organizations, including the Henrietta Chamber of Commerce, the Finger Lakes Museum and the local chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction.

It’s all part of a trailblazing legacy that Brocoolo is still adding to this day.

Flor M. Colon ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL AND CHIEF ETHICS OFFICER

Xerox Corporation

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hroughout her career in law, Flor M. Colon has always been an advocate for others.

Her advocacy started in high school and college, as she would often be the go-between for her Spanish-speaking parents whenever they needed help with landlords and medical professionals.

By then, Colon had already decided on pursuing law as a career, eventually graduating from Brooklyn Law School in 1985 and moving to Rochester in 1988.

She joined Xerox in 1999, holding many different titles but generally being referred to as the corporation’s associate outside counsel. She credits her colleagues as a source of inspiration to go above and beyond expectations.

“Their dedication to doing the best job possible every day motivates and inspires

me to do the same,” Colon says.

In the almost 20 years since joining Xerox, Colon has become a mentor for local attorneys, working with the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys to be paired up with younger professionals in need of guidance.

Outside of Xerox, she joined the Monroe Community College (MCC) Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2012 and was integral in launching STAR Power, an initiative to help single parents attend the college.

Almost 30 percent of MCC students are single parents, according to the most recent data from 2016, and about $400,000 has been raised for the initiative in the years since its launch.

These are just a few examples of a life and career spent paying it forward.

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Dianne Cooney Miner DEAN, PROFESSOR AND ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

St. John Fisher College Wegmans School of Nursing

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efore Dianne Cooney Miner was named the first dean of St. John Fisher’s Wegmans School of Nursing, she’d already logged over 30 years of experience as a nurse and a college administrator.

Her philanthropic work enabled the opening of the new school in 2006, and she now does double-duty as the college’s associate vice president for community engagement.

That engagement extends beyond Rochester’s borders, across the Atlantic Ocean. Miner was instrumental in creating an official collaboration between Fisher and the Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland, where medical students from both colleges spend time at the other school.

Marisa Geitner PRESIDENT & CEO

Heritage Christian Services

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hen Marisa Geitner was named Heritage Christian Services president and CEO in 2013, it was the culmination of a distinguished career spent as an advocate and mentor throughout Western New York.

Since being named to the position, she’s helped move Heritage Christian forward by refocusing the agency’s approach to care from a one-size-fits-all philosophy to a more personalized touch.

The agency today covers some 23,000 people across 13 counties.

She began her career as a speech pathologist based in Clifton Springs in 1995, moving to Heritage Christian Services in 2000 as the agency’s vice president of organizational development and working with over 40 clinicians and therapists throughout the organization.

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Along with her time at Heritage Christian, she spent eight years at Nazareth College as an adjunct professor teaching graduate seminars on developmental disabilities, mentoring dozens of former students.

Geitner takes joy in the fact that her leadership roles have introduced her to so many different types of people.

“I love being in a position to listen and learn from so many diverse people with such different life experiences,” she says.

Geitner also makes time for various charities and organizations in the area.

Alongside work for the annual United Way campaign of Western New York, there’s still The Blessing Room, a mobile food pantry located in her hometown of Bloomfield – the work she’s most proud of in a career full of help for those less fortunate.

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Outside of her work with Fisher’s nursing program, Miner has been active with its Yellow Ribbon program, which aims to cover full tuition and fees for active veterans attending classes.

As someone with military connections throughout her family, it’s an issue near and dear to her heart.

She also helps run the doctoral program at the Ralph Wilson School of Education, noting with pride students who have gone on to work with the United Way’s Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative.

“It is a gift for me at this stage of my life and career to see how what I know and do makes a difference for my students and graduates, our community and the many community organizations I serve,” Cooney Miner says.

WOMEN OF EXC E L L EN CE

Shelby George SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT – ADVISOR SERVICES

Manning & Napier

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or most of us, financial planning is an adventure that takes a lot of effort and can be very frustrating, even at the best of times.

Manning & Napier’s Shelby George understands this and has made it her mission to help others.

After getting certified as a financial instructor last year, George gathered a handful of new coworkers from the firm’s marketing department and asked them what sorts of financial advice they wished they’d gotten while in college. With their answers in mind, she’s created a curriculum intended to help local students who need a little assistance managing their finances.

Her position at Manning & Napier is quite similar. As senior vice president of advisor services, George helps people of all ages get a feel for their finances

and create a guide going forward.

George says she finds the inspiration to exceed expectations by knowing that, ultimately, doing so will enrich her own life.

“Life is about exploring. The more opportunities pursued, the more experienced,” she says.

Outside of the office, she actively volunteers with the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley, which aims to help women and girls become financially self-sufficient. She took the lead on the non-profit’s A Purse for Change program, which raised around $100,000 by its end.

George also makes time to coach for Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester, which helps third through eighth grade girls with life lessons gleaned through physical activity.

Melissa Geska PRESIDENT

US Ceiling Corp.

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or Melissa Geska, breaking down stereotypes is part of the job.

It’s been said that you can’t find any quality women or minority-led construction companies. Geska has been using her position as president of US Ceiling Corp. to shatter that stereotype for over 15 years.

When she began at the company, there were just two people on staff.

Now the commercial subcontractor employs more than 90 people, and there are plenty of stories of Geska helping employees with other life issues, including attaining citizenship and buying a home.

Her work over the years has been hailed by various local organizations, winning a regional award from the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in 2015, along with its Red Rose Recruiter award.

The Urban League of Rochester also named Geska their Business Person of the Year Award in 2013.

Geska was honored for her work with the League’s YouthBuild program, which aims to give high school dropouts a path to selfsufficiency. Not just a boss, she has worked with students as a mentor and a sounding board with plenty of advice to give. She continues to work with the League, helping students attend NAWIC conferences so that they see where all of that work could land them.

