ONTARIO COUNTY
ATHENA 38th Annual Leadership Awards November 8, 2023
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CONTENTS 5
Welcome
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About the ATHENA Award
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Meet the 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient: Michelle Pedzich
10 This Year’s ATHENA Award Nominees 20 About the ATHENA Young Professional Award 21 Meet the 2022 ATHENA
Young Professional Leadership Award Recipient: Tara Rago
23 This Year’s ATHENA Young Professional Award Nominees 27 Professional Women of the Finger Lakes 29 ATHENA Honor Roll The ATHENA program is published by Fahy-Williams Publishing 171 Reed Street, Geneva, NY 14456 P 800-344-0559 • fwpi.com
Publisher of
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EVENT SPONSORS Founding Sponsor Garber Randall
Summit Sponsor Sands Family Foundation RECEPTION SPONSOR Fuller Funeral Home, Inc.
DIAMOND SPONSORS
Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Constellation Brands Finger Lakes Community College LeChase SimcoHR
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Canandaigua Insurance Agency Chrisanntha Construction Corporation F.G. Rayburn Mason Contractors Lyons National Bank MMB+CO UR Medicine Thompson Health
GOLD SPONSORS
Canandaigua Federal Credit Union Empire Access John W. Danforth Company New York Kitchen Reliant Credit Union The Friend Team Wegmans Food, Pharmacy & Market Café
RUBY SPONSORS
Heiser Logistics Life in the Finger Lakes Magazine Chesler Photography Rockcastle Florist Bloomers Floral & Gift
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2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
Welcome to the 38th Annual
ATHENA Greetings
Leadership Awards
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he Ontario County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to recognize eleven individuals in our community through the 38th Annual ATHENA Leadership Awards. This special showcase recognizes outstanding individuals in our region and helps to support and grow the next generation of women leaders. Each of the 2023 finalists exemplify leadership, commitment to community and their organizations, and are blazing a trail for others to follow. The ATHENA Leadership Awards, first hosted in Canandaigua in 1985, is proud to locally leverage the international model established by Martha Mayhood Mertz more than 40 years ago. This year’s recipients join more than 8,000 individuals from around the world who’ve also been recognized by this prestigious institution for their commitment and devotion to others, and their inspirational examples. Nominees for ATHENA contribute time and energy to improve quality of life in the community and actively mentor others, particularly women, in realizing their full potential. Nominees are honored at the ATHENA Leadership Awards Program each November, and recipients of the ATHENA Leadership and ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Awards (nominees 40 and younger) are announced for the first time that evening. The ATHENA Leadership Model encourages us to live authentically, learn constantly, build relationships, foster collaboration, act courageously, advocate fiercely, give back and celebrate. The Chamber lives similar values daily to support businesses and foster economic development for the betterment of our communities. Thanks to our sponsors, dinner attendees, nominating committee and nominees for making tonight so memorable. And a special thanks to our collaborators, the Professional Women of the Finger Lakes, who help direct a portion of ATHENA proceeds to college scholarships for local women. May the 38th edition of the program and our nominees continue to inspire us all as we work together to leave Ontario County and our local communities better than we found them.
Michelle Pedzich Board Chair, Ontario County Chamber SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer Canandaigua National Bank & Trust
Tracey Dello Stritto President & CEO Ontario County Chamber
2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
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About the
ATHENA Award “W
hat is honored in a country is cultivated there.” – Plato Using Plato’s quote as a guiding principle, Martha Mayhood Mertz founded ATHENA International in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan to honor women leaders and bring balance to leadership voices worldwide. Martha reached out to her friend, Lynn Myers, who at the time was an executive at Oldsmobile headquarters in Lansing, to discuss her ideas. Lynn convinced Oldsmobile to become an underwriter of the program and took the program national by appealing to Oldsmobile dealers and encouraging them to create an ATHENA program in their respective communities.
Among the first on board some 38 years ago was Randy Farnsworth, motivated by his wife Margaret, who collaborated with the Chamber of Commerce and the Business and Professional Women’s Club to become the first city in New York State and among the first in the nation to present the ATHENA Leadership Award. The lack of recognition of women’s achievements and deficit of women in top leadership positions are what initially prompted Mertz and Myers to help reverse these inequities. Thus, a unique ATHENA Leadership Model, based on the Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership, was created to more closely reflect the leadership attributes of women.
As a proud sponsor of the ATHENA program,
Thompson Health salutes this year’s nominees! Special Congratulations to Thompson’s Own
A trusted colleague who always seeks to do the right thing, Beth balances her professional and family commitments with volunteer service. Every day, she demonstrates excellence, impeccable ethics, and an unwavering commitment to our community.
Elizabeth A. Talia, Esq.
2023 ATHENA Leadership Nominee Thompson Health General Counsel and Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs Chief Compliance Officer and Privacy Officer Director of Risk Management
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2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
This program has far exceeded its goals both nationally and internationally and continues to inspire, uplift, and motivate women to live authentically, learn constantly, build relationships, foster collaboration, act courageously, advocate fiercely, give back and celebrate. About the ATHENA Sculpture The ATHENA Award is a bronze sculpture hand-cast by designer Linda Ackley at her
foundry, Third Millennium Fine Arts, in Tampa, Florida. Each is a unique work of art. The marble base represents the recipient’s solid foundation. The cut glass crystal symbolizes the many facets of character and light emanating from the recipient. The outstretched arms suggest both celebration of achievement and the nurturing side of leadership – reaching out to others. To date, nearly 8,000 leaders have been recognized with the ATHENA Leadership Award in more than 500 regions, representing 48 states and 11 countries, including the USA, Bermuda, UK, China, Canada, Greece, India, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Ghana and Mexico. — Melody Burri
Well-deserved recognition for all that you have achieved. Canandaigua National Bank & Trust congratulates all of the ATHENA Award nominees. We admire your enthusiasm for your profession and 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.
