2024 VSA Journal

7:45 AM .

8:30 AM . .

EVENT PROGRAM

REGISTRATION

BREAKFAST AND PROGRAM

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Jeanette Gisbert, Executive Director, Volunteer New York!

GREETINGS

George Latimer, Westchester County Executive

PRESENTING SPONSOR REMARKS

Christina Chan, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Regeneron

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD

Mouhamadou Alou with Mount Vernon High School

Presented by PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP

GOING GREEN AWARD

Michael Penziner with Friends of Rye Nature Center

And in memoriam of Judy Penziner

Presented by Con Edison

QUALITY OF LIFE AWARD

Laura Romeo Sobel with Dance For A Difference

Presented by PCSB Community Foundation

EDUCATION & LITERACY AWARD

Jim Isenberg with Grandpas United

Presented by The Seiden Family

CALL TO ACTION

SOCIAL ADVOCACY AWARD

Colleen Brathwaite with Westchester Women’s Agenda

Presented by Regeneron

RESILIENCY AWARD

Matthew Ricker with New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce

Presented by WMCHealth

LEGACY AWARD

Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham

Presented by the Board of Volunteer New York!

10:00 AM .

EVENT SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

AWARD SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

COFFEE SPONSOR

DESSERT SPONSOR

LEGACY TABLE SPONSORS

CARMEN LEONOR MARTÍNEZ-LÓPEZ, PH.D.

MASON & RICE

MERIDIAN RISK MANAGEMENT

WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL

LEGACY TICKET SPONSORS

BURKE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL

EVENTS TO REMEMBER

NINA SMITH

TARA C. FAPPIANO, ESQ.

Welcome to the 44th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards! I’m thrilled to welcome each of you to this truly magical and inspirational morning.

Volunteer New York! was founded almost 75 years ago to mobilize our community to address our greatest challenges. Last year we supported over 300 nonprofits by inspiring 35,000 volunteers to contribute 445,000 hours of service. These efforts generated $15.6 million in value back to our community - which is significant by anyone’s standards.

We deeply appreciate all of this year’s winners and supporters and are honored to bring everyone together to celebrate our region’s amazing volunteers.

I think you will leave today inspired and reminded about the goodness of people and why volunteerism and civic engagement are needed now more than ever. Today, and every day, Volunteer New York! is here to help you turn your good intentions into action. Join us on this journey to connect, serve, and grow. Let’s build a more vibrant, resilient, and equitable communitytogether.

Jeanette Gisbert, Executive Director Volunteer New York!

Today, it is with tremendous pride and enthusiasm that the Board of Directors at Volunteer New York! honors one of its own, former Board Chair Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham, with the 2024 Legacy Award.

Over her nine-year tenure on the Board of Directors, including three years as the Board Chair, Valerie played a pivotal role in steering the organization through challenges and fostering its growth.

Beyond her service to Volunteer New York!, Valerie’s impact on the community extends far and wide. From her role on the Mercy University Board of Trustees to her strategic advisory position with Sister to Sister International, Inc., Valerie consistently embodies the spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy.

Congratulations to all of our VSA Awardees. We are so thrilled to be celebrating our 44th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards with you. When you leave today, we believe you will be inspired to support our mission, and to give your time, talents, and resources in support of our community’s challenges. They are needed now more than ever.

Thank you all for joining us in our celebration of community and volunteerism.

Michael Welling, Board Chair Volunteer New York!

YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD

Mouhamadou Alou

Mount Vernon High School

Presented by PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP

Mouhamadou Alou comes from a long line of service-oriented individuals. Growing up, his mother was a nurse, and his father was a member of the United Nations Police. In his home country of Niger, Mouhamadou remembers his mother ministering to the entire community and encouraging him to donate clothes and shoes, much to his dismay, to neighbors who needed them. Years later, he fondly reflects on that memory as an inspiration for why he likes supporting his community.

Mouhamadou’s family moved to New York in October 2020. Knowing little English, Mouhamadou was thrust into a new school and a new environment (which included his first experience with snow!). After just one year in a program for new English learners at Mt. Vernon High School, Mouhamadou was ready to move into classes with English speakers. He says that while he wasn’t particularly outgoing before he came here, the experience forced him to become more of an extrovert. Within a very short time, he used those skills and his innate drive to serve his community to create the “Knights Boutique” at his school, a store that allows students to “shop” for free clothes, school supplies, and toiletries.

