A press release: February 20, 2020

ALBANY, NY – The Women’s Fund of the Capital Region is pleased to announce that two outstanding women of achievement have been named as 2020 Trailblazers:

• E. Kristen Frederick, Executive Director, American Contract Bridge League Educational Foundation; and
• Deborah Mullaney, Civic Leader and Community Volunteer.

In addition, the first WERC Community Leading Star has been named:

• Amanda Goyer, Corporate Responsibility Officer, KeyBank

These outstanding women of achievement have each blazed trails and impacted the lives of women and girls in our community.

The awards will be presented at the twelfth Trailblazers Awards Luncheon on Thursday, March 5 at the Albany Marriott.

Honorary chair for the event is Ruth Mahoney, who was recognized as a Trailblazer in 2011.

Frederick is a former Director of Development and Communications, American Red Cross of NENY; a former President and CEO, The Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region and a founding member of the Women’s Fund of the Capital Region.

Mullaney has dedicated herself to community initiatives that support women, girls, men, boys, families and children. The sick, elderly, schools, neighborhoods and underserved populations have all benefited from her service and commitment. By her voluntarism she has been able to take risks and achieve successes that might not have been available through other means.

Passionate for delivering smiles and unforgettable experiences, Goyer is focused on relationship building and giving back to others through the power of philanthropy. She is actively involved in leadership roles throughout the community, specifically roles that enable her to empower women in business.

People can find out how to register for this luncheon by visiting the Women’s Fund website: www.WomensFundCR.org .

Since 2007, the Women's Fund of the Capital Region has raised and given out over $502,000. The vision of The Women’s Fund of the Capital Region is a community where all women are empowered through education to be self-sufficient and fulfill their potential. We provide resources and support to financially-insecure and nontraditional female students in the Greater Capital Region by awarding scholarships and emergency funds, and partnering with local organizations. The Women’s Fund is the single largest scholarship donor at both Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Schenectady County Community College. 60 women have received these scholarships.

A SUNY Schenectady County Community College scholarship recipient said at a previous Trailblazers Award Luncheon, “It takes courage to believe in a student you’ve never met, and that is exactly what scholarship donors do. They give people a chance. On behalf of myself and every student you have ever touched with your generosity, thank you for giving us a chance and helping to make our dreams take flight."

Proceeds from the awards luncheon will allow the Women’s Fund to expand these programs, helping a new generation of women become role models and trailblazers themselves.

On January 1, 2020, the Women's Fund of the Capital Region merged with and became a program of the Capital District Women’s Employment & Resource Center (WERC).