® CNBank.com | (585) 394-4260 | Member FDIC
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2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
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Meet the 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient
MICHELLE PEDZICH Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Company
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ichelle Pedzich is, quite literally, a “people person.” Her ability to provide a framework in which Canandaigua National’s employees can flourish has helped the organization thrive as a vital resource to its community. Pedzich’s servant-leader mindset extends to her volunteer work. Organizations like the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Ontario have achieved next-level success as the result of her efforts. In addition to being a full-time employee, a busy volunteer and a leader and mentor, she’s also a wife and mother. “I work extra-hard to maintain balance between work, home life and volunteer activities because I have been known to overextend myself,” Pedzich said. “Reserving non-negotiable time on my calendar really works well. I block off time for my husband, daughter and me and I make that time my only priority.” Family vacations are “unplugged” – Pedzich doesn’t check emails or respond to texts unless it’s an emergency. “It’s amazing how recharged you are when you can really unplug from work and other demands!” she said. Maintaining strong relationships is at the center of her personal and professional life. She has said, “Of all the ATHENA principles, the core tenets of building relationships and collaboration resonate with me the most.” Cultivating new relationships becomes easy, Pedzich noted,
when she interacts with others who share her goal of making their communities better places to live, work and play. “I have had the privilege to work with some amazing individuals, both on-the-job and in the community,” she said. “I have a core group of strong women that I have met through volunteering, and I consider them ‘thought partners.’ I lean on them regularly when I need a safe space to talk things through.” One of the things that she is working through right now is helping the ONChamber – where she serves as board chair – deal with changes that impact its multiple stakeholders and their many, varied perspectives. “I am trying to help navigate through it by ensuring my communications are clear and authentic, the staff feels supported and the new leader feels welcomed,” she noted. Not much gets Pedzich worked up, “Except when the Bills game is tied at the end of the fourth quarter and there are no timeouts left!” she said. Coming up are some new professional opportunities “that are going to stretch me and challenge me in all the right ways,” Pedzich concluded. “I am looking forward to continuing to learn and leverage all my past experiences into continuing to help my organization, Canandaigua National Bank, serve our employees and the communities we live and work in.”
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KRISTEN HARTER Event Coordinator Nolan’s on Canandaigua Lake, Canandaigua Country Club
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orn and raised in Canandaigua, Kristen is a strong believer in giving back to her community. Her most meaningful leadership role was how she contributed during the COVID pandemic. She created an online take-out program which helped keep all Nolan’s full-time salaried team employed. It also allowed her to connect with the local hospital, nursing homes, police department and other essential workers to be sure they were fed and staying healthy to help keep members of our community safe. All of the ATHENA principles play an active role in Kristen’s commitment to leadership; however, building relationships resonates the most with her. She is able to engage and empower her staff, clients and those within the community with whom she is honored to work. Additionally, Kristen believes her success has been a direct result of opportunities to work alongside other strong female leaders in the community. “I would not be where I am today without the relationships that I am constantly seeking to build, learning from others and working collaboratively on ways to give back,” Kristen stated. Kristen also served as the assistant director of admissions at Keuka College. There, she was able to successfully mentor and lead one of her first college recruits into the director of admissions role; it was a proud mentoring moment.
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As the event coordinator for Nolan’s, Kristen has increased catering sales over the past five years by more than 62 percent. Through this process, she had the opportunity to mentor three junior staff members who became catering leads and held events on their own. To accomplish this, she trained them to use excellent communication, administration, customer service and attention to detail skills in addition to the sales aspect of the role. These women can now execute any event – which can range from 15 to 200 guests – they are tasked with, utilizing multi-tasking skills and flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment. Kristen believes women inspire women by working together and learning from onthe-job training. In addition to mentoring, she developed a training program for all staff that encourages them to get out of their comfort zone and reach their full potential. She attended Keuka College, earning a B.A. in communications and management in 2004 and a M.A. in business management in 2011. Her family includes parents, Kathy and Allen Harter of Canandaigua; sister Lindsey Dixon-Marianetti; brother-in-law, Jordan DixonMarianetti; and nephews, Hudson DixonMarianetti and Merrick Dixon-Marianetti.
Congratulations Congratulations
Erin Reese Erin Reese 20232023 Athena Athena Award Award Nominee Nominee Mercy Flight Mercy Central Flight Central congratulates congratulates CEO CEO Erin ErinReese Reesefor for this prestigious this prestigious award, award, recognizing recognizing herher exceptional exceptional leadership leadership and dedication and dedication to the to the company's company'ssuccess. success. We alsoWe extend also extend congratulations congratulations to the to the other othernominees nominees for their foroutstanding their outstanding achievements achievements and and contributions. contributions.