Reminiscing about his experience serving his community in Niger, Mouhamadou saw an empty classroom in the school building, and he had an idea for how it could be put to good use. He says that he wasn’t sure that his idea would work, but he was encouraged by a teacher to give it a try. The positive response was immediate. Even then, Mouhamadou continuously worked to improve the store, including efforts to ensure that the merchandise was well organized and displayed. Mouhamadou graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 2023, but the boutique continues to thrive.

When he arrived here, Mouhamadou was struck by the differences in how people lived in New York compared with Niger. He noticed that while everyone in his community in Niger was considered family, people in New York tended to “mind their own business.” Through his courage and initiative in creating the Knights Boutique, Mouhamadou managed to bring a little bit of Niger to Mt. Vernon. Mouhamadou plans to continue serving as he embarks on his career: he is studying nursing to become a military nurse. Mouhamadou’s philosophy is that “being fortunate enough to give is a blessing,” and our community is lucky to have this young man in our midst.

GOING GREEN AWARD

Michael Penziner

And in memoriam of Judy Penziner

Friends of Rye Nature Center

Presented by Con Edison

Michael Penziner loves plants. But what he loves even more is sharing his immense knowledge of plants with others.

Michael can’t identify exactly how he developed this vast knowledge; it almost seems he absorbed it through osmosis, like his favorite plant, the fern. However, he can pinpoint the source of his love for plants. Growing up in Brooklyn, Michael didn’t interact with nature much, but he was hooked after visiting his aunt’s house and seeing her garden.

Many years later, after a multi-faceted career that included law, sales, advertising, and entrepreneurship, and a move to Westchester, Michael began his long tenure as a volunteer at multiple nature organizations. Almost thirty years ago, he began conducting tours of Wildflower Island, part of Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining. He spent hours with each tour group, introducing them to the flora on the two-acre island. He later led tours at the New York Botanical Garden, again educating and entertaining the group for as long as they wanted to stay. When tour participants expressed a sense of haste, Michael would ask them, “Do you think I can teach you the world of flowers in twenty minutes?”

He began volunteering with his wife, Judy, at the Rye Nature Center in 1997. He founded the center’s phenology group, which contributes data about the seasonal changes of the property’s trees to the National Phenology Network to help analyze patterns in the changing climate. Michael created a herbarium and single-handedly cataloged over 250 plant samples. He wrote articles and educational booklets to help visitors identify the trees and plants on the center’s 47-acre grounds. He answered visitor questions, led citizen science groups, and planted fern gardens to help bolster healthy ecosystems for wildlife and insects. In those 25+ years, Michael contributed over 15,000 hours of service! Even after moving to Rhode Island, Michael continues to serve the Rye Nature Center, writing for the newsletter, creating informational guides, and helping to curate a Tree Identification trail.

Michael remains dedicated to volunteering - and educating - in his new senior residence in Rhode Island, leading classes in poetry and storytelling.

He says, “I’m not doing it to help other people. I’m doing it to be me.” The thousands of people he has educated and enlightened are lucky that Michael is who he is!

QUALITY OF LIFE AWARD

Laura Romeo Sobel

Dance For A Difference

Presented by PCSB Community Foundation

Laura Romeo Sobel believes that we can all make a difference simply by taking our passions and amplifying them out into the world. She speaks from experience.

Since she was a young girl collecting coins for a school service project or helping her mom lead her younger sister’s Girl Scout troop, Laura has dedicated her time to volunteering. She continued to volunteer through high school, college and beyond, eventually dedicating her career to public service as White Plains Hospital’s Director of Ancillary Programs and Volunteer Services. Outside of her work at White Plains Hospital, Laura founded an organization called Dance For A Difference. In its short existence, Dance For A Difference has already lived up to its moniker, making a splash in the Westchester community.

Laura loves to dance and had previously been a Zumba instructor in her spare time. After her son was born, she was eager to return to being active and her passion for volunteering. Laura was inspired to combine Zumba classes with giving back, offering classes free of charge so any donations from participants would go directly to a designated nonprofit. The pandemic foiled the plan, yet her experience of a pregnancy loss in 2022 served as the impetus to “twist the energy into something useful” and bring her vision to life.

Dance For A Difference started with one class intended to raise money for the Maggie Rose Perinatal Bereavement Program. Word quickly spread, and with the support of the community, Laura soon conducted classes almost every Saturday, benefitting a different organization each time – growing from one nonprofit to over 25. Dance For A Difference is about more than raising money. As Laura describes, there’s a “trickleout effect” as class participants learn about the nonprofit they’re supporting with their donation, fostering new relationships between the organization and the donors.

