Some of the borough’s most active and successful women were recognized during The Queens Courier’s Fifth Annual Top 10 Queens Women in Business Award Networking Event, held on Thursday, March 22 at Terrace on the Park.
“I was very grateful for the support I received that enabled me to recognize the extraordinary women we have in Queens,” said Queens Courier publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis. “We broke our attendance records. I see this as a tribute to these women.”
More than 750 people attended the event, which Schneps-Yunis described as “the Oscars of Queens.” During the event, there was a silent auction to benefit Life’s WORC, an organization that “provides comprehensive support for individuals with developmental disabilities including mental retardation and autism.”
$1,485 was raised and will be used for the organization’s music and art therapy program.
For more information on what Life’s WORC does, visit www.lifesworc.org.
The 2007 Top 10 Women in Business Event was sponsored by Bombardier, Chase Home Loans, Citibank, Commerce Bank, Con Edison, Elmhurst & Queens Hospital Center, The Queens Health Network, Family Care Certified Services, Farrell Fritz, P.C., Flushing Savings Bank, HIP, JetBlue Airways, New York Hospital Queens, Parker Jewish Institute, Queens Center Mall, Queens County Savings Bank/New York Community Bank, Staples and Verizon.
The accomplished and diverse women who made up the list of award recipients at the Fifth Annual Top 10 Queens Women in Business expressed their appreciation of being selected and their admiration for their fellow honorees.
As the evening kicked off, New York City First Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris was recognized as the Woman of the Year.
“I want to congratulate all of the women being honored here tonight for the tremendous success they’ve made of the opportunities they’ve been given – or that they’ve fought for,” Harris said.
The first 2007 honoree presentation went to Frances Resheske, the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Consolidated Edison.
“It’s very exciting, especially because I grew up in Queens,” Resheske said of the honor.
Dr. Phyllis August, the Director of Research at New York Hospital Queens, was also honored.
“I am proud to be recognized by the community of Queens,” August said. “Queens represents the best that New York has to offer – opportunities for people from all over the world to benefit from being in America.”
Honoree Sanchita Banerjee-Jimenez serves as the Operations and Maintenance Director of the JFK Service Delivery System.
“This is such a great honor – especially that Vicki has done this to showcase the women of Queens,” she said.
Diana Chapin is the Executive Director of the Queens Library Foundation and the Director of Development for Queens Library.
“I’m very appreciative,” Chapin said. “We’re active in the world in all sorts of ways. This is one of the best networking events in the borough.”
Linda De Sabato, also a 2007 honoree, is the President of Vallo Transportation.
“I’m very proud to be among the women being honored,” De Sabato said. “They’re all very hardworking, serious and good people.”
Honoree Mayra DiRico is the Regional President/EVP for HSBC Bank.
“I think it’s a great honor to be recognized amongst so many other important women who contribute to the success of the borough,” she said. “It’s now our mission to continue to add value and make Queens the best borough.”
Theresa Facciuto is the New York Region Office Manager for the White Castle System.
“I’m very honored to be a part of this group of women,” Facciuto said. “Not only are they successful in business, but also in society in general. They do work that helps everyone.”
Antoinette Graci is the owner of A&S Whitestone Nursery, Flowers & Gifts.
“I’m very honored and happy,” Graci said. “This is about the greatest recognition I’ve gotten in 22 years of business in Queens.”
Maria A. Grasso is the current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Flushing Savings Bank.
“I’m honored to be part of Queens and part of this wonderful event that Vicki Schneps supports,” Grasso said.
Honoree Sue Henderson is the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Queens College CUNY.
“I’m very honored and I feel very blessed to be among a very select group if women,” she said. “There are some very impressive women being honored tonight.”
Jill Knee is the Director of Community Outreach for the New York Mets.
“It’s nice to be in such a distinguished group of women,” said Knee, adding that the key to success is having a passion for what you do.
Judy Lev is the Senior Vice President, Wealth Management at The Lev Group at Smith Barney.
“I think it’s the most wonderful group of women I’ve ever met and I can’t believe Vicki chose me amongst these other people,” Lev said. “They’re so accomplished.”
Dr. Kelly O’Malley-Mattone, also an honoree, is the Founder and Medical Director of Aesthetic Associates.
“It’s unbelievable the company that I am in,” she said. “These are women who are at the top of their positions.”
Maureen Schneider, RN, is the Director of the Parker Jewish Institute Adult Day Health Care Program.
“This is just a wonderful experience for me and my family,” Schneider said. “I’ve met some wonderful women. It is amazing to realize how many extraordinary, talented women there are in our area.”
The final 2007 honoree to be recognized during the ceremony was Maggie Wall, the New York Regional Manager of Citibank.
“My two children are here and they couldn’t be prouder,” she said. “A lot of my colleagues are here too, and to be part of a larger prestigious group that’s being recognized means a lot to me.”
In this year’s special awards category, Marcia V. Keizs, the President of York College, was recognized with The Claire Shulman Award.
“I’d like to thank The Queens Courier for appreciating that Women’s History isn’t just about past deeds,” Keizs said. “Women are continuing to achieve and influence the world around us. Today’s women achievers are making tomorrow’s history.”
The special award The Best Man of the Year was given to Raymond Irrera, the President of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
“I was highly honored and privileged to be amongst so many distinguished and accomplished women of Queens County,” said Irrera. “I’d like to thank Vicki for providing the forum and venue to showcase so many women of accomplishment.”
Marge McGowan, the Vice President of Commerce Bank for the Queens Region was given the Commerce Bank WOW Award.
“I’m very grateful and excited to be chosen for this award,” McGowan said. “I’m in wonderful company.”
The Realtor of the Year Award went to Diane Macari, the Vice President of Exit Realty Lewis & Murphy.
“It’s a pleasure,” she said. “It’s a great honor to be recognized amongst such a wonderful group of women.”
Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan, the Senior Vice President of Queens Health Network, was given the Health Care Leader of the Year Award.
“I feel very humbled actually, to receive such an award that really is honoring such an excellent group of women,” Sullivan said. “I feel very excited and also very humbled.”
Charlotte A. Biblow, a partner at Farrell Fritz, P.C., was honored as the Professional of the Year.
“I am a lifelong resident of Queens, and this is such a thrill to be honored in the borough that I love,” Biblow said. “I am awestruck at the women that are in this group; they are all wonderfully accomplished women.”
The Government Leader of the Year Award went to New York State Assemblymember Ellen Young.
“I feel extremely honored to receive the award with so many wonderful women,” Young said. “It’s an outstanding achievement.”
Lourdes M. Ventura, the Deputy Chief of Staff for New York State Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith, was given the Rookie of the Year Award.
“It made me realize that I’ve been serving the community as much as I can in the short years I’ve been here,” Ventura said of the honor.
Reverend Dr. Margaret Elaine M. Flake, founder of The Allen Christian School, was named the Religious Leader of the Year.
“I’m honored to be named,” Flake said. “It’s an exciting time in 2007 when women can make great contributions as these women have done. We are transforming the world.”
The final award of the evening was Hospitality Industry Woman of the Year, which went to Sonia JT Saleh, the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel.
“It’s fabulous. I’m amazed that I am being honored with these wonderful women,” Saleh said.