To learnTo more learnabout more MFC, about MFC, visit:visit: www.mercyflightcentral.org www.mercyflightcentral.org
Richard C. Roxin, Esq.
Erin Erin Reese Reese President President & CEO & CEO Mercy MercyFlight Flight Central Central
Experience. Commitment. Integrity. DWI | College Disciplinary | Criminal Cases
Congratulations to all Athena Award Nominees & Recipients 585-943-5677
70 South Main Street, Suite #260, Canandaigua, NY 14424
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THERESA HILL Collections and AP Manager John W. Danforth Company
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hen Theresa started her career with the John W. Danforth Company, she was a receptionist. However, she knew she would not stay there for long, as she had a drive to learn and grow. Theresa advanced to many different positions in the company over the next 23 years. Now, she is the manager of two departments. The company gave her an avenue to continue learning, as well as to engage with the community, one of ATHENA’s core values. Theresa has coordinated food and school drives, events for Habitat for Humanity and United Way, and provided Christmas for veterans’ children. Additionally, she was awarded John W. Danforth’s Power of the People Award, which recognizes employees for going above and beyond their everyday positions to help others. In the community, Theresa’s most meaningful role is being an advocate for the American Heart Association, as her father passed from a heart attack at the age of 51. She started 28 years ago by walking in the Rochester Heart Walk, recruiting family members, friends and co-workers to build a Danforth team. In recent years, she has built relationships and joined the Executive Leadership Team and Executives with Heart Team. This year, Theresa was asked to be the chair of the Heart Walk and Run.
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The value of giving back hits home for Theresa the most. When her father passed away, she was a young, single mother of two children and had to figure out how her family was going to move on. Just when she needed it most, people stepped up, including family, friends, neighbors, school employees and even strangers. “I knew then that the help I received would be my motivation to do the same for others in need,” Theresa stated. “The feeling of strangers helping you is indescribable! To this day, I love to give back and see the smiles it brings!” Theresa joined the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) a few years ago, as construction can be one of the hardest places for women to advance. Theresa now serves on the board for the Rochester chapter. She has also helped to get the Buffalo NAWIC Chapter reestablished. This past year, she encouraged a field apprentice to apply for a scholarship NAWIC provides to help girls who are headed into or already in the construction field. The field apprentice was awarded one of the five scholarships that will help with her education and advancement. Supporting and empowering other women in the construction industry is one of Theresa’s priorities, as she hopes they continue to pass this along as well.
SHARON McINROY Executive Director Our Children’s Place
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ommunity leadership has been Sharon’s passion since her early years volunteering as a candy striper at her local nursing home. Her latest outreach efforts include service for Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. Ever the sports enthusiast, Sharon served as Keuka College’s women’s soccer assistant coach in 2001 and Mynderse Academy’s junior varsity coach in 2009. She was inducted into the Women’s 2019 Hall of Fame for Keuka College. Sharon’s tenure as a Survivors Advocacy Center board member accomplished significant change. Utilizing her skills, she created a staff survey for the all-female staff to highlight their concerns and voices for the agency, which successfully raised morale. Her work also included supporting a re-branding and relocation for increased sustainability of a nearly 40-year-old agency, thus enhancing its successes. At Our Children’s Place, Sharon’s top business accomplishment has been to initiate a long- and short-term strategic plan to prevent the closure of the Coordinated Child Development Program (CCDP). When she was appointed as the executive director in 2018, she established fiscal remedies, including cost containment totaling nearly $1.2 million, which led to 100 percent employee retention, 90 percent of whom were women. She helped build a positive image for CCDP by procuring more than $37,000 locally and awarded more than $800,000 in proposals supporting projects working cooperatively for the health and welfare of the children and families in our communities. She continues to advocate for
the sustainability of CCDP to retain the more than 300 families it serves for generations to come. Sharon’s tenure at Our Children’s Place has focused on the advancement and leadership of women in the workforce. Her work in developing policies and endorsing higher education led to 25 percent of the women engaged to further their education or career. Four long-term employees advanced to directorships or administrative positions. Acknowledging that one out of five women experience either anxiety or depression, she strives to create wellness opportunities, exposure to mental health organizations and provide generous PTO and vacation benefits. Sharon continuously looks to promote within the agency, look for hidden talent amongst the employees and extend employment opportunities within the company to parents and community members that may qualify. Sharon delivers a fierce message to all of the women working in the childcare industry: they can do great things. She coaches and mentors women and builds confidence by noticing and praising them. Sharon influences their mental health state by listening and being compassionate to their needs. She teaches employees to take care of themselves first, providing resources that include articles, hotlines, webinars and podcasts. She partners with a human resource company that provides an employee assistance program that she gives freely to the staff. Sharon models for her directors that in order to take care of impressionable populations, they must take care of themselves first.