There’s a joy that participants experience during the classes, elevated by the opportunity to connect within the community. Laura says that just as she created Dance For A Difference when she needed to be uplifted, she hopes she has made a space where others can be uplifted, too.

Laura has been humbled by the growth of Dance For A Difference and is excited to see what it evolves into. For now, she aims to inspire others to use their passion or pain for a purpose. She believes, “If you put out good, it’s going to come back in some way.”

EDUCATION & LITERACY AWARD

Jim Isenberg

Grandpas United

Presented by The Seiden Family

Jim Isenberg is a grandpa on a mission.

Since co-founding Grandpas United in 2018, with a focus on harnessing intergenerational relationships to mentor and support boys and young men in White Plains, he has led the group through several extremely busy years.

Through a strong partnership with the White Plains Youth Bureau, the reach of the 100 grandpas in White Plains has expanded to include programs now as varied as Grandpas Go to School (where grandpas form ongoing relationships with elementaryage children), Grandpas Got Talent (an intergenerational talent show with high school students), a Youth Police Initiative (which brings youth and police together for interactive trust-building dialogue), and a Youth Court program (in which grandpas serve as mentors and counselors for youth involved in the criminal justice system). And that’s just a few of Grandpas United’s programs!

The results are clear. By engaging with youth in the community, Grandpas United has helped numerous children rise above hopelessness and understand that they have an advocate and a friend. Recently, Jim has helped five other cities in Westchester create their own Grandpas United programs, and he hopes to continue the expansion into other cities in New York and beyond.

Jim grew up in Venice, California, and went to college at the University of California Berkeley (also later earning a Ph.D. in criminology there). His career eventually took him all over the world for executive positions in fields as varied as transportation, conflict resolution, criminal justice, and youth development. He has taught criminal justice at universities around the world and authored a book about policing. When he finally retired, Jim was the executive director of the New York region of the North American Family Institute.

To Jim, the intergenerational aspect of Grandpas United is what makes it work. While the benefits to the youth it serves are clear, what could be less obvious is the benefits to the grandpas themselves. Jim says, “Community service gives older people an important sense of purpose, which is critical.” No one can question Jim’s sense of purpose. At age 78, he shows no signs of slowing down. The grandpas have more work to do!

SOCIAL ADVOCACY AWARD

Colleen Brathwaite

Westchester Women’s Agenda

Presented by Regeneron

Colleen Brathwaite is unparalleled as an advocate for women in Westchester County. As the former Board Chair of the Westchester Women’s Agenda (WWA), an organization that aims to improve the lives of women by advancing racial, economic, and social equity and justice, she worked tirelessly to drive positive change.

Her primary goal at the WWA was making all women aware that “the WWA is there advocating for them.” In 2016, under her leadership, the WWA conducted the first-ofits-kind research study that documented the status of women in Westchester. The study examined issues including affordable housing, childcare costs, employment, poverty, education, and health, and the findings highlighted the dire situation of women of limited means and the need for WWA to advocate on their behalf. A follow-up study several years later indicated areas with improvement, as well as those where slight improvement was made. The study allowed the WWA to use quantitative evidence to support its advocacy efforts.

She co-founded the Westchester Racial Equity Collaborative (WREC) to bring together all Westchester County groups focused on addressing racial inequities. She also led an effort that resulted in the distribution of COVID relief funds to previously excluded workers. Recently, Colleen pushed for Westchester County to join a national organization that guides local governments revamping policies to achieve racial equity within their workforces. As a result, Westchester County has already begun implementing new approaches to hiring.

Colleen was born in Barbados, moved to the United States to attend Brandeis University, and later obtained a master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism. While Colleen is now a bonafide New Yorker, she has retained close ties to Barbados. She is closely involved with two nonprofit organizations supporting the medical system in Barbados, and she also works with a group of friends from her high school to provide scholarships for current students at the school.

Before her involvement in the WWA, Colleen enjoyed a successful public relations, communications, and marketing career in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She enjoyed “making other people look good” rather than being in the limelight herself. She demonstrates this while mentoring her two grown daughters, who are following in their mom’s footsteps with careers benefiting the public sector. Colleen may have done her tremendous work behind the scenes at the WWA, but the impact of her work can’t be hidden out of sight!

