Walt Borisenok P’06 ’08

A CADEmy D ifference
As one would expect, Nikki ’08 and
Mike Borisenok ’06’s distinguished
careers in collegiate athletics have
impacted them in many ways and taught
them about teamwork, time management
and a strong work ethic. But equally as
important are the skills and lessons they
learned at Albany Academy for Girls and
The Albany Academy.
“The Albany Academy through its
dedication to a well-rounded program
in leadership, academics, and athletics
gave me the ability to learn how to learn,
gain confidence, and work hard,” said
Mike Borisenok. “Learning how to speak
in front of a group with confidence and
the ability
to think on
my feet have
been the most
useful tools
for me in my
college career.”
Mike is now
a senior
at the University of New Hampshire
where he is pursuing a dual major in
Entrepreneurship and Information
Systems and is Captain of the Varsity
Hockey Team, a Division I powerhouse
hockey program in the Big East.
Mike also launched Greater Than
Sports, an online athletic apparel
company for men, women, and teams,
during his freshman year at UNH in
2009. “I finally started thinking to myself
that within sports there is something
greater than the sport itself. I am talking
about life lessons and experiences.
Whether you are working out or
specifically training, you learn about
yourself and how to push yourself to your
limits. When you are involved with a
team, it’s all about the relationships built
and learning from the ups and downs.
This is why I called my company Greater
Than Sports and why I started the
business.”
Nikki Borisenok is also a senior
attending Ithaca College in Ithaca, New
York and majoring in both International
Business and Marketing with a language concentration in Spanish. “Albany
Academy for Girls had a strong influence on shaping my morals and values.
To me Albany Academy for Girls was not just my high school, it was a
community that enriched my education, pushed me in athletics, and prepared
me for my future. The Academy had a way of making you feel supported in
all of your endeavors,” said Nikki. She plays Varsity Lacrosse at Ithaca and
started in all 16 games as a freshman and was ranked fourth on the team with
29 goals in 2009. She has been recognized as an All-American and received
Honorable Mention to the All-Conference Team during her sophomore year
as Ithaca’s second-leading scorer. “One of my proudest accomplishments is
being a student-athlete. I love my routine of every day waking up early, going
to class, and then having practice. It helps keep me structured and focused.
Seeing the hard work pay off in the classroom and on the field is one of the
most rewarding experiences.”
Nikki and Mike have excelled both athletically and academically due to
perseverance, self-discipline, responsibility, and confidence -- values instilled
in them while attending the Academies but, more importantly, by their
parents, Walt and Michelle Borisenok. They recognize that education was
the key to any success their children were going to have in the future. “When
my wife, Michelle, and I get together with other Academy families we talk
about our kids’ confidence and their ability to communicate effectively and
confidently in all situations with all different types of people, “ said Walt
Borisenok P’06, ’08. “This is what sets the Academies’ apart from any other
school in this area.”
Hard work is something Mr. Borisenok knows about first hand; he is the
Founder, President, and CEO of Fortitech, a highly successful Schenectadybased
company that develops concentrations of various nutrients which fortify
products found in grocery stores around the world. Fortitech was built from
the ground up and now employs 500 people worldwide with offices in Brazil,
Denmark, Malaysia, Mexico, and the United States. “I wasn’t the smartest
kid in high school or college, but I was driven, worked hard, and believed in
myself,” said Mr. Borisnok. He encourages his children to do the same.
“My kids aren’t the biggest, fastest, or most gifted kids but they are focused
and have the confidence to go out and pursue anything they want to; that is
what The Albany Academies encouraged 100 percent of the time,” said Mr.
Borisnok. ”I think one of the reasons why Mike is captain of the hockey team
and Nikki is so successful is because of their confidence and leadership skills.
Mike recently had to give a speech to the Alumni Association of UNH and he
blew me away with his presentation. It all goes back to the Academy.”
Mr. Borisenok served on The Albany Academies Board of Trustees from 2007-2010.
He has also been a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and Marketing and
Enrollment Committee since 2007.
The 6
The Albany Academies Magazine