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SARAH MOON Director of Library Learning Resources Charles J. Meder Library, Finger Lakes Community College
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arah is proud to lead an outstanding team that continually evolves to meet the needs of all library patrons. In 2016, the Rochester Regional Library Council recognized the Charles J. Meder Library as the Academic Library of the Year. The commitment to student success, meeting the needs of the college and enhancing the quality of life throughout the community is at the core of what Sarah does every day. In 2012, she was nominated by a colleague for – and won – the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship; the award recognizes consistently superior professional achievement in the field of librarianship. For the past 17 years, Sarah has volunteered on the executive board of the Professional Association Union at FLCC, serving the last three years as its president. Among the achievements accomplished during her tenure, six contracts were settled to improve the lives of represented staff. As a librarian, Sarah is passionate about literacy. She has sat on a local steering committee which built a library for an orphanage in Honduras. Her family supports local literacy initiatives as Little Red Bookshelf Guardians. Sarah’s children began their scouting journey in Canandaigua Pack 29 while she has served as its treasurer, Pack executive committee member and leader; she values the roles she has in developing the next generation of community leaders. Another matter that’s important to Sarah is fighting for gender equality. In 2021, she chaired the team that negotiated
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paid maternity/paternity leave at FLCC and advocated for flexible work arrangements. She is the president of the Professional Association at FLCC and sits on the governance executive committee of the college, which is roughly 30 percent female leadership. It is important to her that others see female leadership as an attainable option to give back and make a difference. Sarah serves as a mentor to help younger generations view librarianship and higher education as professional and personal growth opportunities. Working in higher education for more than 20 years has allowed Sarah to fuel her passion for learning and given her a chance to give back to others. She enjoys being involved in the educational experience of students. She has worked with students of various social-economic backgrounds as they strive to better themselves, their families and the community in which they live. “It is also extremely important to pair learning constantly with giving back,” Sarah shared. “The more that I learn, the more I have to share with others.” She holds several educational degrees including an associate’s degree in business administration from Finger Lakes Community College, a B.A. in international business and economics from SUNY Brockport, a master’s degree in library science from SUNY Buffalo and a master’s degree in business administration from SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Sarah’s family includes a daughter, Amanda; son, Carter; mother, Linda; and two sisters, Amy and Emily.
CONGRATULATIONS
Finger Lakes Community College applauds the leadership and dedication demonstrated by this year’s Athena Award nominees, including our Director of Library Learning Resources, Sarah Moon. From all of us at FLCC, congrats to the 2023 ATHENA AWARD nominees!
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Congratulations
to ALL ATHENA Award Nominees and Recipients
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SUE RAYMOND Retired Teacher Rush-Henrietta School District
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ue has held various positions in her career and community. During her career with the Rush-Henrietta School District, she taught physical education to elementary and high school students. She also coached the girls swim and synchronized swim teams. At the Canandaigua Yacht Club, Sue has served as its first female commodore and as the board’s membership chair and corporate secretary; she is the current board chair. She has been the Ontario/Yates Fund for Women and Girls (ONYA)’s secretary, president, grant committee chair and member of the donations/fundraising committee; she was a co-chair of its 2022 fall barbecue and 2023 Bud to Bloom. Sue became a board member of the Granger Homestead in 2019 and cochair of its marketing/events committee. She is a co-chair of the Festival of Trees for 2022 and 2023. Sue believes if she can assist in spearheading fundraising events or provide grants that help women and girls, she is helping the community fulfill its obligation to its citizens. Of all her leadership roles, the most meaningful to Sue was her term on ONYA’s grant committee. Under her leadership, the committee gave 28 major grants and 21 mini-grants. By providing funds for first alert systems, senior women have been able
to stay in their homes. Financial resources have helped families with food crisis, interpartner violence, car payments and infant care supplies, among other emergencies. ONYA has also been able to provide funds to groups which focus on building resiliency and self-sufficiency in at-risk youth. The principle of giving back resonates with Sue the most, as she believes everyone should be supported and encouraged to be the best person that they can be. She gives back by serving as a role model and mentor for women. At the Canandaigua Yacht Club, she mentored the person who took her place as the membership chair. She has encouraged and supported fellow board members in all of the organizations she volunteered with. “As a leader, I have tried to demonstrate respect for everyone and their ideas and to invite others to do the same,” Sue said. “I look for things that unite us and try to build bridges when we diverge so that we can all be successful.” She holds a B.S. degree from Ithaca College and M.S. degree from Brockport. Sue’s family includes two sisters, Gail and Beth; two brothers, Paul and David; three step-children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
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ERIN REESE President, CEO Mercy Flight Central
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hroughout her life, Erin has chosen to serve those in need. Erin began her medical career as an 18-year-old EMT volunteer with her local ambulance service; she also served as the EMS assistant chief. In her professional career, she worked as an EMT, emergency department nurse and flight nurse. Erin has voluntarily served on the Finger Lakes Regional EMS Council for the past four years, working to improve emergency medical services within our region. Erin has been at Mercy Flight Central for 20 years, holding several leadership roles in the organization. One of her notable achievements was the acquisition of four new helicopters for the organization. This strategic move ensured the continuity of critical medical services in the region. Additionally, Erin championed the cause of carrying blood products on helicopters within New York State. Together with her dedicated team, they successfully implemented the first and only Whole Blood program in the state. The program provides immediate access to vital blood products during emergency medical transportation, thus potentially saving countless lives. Erin’s exemplary leadership has led to a transformative shift at Mercy Flight Central, with 63 percent of director-level positions now being held by women. Within the leadership team, five females hold prominent roles, two of whom have benefited from Erin’s mentorship. “This collective commitment to female
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leadership development underscores the organization’s unwavering dedication to fostering the growth and success of women in leadership positions,” Erin said. She is committed to help grow and develop the next generation of female professionals. She has mentored and guided two young professionals. Erin dedicates weekly time to meet with them, discuss their career aspirations and work on strategies to enhance their skills. With her commitment to service, the value of giving back to the community is deeply engrained in Erin. She appreciates how Mercy Flight Central is not only dedicated to caring for sick and injured individuals, but also to enhancing the quality of emergency medical services and education for EMS providers within the region. Erin’s community service is further highlighted by a scholarship she founded at Victor Central Schools in honor of her late husband. The scholarship provides financial support to deserving students, creating educational opportunities for young individuals within the community. She holds an A.A.S. in nursing from Monroe Community College and a B.S. in healthcare management from SUNY Canton. She is currently pursuing a M.B.A. in healthcare administration from Clarkson University. Erin’s family includes her daughters, Madison, Kennedy and Hope; and significant other, Kolby Kolbet.