RESILIENCY AWARD

Matthew Ricker

New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce

Presented by WMCHealth

Matthew Ricker has always forged his own path. When he was two years old, Matthew contracted meningitis, suffering profound hearing loss in both ears and changes to his speech. Thanks to modern medicine, he received a cochlear implant and speech therapy, enabling him to thrive despite his illness.

Growing up, Matthew had a teacher who advocated for him, helping to ensure he received the services he needed at school and beyond; she gave him the tools to learn how to advocate for himself. Matthew never hesitated or shied away from challenging experiences. Even as a young person facing his own challenges, Matthew was engaging in his community — helping care for his neighbor’s foster puppies and volunteering in various capacities at his church. Later, he immersed himself in student activities at New Rochelle High School and Iona University. In service to the deaf community, Matthew began mentoring children about living with hearing loss, having been inspired himself by the experiences and advice of individuals he met through his hearing loss journey. He continues to volunteer his time, recently speaking to graduate students at Iona University who were studying speech-language pathology. Word spread about Matthew’s valuable insights, and he has since been asked to speak at other Westchester-based higher education institutions.

Matthew’s broadcast experience began as a student at Iona, where he hosted a regular radio show and reported live on the campus TV channel. After graduating from college, Matthew was invited to host a radio show for the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, focusing on local businesses. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Matthew used the show to highlight the struggles facing small businesses; many of them credit Matthew’s reporting for their survival. Matthew even expanded his communication support of small businesses with social media posts. He has been integral in planning the annual New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade. He has served as a broadcast anchor at the event and hosted numerous other galas and events for the chamber. Matthew’s latest venture is transitioning the radio show into a podcast.

When he’s not at his “day job,” Matthew loves to attend Yankees games, read, swim, and walk his rescue dog Lily while pursuing a master’s degree in public relations. Combined with his undergraduate degree in broadcast media, Matthew will be well-poised to pursue his dream career. A career in broadcast media might not seem like the obvious choice for a person of hearing loss, and certainly not the easiest one. But as Matthew himself says, “I never once let my circumstances stop me.” It is unlikely that it ever will.

2024 LEGACY AWARD

Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham

Presented by the Volunteer New York! Board of Directors

Volunteer New York!’s Board of Directors is proud to bestow its highest honor, the 2024 Legacy Award, upon Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham.

Valerie’s dedication to Volunteer New York! and our community can be characterized in one word: transformative. Serving on the Board of Directors for nine years, including three years as the Board Chair, Valerie played a vital role in furthering Volunteer New York!’s resilience and growth. When the global pandemic created new challenges, Valerie offered a steady, strategic, and positive approach, supporting organization leadership to ensure continued success during unprecedented times.

Beyond her contributions to Volunteer New York!, Valerie’s commitment to addressing the community’s greatest challenges is evident through her unwavering support of educational institutions, nonprofits, and civic organizations. From serving on the Mercy University Board of Trustees, to acting as a strategic business advisor to Sister to Sister International, Inc., to embracing her advocacy role with the Urban Resource Institute’s Friends of URI, it is clear that Valerie embodies the true meaning of volunteerism and giving back.

Valerie is a former Senior Vice President at Xerox Corporation, where she held many senior executive roles, leading organizations globally and developing high-performance work teams. She retired after ascending to the role of Vice President of North America Channel Marketing Operations. Today, Valerie can be found advising, inspiring, and coaching individuals and organizations on progressive leadership with a focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility & Belonging (DEIA&B), and emphasizing Belonging. Alongside her Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Emily Rice Reynolds, Valerie founded Mason & Rice LLC, furthering Valerie’s belief system of PRIDE: Personal Recognition in Delivering Excellence. Valerie is an accomplished strategic thinker, change champion, and business value creator who has positively impacted the business services and technology industries throughout her illustrious career.

Valerie has received numerous awards and distinguished honors for her work in the public and private sectors. She recently presented a TEDx Talk titled “You Have to Go Through Something to Get to Something” and received the 2023 Westchester County Trailblazers Madam C.J. Walker Economic Development Award.

As a first-generation college graduate, Valerie attended Spelman College (HBCU) for two years and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Old Westbury. Most recently, she received an Honorary Doctorate degree in Commercial Science from Mercy University. Valerie is a Leadership Westchester Graduate.

Valerie resides in Westchester County, New York, with her husband, and is a dedicated mother to her son, who resides in Georgia.