Geska says she looks up to other women on non-traditional career paths.

“My collective role models are the women I work with on non-traditional career paths that strive to impact their communities and industries,” she says.

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LaShay D. Harris BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER & PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

American Medical Response

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aShay D. Harris will celebrate 25 years as a paramedic this year, but her history in the Rochester community is so much more than that.

While her day-to-day job is as the manager of business development and public information officer for the city’s 9-1-1 provider, American Medical Response, she’s been extremely active beyond her office work.

Not only is Harris a paramedic, she often leads EMT training courses for Rochester City School District high school students as part of the city’s Careers Pathway to Public Safety program, frequently organizing similar programs based out of City Hall downtown.

“I find value in inspiring others to follow and being a good example,” she says. “It is important that a leader can keep those

Pamela P. Heald PRESIDENT & CEO

Reliant Community Credit Union

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hen Pamela P. Heald was growing up, her mother had a saying she’d never forget: “Rise above!”

Heald has now risen to the top of her profession as president and CEO of Reliant Community Credit Union.

She began as an employee in 1992, and gradually moved up the ranks, becoming CEO in 2007.

The credit union currently has branches in nine towns and around 40,000 members in total, but Heald prefers a more personal touch when working with the 150 employees under her.

“I value the opportunity to help others grow, learn and make their own success,” she says.

Numerous stories abound of her mentoring other employees. For

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example, inspiring a fellow Reliant employee to get their bachelor’s degree and strengthen their own business acumen.

She also took part in a state mentoring program for other credit union executives, helping an entry-level executive who wanted to get ahead in her career with advice over the span of a year. Heald downplays her role in the young executive’s success, as is typical for her.

Heald makes sure that Reliant employees have an impact in their communities, as some 60 organizations are the beneficiaries of help across Monroe, Ontario and Wayne counties. She backs up her word as well, volunteering for six organizations on her own time.

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who follow motivated (and) positive while working to achieve their goals.”

She’s an active resident of her neighborhood as well, participating as a member of the 19th Ward Community Association and helping to coordinate the annual Square Fair, the yearly community event and fundraiser.

Harris’ work for the Association earned her the Citizen of the Year award in 2013.

Most importantly, she became the second African-American woman to be elected to the Monroe County Legislature in 2016, currently serving in the 27th District.

Harris’ family roots come from rural Arkansas and Alabama, and it’s that hard-working mentality that drives her today to make her mark in Rochester.

WOMEN OF EXC E L L EN CE

Staci Henning EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Greater Rochester Enterprise

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taci Henning has long been an advocate of both women’s rights and the City of Rochester.

The chief marketing officer and executive vice president of Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE), an organization devoted to bringing economic development to Rochester, has been advocating on the city’s behalf for 14 years now.

Her work at GRE has been noticed by the Public Relations Society of America, earning PRism awards in 2016 and 2017.

When she’s not working on growing GRE’s reach, she is giving support and advice to the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, including helping to coordinate last year’s induction ceremony – the largest in the 50-year history of the museum.

She also has a spot on the advisory boards of both Camp Seneca Lake and Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester.

Henning’s advocacy took another form a few years ago. As a breast cancer survivor, she has become a person to lean on for friends and acquaintances going through the same ordeal.

Her motto can best be described by the title of the Saturday morning radio show she currently hosts on WHAM 1180: Eyes on the future.

“I take pride in mentoring team members so they may avoid some of the pitfalls I experienced along my own career path,” Henning says. “It’s those small moments when I can really teach someone how to navigate a project without hitting a minefield that are the most rewarding part of my job.”

Cynthia Langston CORPORATE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF ANALYTICS DATA OFFICER

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Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

ynthia Langston has been a trailblazer for years, including working her way up to chief analytics and data officer at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield over the course of five years.

She previously spent time with W3R Consulting, Hewitt Associates and Health Care Services Corporation.

As the first African-American woman at Excellus to become a corporate vice president, she understands her position and has a long history of mentoring others.

Her mentorship includes working with around 20 employees at Excellus, along with Monroe Community College students and YWCA of Greater Rochester members.

Langston was also the committee chair for the YWCA’s recent Stand Against Racism breakfast.

She has been involved with the United Way African-American and Latino Leadership Development Program, where she honored the top two finishers in each class with a laptop, a business card and invitations for any mentoring they may need.

Langston is also a member of both Monroe Community College’s Foundation Board and the YMCA of Greater Rochester’s board.

Named as one of the winners of Diversity Journal’s Women Worth Watching in STEM award last year, her track record and history certainly justify such an award.

Langston finds inspiration in life by looking to her favorite quote by Maya Angelou, “If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.”

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Kate McClung MEMBER

Bond Schoeneck & King

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ate McClung is an esteemed attorney at Bond Schoeneck & King LLC with a history of complex litigation and labor cases.

Hired by the firm as an associate in 2013 after seven years at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP , she was made a member in 2017. She describes her leadership style with one word: “Confidence.”

McClung’s legal work has always had a civil rights bent, working over 1,000 hours pro bono for clients in need of representation.

These clients range from prisoners in civil rights suits to domestic violence survivors in matrimonial and immigration cases.

She was honored by Skadden for her pro bono work in 2009.

Kathy Metcalfe CHIEF CULTURE OFFICER

Clark Patterson Lee

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hen a new position of chief culture officer was created last year at Clark Patterson Lee (CPL), the job of crafting a corporate culture fell to Kathy Metcalfe, a longtime employee and the agency’s director of marketing and communications.

Utilizing her almost 30 years of experience with the company, she was able to craft a corporate culture that made sure to integrate employee concerns and an open pathway for management to hear any other concerns employees might have. This process aligns well with her personal approach to leadership.

