May 6, 2022
Dear Friends of the YWCA, Welcome to the 14th Annual In the Company of Women, a virtual event supporting the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester. This year, we are proud to celebrate the resilience of our community in face of challenges that have been exacerbated by the continuing pandemic – challenges like the escalating cost of living and housing, which disproportionately affect women and families of color. One thing that remains constant: gratitude for the things that matter most: family, friends, and community. This year’s program will highlight critical, life-changing YWCA programs: Court Supervision & Safe Exchange, Women’s Residence & Economic Empowerment programming, Special Programs for individuals with disabilities, and our Westchester Center for Racial Equity at our one-year anniversary of its launch. The YWCA story will demonstrate the lasting impact that supportive housing, childcare, early education, health and wellness, advocacy, and leadership can have on molding the future of women and their entire families – especially when programs are delivered with a social and racial equity lens. We are inspired by the experiences and wisdom of our honorees: Maria Trusa, Trailblazer Award; Congressman Mondaire Jones, Ally Award; Regeneron – Community Partner Award; And by the YWCA members, staff and community leaders that share their stories today. We are grateful to our Event Committee, led by Co-Chairs, Gina Accordino and Julie Mills-Worthey and Honorary Chair (and one of the founders of this annual event), Patricia Mulqueen, for an unwavering commitment to making this day a special celebration of women, men, and businesses so vital to our community. The ongoing pandemic has reinforced, in the most painful way, that the YWCA’S work is far from over. There has never been a more critical moment in history for the YWCA to continue its transformative work for the community. Thank YOU for being part of our movement to re-imagine and build a better world. Strong Alone. Fierce Together. Danielle Ferri Henry Chapman Interim Co-CEO’s
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSOR
BRONZE SPONSORS
IRON SPONSORS
Patricia Mulqueen, Honorary Chair Julie Mills-Worthey, Community Chair Gina Accordino, Board Chair Allegra Acevedo Christina Altomare Maria Barca Arlene Burgos Rose Cappa-Rotunno Barbara Edelheit Luisa Fairborne Christine Healey de Casanova Ariel Jackson Pat Jones Virginia Kuper Mary Leitner Barbara Lerman, Esq. Sylvia Lopez Maxine Mirtil Dr. Pauline Mosley Kim Stucko
TRAILBLAZER AWARD MARIA TRUSA
Maria Trusa is recognized as an innovative leader in healthcare in the New York metropolitan area. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Formé Medical Center & Urgent Care in White Plains, New York. Since joining Formé in 2015, Trusa has focused on creative and entrepreneurial solutions to bring quality healthcare and services, in a medical membership model, to the vulnerable Latino community, as well as other uninsured individuals and families in need. Prior to joining Formé, Trusa was the Executive Director of the Scarsdale Medical Group, a multi-specialty medical practice in Westchester, New York. Trusa served in several leadership positions during her 26-year tenure with the organization. During her time with these organizations, Trusa has earned a reputation for strategically driving significant revenue in profits with ethics and integrity and has been profiled by Forbes for her work with Formé. Trusa founded the nonprofit organization Yo Digo No Más (I Say No More) in 2020, which focuses on raising awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault and abuse in Latino communities, helps sexual violence survivors break the cycle of abuse, and provides mental health and trauma-informed services for survivors and their families. This organization originated from the publication of Trusa’s autobiography, I Say No More, which chronicles her early years growing up in the Dominican Republic, where she experienced traumatic sexual assault at the age of nine by a close family friend. This experience nearly cost Trusa her life and has impacted every facet of her being. Once Trusa immigrated to the United States, she struggled to find organizations that would provide culturally appropriate services to begin addressing and healing from this abuse. Nearly a decade ago, Trusa began sharing her transformational story of the convergence of her own personal and professional growth as she faced this early childhood trauma. Trusa currently serves on the Boards of the Business Council of Westchester, the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA of White Plains, and the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. Trusa is deeply involved in mentorship programs for Latinos with Westchester Community College, Mercy College. She also serves on the Hispanic Advisory Board to the Westchester County Executive. In addition to Trusa’s work with Formé and Yo Digo No Más, she travels the world giving presentations and workshops focused on trauma-informed systems in the workplace, as well working with different groups to celebrate and highlight women’s and Latino’s achievements in the workplace, and how we can increase visibility for these groups. Maria's speeches focus on the five pillars of life body, family, spirituality, finance, and joy, as well as how to motivate others to reach their goals. Trusa is the mother of three children, and spends her free time running, skiing, swimming, and cycling, as she has recently completed her first Ironman Triathlon with her adult sons.
COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD REGENERON
Accepted by Christina Chan
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for nearly 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, nearly all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic diseases, infectious diseases and rare diseases. It is one of the largest employers in Westchester. Regeneron was part of the inception of the Center for Racial Equity and was instrumental in creating the racial justice scorecard that is being used to provide guidance for the Center and local corporations as they navigate this critical issue. Christina Chan joined Regeneron in 2021 and serves as Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Citizenship, leading a multidisciplinary team responsible for external & internal communication, patient advocacy, corporate responsibility, ESG strategy & reporting, and social impact. Before joining Regeneron, Christina served as Vice President, Global Finance Communication at Johnson & Johnson (J&J). Prior to that, she led executive communication and thought leadership for J&J’s Chairman & CEO and oversaw communication for J&J’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programs and Heritage platforms. She previously led communication for the Cardiovascular & Metabolism Therapeutic Area and Global Commercial Strategy Organization at Janssen, J&J’s pharmaceutical division. Prior to joining J&J, Christina worked in financial and corporate communications for Biogen and at Boehringer Ingelheim in various pharmaceutical sales and communications roles. Christina holds an MBA in Finance and Strategy from the Stern School of Business at New York University and a BA in International Relations and Chinese from Tufts University.
ALLY AWARD CONGRESSMAN MONDAIRE JONES
Mondaire Jones is the 34-year-old Congressman from New York’s 17th District, serving Rockland and Westchester Counties. He serves on the House Judiciary, Education and Labor, and Ethics Committees and is the first openly gay, Black member of Congress. He also serves as Freshman Representative to Leadership, the youngest member of the Democratic House leadership team, Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and CoChair of the LGBTQ Equality Caucus. A product of East Ramapo public schools, Mondaire was raised in Section 8 housing and on food stamps in the Village of Spring Valley by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to provide for their family. He later graduated from Stanford University, worked at the Department of Justice during the Obama Administration, and graduated from Harvard Law School. He is a co-founder of the nonprofit Rising Leaders, Inc. and has previously served on the NAACP’s National Board of Directors and on the board of the New York Civil Liberties Union. Most recently, Mondaire worked as a litigator in the Westchester County Law Department. Mondaire was born and raised in Rockland and resides in Westchester.
NARRATOR MONICA BERTRAN
Monica is the Head of Bloomberg's Corporate Communications
Digital Platforms and Innovation team. Building on a twenty year career as an on-air anchor and reporter for Bloomberg Television and Radio, Monica developed the company’s corporate communications digital and innovation team which creates content for six branded communications channels, develops employee engagement programs and heads the team that does external relations for Bloomberg's CTO and Engineering teams. Monica’s team also partners with Bloomberg's senior business leaders to develop and implement creative communications strategies targeting external clients as well as Bloomberg’s over 19,000 employees globally. Additionally, she serves as one of the lead presentation coaches for Bloomberg senior executives and helps develop and execute many of the company’s business town hall presentation. Her most recent accomplishments include the employee communications and digital strategy for Bloomberg’s new London headquarters, which consists of website development, a documentary video series, quarterly employee town halls, and special media events. Prior to joining corporate communications, Monica held a distinguished career on Bloomberg Television and Radio. She served as an anchor for several of Bloomberg Television’s programs, covering breaking financial, real estate, consumer and economic news. Monica was also part of the initial team that worked along-side Michael Bloomberg to develop the company’s media vision for the global business community and launch Bloomberg Radio- WBBR 1130AM in 1992. Before joining Bloomberg LP, Monica worked for several major media outlets including CBS Network Radio, 1010 WINS in New York and WHDH in Boston. She began her television career in New Orleans. Monica resides in Westchester County with her husband and son.
COURT SUPERVISED VISITATION & SAFE EXCHANGE PROGRAM The Court Supervised Visitation & Safe Exchange program is a critical program and space where the YWCA helps strengthen bonds between parents and children who are separated during a legal process. The program protects a child who could be at risk and mitigates the child’s exposure to conflict. Supervised Visitation enables children to maintain healthy and positive relationships with non-custodial parents while ensuring safety for the children and the custodial parents.
Currently the program serves 125 children and their parents and guardians. Monitored weekly visits take place at the YWCA in White Plains and in Yonkers. All visits are court mandated.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS For more than 40 years, the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester has been providing a safe and nurturing space for children and adults with special needs, providing access to recreation and socialization for all. For the person that needs special supports, the YWCA does this by adapting its programs to meet each person’s special needs. YWCA’s Special Programs provide participants with disabilities opportunities to enjoy a variety of therapeutic recreation programs that support and strengthen cognitive, physical, social, and affective skills in a safe, supportive, and fun-filled environment, offered in age-appropriate groups and settings. Family members receive support and respite. The program motto is: See me. Hear me. Understand me. Respect me. With many program opportunities from swimming, gymnastics, fitness, music, crafts, respite and more, individuals safely explore new experiences and celebrate their independence.