Executive Director

Jeanette Gisbert, MPA

Interim Chief Financial Officer

Laura Perozo

Senior Director, Programs

Katie Pfeifer, MPP

Senior Director, Development

Dylan Pyne, CFRE

Director, Community Engagement for New Rochelle

Charles Curtis

Director, Corporate Partnerships

Jennifer Machuca

Director, Marketing and Communications

Alex Acaro, MBA

Director, RSVP of Westchester

Guadalupe Fishman

Senior Manager, Community Engagement

Jessica Friedlander

Manager, Operations and Development

Natasha Weinstein

Manager, Corporate Partnerships

Carrie Nagel

Manager, Corporate Partnerships

Abby Fuirst

Manager, Corporate Partnerships

Nora Nicholson, MPA

Manager, RISE Program

Patti Colombo, MS, CTRS

Manager, Community Engagement

Yaribeth Peralta, MS

Manager, RSVP of Westchester

Cheryl Brandwein

Administrative Assistant

Gianna Mosca

CONSULTANTS

Facilitator, Leadership Westchester

David Severance

Event Director

Kelli Teglas

Finance Consultant

Geoffrey Schmits, Esq.

Grant Writer

Alison Paul

LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Welling, Chair

Rosemary Byrnes, Vice Chair

Felix Tapia, Vice Chair

Grant Mitchell, M.D., Treasurer

Amy Seiden, Secretary

Tara C. Fappiano, Esq.

Joseph Farrenkopf

Ed Forbes

Phillip Ham

Joanne Kirkpatrick

Lydia Kris

Ilene Levy

Carmen Leonor Martínez-López, Ph.D.

Tanya Moximchalk

Christina Nash

Charles J. Newman

Daniel Patrick

Robert Pisano, Jr.

Carla Rojas

Steve Sonet, Esq.

Abbe P. Stein, Esq.

Geraldine F. Watson

Gerrylyn Williams

Markham F. Rollins, III & Marjorie Lang

Strategic Advisors

Jeanette Gisbert Executive Director

RSVP ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Alan Bey, Chair

Joan Harris, Vice Chair

Jacqueline Cannino, Secretary

Roddy Austin

Deborah Disbrow

Paul Ducker

Jill Harper

Lewis Koflowitz

Sharon McKenzie

Thomasenia Myers

Joseph Rodriquez

Abbe P. Stein, Esq.

Francine Vernon

VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARDS BENEFIT COMMITTEE

Alisa H. Kesten, Co-Chair

Michelle A. Nicholas, Co-Chair

Joseph L. Ali

Tsahai Amazan

Cheryl Brannan, MS

Celia R. Brown

Eric D. Cunningham

Janine Daughtry

Julia Emrick

Ed Forbes

Emerson and Vernita Fullwood

Ally and Tom Gallin

Michael Grossman

Chereese Jervis-Hill

Susan Kushner

Carmen Leonor Martínez-López, Ph.D.

Michelle Medina

Christina and Tim Nash

Emily Rice Reynolds

A. Douglas Rogers

Mark and Jody Rollins

Amy and Mark Seiden

Joanne Taylor

Beryl Weaver

Dan Zelem

STEERING COMMITTEE

Lydia Kris, Chair

Ilana Arbeit

Cathy Boyle

Liz Corio

Karen Gabor

Ally Gallin

Joanne Kirkpatrick

Susan Kushner

Amy Seiden

Abbe P. Stein, Esq.

AWARD JUDGES

Deborah Disbrow

Phillip Ham

Jonathan Hotz

Joseph Kenner

Tanya Moximchalk

Catrina Shivers

Christina Stufano

Linda Taylor

Lilian Wu

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS

Erica Aisner

Susan Appel

Roddy Austin

Michelle Barbero

Alan Bey

Gayle Binney

Eric Blanchard

Brittany Bricero

Jamie Brown

Robert Caluori

Lauren Candela-Katz

Jacqueline Cannino

Beverly Carter

Ian Ceppos

Mike Colombo

Blaine Corbett

Jinja Cuevas

Kathy D’Agostino

Brianna Deenihan

Natalia Diaz

Deborah Disbrow

Thatcher Drew

Paul Ducker

Joanne Dunn

Mavis Edme

Tara C. Fappiano

Patty Franco

Freddy Garcia

Michael Garcia

Jean Glassman

Althema Goodson

Daheima Grant

Francesca Guzzo

Phillip Ham

Jill Harper

Joan Harris

Marion Henson

Fran Higgins

Lini Jacob

Brintha Jeyalingam

Neal Keller

Cheryl Kellogg

Alisa H. Kesten

Joanne Kirkpatrick

Lydia Kris

Lewis Koflowitz

Susan Kushner

Ilene Levy

Rev. Steve Lopez

Kathleen Macias

Carmen Leonor MartínezLópez, Ph.D.

