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women & business 2008 Women of Excellence Honorees Eight to be honored for professional achievements, community work Eight women who have found success in their professional careers and given back to others through community service will join the prestigious ranks of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce’s “Women of Excellence” at a luncheon in June. The honorees will be recognized at the Chamber’s Women’s Business Council’s 17th Annual Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon, to be held Thursday, June 26 at the Albany Marriott Hotel beginning at 11:30 a.m. Tickets for the event are $56; corporate tables are also available. Invitations were mailed out in May; registration may also be done online at acchamber.org/events.aspx. “The Women’s Business Council is proud to recognize these eight outstanding women for their contributions to the business community,” said Heather Ford, WBC chair. “Their achievements set the standard for excellence among women in business and remind us of what can be attained through passion and commitment.” “This year’s winners truly exemplify the spirit of the Women of Excellence Awards, demonstrating progression in their careers, involvement in their communities and accomplishments in their personal and professional lives that set them apart from their peers,” said Chamber President Lyn Taylor. The event’s major sponsors are Academy of the Holy Names, KeyBank, Times Union and Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna LLP. The program will include videos, sponsored by MVP Health Care, highlighting the honorees. The 2008 Women of Excellence Emerging Professional Rachel A. Zimolka Senior Business Development Executive Sunmark Federal Credit Union Rachel Zimolka has led Sunmark Federal Credit Union’s business development initiative since September 2001. In this role, she is responsible for recruiting, developing and managing the credit union’s relationships with 345 employer groups that extend Sunmark’s services to their employees. Her responsibilities include external public relations and communications with these firms, as well as planning and coordination of special events tailored to their needs. In 2002, Zimolka was selected by the executive management staff at Sunmark for the Outstanding Member Service Award, and was named by the Credit Union Journal as a recipient of the 2005 CU Journal Best Practices Award in Business Development. Most recently, Zimolka was selected by the Capital District Business Review as a 2007 “40 Under Forty” honoree. Zimolka’s dedication and commitment to the communities in which she has lived and worked is evident through her active participation and involvement in numerous community events and professional service organizations. Her passion for helping others led her to develop and coordinate the credit union’s financial literacy program, which helps low- to moderateincome families improve their well-being through financial education. Currently, Zimolka is an active member of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the GenNEXT Council. “I’m extremely honored to be recognized by the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce for my professional accomplishments and contributions to the community. This award is a direct reflection of the generous support that I’ve been afforded by my employer, my family and my friends. I’m truly fortunate to be surrounded by such supportive individuals who continue to demonstrate faith in me, and who give me the confidence to take risks and create opportunities for myself. I’m sincerely humbled and in awe that I have been selected to receive this prestigious award as the 2008 Emerging Professional.” Excellence in Sales or Marketing Sandra V. Nardoci Associate Broker/ Relocation Specialist Prudential Manor Homes Sandra Nardoci is an associate broker and relocation specialist with Prudential Manor Homes. A realtor since March 1991, she is a member of the New York State GRI Chapter of NYS Association of Realtors, Inc., the National Association of Realtors and the Greater Capital Association of Realtors. She is involved with numerous community service organizations, including Living Resources, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region and the Greater Capital Association of Realtors board of directors. Nardoci is president-elect of the Greater Capital Association of Realtors and previously served as secretary/treasurer. She is also a director for the New York State Association of Realtors. Among the awards she has received are the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Capital Region Community Spirit Award and the Prudential Manor Homes Community Service Award, both in 2007, and the Prudential CARES Volunteer Grant Golden Star Award in 2004. She has been named to the New York State and National Association of Realtors Honor Society in 2001 and 2004-07, the Greater Capital Association of Realtors Educational Scholarship in 2005 and was Greater Capital Association Realtor of the Year in 2004. “I’m really honored that I’ll be sitting beside such wonderful women as part of this distinguished group. I didn’t even know that I was nominated. For me, it’s such a great honor to be recognized with them.” Excellence in the Professions Katharine Briar-Lawson