Trailblazing Women

These women were selected for this award because they provide leadership in philanthropy that challenges and inspires others to support efforts focused on women and girls; contribute substantial time, money and vision to issues affecting women and girls; demonstrate a long standing commitment and involvement in community initiatives; and act as a role model for women and girls.

 

 

 

Kim Siciliano

CEO of YWCA NorthEastern NY

 

 

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As CEO of YWCA NorthEastern NY, Kim Siciliano leads with integrity, vision, and a steadfast commitment to the YWCA’s mission of empowering women and eliminating racism. She oversees a dynamic team of nine program directors and more than 70 dedicated staff, all working collaboratively to strengthen families and advance equity throughout the Capital Region.

Under her leadership, YWCA NorthEastern NY is poised to enter a historic new chapter with the Harbor House legacy project, launching in November 2025. A vision Kim has championed for the past eight years, this transformational initiative will expand housing and supportive services, ensuring the YWCA’s impact continues for generations to come and carrying the organization proudly into its next 137 years of service.

Beyond her work at the YWCA, Kim serves as President of the Crossroads Center for Children Board of Directors and has held leadership roles with the Schenectady Kiwanis Club and the Brightside Up Board of Directors.

Kim treasures time with her husband, Peter, their three sons, and their dogs, especially summers at their Adirondack camp. A visionary leader and devoted advocate, Kim Siciliano’s legacy is one of purpose, progress, and enduring impact.

 

Dr. Marion Terenzio

 

President, SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech

 

 

 

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Dr. Marion Terenzio, President of Cobleskill Ag & Tech, is a visionary leader with a career-long focus on empowerment through education. She has redefined the role of public higher education in economic and community transformation, founding the Institute for Rural Vitality and spearheading initiatives that uplift communities. She has catalyzed millions of dollars in groundbreaking partnerships, including a $400 million on-campus grow center, which will be the only carbon-negative agriculture enterprise nationwide.

Dr. Terenzio’s influence spans local and global platforms, from co-chairing the Mohawk Valley REDC to advising the UN and NIC on rural equity. She mentors and champions emerging leaders as co-chair of the Women's Athletics NCAA National Committee, SUNY-wide task force on disability empowerment, the Blue-Ribbon Commission on Grad Measures, and the Blue-Ribbon Panel on Agriculture Education. Her commitment to civic good is reflected in her recent appointment as President of Albany Pro Musica, and her service on the Bassett Healthcare Board. A Fulbright Scholar, she explored agri-tech innovation in France, leading to the creation of a SUNY-wide AgriTech Center.

Dr. Terenzio’s accolades include the NYS Senate Woman of Distinction Award, the Capital Region Woman of Excellence in Management, and the Catalyst Leadership Award from the ACE Women’s Network, among many others. Her leadership is marked by warmth, clarity, and intergenerational stewardship in the service of uplifting communities, advancing equity, and inspiring a legacy of courage and innovation. She holds a PhD from Michigan State University, two master’s degrees, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Vassar.

 

Judith A. Torel

MS, NBC-HWC, PhD candidate

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As a single-owner entrepreneur for over four decades, Judith A. Torel, MS, NBC-HWC, PhD candidate, has exemplified resilience, innovation, and leadership in an industry where few women held ownership when she began. Throughout her career, she has mentored and empowered women to rise into their own strength—both in business and in life—through her work as a fitness expert, lifestyle medicine coach, and motivator for change.

Torel’s accolades include Personal Trainer of the Year, Business Woman of the Year, and the 2025 Woman of Impact Award. She is also a 13-time Ironman triathlete and Kona World Championship finisher, gracing multiple magazine covers for her extraordinary athletic achievements.

Continuing her mission to inspire longevity and optimal health, Torel created YourSecond50.life, a digital coaching subscription that guides women and men to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally through evidence-based lifestyle transformation.

“Trailblazing means walking the path before others dare to take it—and then lighting the way,” Torel says. “That’s been my life’s purpose.

 

Karen Carpenter

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President and CEO, Vanderhaven

 

Tabitha Dunn, MS

Tabitha Dunn ORIG

Director of Domestic Violence Services,

Unity House

 Chelly HeganLMHC, NCC

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President/CEO,

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood

Dr. Gladys I. Cruz

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District Superintendent/Chief Executive Officer, Questar III BOCES

Gwen Wright 

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Interim Executive Director,
New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault

E. Kristen Frederick

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Executive Director, American Contract Bridge League Educational Foundation, Consultant/Owner “Fitting Solutions” Marketing/Communications Management

Deborah G. Mullaney

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Community Volunteer

Denise V. Gonick

Denise V. Gonick

CEO of MVP Health Care

Dr. Alice Green

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Executive Director of the Center for Law and Justice

Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill

Maggie Mancinelli Cahill

Producing Artistic Director at the Capital Repertory Theatre

Hon. Dr. Dorcey Applyrs

Albany First Ward Common Councilwoman; Faculty Program Director, School of Health Sciences, Excelsior College

Carmen “Coach Carmen” Duncan, MSW

Chief Coach and Founder, Mission Accomplished Transition Services

Hon. Karen B. Johnson

Vice Chair, Schenectady County Legislature; Planned Giving Manager, Proctors

(Photo credit: Daily Gazette 11/5/2013)

Ann DiSarro

Consultant on aging and former director of Senior Services of Albany

Maggie Fronk

Executive Director of Wellspring

Elizabeth Miller

Executive Director of the Capital District Women’s Employment & Resource Center (WERC)

Mona Golub

Price Chopper vice president for public relations and consumer and marketing services

Frances O’Rourke

Key Bank senior vice president and market leader, Capital Region

Shirley Readdean

Community Volunteer (YWCA, SICM, Haven, Schenectady City School Board)

Gloria DeSole

Retired Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Affirmative Action, University at Albany

Alissa M. Quinn

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First Vice President, The Quinn Wealth Management Group, UBS Financial Services, Inc.

Milinda Reed, Esq.

Service Director, Unity House Domestic Violence Services Program

Elizabeth Coco

Entrepreneur in Residence, University at Albany

Christine Standish

President, the Standish Family Foundation

Marri Aviza

Partner, Rumors Salon & Spa Ltd.

Cindy Phillippe

Community Volunteer

Pamela Sawchuk Brown

Vice President for Community Development, Albany Medical Center

Ruth H. Mahoney

President, KeyBank Hudson Valley / Metro New York

Julie Massry Knox

Sales and Marketing Manager, Tri City Rentals

A.C. Riley

Community and Civic Leader

Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D.

President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Jan Smith

Manager of Public Affairs, GE Energy

Lorraine Power Tharp, Esq.

Posthumous Award

Sr. Constance Casey, snjm

President and CEO, Academy of the Holy Names

Jane Golub

Director of Vendor Marketing Programs, Price Chopper Supermarkets

Candace King Weir

President, C.L. King & Associates, Inc.

Teri Bordenave

President and CEO of Girls Incorporated of the Greater Capital Region

Charlotte Buchanan

Retired, McNamee, Lochner, Titus & Williams

Jeanne Neff, Ph.D.

President of The Sage Colleges