Valerie Mason-Cunningham

Sharon McKenzie

Julieta McPherson

Grant Mitchell

Tanya Moximchalk

Thomasenia Myers

Laura Newman

Michelle A. Nicholas

Rachele Nicoletti

Minkyu Park

Daniel Patrick

Alison Paul

Christine Plazas

Moshe Rabinowitz

Christina Rae

David Ringler

Joseph Rodriguez

Carla Rojas

Jonathan Rosen

Jack Rotenstein

Sherry Saturno

Paul Schneiderman

Amy Seiden

Bob Sengstacken

Catrina Shivers

CM Michele Shivers

Barbara Shulman

Judy Siegel

Steven Sonet

Kristine Stallone

Haruko Stanton

Abbe P. Stein

Christine Stufano

Gary Tenebaum

Michael Trapp

Francine Vernon

Elizabeth Vieselmeyer

Sarah Wallace

Henry Wanamaker

Linda Wang

Michael Weinstein

Natasha Weinstein

Wendy Weinstein

Michael Welling

Gerrylyn Williams

Anita Wilton

Rob Wingate

Lilian Wu

YAI RISE Volunteers

Tappan Hill School RISE

Volunteers

Carina Zegers

Charlie Zegers

Volunteer New York! is grateful to the individuals listed here who have supported our organization in immeasurable ways. Over the last year, these volunteers used their professional skills, talents, and passions to help stretch our organizational capacity. Thank you!

IF WE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED YOUR NAME OR MADE AN ERROR, PLEASE BRING IT TO OUR ATTENTION AT DYLAN@VOLUNTEERNEWYORK.ORG

REGENERON CORPORATE PROFILE

Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for over 35 years by physicianscientists, Regeneron’s unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous FDA-approved treatments and product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in Regeneron’s laboratories. Regeneron’s medicines and pipeline are designed to help people with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.

Regeneron believes that operating as a good corporate citizen is crucial to delivering on its mission. Regeneron approaches corporate responsibility with three goals in mind: to improve the lives of people with serious disease, to foster a culture of integrity and excellence to build sustainable communities. Regeneron is proud to be included on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the Civic 50 list of the most “community-minded” companies in the U.S. Throughout the year, Regeneron empowers and supports employees to give back through Regeneron’s volunteering, pro-bono and matching gift programs. Its most significant philanthropic commitments are in the area of science education, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search and Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

For more information about Regeneron, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow Regeneron on LinkedIn.

TO ALL OF THE 2024 VSA WINNERS, INCLUDING OUR VERY OWN VMC.

We extend our deepest appreciation to Jeanette and our staff for their dedication to our mission.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF VOLUNTEER NEW YORK!

April 12, 2024

Dear Friends,

It is a privilege to send greetings to everyone attending the 44th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards Ceremony hosted by Volunteer New York! Congratulations to this year's seven distinguished honorees: Jim Isenberg, Co-Founder of Grandpas United and Education & Literacy Award Winner; Michael Penziner, long -time volunteer at the Friends of Rye Nature Center and Going Green Award Winner; Laura Romeo Sobel, Founder of Dance For A Difference and Quality of Life Award Winner; Matthew Ricker, Host of The Chamber Show for the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and Resiliency Award Winner; Colleen Brathwaite, Chair of the Westchester Women's Agenda and Social Advocacy Award Winner; Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Mason & Rice LLC, Managing Principal at PRIDE Matters, LLC, and Legacy Award Winner; and Mouhamadou Alou, Student Volunteer at Mount Vernon High School and Youth Leadership Award Winner.

I am grateful to organizations like Volunteer New York! that encourage New Yorkers of all ages to enact positive change in their own communities. Established in 1950 as The Volunteer Service Bureau of Westchester, this organization has mobilized residents throughout the Lower Hudson Valley to tackle the region's most pressing challenges. It has become a dynamic force, symbolizing the spirit of community engagement and collaboration in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties. Today's seven honorees have demonstrated a profound commitment to service, reflecting the altruistic mission of Volunteer New York!

On behalf of all New Yorkers, congratulations on your incredible accomplishments and thank you for your steadfast efforts to serve your fellow New Yorkers. Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful event and many more years of continued success.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senator

Valerie,You Inspire Us! Congratulations

The Gallin Family

Raising Awareness of the

Sacrifices of Blue Star and Gold Star Military Families

HELP IS always in need.