ELIZABETH A. TALIA General Counsel, Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Chief Compliance Officer and Privacy Officer, Director of Risk Management UR Medicine Thompson Health
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or decades, Elizabeth has been involved in giving back through community service. She attributes her interest in philanthropy to her mother’s tireless commitment to organizations. Furthermore, Elizabeth is energized by working with organizations’ staff members and sharing in their mission to improve others’ lives. Elizabeth received many opportunities growing up, including a generous college scholarship. In return, she would like to pay it forward. “That scholarship afforded me an excellent education at St. Lawrence University and it reminds me every day of the importance of giving back to others,” she said. As an executive and general counsel at Thompson Health, her work has included affiliating with the University of Rochester and acquiring five primary care practices and a large multi-specialty practice. She is proud to work with a supportive executive team as they collaborate to make sure the health system thrives. Her role has also provided multiple volunteering and mentorship opportunities. As a leader on the Thompson Health United Way campaign for the last several years, Elizabeth has seen how her team works hard to educate fellow associates on the importance of United Way. Together, they find creative ways to engage associates and
further benefit the community. Their 2023 campaign raised more than $67,000. Elizabeth also serves as a vice chair on the Board of Directors for Compeer Rochester, which provides mentoring to individuals and families, mental health treatment and support services. This past year, 123 young people, 154 adults, 220 veterans and 60 families all received services from Compeer Rochester. Another important accomplishment for Elizabeth was acting as the URMC interim chief compliance officer for a year while still performing her role at Thompson Health. In this position, she helped two women in the URMC Office of Integrity & Compliance to achieve promotions. The first woman Elizabeth mentored became the office manager in addition to her role as a senior compliance analyst. The second woman whom she supported and promoted was another senior compliance analyst who become an interim director; the job eventually became permanent. Elizabeth described both women as smart, hardworking and great assets to URMC. Elizabeth graduated cum laude from St. Lawrence University with a B.A., 1990. She went on to earn her J.D. at Boston College in 1993. Her family includes her husband, Guy; daughter, Gabriella; and son, Max.
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About the
ATHENA T
Young Professional Award
he ATHENA Young Professional Award program was created in 2007 by ATHENA International. The ATHENA Young Professional Award honors emerging women leaders who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession. Recipients must also demonstrate their commitment to service by contributing time and energy to improving the quality of life for others in the community while serving as a role model for young women both
personally and professionally. The ATHENA Young Professional award, introduced to our community in 2010, recognizes women 40 years old or younger who: • Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession. • Provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community. • Clearly serve as a role model for young women personally and professionally.
Congratulates all of the ATHENA Award Nominees on their well-deserved recognition. With a special congratulations to Meg Fuller, our Marketing & Sales Manager, on her ATHENA Young Professional Award Nomination and all of her accomplishments.
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Meet the 2022 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award Recipient
TARA RAGO Vice President and Branch Manager Lyons National Bank, Canandaigua Branch
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fter becoming a licensed massage therapist and cosmetologist, Tara Rago was destined for a career in a field full of women. Then she changed course. Today she is realizing her full potential as a leader, mentor and manager in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Working her way up from teller to vice president at Lyons National Bank was not without its challenges, but as Rago explained, “I discovered that you never really accomplish things all by yourself.” “I got into banking because I understood customer service, I enjoyed the business environment and I felt I had the right skills,” she stated. “I hadn’t worked in banking, though, so I had a lot to learn. I learned by doing and by listening closely to the experienced people around me.” “When you’re young, you are the center of your universe but in your career it’s not ‘all about you,’” she added. “Instead, it’s about supporting the people around you. The best advice I can offer young people entering the workforce is to do just that. In return, be grateful for the help you receive from your coworkers and your friends.” Another piece of advice she offered was this: “Don’t be afraid to speak truth to power. It’s important to remain confident when you talk to leaders about what’s important to you, even if it’s a truth they might not be ready for. It’s a risk worth taking.”
Rago has said that she’s regularly sought out as a mentor. People ask her about her professional journey and for advice on unfolding their own. “They often talk to me about where they fit within their organization and how they can take advantage of future opportunities.” Women seek her out for counsel on creating a good work/life balance. “I have achieved a good balance, I think, but it’s taken time to wrestle through it,” Rago said. “I’m able to multitask but I remain grounded to whatever task is at hand.” Events in her life that make her a particularly effective mentor and leader include watching her parents work multiple jobs to support their family and losing her father at a young age. “I had to grow up quickly,” she noted, “but those experiences not only gave me a strong work ethic, but also helped make me a good wife, mother, community member and employee.” Being an ATHENA award recipient was an important mile marker in her life, Rago said. “It exposed me to the stories and experiences of other successful women and made me even more grateful for the connections I’ve made in my profession and community. I am excited and hopeful for what’s to come.”