“I seek out opinions and ideas, giving others a voice in decision making,” Metcalfe says. “While it can be messy, my desire is to empower people and promote flexibility and adaptability within the company.”

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Outside of the office, Metcalfe has spent the last five years sitting on the Marion Central School District’s Board of Education. As a Marion resident with two graduates from the district, she wanted to give back and make sure that other families got the quality education her children did.

She also spent three years as director of the Marion Public Library, helping teach older patrons how to use computers and keeping an open door for local teenagers who might need a mentor away from the home environment.

Metcalfe also helped create a mentoring program at CPL, giving employees the option of meeting in a group or individually. Plans are in the works to set up every team member at the company with mentors.

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McClung has been active in the community beyond the courtroom, becoming a board member with the American Red Cross of Greater Rochester and helping to manage its Response Resiliency Committee. The committee oversees the emergency response and preparedness program the Red Cross provides to the communities in Genesee, Monroe and Livingston counties.

She has also set up a mentoring program at Bond that has been successful enough to have been made standard at the seven other offices the firm has across the state.

McClung holds board seats with the Greater Rochester Association of Women Attorneys and the Young Women’s College Prep Charter School.

Congratulations Dr. Deana L. Porterfield and all of the 2018 Women of Excellence Honorees!

The faculty, staff and trustees of Roberts Wesleyan College & Northeastern Seminary are thankful for your leadership and proud of your contributions to our community!

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Cheryl Nelan Stein PRESIDENT

CMIT Solutions of Monroe

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s founder, owner and president of CMIT Solutions of Monroe, Cheryl Nelan Stein has built a business while helping others to find confidence and success.

After working for Kodak, Element K and PSC Inc., Nelan Stein decided to start a CMIT Solutions franchise for the chance to build a team from the ground up. She works with businesses to provide technology guidance and expertise. Her franchise is the top woman-owned branch of CMIT’s 186 North American offices and is ranked in the top 3 percent of all offices.

At CMIT Solutions, Nelan Stein is a dedicated leader who serves as an example to others. She created a peer advisory group to discuss what her team does well and what opportunities they can pursue. She also volunteers for an organization that matches mentors and

Dallas Nelson ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE

University of Rochester

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allas Nelson M.D. has one overarching goal when it comes to her work: to make life easier for the older adults in the Greater Rochester area.

The associate professor of medicine and medical director of UR Medicine’s Geriatric Group, she got her start as a nursing home physician after completing two fellowships through UR Medicine.

Beyond the walls of UR Medicine, she’s the medical director of 14 nursing homes and 29 assisted and senior living centers across Monroe County.

“In the current fragmented health care environment, I enjoy helping create a high quality system of care for the Rochester region’s most vulnerable older adults,” Nelson says.

Nelson championed the use of urgent telemedicine visits for the 24

homes and centers the Geriatric Group covers. The practice of using information technology and HD communication techniques allows doctors to make a quick diagnosis from their offices instead of wasting time driving out to the center or home.

She was able to fold telemedicine into the curriculums put together as part of her two-year research fellowship at UR Medicine, earning multiple Geriatric Academic Career Award grants in the process.

Nelson makes it a point to mentor the fellows coming through the Geriatric Group program before they become practicing physicians. As more and more graduates are staying in the Rochester area, she always makes herself available for whatever they may need.

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mentees across the country, connecting digitally with those seeking career advice.

Outside of work, Nelan Stein is committed to the community. She serves on the Webster Chamber of Commerce board and has been involved in several other local organizations, including the Susan B. Anthony House and Museum, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western New York, the Child Care Council, the Rochester Rotary, and the Rochester Executive Women’s Golf Association.

When asked who she looks to in order to find the motivation she needs, Nelan Stein says it’s her children.

“At the end of the day, it is my children - my son, Royce, and my three step-daughters Grace, Ella and Emme…I want not only to be a better parent for them, I want to be a better person,” she says.

WOMEN OF EXC E L L EN CE

Kathy Palokoff CHIEF IGNITER

goFirestarter

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athy Palokoff has been a serial entrepreneur, founding or cofounding an inspirational coaching consultancy, a marketing and branding agency and a top pizza restaurant.

But her most significant accomplishment has been assisting people, asking each of them, “How can I help?”

One mentee, Pamela Fisher, says that Palokoff advocated for her to get a job over Palokoff at Logisoft, a local eCommerce organization, and trusted her to lead the marketing communications team for Palokoff’s top client, DuPont, at Palokoff’s CUSTOMERitcity marketing and branding agency.

Next she co-founded Baltimore-based pizza restaurant Joe Squared with one of her children in 2005.

Palokoff is currently chief igniter of

goFirestarter, a coaching, contentdevelopment and consulting company, which she founded in 2015.

Palokoff also recently co-authored a book, “Firestarter: How Innovators, Instigators and Initiators Can Inspire You to Ignite Your Own Life.” The self-help book is composed of representative case studies of innovators.

Palokoff is also a board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester where she has helped with its year-long rebranding.

Palokoff also founded a “Great Dames” peer advising group for a dozen Rochester-area women to mentor and support each other in all aspects of their lives.

When asked where she draws the inspiration to do so much, she says simply: “Time is running out and I have so much to accomplish.”

Susan Parkes McNally EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

O’Connell Electric Company, Inc.

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usan Parkes McNally has risen from an office clerk to holding multiple important roles as executive vice president, treasurer, human resources director and part owner of her family firm, O’Connell Electric Company.

Parkes McNally oversees the office staff at the headquarters for O’Connell, one of the top 50 electrical contractors in the United States.

Parkes McNally, who has 35 direct reports, also is involved in all O’Connell’s major corporate decisions for its 650 employees. She is known for her solicitousness toward employees who are ill or who have had deaths in their family. She initiated O’Connell’s wellness program.