Brown & Brown Insurance Services

Proudly Supports

Volunteer New York!

Congratulations to all the award winners at the 44th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards!

Proud to support Volunteer New York! and the 44th annual Volunteer Spirit Awards.

Congratulations

to this year’s honorees including Mercy’s own Board of Trustees Member

Valerie Mason Cunningham

Valerie is a 2024 Legacy Award recipient

Her dedication, passion and outstanding contributions in service to the community, by choice, inspire us all.

Their extraordinar y leadership, spirit and ser vice inspires others, ignites change and positively impacts our communities.

WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEER NEW YORK! AND THE 2024 VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARDS

Congratulations to all of today’s exceptional honorees. In appreciation of volunteers and changemakers everywhere!

THE SEIDEN FAMILY CONGRATULATES EDUCATION & LITERACY AWARD HONOREE JIM ISENBERG OF GRANDPAS UNITED

AND ALL THE 2024 VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARD WINNERS!

Their leadership and service to our community is an inspiration to others. You demonstrate that nothing is impossible!

DOING WELL BY DOING GOOD FOR OUR PATIENTS, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND OUR WORLD

We t a ke p r i d e i n p a r t n e r i n g w i t h

Vo l u n t e e r N e w Yo r k ! to b o o s t

c o m m u n i t y re s i l i e n c e a n d e q u i p

our neighbors to adapt to ever yday changes and challenges.

“Doing well by doing good is part of Mastercard’s DNA.”

–Michael Miebach, CEO Mastercard

We applaud Volunteer New York! and its annual Volunteer Spirit Awards.

CONGR A T U L ATIONS VALERIE MASON CUNNINGHAM

Your dedication to serving our community shines bright as you are honored with the Volunteer New York! 2024 Legacy Award.

Your dedication to serving community shines as you are honored with the New York! 2024 Legacy Award.

Your journey from Leadership Westchester class of 2018 to this remarkable milestone is nothing short of extraordinary.

Your from Leadership class of 2018 remarkable milestone nothing short of

Your efforts have left an indelible mark on the lives of many.

Your have left an on lives of

Your leadership exemplifies the very essence of selflessness and compassion, inspiring others to follow in your footsteps.

Your leadership the and compassion, inspiring others to follow your footsteps.

Your is determination.

Your legacy is one of generosity, kindness, and boundless determination.

Your spirit of service will continue to uplift and empower those around you.

Your of service will uplift and those around you.

Your authentic self is who we celebrate and honor today, Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham, a true beacon of hope.

Your who we and honor today, Dr. Valerie Mason a true beacon of hope.

With heartfelt admiration — Leadership Westchester ‘18 Alison Paul, Tony Fasciano, Eric Tommasi, James Bernardo, Jann Mirchandani, Marissa Weidner, Michelle A. Nicholas, Nancy McKenna, Stephanie Tomei and David Severance

With heartfelt Westchester ‘18 Paul, Tony Eric Tommasi, Bernardo, Mirchandani, Marissa Weidner, Michelle McKenna, Tomei and

Learn more at herhonor.org Congratulations to

the extraordinary 2024 Volunteer Spirit Award winners!

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Congratulations to Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham,

My extraordinary business partner at Mason & Rice LLC, who is also my dear friend, inspiring leader, trusted advisor and greatly admired colleague!

You are so deserving of this incredible recognition for all you do for so many and your incredible impact on the community, at Volunteer New York!, in Westchester County, at Mercy University, in your client work, and globally.

We honor and celebrate you tod ay for your exceptional work, positive impact, amazing leadership, and dedication! Your commitment to excellence is inspiring to all who know you.

- Emily Rice Reynolds

The Sullivan Family Tree began with the union of Edward and Nannie Sullivan. From this union, six children were born: Leroy Sullivan, Mamie Lou Reed, Maude Sullivan, Burns Sullivan, Nan Mason and Christine Sullivan.

From each branch of this strong tree, many limbs emerged to continue this lineage of love of God, commitment to family and the joy of sharing with others.

Today The Sullivan Family would like to congratulate our own Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham on receiving the 2024 Legacy Award from Volunteer New York! at their 44th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards celebration.

Val, we love you and are so inspired by your continuous passion for helping others, and demonstration of excellence in leadership. Congratulations!

-Sullivans United

Your dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence have enriched countless lives and left an indelible mark on our community.