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Congratulations
Congratulations Athena Leadership Award Nominees and Winners
to all ATHENA Nominees
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ELISHA EVERSON Operations Manager SimcoHR
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ommunity service is very important to Elisha, both in her professional career and personal life. For 17 years, she worked as the manager of communication and events at the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce. During that time, she received her IOM certification for nonprofit management. She proved to be successful in fundraising, building partnerships, committee management and creating tools/programs for businesses. Elisha greatly values the relationships that she built during that time. As events manager for the Chamber, Elisha coordinated the ATHENA Leadership Program; during her tenure, the program’s net growth increased by 111 percent. This resulted in raising more funds for women’s scholarships and bringing enhanced awareness to the program’s mission. She also helped initiate and coordinate the ATHENA Connections program in partnership with the ATHENA Steering Committee, FLCC and SUNY Geneseo. Enlisting the pool of ATHENA nominees and recipients, students were mentored on leadership and overcoming obstacles to help bridge the college to career gap. Later, Jennie Erdle-Krampen, director of student life at Finger Lakes Community College, connected with Elisha who recruited ATHENA nominees and recipients to share their personal success stories with students. This led the way to forming the Women’s Initiative on Leadership Program/Warrior Series at the college. Three years ago, Elisha changed careers to create a new role as a marketing specialist at SimcoHR. Her initiative and drive resulted in her earning the role of operations manager. In her position, Elisha provides direction and
creates team processes in payroll, HR, benefits and insurance. From 2021 to 2022, Elisha served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Canandaigua and spear-headed events that lead the club to raising the most funds in its 80-year existence. The club earned the “Distinguished” designation while Elisha was named “Distinguished Past President” by the Kiwanis NY State District. During that year, she actively served on more than 20 committees, two boards, and was the program chair for the Finger Lakes Division in the New York District of Kiwanis International. Growing up, Elisha followed her parents’ example of giving back to her community. She volunteered by participating in her church band, providing crafting lessons for children, coaching vacation bible school, Christmas caroling, playing music to nursing home residents twice a week, volunteering on a local festival committee and making deliveries to shut-ins. “I was taught to help those who had a need because that is the right thing to do, and that’s how I live today,” Elisha stated. “Working with others to initiate change in order to better our community motivates me. The happiness it creates is contagious.” Elisha holds an A.S. in business administration from Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC), a Certificate in office technology from FLCC and IOM certification from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Institute for Organization Management for nonprofits. Elisha’s family includes her parents, Richard and Susan Everson; significant other, Matthew Curran; and rescue dog, Molson. 2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
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MEGHAN FULLER Director of Sales and Marketing Bristol Mountain and Roseland Waterpark
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s director of sales and marketing, Meghan manages the marketing and group sales initiatives for Bristol Mountain, Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures, Roseland Waterpark and Roseland Wake Park. She also manages the Bristol Mountain Snowsports Club Program, which gives more than 3,500 students a year an opportunity to be outdoors and learn a lifelong sport. She is proud to have worked with the Bristol Mountain team to bring the Freestyle Aerials U.S. National Championships to the ski resort in 2020 and 2022. Meghan also helped launch Bristol Mountain Occasions, an event brand that has re-established and increased Bristol Mountain’s wedding and corporate event business. Meghan received the 2017 Best Direct Marketing Program award for Bristol Mountain from the National Ski Areas Association, which represents more than 300 resorts. One of the highlights of Meghan’s career has been working with April Haynos, Bristol Mountain’s events manager, to build the resort’s Occasions brand. Meghan cherishes how she was able to help April cultivate ideas and utilize the latter’s creativity and fantastic work ethic. Together, they persevered through the pandemic and built a thriving business. In the community, Meghan holds several leadership positions. She serves as a board member of the Finger Lakes Tourism
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2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
Alliance, where she is working to have the Finger Lakes designated as a National Heritage Area. After the National Park Service confirmed the region’s eligibility, the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance is working with the U.S. Congress to submit the National Heritage Area Act this fall. Meghan is a founding member of Winter in Canandaigua. She is raising awareness about the important impact of winter tourism, collaborating with key community members including the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce, Visit Finger Lakes and the Canandaigua BID. To provide positive experiences for students, Meghan works with Do the Right Thing Ontario County and serves as a chair of the Canandaigua Kiwanis Bike Rodeo Committee. Meghan has always considered herself as a lifelong learner. She appreciates the importance of listening to others’ knowledge to collaborate and create something great. Meghan also uses what she’s learned to find solutions to challenges and adversity. “Much of my success I would contribute to my curiosity and willingness to learn to find a different route,” Meghan stated. She earned her B.A. in geography and economics from Colgate University in 2007 and her M.S. in geography from Michigan State University in 2011. Meghan’s family includes her husband, Steven; son, Wesley; daughter, Maisie; and two dogs, Gypsy and Al.