Victor Salerno, O’Connell’s chief executive officer, says Parkes McNally makes sure the company’s moral compass is pointing “true north.”

Parkes McNally has been extremely active in the community, including with the Fairport School District’s Parent Advocacy for Special Education and co-chairing the Junior Builders Exchange Annual Charity Golf tournament. The tournament has raised more than $2 million to benefit the Mary Parkes Center for Asthma, Allergy and Pulmonary Care, and she has made organizing the tournament a learning experience for younger community leaders.

She also has been involved with the Harley School’s Horizons Student Enrichment Program for students from low-income Rochester families.

“I never felt like I needed a stage to stand on or have my name in lights,” Parkes McNally says. “I preferred to make a stage for others to stand on and help light up their lives for them.”

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Jacqueline Phipps Polito SHAREHOLDER

Littler Mendelson, P.C.

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s Jacqueline Phipps Polito has advanced to the top of her profession to become a shareholder of the largest labor and employment law firm in the United States, she has always placed mentoring as a top responsibility.

As a member for the Great Rochester Association for Women Attorneys, Polito is proud that the last two presidents of that organization have recognized her for mentoring them.

Polito, who has been with Littler for five years, is known for guiding young attorneys at her law firm. She is particularly focused on making sure working mothers get the support they need — a passion likely inspired by watching her role model growing up: Her mother.

“As a single parent, she demonstrated to her family every day how hard work pays off,” Polito says. “She instilled in her children the belief that with hard

Deana L. Porterfield PRESIDENT

Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary

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eana L. Porterfield started her career as an admissions counselor at her alma mater, Azusa Pacific University, then ascended to associate vice president over the next 25 years.

She took yet another significant step in higher education after moving across the country to become the first female president of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary four years ago.

She has been on the faculty of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities’ Women Leadership Institute and Women’s Advanced Leadership Institute as a mentor.

Through these institutes, she has sponsored more than 200 rising female leaders.

Porterfield has elevated the college’s profile through her involvement in 26

community activities, including as a member of Excellus Health Plan’s Rochester Regional advisory board and the board of directors for the Palmer Family of Companies.

Porterfield also is implementing the “Roberts Four-Year Promise.” Starting this fall, any student who fulfills their commitment to attend for four years but is not able to graduate in four years will receive the necessary courses in the next semester for no additional tuition.

She describes herself as a “participative leader who sees the big picture while at the same time seeing the impact of the details.”

“My greatest desire is that every person is using their gifts in the best way possible to move the organization forward,” Porterfield says.

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work we could achieve whatever dreams we envisioned.”

Polito represents employers in, among other matters, employment discrimination, labor relations, education law and New York State Human Rights Law cases. She enjoys educating clients and helping them avoid litigation by enacting good employee policies.

Polito also worked as a labor attorney, executive director of labor relations and chief human capital initiatives officer for the Rochester City School District for three years.

She was known for having harmonious relationship with the employee labor unions.

In private practice, she has successfully directed contract negotiations with five bargaining units while representing the school district.

Polito also has been a partner with Phillips Lytle as well as Saperston & Day.

WOMEN OF EXC E L L EN CE

Marisol O. Ramos-Lopez PRESIDENT & CEO

Willow Domestic Violence Center

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arisol O. Ramos-Lopez has taken the shame out of sexual abuse by sharing her own experience recovering from abuse at the hands of her uncle.

She was an early supporter and fundraiser for the Bivona Child Advocacy Center, an organization that allows children who have been abused to tell their story just once to a forensic interviewer rather than being traumatized from having to tell their story over and over to multiple officials.

Ramos-Lopez was the commissioner of the city of Rochester’s Department of Recreation and Youth Services for almost three years until the end of last year. As commissioner, Ramos-Lopez oversaw 18 recreation centers serving 50,000 youth as well as youth services regarding personal development, employment and pregnancy prevention and the Rochester Public Market,

among other programming.

Ramos-Lopez has been a longtime Rochester public servant, including as chief of staff for former Mayor William Johnson Jr. from February 2002 until December 2005.

She mentors young Latinas to succeed and is a board member for the Causeway Community Partners, Center for Youth, and the Ibero American Action League.

Ramos-Lopez says her role model has always been her mother, who came to this country from Puerto Rico and worked hard to raise Ramos-Lopez and her siblings with strong values.

“My mom is the strongest, most caring woman I know. I hope to make her as proud of me, as I am of her,” she says.

On March 26, it was announced that Ramos-Lopez would be taking a new position as president and CEO of the Willow Domestic Violence Center.

Seema Ali Rizzo PARTNER

Gallo & Iacovangelo, LLP

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fter working on judicial discipline matters and then a short stint as a prosecutor for the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Seema Ali Rizzo ultimately found her way to family law.

Rizzo, a partner with Gallo & Iacovangelo, LLP, just celebrated 15 years with the general-services firm.

Having studied psychology in college, Rizzo was interested in expanding the firm’s family law practice. She grew the firm’s presence in this area of law so much that she was named the chair of the Domestic Relations and Family Law division of Gallo’s litigation department.

She also has added collaborative law, a form of alternative dispute resolution, to the firm’s family-law services.

Rizzo has been an active mentor, especially through co-founding Development of Indo-American Leaders

(DIAL) over a decade ago. DIAL places its mentees into volunteer positions with nonprofits, connects them with one-onone mentorship and conducts intensive leadership training sessions with them.

As a result, over 100 Indian American mentees have been placed into leadership roles with area non-profits.

ICS Telecom founder I.C. Shah says of Rizzo: “I don’t recall a single time when I asked Seema to volunteer for a cause and she declined. She is like a 7-Eleven — always open to help others.”