Dean of the School of Social Welfare University at Albany For more than 30 years, Katharine Briar-Lawson has been a leader in child welfare, social welfare, and social work education, advocating for vulnerable and oppressed persons and those who serve them. Since moving to Albany in 2000, Briar-Lawson has been influential in improving university-community relationships, establishing innovative social service collaborations in the Capital Region and strengthening relations among the University at Albany, state and local government and the public and non-profit sectors. At the same time, she is a national leader in social work education, child welfare and aging. Briar-Lawson serves as president of the National Association of Deans and Directors of Social Work (NADD), a signal honor among almost 200 schools of social work in the United States. Briar-Lawson helped to foster important national initiatives including workforce development for child welfare, aging populations, and funding from a charitable foundation for a leadership academy for deans. Over the past 15 years, she spearheaded university-community partnerships and family and interprofessional collaboration in more than 40 states. She recently helped to co-host the CWLA (Child Welfare League of America) Symposium on Community Building and Child Welfare. In addition, she is a frequent consultant abroad, traveling to the Netherlands, Peru, South Africa and South Korea. “I’m so honored, given the great people who’ve been selected in the past. Every year, the Women of Excellence Awards ceremony is such a spectacular event, and this award speaks to the strength of the region and the depth of collaboration in the area. It’s an affirmation of all the partnerships that exist and shows that we’re a nationally significant design lab that often drives public policy.” Excellence in Business Missy Shorey President/Chief Executive Officer Shorey Public Relations Missy Shorey is president and chief executive officer of Shorey Public Relations. The Saratoga Springs-based company is a results-focused, technology-centric communications agency dedicated to unsurpassed service, deep intellect, high energy and remarkable creativity. Prior to leading Shorey Public Relations, Shorey was a senior vice president at Hill & Knowlton Public Relations, where she led the marketing communications practice catering to Fortune 500 companies, leading municipal governments and cultural institu- 10 VISIONS acchamber.org :: techvalley.org
tions. Additionally, she served the U.S. Department of State, where she led historically significant international marketing and advertising campaigns for multiple Foreign Service exams featuring former Secretary Colin Powell. Previously, Shorey led the day-to-day operations of the Technology Practice as a vice president at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. She was personally responsible for $4.5 million in revenue via public relations and advertising efforts. Shorey also has extensive public sector experience with Congressional campaigns and the U.S. Senate, where she served as a communications advisor to the Senate Republican Conference. In this role she helped craft daily messaging and provided technical instruction to 55 Senate Republican press offices. “This is one of the greatest honors a person can achieve in the Capital Region, and I feel absolutely privileged to have been chosen. It speaks highly of not just one person, but our entire team. The fact that we are located in Saratoga Springs shows that the Capital Region spreads far and wide.” Excellence in Management (1–99 employees) Stacy Fitch General Manager The Paradies Shops Albany International Airport Stacy Fitch is general manager of The Paradies Shops at Albany International Airport, where she manages 30 employees in four separate and distinct shops throughout the airport that provide convenience items, books, newspapers and exciting trend-setting merchandise. Fitch views training and development of staff members as a priority for a successful business. Under her direction, Paradies’ staff members act as “Albany Ambassadors” by interacting directly with passengers and offering brief but useful information regarding the Capital Region’s history, opportunities and events. Fitch has won several awards, including Manager of the Year for the Paradies Shop, Inc., Best Customer Service, Best Profitability, Best Overall Human Resources and Best Presentation. In Albany, Paradies has extended its range of employee benefits to include a mentoring program that provides assistance to staff members in the form of guidance and counseling at critical times in their careers. Thanks to Fitch, Paradies is also involved in the local community and regularly provides gifts and volunteer services to Ronald McDonald House, the American Heart Association, Latimer Education Program, Carver Community Center, The Evangeline Booth Miracle Home, Salvation Army Citadel Corps and Girls Inc. She is also involved in the Women’s Business Council membership committee and was a mentor for GenNEXT. “I was so excited and thrilled to be selected for this Women of Excellence Award. So many women have been recognized by the Chamber over the years, and to join them in receiving this honor is something I didn’t expect.” Excellence in Management (100–200 employees) Paula Stopera