VANESSA GOODWIN Assistant Director Cobblestone Arts Center
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uring her college years at SUNY Brockport, Vanessa became a teacher at Cobblestone Art Center, teaching dance to adults with disabilities as well as theater and dance to kids. She continued her work at Cobblestone after she graduated in 2006. She eventually became a supervisor of the Day Habilitation program; as the program expanded, she implemented new policies and documentation and continued efforts to keep the Day Habilitation program thriving and providing enrichment for students and families. As the assistant director, Vanessa advocates for the program and facilitating community classes for all ages and abilities. Vanessa has been a part of Cobblestone Arts Center’s Celebration of Youth teen work program for 23 years. The program provides summer job opportunities for gifted teens, adults with disabilities, teens at risk and kids from Rochester city schools. Through the program, participants gain an appreciation of arts-centric jobs, learn the importance of helping with each other and understand compassion and respect. During her many years at Cobblestone, Vanessa has provided training and
mentoring to other women. She strives to teach them compassion and treat them with the dignity they deserve. Vanessa trains and onboards new staff members to understand Cobblestone’s philosophy and guides them to feel empowered and confident in the workplace. Under her leadership, the organization continues to grow and provide more opportunities for direct care and administrative positions for women. The principle of fostering collaboration resonates deeply with Vanessa. She believes inclusion provides multiple opportunities for adults, teenagers and kids with disabilities; an available arts program is a great equalizer. “The visual and performing arts give individuals a chance to tell their story and share with each other,” Vanessa said. “To be able to foster collaboration between individuals and the arts makes for a better society in which we live.” She holds an Associate of Arts degree from Finger Lakes Community College and a B.S. in dance performance from SUNY Brockport. Vanessa’s family includes her husband Nicholas Testa; sons, Kofi, Ari and Enzo; and daughter, Viviana.
2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
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DANIELLE WINKLER HEAD
Vice President of Administration and Resources Everyone Needs A Little Assistance Sometimes (ENALAS)
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ommunity involvement is a core chapter of Danielle’s life. She volunteers with the Emerging Leaders Development Program of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, using her professional expertise to help emerging leaders navigate their careers and broader roles within the community. With Villa of Hope, she serves as a mentor and advisor to individuals wrestling with significant life challenges. Additionally, she has raised funds through silent auctions and innovative event planning. Danielle is committed to drive authentic change and make meaningful, lasting differences in people’s lives. Transitioning from art education to the business world and stepping into her current role at ENALAS has provided Danielle a unique platform to reinvent leadership and culture from the ground up. She leads with steadfast conviction and moral integrity. She has been instrumental in crafting business operation and HR policies that pivot around our foundational belief that employees are family. This approach has not only transformed the organization’s culture but led to being honored with the “Top Workplaces” and “Best Companies to Work for in NY” awards. Danielle’s role as the sole female
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2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
executive at ENALAS has given her a unique platform to champion the advancement of women. She has instituted policies such as paid sick leave and refined the organization’s hiring practices to eliminate gender bias. She lends her HR expertise to guide young women entering the workforce and ensure they’re aware of benefits and rights they should expect from an employer. Danielle’s mentorship extends to friends and colleagues’ daughters, as she provides them with actionable insights for their career paths. “My steadfast commitment is to be more than a figurehead – I aim to be a catalyst for substantive, enduring change, lifting others as I grow,” Danielle said. Danielle embodies the principle of courageous acts. As an advocate for change in corporate cultures, she has often stood alone in the boardroom, fighting for policies that matter. The courage to disrupt, innovate and lead fuels her every endeavor. She holds a B.F.A. in education and fine arts from Alfred University and a M.B.A. in business and strategy from the Simon Business School, University of Rochester. Danielle’s family includes her husband, Justin; two sons, Truxton and Teagan; and parents, William and Renate.
Professional Women F
of the Finger Lakes
ormerly known as the Canandaigua Business and Professional Women – which began in 1952 – Professional Women of the Finger Lakes (PWFL) was established in 2010 under New York State Women Inc. The organization seeks to build “powerful women professionally, personally, and politically.” To fulfill its mission, PWFL hosts networking events, organizes gatherings for women to join in fellowship and business and sponsors scholarships. It also participates in wider community outreach. Every year, the organization adopts a local family at Christmas and brings the magic of the season to them, including buying them presents. Members contribute to The Spot, a local nonprofit that provides free school supplies, clothing, food and shoes to students in need in the Canandaigua and Victor school districts. The Nine, Wine & Dine golf tournament, held in October, raises funds for PWFL’s scholarships and provides a social outing. “We focus on community involvement,
family values, work-life balance, workplace equity and membership growth and promotion,” said PWFL President Laurie O’Shaughnessy. The partnership between PWFL and ATHENA began many years ago when PWFL leadership awards were part of the ATHENA Awards Dinner. PWFL took on the smaller awards that were separate from ATHENA and moved them to the Women of Distinction event. Hence, none of the awards overshadowed each other. “That way, each of the events could be separate and we could help each other out with those events,” O’Shaughnessy stated. “We’re all involved for the same reason, and that is to recognize and support professional women across the county.” PWFL provides two scholarships, which are largely funded by the auction during the ATHENA awards dinner, along with other donations and fundraisers. The PWFL ATHENA Scholarship is awarded to a female in Ontario County over the age of 25 who is pursuing
The Women of Distinction Awards Committee, from left, are Anne Piorkowski, Laurie O’Shaughnessy, Erica Wright, Sharon Joslyn and Melissa Streber. 2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
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The winners of the 2023 Professional Women of the Finger Lakes Scholarship.