Yet despite all she has on her plate at any given time, Rizzo still considers it a privilege to give back to the causes she holds dear.

“Having the ability to give back to worthy and deserving causes is a privilege,” she says, “and I feel fortunate to be able to have the time to do so.”

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Kimberly Roberson FOUNDER, PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Caring and Sharing Child Care Center Inc. & Caring and Sharing Junior Academy

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s president, founder and executive director of the Caring and Sharing Child Care Center, Inc. and the Caring and Sharing Junior Academy, Kimberly Roberson has successfully served the child care needs of hundreds of Rochester families for 20 years.

Roberson employs 30 staff members, serves approximately 130 students and is certified as a minority business owner. The center includes a summer expanded enrichment program, which ensures children do not lose months of learning over the seasonal break. The academy serves youth who are too old for traditional child care services by preparing them academically and focusing on character building.

Laurie G. Sagona PRESIDENT

Sundance Marketing, LLC

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bout 15 years ago, Laurie G. Sagona was facing debilitating rheumatoid arthritis that made it excruciating for her to even turn the ignition in her car or pull on a pair of stockings. With the help of effective medication initially and a special diet, Sagona has been able to overcome the autoimmune disorder to run three halfmarathons, including one on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation in 2006.

It’s not the only challenge Sagona, president of Sundance Marketing since 2000, has overcome. The fullservice advertising and marketing agency had experience only in television station production and broadcast sales. But over 17 years, the business has become a full-service agency and a viable concern in an ever-changing marketplace.

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Sagona has also put her marketing talents to use for her community. As a member of the board of Catholic Family Center, she recently launched a campaign to tell the stories of refugees who are relocating to the United States through the center’s resettlement program. The “See Their Stories” campaign aims to end the misunderstanding people have of refugees who are coming to the United States to escape persecution and death.

As woman in a leadership role, Sagona says she enjoys seeing the women she’s worked with in the past grow and thrive in their careers.

“I find joy in seeing women that have either worked for me or with me advance in their careers and lead fulfilling lives,” Sagona says.

ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

Roberson considers it a privilege to lead both organizations.

“Being a leader puts me in the position to make a difference in the lives of children, their families and the wonderful dedicated staff I have the pleasure to serve the interests of the children, parents and the community,” she says.

Lena Shiao, an associate professor in education at Monroe Community College, says “this child care center, and most specifically Kimberly Roberson… is a true gift to the city of Rochester.”

Roberson also is a board member for the Rochester Jamaican Organization, and has served as a mentor for the Summer Child Care Education internship program involving youth interested in the child care industry.

WOMEN OF EXC E L L EN CE

Jessica M. Savage MANAGING PARTNER, ACCOUNT SERVICES

Dixon Schwabl

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s managing partner for account services at Dixon Schwabl, Jessica M. Savage has grown her department to involve 11 team members managing more than 80 clients and $10 million in revenue.

“We’re the relationship people and we have the project management role,” Savage says of her department’s work with clients.

Savage started as an assistant account executive back in 1999 and has grown in increasing responsibility.

Since 2007, she has led the full-service marketing communications agency’s account with ESL Federal Credit Union.

Along with ESL’s in-house marketing team, Dixon Schwabl has developed campaigns to strengthen the ESL brand while it has added new lines of

business such as wealth management and business banking.

Savage takes a selfless approach to leadership. “I like to think of myself as a selfless leader and that the best thing I can do each day is earn your trust,” she says.

Outside of work, Savage is active as a coach for Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester, which is a youth development program for third graders to eighth graders and which teaches life skills to girls while they train for a 5K. The program shows the girls that, “they can honest to God accomplish anything that they set their mind to,” Savage says.

Savage also is a board member of Girls on the Run, and is active in supporting her alma mater, SUNY Geneseo, including the Geneseo Foundation Board of Directors.

Monica Savino CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Bonadio Group

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wo decades ago, Monica Savino would not have guessed that she would become the accountant’s accountant, but today she is the chief financial officer for a $100 million, Top40 CPA firm.

After leaving the workforce for seven years to raise her three daughters, she says she was able to return to the path on which she was supposed to be.

Today, Savino has overseen 10 successful mergers of other businesses Bonadio has acquired as it has grown from 200 employees to 750 employees.

Savino was the key team member who chose Bonadio’s time and billing program that drives the firm’s practice management. She is also in charge of managing the application, and

has rolled out electronic billing and integration with its accounts payable system.

Savino says her motivation comes from knowing her coworkers and clients count on her to get the job done.

“The appreciation of the firm’s partners and employees is my motivation to go above and beyond,” she says.

In 2016, Savino was selected as Financial Executive of the Year by Financial Executive International. In addition to her demanding job, Savino also is a volunteer judge for Odyssey of the Mind, assists with fundraisers for the St. Louis Church Haiti Task Force and conducts mock interviews with accounting majors at St. John Fisher College.

APRIL 13, 2018 • ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL

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WO M E N OF E XCE LLE NC E

Karen Serinis EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Canandaigua National Bank and Trust

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s the first female Executive Vice President of Canandaigua National Bank and Trust, Karen Serinis leads by example, demonstrating the values of service and cooperation to the over 200 employees she oversees.

Serinis has served in her current role since 2011, but has worked for Canandaigua National Bank and Trust since 1997 in various positions, including vice president and regional manager and senior vice president of retail banking. As Executive Vice President, her oversight extends to retail banking, consumer lending, corporate marketing, and communications.

Serinis makes it a point to promote the company’s people-first philosophy to all new hires. She also strives to lead by

Renu Singh SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN, OPERATIONS

University of Rochester School of Nursing

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enu Singh has played a key role in the explosive growth of the UR Medicine employee wellness program while also creating a supportive and encouraging work environment.