President/Chief Executive Officer Capital Communications Federal Credit Union Paula Stopera joined Capital Communications Federal Credit Union in 1980 and was promoted through the organization to her current position of president/CEO in 2004. She also holds the position of treasurer on the Capital Communications board of directors and serves on the board of managers of CAP COM Financial Services, LLC (a subsidiary of Capital Communications FCU). With a passion for assisting those in need, by partnering with community organizations, Stopera was instrumental in creating The Capital Communications Cares Foundation, whose purpose is to nurture the community by supporting community health and wellness, financial literacy and education, children and underprivileged families. This is accomplished all through the heartfelt generosity of the staff, volunteers and members of the credit union. Stopera was the 2001 recipient of the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) Operations Professional of the Year award and served on its advisory council. She has served on the board of the Capital District YMCA since 2005 and is a member of its executive committee. In addition, she is a member of the New York State CEO Council, event chair for the Whitney Young Foundation’s Annual Dinner Committee, and is a trustee for the New York State Credit Union League’s Legislative and Political Action Committee. “I’m so excited that there is an award recognizing women for their accomplishments. Over the years I’ve learned that numbers don’t grow your business, people grow your business, and this award is such an honor for me, personally, and for our organization.” Excellence in Management (200+ employees) Anne C. LaRoche Manager of Technology & Information Systems KAPL Inc. Anne LaRoche is manager of the Technology & Information Systems section of KAPL, Inc., a wholly owned Lockheed Martin company headquartered in Niskayuna. KAPL, Inc. operates the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) under contract to the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Navy. In her current position, LaRoche is the site information officer, responsible for all information technology at KAPL. Her organization supports desktop and super computing, enterprise and advanced engineering applications development, computer center operations, information management and distribution and thermal hydraulic and structural engineering methods design. Network support reaches naval bases and shipyards across the coasts and around the world. LaRoche was appointed to her current position in 2004. Prior to her current position, LaRoche was manager of the Test Operations Section at KAPL, with responsibility for large scale industrial testing taking place in the Laboratory facilities on site. This included materials testing, thermal hydraulic testing, and the chemistry laboratories. “I am very honored to be selected for the Women of Excellence Award in Management. During more than 20 years as a manager, I have come to realize that you can help people shape their careers and ultimately increase their overall job satisfaction. As a manager, it is really up to you to support, energize, mentor and encourage people to reach their full potential. Receiving this award is a humbling experience for me. Most of the skills that I have as a manager, I acquired by observing some terrific role models throughout my life. My recognition is their recognition.” Distinguished Career Eileen C. Bagnoli Executive Vice President/Secretary Pioneer Bank Eileen Bagnoli is executive vice president/secretary of Pioneer Bank in Troy, where she has worked since February 1972. She was promoted to her current position in 2003 and has risen through the ranks over the years, holding such positions as teller, head teller, assistant branch manager, branch manager, assistant treasurer, assistant vice president/savings, branch coordinator, marketing, human resources, pension services, vice president/administration and senior vice president/secretary. Bagnoli has several professional and community affiliations. She is board chair for the Commission on Economic Opportunity of the Capital District and has been a board member since 2006. She was president of the board of Helping Hands School in Clifton Park, a non-profit school for special needs children, from 2002-06 and has been a board member since 1988. Bagnoli is also past board treasurer of the Salvation Army of Troy, past president of the group III officers’ forum for the Community Bankers Association of New York State, and past president of the Albany chapter of the National Association of Bank Women. “I was a little overwhelmed to be chosen. Looking back on my career, I don’t think about all the things I’ve done, because time goes by really quickly. I’ve enjoyed the banking and management aspects of my career, but one of the things I’ve enjoyed most about Pioneer Bank is being involved in the community. I’m so pleased, and a bit overwhelmed, to have been selected as one of the 2008 Women of Excellence. I am very anxious to have the opportunity to interact with the other women who are being recognized this year and to learn from their life and career experiences. It is an honor, to say the least.” acchamber.org :: techvalley.org VISIONS 11
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