Member News

More than 400 people attended the 18th Annual Resourceful Women’s Awards Luncheon, presented by Groff Networks, on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Troy. This year’s RWA Luncheon doubled last year’s fundraising efforts; raising over $94,000. All proceeds benefit YWCA of the Greater Capital Region’s economic empowerment, homelessness prevention, food security services and supportive programs, which provide safe and affordable housing to 104 women and 50 children, every day.

Benita Zahn, DPS and Dan Bazile of WNYT-TV NewsChannel 13, served as emcees for the event honoring Anne Saile as Resourceful Woman of the Year, Opal Ingram as the Woman of Inspiration, the late Phoebe Apperson Hearst in recognition of New York State’s Centennial Celebration of Women’s Suffrage, three Community Partners and eighteen Resourceful Women and Young Girls On A MISSION.

Anne Saile, Founder and CEO, The Saile Group, LLC, is an author, speaker and entrepreneur who is best known for her business acumen and organizational strategy work. These attributes most recently led her to be invited by the Board of Directors of The Hyde Collection to serve as their Interim Director. Saile was celebrated for her philanthropy and having raised millions of dollars for organizations and causes, including garnering national and international recognition for her commitment to high quality and accessible women’s healthcare.

Anne left a lasting impression on the luncheon attendees. She talked about what it means to be a resourceful woman, calling on the hurdles she has faced and the obstacles she has overcome. Her words were an inspiration to women who may believe the challenge is too great in their own lives. Anne talked about the importance of asking for help and helping others.

”We could not have accomplished our ambitious and historic fundraising goal without the support of our sponsors, Honorary Committee members, attendees and devoted inaugural Resourceful Women’s Awards Steering Committee, Special Events Committee and YWCA-GCR staff,” said Daquetta Jones, Executive Director. ”I am overwhelmed with gratitude and moved by every single supporter’s contribution and presence. We cannot make the differences in the Greater Capital Region without the compassionate community minded people who helped make our goal a near reality! $94,582 was raised in honor of YWCA-GCR’s work, awardees and the Centennial Celebration of Women’s Suffrage in NYS. Anne Saile left each and everyone with a task to not only ask for help but to help others! Saile shared an empowering story and left an everlasting impression and responsibility with us all! I am proud we honored Anne as the 2017 Resourceful Woman of the Year. Anne’s message demonstrated her passion, empowerment and resourcefulness, and reflected our work and mission! Congratulations to all of the 2017 Resourceful Women Awardees and Community Partners! Thank you to George R. Hearst III, President and Publisher, Times Union for giving YWCA-GCR the prestige pleasure to honor his late great-great grandmother, Phoebe Apperson Hearst and his transformative and inspirational contribution!

Those honored with an 18^th Annual Resourceful Women’s Award included:

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Kelli Arnold – KeyBank

Michael Fanning – Mosaic Associates Architects

Nancy A. Kupiec – Vesta Construction Services, LLC

 

WOMAN OF INSPIRATION:

Opal Ingram – Jamison-Rounds Ready for Work Graduate and Author

 

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF NEW YORK STATE WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE “SUFFRAGIST AWARD”

Phoebe Apperson Hearst – the late Suffragist, philanthropist, feminist and educational pioneer for women and girls – award accepted by George R. Hearst III, President and Publisher, Times Union

 

EDUCATION:

Jacinda Conboy – The NYS Council of School Superintendents

 

EMERGING PROFESSIONAL:

Jinah Kim – Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen

Bailey Van Deest - St. Anne's Institute

 

ENTREPRENEUR:

Kierra Jones - Kierra Jones International and The Shine Strategist™

Maureen Sager - Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy

 

FRONT LINE:

Elizabeth Haller – YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc.

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES:

Dorothy Maria Urschel –St. Peter’s Health Partners

Andra Zubkovs – Joseph’s House and Shelter

 

MANAGEMENT:

Karen Gregory – Target East Greenbush

Sarah Quinn – BBL Hospitality

Joella Viscusi – Ambient Environmental, Inc.

 

PHILANTHROPY:

Nipa Nobel – MTX B2B Solutions, LLC / Unagi Sushi

 

PUBLIC SERVICE:

Angelicia Morris - Schenectady County Human Rights Commission

 

WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY:

Jennifer Favitta – Troy Web Consulting

 

YOUNG GIRLS ON A MISSION:

Tajhanae Gibson and Tahziana Gibson

Jayme Laing

Tarallen McKoy

 

YWCA of the Greater Capital Region is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. In addition to YWCA-GCR’s economic empowerment, homelessness prevention, food security services and programs, every day, YWCA-GCR houses 104 women and 50 children.

The Resourceful Women’s Awards Luncheon, established in 2000, recognizes and honors those whose community and professional pursuits advance the empowerment of women and girls, a core value of YWCA-GCR’s mission. The luncheon honors women who make a difference in their workplace, community and beyond.

Thank you to all our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor, Groff Networks, LLC; Capital Region [email protected]; Troy Web Consulting; The Saile Group, LLC; KeyBank; CDPHP; CapitalCare Medical Group; TriCity Rentals; Hilton Garden Inn, Troy; Jaeger & Flynn Associates; Ungerman Electric; 2017 Visions of Strength; Dwight Plumbing and Heating; Pioneer Bank; Senator Kathy Marchione; Lane Press of Albany; Crisafulli Bros.; Corey Jamison Consulting; The College of St. Rose; Ambient Environmental, Inc; E. Stewart Jones, Hacker and Murphy, LLP; Jade’s Hair Envy; Richard Nacy Consulting; CEO; Mosaic Associates Architects; Duncan and Cahill; Halliday Financial; SABIC; ACS Printing; CAP COM Federal Credit Union; GreyCastle Security; Albany and Rensselaer Counties Cancer Services Program; Honorable Judge Beth Walsh & Honorable Chris Maier and Nicoll & MacChesney Insurance.