Singh, CEO of the UR Medicine Employee Wellness Program and Senior Associate Dean of Operations at UR School of Nursing, has helped scale the wellness program, which is currently offered at 30 Rochester-area organizations. She began serving as senior associate dean in 2015, following a series of administrative roles at UR and Strong Memorial Hospital.

Colleagues say Singh is committed to the wellness program’s success, creates a positive work environment, and is committed to the personal and professional growth of each member of her team. She often meets with 30

CEO

UR Medicine Employee Wellness Program employees to discuss career advancement opportunities, takes the time to help others, and is open to receiving feedback and ideas from every team member.

Singh credits her mother as the greatest source of inspiration in her life.

“She dealt with significant challenges in her life, but she never allowed those challenges to become barriers to what she wanted to accomplish,” Singh says.

A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the Rochester Institute of Technology, Singh is a member of the Wellness Council of America. She also supports children’s causes and is a member of the Mary Cariola Children’s Center board, the George Eastman Circle, and the United Way Women’s Association. She was previously social chair and president of the Monroe Golf Club Women’s Association.

ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

example, particularly for other women in business, and has helped employees in times of financial or other personal hardship.

“It is gratifying to be potentially looked at as a role model for other women who aspire to higher leadership positions,” she said.

A graduate of St. John Fisher College and the Rochester Institute of Technology, Serinis is also known for her involvement with the Webster Athletic Association’s girls softball program, receiving a lifetime achievement award from that organization in 2010. She is board chair of the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley. In 2012, the Professional Women of the Finger Lakes named her a Woman of Distinction for her professional mentorship.

Monroe Community College celebrates the achievements of all the female leaders in our community who are being honored this evening at the 2018 Women of Excellence Awards Celebration. Your energy, creativity, and dedication resonates throughout the region and elevates us all. www.monroecc.edu/inspiring

WO M E N OF E XCE LLE NC E

Deborah C. Stamps SYSTEM VICE PRESIDENT

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QUALITY, SAFETY AND INNOVATION

Rochester Regional Health

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lifelong learner, Deborah Stamps works to help others become advocates for their own success.

Stamps, the system vice president for quality, safety and innovation at Rochester Regional Health, has worked with the health system since 1989.

Stamps says “I am passionate about ensuring all patients and members of our community receive high-quality, safe care and supporting the teams to provide this care.”

Stamps oversaw the creation of the Rochester Regional Wegmans Education Center, which houses Licensed Practical Nurse, Certified Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide programs. Committed to nurturing the potential in future leaders, Stamps is known for offering support and advice to new employees and gives of her time as an inspirational speaker.

She is also a mentor in the Hillside

Salley Thornton DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL FIELD MARKETING

Toshiba America Business Solutions

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alley Thornton, director of national field marketing for Toshiba America Business Solutions, is a leader who supports her own team as well as future business leaders.

Thornton served as marketing manager and regional vice president of marketing before being promoted in 2017. She also recently became the owner and publisher of RocParent Magazine, a lifestyle publication for area parents. She is a graduate of Mount Union College and the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Executive MBA program.

For the last 10 years, Thornton has volunteered with the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, which allows teenagers to develop and seek funding for their business ideas. As a volunteer teacher, she taught children how to create business plans, consider possible issues, 32

hone their presentation skills, and build their ideas into functional businesses.

In the community, Thornton is a previous board member of the Seneca Park Zoo, has volunteered with the American Heart Association’s Rochester chapter and founded the junior board of directors at Hunt Hollow Ski Club. She was named one of Rochester Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 in 2006.

When she thinks about her accomplishments, Thornton doesn’t dwell on gender differences.

“Honestly, I don’t think about being a woman in a leadership role; I think about the young farm girl whose father believed her possibilities were limitless,” she says.

“I’m grateful for that upbringing and work ethic which makes me keenly aware of new opportunities and willing to take on challenges with a positive attitude.”

ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

Work Scholarship Program, which helps students overcome barriers to completing their education. In that role, she connects students with resources and motivates them to become active participants in their journey to high school graduation, college and employment.

Stamps serves on committees with the Excellus Blue Cross board, has worked with the Metropolitan Women’s Network and the City of Rochester Black Women’s Leadership Council, and serves on the advisory board of Planned Parenthood of Syracuse and Rochester. She has also earned several awards, including the Hall of Heritage Distinguished Alumni Award from the SUNY Brockport College Alumni Association and the Sojourner Truth Award from the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club.

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y

WO M E N OF E XCE LLE NC E

Patricia Uttaro DIRECTOR

Rochester Public Library and Monroe County Library System

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s director of the Rochester Public Library and Monroe County Library System, Patricia Uttaro has helped the library adapt to its changing role in the 21st century, encouraging innovative programs and approaches to help patrons.

Uttaro’s service spans over 30 years at area libraries. After becoming director of the library system in 2009, she spearheaded a culture change, focusing on its role as a community hub and creating a place where all are welcome. In 2016, the library implemented a program that eliminated late fines for children and teens, removing a barrier to service and resulting in a one-year increase of almost 20,000 more items borrowed by young patrons.

Under Uttaro’s leadership, library staff have shifted their attitudes toward those

Lori VanAuken EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Catholic Charities Community Services

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s executive director of Catholic Charities Community Services, Lori VanAuken has strengthened systems and built community support to benefit those living with brain injuries, developmental disabilities and HIV/AIDS. Known as a builder and connector in the non-profit sector, VanAuken stepped into her leadership role in 2013 after previously serving in highlevel roles at Children’s Institute and the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

At Catholic Charities Community Services, VanAuken and her staff advocate for independence and inclusion for 3,000 clients. She recently led the development of a strategic plan for the organization that lays out a path forward while ensuring Catholic Charities Community Services continues to perform well in key 34

areas. Colleagues say she leads with a hands-on approach and is always encouraging in her interactions with clients, staff and other stakeholders.

