OUTSTANDING CELEBRATION
YWCA honors 18 women at annual awards luncheon
TROY, N.Y.» A group of 18 outstanding, resourceful women were honored on Wednesday at the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region’s 18th annual Resourceful Women’s Awards Luncheon.
About 500 event-goers gathered Wednesday afternoon at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy for the annual luncheon, which is a major fundraiser for the Troy-based organization.
The Resourceful Women’s Awards Luncheon, established in 2000, recognizes those whose community and professional pursuits advance the empowerment of women and girls, a core value of YWCA of the Greater Capital Region’s mission. The yearly event honors women who make a difference in their workplace, community and beyond.
YWCA of the Greater Capital Region Executive Director Daquetta Jones said the nomination reviewing committee was empowered and uplifted while learning about this year’s nominees. “I am impressed by the influential, game-changing, trendsetting, community-minded educators, advocates, activists, entrepreneurs, passionate givers and mission focused women and young girls on a mission sitting among us today,” Jones said. “I thank you so much for making a difference by advancing the economic empowerment of women
and girls in the greater Capital Region.”
The top honor, 2017 Resourceful Woman of the Year, went to Anne Saile. In addition to being owner of The Saile Group, where she coaches executives and boards to achieve high impact results, Saile is an author, speaker, strategist and an entrepreneur, best known for her business acumen and her passion for advancing women’s rights.
In her career she has served as president and CEO of Bellevue Woman’s Hospital, executive director of the New York State Office of Professional and Medical Conduct, as well as vice president for the Center for the Disabled of the Capital District.
In accepting her award at the YWCA gathering, Saile spoke of a tough time in her childhood, her own experience with the YWCA in her hometown of Cohoes, and how she learned to be resourceful. “The road to success is never easy,” she said.
Another special honoree on the bill was the late suffragist,
feminist and philanthropist Phoebe Apperson Hearst, recognized in honor of the centennial celebration of women’s suffrage in New York State. George Hearst III accepted the award on behalf of his great-great grandmother during Wednesday’s ceremony. “She was a wonderful, motivating woman,” he said, “and made a much better society for us all.”
Other resourceful women award recipients were
Jacinda Conboy of the The New York State Council of School Superintendents in the category of education; emerging professionals Jinah Kim of Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen and Bailey Van Deest of St. Anne’s Institute; entrepreneurs Kierra Jones of Kierra Jones International and The Shine Strategist as well as Maureen Sager from the Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy; Elizabeth Haller from the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region in the category of Front-Line; Dorothy Maria Urschel of St. Peter’s Health Partners and Andra Zubkovs of Joseph’s House and Shelter in health and human services; Karen Gregory of Target, Sarah Quinn of BBL Hospitality and Joella Viscusi of Ambient Environmental, Inc. in management; Nipa Nobel of MTX B2B Solutions, LLC and Unagi Sushi in philanthropy; and Angelicia Morris of the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission in public service. In a new category added for 2017, Jennifer Favitta of Troy Web Consulting was recognized as a Woman in Technology.
This year’s Young Girls On A Mission Tajhanae Gibson, Tahziana Gibson, Jayme Laing and Tarallen McKoy were also honored at Wednesday’s event.
Furthermore, Kelli Arnold of Key Bank, Michael Fanning of Mosaic Associates Architects and Nancy A. Kupiec of Vesta Construction Services were recognized as community partners.
More information about the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. - including its programs, upcoming events and ways to donate - is available online at www.ywcagcr.org.