further education – either college coursework or other accredited educational work toward a degree or certification – after a break of one or more years. There were no applicants for the PWFL ATHENA Scholarship this year. The PWFL Scholarship is given to a young woman in Ontario County who is graduating from high school. The recipient must be accepted at a college, institute of higher learning or other accredited education program. “We had such amazing applicants this year,” O’Shaughnessy stated. This year, PWFL awarded six scholarships, $1,500 each, to the following recipients: • SheaLeigh Brown, a graduate of Marcus Whitman High School. SheaLeigh is majoring in nursing at Daemen University. • Nauvoo Dorr, a graduate of Midlakes High School. Nauvoo is pursuing a degree in dental hygiene at Monroe Community College. • Madeline Johnston, a graduate of Bloomfield High School. Madeline is attending Rochester Institute of Technology to become a physician’s assistant. • Louise Liu, a graduate of Midlakes High School. Louise is majoring in diagnostic medical stenography at Rochester Institute of Technology.
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• Jordan Lynd, a graduate of Red Jacket High School. Jordan is pursuing a degree in community leadership at Finger Lakes Community College. • Kate Mahoney, a graduate of Midlakes High School. Kate is majoring in nursing at Utica University. The scholarships were awarded during PWFL’s Women of Distinction event in the spring. The dinner also recognized women in Ontario County who were nominated in the categories of professional achievement, women helping women, entrepreneurial achievement and volunteerism. “There are so many talented women who are not part of our group, and the Women of Distinction gives us a chance to get to know them,” O’Shaughnessy said, adding the event is her favorite aspect of PWFL. “Plus, we get to meet all these great students and their families. They are our future.” PWFL membership currently includes 36 individuals from across the region, most of whom live or work in Ontario and surrounding counties. Membership is open to all who have an interest in its mission. For more information about PWFL, upcoming events and how to join, visit pwflnys.org.
ATHENA Honor Roll ONTARIO COUNTY ATHENA AWARD RECIPIENTS
2022 Michelle Pedzich
2011 Barbara Risser
2002 Deborah Kinney Weymouth
2021 Hazel Robertshaw
2010 Lynne Erdle
2001 Valerie Knoblauch
2019 Margaret E. Somerset, Esq.
2009 Margaret & Randy Farnsworth
2000 Lauren Dixon
2018 Marge Donhauser 2017 Terrie Meyn 2016 Ann Scheetz 2015 Lauren Kolb 2014 Deborah Wilbur 2013 Stephanie Kunes 2012 Sharon Gullo
2009 Virginia “Ginny” Clark 2008 Deborah Denome 2007 Barbara Fuge 2006 Janet Tenreiro 2005 Rhoda Childs 2004 Marci Diehl 2003 Karen Davison Blazey
1999 Gail D. O’Brien 1998 Sharon Pepper 1997 Teresa Hall 1996 Ellen Polimeni 1995 Gail D. Love 1994 Judith M. Stewart 1993 Linda Hawks Continued on page 30 2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
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ONTARIO COUNTY ATHENA AWARD RECIPIENTS Continued from page 29
1992 Joyce Ezrow
1989 Lois Kozlowski
1986 Tarry Shipley
1991 Linda Welch
1988 Gail Herman
1985 Diane Reed
1990 Kay James
1987 Barbara Nelson
ONTARIO COUNTY ATHENA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS 2022 Tara Rago
2017 Sayeh Rivazfar
2013 Erica Bapst
2021 Mandy Friend Gigliotti
2016 Kimberly Sorel
2012 Margaret (Maggie) Whelehan
2019 Allison Hildebrandt
2015 Teresa Deacon
2011 Tracey Fuller
2018 Jennie Erdle
2014 Nadia Harvieux
2010 Teresa Pare
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2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
Simco Simco proudly proudly supports supports thethe ATHENA ATHENA Leadership Leadership Awards Awards asas a Diamond a Diamond Sponsor Sponsor because because wewe believe believe in empowering in empowering and and celebrating celebrating accomplishments accomplishments of of those those who who embody embody excellence, excellence, leadership, leadership, dedication dedication and and support support women women who who areare shaping shaping ourour future. future.
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to to ourour own own Elisha Elisha Everson, Everson, Operations Operations Manager Manager at at Simco Simco and and allall of of thethe 2023 2023 ATHENA ATHENA and and ATHENA ATHENA Young Young Professional Professional Leadership Leadership Elisha Elisha Everson, Everson, IOM IOM Award Award nominees nominees forfor thisthis Operations Operations Manager Manager prestigious youyou prestigious honor! honor! Thank Thank Simco Simco forfor allall youyou do!do!
Great GreatPeople PeopleMake MakeGreat GreatCompanies. Companies. simcohr.com simcohr.com 2531 2531 Rochester Rochester Road Road Canandaigua, Canandaigua, NY NY 14424 14424
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i n c CONGRATULATIONS to the ATHENA Leadership Award Nominees & Young Professionals
Thank you for living authentically, learning constantly, advocating fiercely, acting courageously, fostering collaboration, building relationships and giving back. We are honored to celebrate each of you & all that you’ve achieved. A special shout out to Margaret & Randy Farnsworth, founding sponsors of the ATHENA award in
Canandaigua. We are honored to partner with the Farnsworth family to continue their support of this inspiring program.
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