VanAuken advocates for children’s issues in her community work, having served on the advisory boards of the Early Childhood Development Initiative, the Center for Teen Empowerment, and the Hunter Institute of SUNY Brockport.

She is often asked to share her 30 years of non-profit expertise with other organizations and does so happily.

Despite the challenges her work brings, VanAuken always draws inspiration from those she serves.

“Their success, despite significant health issues and disabilities, reminds me that anything is possible and our work makes a difference,” she says. “They keep me passionate and humble.”

ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

who owe fines, becoming more flexible and working with patrons to resolve issues. The library has also implemented innovative programming to help the homeless, teens and other groups.

“Being in a leadership position allows me to give voice to the needs of the community, from our most vulnerable to the wealthiest,” Uttaro says.

Uttaro is a previous board member of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation and a member of the governor’s New York State Early Childhood Advisory Council, appointed in 2015. She is also on the boards of Roc the Future and International Sister Cities of Rochester. She received the Mary Bobinski Innovative Library Director Award from the New York Library Association in 2015 and was an Athena Award finalist in 2016.

Our commitment to excellence starts with leadership.

Congratulations to our President Melissa Geska for being recognized as a Woman of Excellence.

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WO M E N OF E XCE LLE NC E

Karen Zandi PRESIDENT & CEO

Mary Cariola Children’s Center

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tireless advocate for children with disabilities, Karen Zandi is focused on supporting the clients and staff of Mary Cariola Children’s Center as the organization’s president and CEO. Zandi, who has led the center since 2012, oversees some 680 employees and a broad range of community services, including six residential homes and 60 classrooms with over 450 students that serve those with complex disabilities. She takes the time to understand the needs of each client and support them, and has created a culture where staff do the same. Zandi also works with regional and state stakeholders to secure funding and support Mary Cariola Children’s Center and those with special needs.

Heidi Zimmer-Meyer PRESIDENT

Rochester Downtown Development Corporation

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eidi Zimmer-Meyer works to make Rochester a better place, both at the forefront of downtown’s renaissance and by engaging in community work.

As president of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation since 2002, Zimmer-Meyer has worked to make downtown Rochester a vibrant, economically strong location of which everyone can be a part.

Under Zimmer-Meyer’s direction, RDDC has transformed itself from a provider of research data into a multi-pronged downtown advocacy, research and marketing corporation.

Zimmer-Meyer has previously served on the City Planning Commission and the Rochester Police Chief’s Council.

Zimmer-Meyer takes pride in knowing that she brings a distinct

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perspective to her leadership roles.

“The technical part of what I do can be done by anyone, but the particular perspective people like me bring to the table as a woman and a woman of my generation is singular and valuable,” she says.

She is vice president of the Rochester Area Community Foundation board and is leading that organization’s effort to move into mission-related investing. She is chair of the New York State Urban Council, which represents downtown organization and business improvement districts statewide. She has also worked to combat concentrated urban poverty, helping form the Rochester Education Foundation and engaging in local antiracism work.

ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

Zandi is proud of building a team with common goals and priorities that positively impacts children and families each day.

“You never know the impact you might have on a child, an adult or a family,” she says.

Zandi has focused on building mentoring systems at Mary Cariola and aims to lead by example. She has also worked to engage donors and local colleges to provide tuition reductions for her staff so they can further their education and training.

A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, University of Edinburgh, and University of Pennsylvania, Zandi was previously executive director of the Hillside Children’s Center.

CONGRATULATIONS, MONICA! CFO of The Bonadio Group Maker of Miracles Woman of Excellence Monica Savino, CPA Chief Financial Officer The Bonadio Group

CONNECT WITH US 585.381.1000 | bonadio.com |

Congratulations, Mary!

Visionary Leader, Mentor & Humanitarian

We are so proud of our President and CEO, Mary Walsh Boatfield, and the remarkable work she has done at CP Rochester, Happiness House and Rochester Rehabilitation.

Her innovative leadership has enriched the lives of thousands of individuals with disabilities and disadvantages.

Mary Walsh Boatfield, President & CEO, CP Rochester, Happiness House and Rochester Rehabilitation NY State Woman of Distinction, RBJ Greater Rochester Executive of the Year & Athena Award Recipient

R E CE P T ION SPO NSO R S

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n 1978, Louise Woerner founded HCR Home Care with three employees and a cash advance on her credit card. Forty years later, HCR operates both certified and licensed home care agencies in 25 counties throughout Upstate New York and employs almost 800 people. In 2004, Ms. Woerner established the company as an employeeowned company (ESOP).

HCR’s steadfast mission is “Healthy People Fostering and Advancing the Health of People.” We practice a model of care which is customer-centered, rather than diseasecentered. Our practice integrates state-of-thescience medical approaches with a nursing model of care, which includes the wholeperson, family, and community.

HCR offers a complete range of community

Employee Wellness

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hen Renu Singh realized the community needed a better option for employee wellness, she and her team took on the challenge of creating an impactful, evidence-based program. Renu guided her team as they built the UR Medicine Employee Wellness program from the ground up, leveraging her passion for wellness and the strengths inherent to an academic medical center. Renu is currently the CEO of UR Medicine Employee Wellness and Associate Dean of Operations at the University of Rochester School of Nursing.

Although the program was developed to serve University of Rochester employees, Renu recognized that other employers in the region could benefit from a coordinated, resultsbased program. Renu and her team took the initiative to further develop the wellness model 38

health services and clinical specialty programs including skilled nursing, physical, occupational, speech and language therapies, medical social work, registered dieticians, and home health aides. HCR employs highly-skilled clinicians to carry out our patient care. Many are certified in areas like Wound Ostomy Continence, Geriatric Care, Neuro Developmental Treatment, Parkinson’s disease, and cultural competence.