WOMEN’S RESIDENCE & ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS The YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester operates the largest supportive housing residence for women in New York State, and the only one of its kind in Westchester County. Since 1930, the YWCA has provided safe, affordable, comfortable housing for low-income women. In 1968 the Presbyterian Church donated the Kennedy Duncan building on North Broadway and the YWCA Residence became a permanent facility. An addition was constructed in 1972 through the generosity of Lila Wallace. 193 women call the Residence “home” as they build independent lives after experiencing challenges such as homelessness, domestic violence, trafficking, incarceration, and substance abuse. Understanding that a bed alone is not always enough, the YWCA provides an array of on-site services designed to increase self-sufficiency, promote employment readiness, provide recovery assistance, and independent living skills. These women reflect the richness of diversity represented by their color, race, age, nationality, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, recovery and life experience. Supportive services include case management, food pantry, clothing (My Sister’s Closet), and digital literacy and employment readiness services such as our YW Strive program, which provides free training to both residents and women throughout the county.
WESTCHESTER CENTER FOR RACIAL EQUITY The YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester launched the Westchester Center for Racial Equity in April 2021 after years of planning. The Center advances the YWCA’s mission by being a dedicated space for working towards racial equity in Westchester County. The Center offers a vision for sustaining antiracist work throughout the County and provides community and resources for individuals and organizations committed to racial equity, racial justice, and antiracism. The foundation of the Westchester Center for Racial Equity’s work is racial healing – a tool that can facilitate trust and build authentic relationships that bridge divides created by real and perceived differences. It is a process that restores individuals and communities to wholeness, repairs the damage caused by racism and transforms societal structures into ones that affirm the inherent value of all people. (W. K. Kellogg Foundation) From this foundation, the Center works toward racial equity through 5 Pillars of work: Hub, Training, Signature Events, Leadership Development, and Accountability & Assessment.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE YWCA WHITE PLAINS & CENTRAL WESTCHESTER CELEBRATES THE 2022
Maria Trusa
Congressman Mondaire Jones
With thanks Marjorie Feder
No matter the language - we mean it from the bottom of our hearts!
Andrea Foote Thank you for your service to YWCA
Congratulations to our Honorees Maria Trusa Regeneron Congressman Mondaire Jones
Ginger Waters Board Member
Koncal
Thank you To our honorees and
14th
Board Members, Present and Past
for your support of the YWCA’s 14th Annual In the Company of Women
Patricia
Mulqueen
….designed to meet the needs of Westchester’s women and their families. Best wishes for continued success.
Pat Jones Pat Jones Architect 914-419-7229
Saluting the fine work of the YWCA staff and the stellar In the Company of Woman Honorees CHRISTINA ALTOMARE
Congratulations to our distinguished honorees! We are proud supporters of the YWCA’s mission to empower women and eliminate racism.
John and Mary Leitner
To all our directors for their vision leadership and commitment to the mission of the YWCA Rhonda Brooks Girls Empowered Through Meaningful Support (GEMS) Director Sara Frontera Senior Director, Youth & Family Programing Howard Kirschner Camp Funkist
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Maria Smith Dautruche Director, Westchester Center for Racial Equity
Henry Chapman Interim CEO Director of Human Resources
Isabella Malouf Clinical Director, Residence
Danielle Ferri Interim CEO, Chief Mission Impact and Advocacy Officer
Dante Hudson Chief Operating Officer Ned Corona Chief of Staff Crissy Esposito Chief Finance & Administration Officer
Amy Price Chief Development Officer
Nasikah Moore Director of Court Programs Kristin Pinkerton Senior Program Director Wanda Smith Special Programs and Operational Support Lesley Mazzotta Youth Leadership Director Melissa Spoor Director of Gymnastics Angela Torero Residential Operations Director Diane Tukman Economic Empowerment Director John Yearwood Director, Recreational & Competitive Aquatics
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers Andrea Foote, President Astara N. Crews, Vice President Anne Ross, Treasurer Mary Leitner, Secretary Board Members Gina Accordino, Esq. Christina Altomare Ivan Blumenthal, Esq. Virginia Kuper Lakisha Jordan Sahara Lake Tina Newsome-Lee, Esq. Yolanda Payne Betsy Steward Gloriana Waters
Since 1929, the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester has been a pioneer for social change through innovative programs that improve the lives of over 4,0000 women, children and families per week. The YWCA does this through early childhood education and afterschool programs; summer camps; swim school and team, gymnastics classes and team; health and wellness activities; special programs for people with development disabilities; the children’s center at the Westchester County courthouse; breast cancer education and other activities that further the mission. Members range in age from infants to senior citizens and come from across the greater Westchester community. In 2021, the YWCA completed a major green renovation of it’s Residence for Women in White Plains. The organization is the only provider of permanent low-income housing in Westchester County and is home to 193 women in need. In April 2021, the YWCA launched the Westchester Center for Racial Equity to bring together representatives from civic, corporate, non-profit and community arenas to take a bold stand against racism. Proceeds from In the Company of Women benefit all of the YWCA’s programs and activities. ywcawpcw.org ywcawpcw @YWCAWhitePlains
ywcawhiteplains Activity Center | 914-949-6227 515 North Street | White Plains, NY 10605 Residence | 914-428-1130 69 North Broadway | White Plains, NY 10603