WE CELEBRATE

DR. VALERIE MASON CUNNINGHAM

AS THE 2024 LEGACY AWARD RECIPIENT

DR. VALERIE MASON CUNNINGHAM

Larry Irving and Leslie Wiley

Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham!

Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition and we know the sky is the limit for you and all of your endeavors!

From our Xerox days over 40 years ago, to our friendship and professional collaborations. You are simply the BEST!

Love, Cheryl, Lloyd & Sayidana

We have the best birthday celebrations and appreciate all of the love and positive energy you share with our consultant team. You are sensational by choice!!

Love, Cheryl, Beryl, Tsahai and Gloria

M I C H A E L P E N Z I N E R t h e m o s t f e r n - t a s t i c v o l u n t e e r

CONGRATULATIONS TO ON HIS GOING GREEN VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARD!

M i c h a e l a n d h i s l a t e - w i f e J u d y v o l u n t e e r e d m o r e t h a n 1 5 , 0 0 0 h o u r s a t F r i e n d s o f R y e N a t u r e C e n t e r . T h e i r p r e s e n c e h a s b r i g h t e n e d t h e s p i r i t o f o u r s t a f f a n d p a t r o n s f o r o v e r 2 5 y e a r s W e t h a n k t h e m f o r t h e i r s e r v i c e !

MGM RESORTS IS ALL IN ON NEW YORK! THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT!

EMPIRE CITY CASINO BY MGM RESORTS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE 44TH ANNUAL VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARDS.

MGM Resorts is fiercely committed to creating a positive impact in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We invest in communities through philanthropic giving that supports programs focused on food insecurity, public education, workforce development, and sustainability. As a leader in the gaming and hospitality industry, we take seriously our responsibility to the planet and communities that have welcomed us. We are honored to work alongside and support vital organizations such as Volunteer New York! and are grateful for their dedication and commitment to the community.

Learn more at MGMRESORTS.COM/FOCUSED

Congrats Congrats Congrats

to this year’s winners and to the Legacy Award Honoree ( i

Love, Leadership Westchester Class of 2024

Valerie, You show us what a leader looks like. Congratulations

- Joanne Kirkpatrick

Congratulations, Valerie! The 2024 Legacy Award recognizes your selflessness and dedication to uplifting others.

Your commitment to positive change inspires us all to be better, to give more, and to create a brighter future together.

Keep up the great work!

- Ernest Hicks

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAURA ROMEO SOBEL!

It is so fun to see you dance and make a difference in our community all at the same time!

- Sharon Douglas

CONGRATULATIONS MATT RICKER

On your Volunteer Spirit Award Nomination

We are bursting with Purple Pride!

Dr Corey W Reynolds, Superintendent

Board of Education

Office of Human Resources

Office of Public Information

Join us for a class!

We are proud to support Volunteer New York! and the communities where we work, live, and serve.

Charles Newman Co. is a proud member of the Hilb Group — a premier property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, with offices in 29 states, including New York.

charlesnewman.com | hilbgroup.com

Jim Isenberg

shimsky4assembly.com

shimsky4assembly

Matthew Ricker

EDUCATION & LITERACY AWARD RESILIENCY AWARD

Michael Penziner Colleen Brathwaite

GOING GREEN AWARD SOCIAL ADVOCACY AWARD

Laura Romeo Sobel Mouhamadou Alou

QUALITY OF LIFE AWARD YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham LEGACY AWARD

Proud

VOLUNTEER NEW YORK! UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership Westchester Panel Discussion

April 18, 2024

volunteernewyork.org/leadership-panel

New Rochelle Parks Clean-Up Weekend

April 27-28, 2024

volunteernewyork.org/newrochelle

Leadership Westchester Application Period

April - July

volunteernewyork.org/leadership

Summer Volunteering Season

May - August

volunteernewyork.org/summer

Leadership Westchester Graduation

June 2024

volunteernewyork.org/graduation

9 - 11: Serve + Remember Day of Service

September 11, 2024

volunteernewyork.org/service

2024 Nonprofit Board Boot Camp

November 2024

volunteernewyork.org/bootcamp

2024 Nonprofit Board Speed Dating

December 2024

volunteernewyork.org/bootcamp

Holiday Volunteering Season

November - December

volunteernewyork.org/holiday

Giving Tuesday

December 3, 2024

volunteernewyork.org/givingtuesday

2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

January 18, 2025

volunteernewyork.org/mlk

Global Volunteer Month

April 2025