Among HCR’s clinical specialty programs, HCR is an industry leader in Transcultural Care and cultural competence. Recognizing that home care isn’t “one size fits all,” HCR used Dr. Madeleine Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care and Universality as a framework to develop a multidimensional specialty program for delivering culturally congruent care to reduce health disparities in certain populations. Today, HCR has diverse Hispanic, LGBTQ, Russian, and Ukrainian clinical specialty teams, which have been able to improve patient health outcomes.

Because HCR believes a whole-person approach to care is important to reducing health disparities and improving health

outcomes in our community, HCR established a subsidiary, HCR Care Management, LLC, in 2015. It offers a holistic care management services to address social needs of Medicaid beneficiaries with a primary goal of reducing utilization of emergency department visits and hospitalization.

In order to improve the health of the community, HCR believes in partnering and collaborating with organizations like independent and assisted housing facilities, and various community organizations such as the local Veterans’ Administration, the Monroe County Medical Society, colleges and universities, and social service agencies.

We meet regularly with stakeholders and advocacy groups to make sure home care needs are being met in our community.

HCR is leading the way in quality home care and innovation across Upstate New York. Our partners across the health continuum, along with our patients in the communities we serve, recognize our superior quality care, focused effort to exceed expectations, and our commitment to continuous improvement

and bring it to market. Her energy, attitude and visionary leadership skills have enabled UR Medicine Employee Wellness to become a premier wellness provider.

Renu’s inspiration comes from her team, as well as the mentors who encouraged her ambition. She cites her mother as having a significant impact on her life, offering the message, “Nothing is off limits, nothing is impossible.” She now uses her position of leadership to empower the next generation.

Renu believes that “. . . there is no higher rate of return for an organization, community or individual than igniting passion and empowering future leaders.”

Renu’s leadership is evident in the talented team she has assembled to carry out the organization’s mission to create healthier communities. Her dedication to her team is extraordinary. She has a keen eye for identifying strengths in others and she works to build on those strengths. As a result, those who work with her are able to excel and grow. Members of her team commend her generosity as a mentor. Renu is with her team every step of the way– working, learning, and encouraging. She has high expectations, but takes the time to acknowledge and celebrate individual and team accomplishments. Renu and her

team have a mantra: “We’ve got this.” This rallying call creates a burst of energy and helps the team recognize each challenge as an opportunity.

Renu’s influence on the program is apparent when engaging with any member of the wellness team. They are fully invested in the mission and share her passion and commitment to being the best. As a result, the team achieved several early successes, such as increased employee engagement and improved health outcomes. Through the program, employers are able to offer coordinated wellness benefits, including personal health assessments, biometric screenings, lifestyle and condition management coaching programs, fitness classes and wellness seminars. These programs are facilitated by a team that is dedicated to empowering people to achieve their personal best.

Renu exemplifies the definition of excellence in her work and in the community. She has been a proud member of the Rochester community for 27 years. Renu is a generous supporter of many organizations, including Mary Cariola Children’s Center where she serves as a board member, the George Eastman Circle and United Way Women’s Association.

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE • ROCHESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 13, 2018

L EA D ER SH IP SP ONSORS

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eliant Community Credit Union is a $425 million credit union serving more than 39,000 members. Reliant is a full-service financial institution which offers a complete range of financial products

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atholic Charities Community Services began in 1980 as a single residential home for those living with developmental disabilities and has grown to serve over 3,000 people annually in twelve counties – people who are living with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, mental health diagnoses, and chronic illnesses including HIV/AIDS.

and services for both personal and business needs including checking and savings accounts, loans including mortgages, and online banking services.

Membership eligibility is available to all who live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer in Monroe, Ontario, and Wayne counties. Reliant currently has branches in Brockport, Canandaigua, Geneva, Henrietta, Irondequoit, Macedon,

As one of the 9 Catholic Charities organizations of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, Catholic Charities Community Services works collaboratively to meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens. We are deeply committed to enhancing and strengthening the independence, inclusion and individuality of those we serve.

We provide an array of services including case management, housing and residential programs, support and education groups, benefits counseling emergency referrals, peer supports, employment preparation, and community-based, life-skills training. These services

Newark, Sodus, and Webster.

For more than forty-five years Reliant’s mission has been to serve our members. As a member-owned, member-driven, not-for-profit financial cooperative, Reliant has, and always will be, committed to our members. Members can rely on us to help solve financial problems, conveniently manage their money, and plan for all stages of life.

are critical for empowering the individuals we serve in order that they may live life on their own terms, however it is defined by them.

Our Developmental Disabilities Services meet all criteria required by the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) while offering community habilitation, supervised and supportive residential programs and selfdirected service options.

Care Coordination connects individuals to needed medical and non-medical services and supports within the community and includes Children and Adult Health Homes Care Management

Behavioral Health Services are designed to assist adults with related needs by connecting them with housing, family and community supports and education.

Supportive Services provides for the housing and employment needs of those living with disabilities, HIV/AIDS or mental health issues.

Catholic Charities Community Services works to build a just and compassionate society in which all individuals can live with dignity.

We help people of all faiths and backgrounds. For more information, go to www.cccsrochester.org or call (585) 339-9800.

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Well-deserved recognition for all that you have achieved.

Canandaigua National Bank & Trust congratulates all Women of Excellence Honorees. We admire your enthusiasm for your profession, your community, and your dedication to helping others. These are values we share as well, and it’s why we strive to enrich the communities we serve.

We congratulate our own Karen C. Serinis, Rochester Business Journals’s 2018 Women of Excellence Honoree.

Karen C. Serinis Executive Vice President, Retail Banking and Marketing

® CNBank.com | (585) 394-4260