The leading ladies of Queens finance, healthcare, education and entrepreneurship came out to celebrate their accomplishments at the Queens Courier’s 10th Annual Top Women in Business Awards & Networking event at Terrace on the Park. Many of the boroughs best and brightest businesswomen received recognition while several past honorees were inducted into the “Hall of Fame.”
The Wednesday, April 25 fete opened with a cocktail hour and expo. Guests mingled in the reception hall, networking and exchanging coveted business information.
“I think it’s a wonderful event,” said Jeannie Doherty-Benckwit, the Outreach Nurse at Parker Jewish Institute who ran her company’s table during the expo segment of the event. “We feel great being here. It’s a good way to network and get resources.”
Honoree Eileen Minogue, Executive Director at Patient Airlift Services (PALS), received recognition for her work during the evening.
“I feel honored, privileged and lucky,” said Minogue, adding that she felt slightly nervous and a bit out of place. “You look around and there are just all these amazing women!”
Minogue listed her husband Dan as a major supporter and source of inspiration. As for her secrets to success – she claims it came from the sheer luck of being surrounded by incredible people.
James Muyskens, president of Queens College, attended the event to cheer on colleague Sue Henderson as she was inducted into the Women in Business “Hall of Fame.”
“She’s been someone at the college who has made a difference,” said Muyskens. “It’s great to see the community recognize that.”
Maura McCarthy, Queens Borough Commissioner for the Department of Transportation (DOT), was shocked when she discovered she would receive recognition at the Women in Business event.
“It was a big surprise,” said McCarthy. “It was humbling being a civil servant. I am so pleased and honored.”
McCarthy, an advocate for hard work and dedication, says that having mentors is another secret to her success, adding that she hopes she can mentor others the way she was mentored at the start of her career.
Mary Ann Mattone, who celebrated her birthday on the same day as the event, said the happy atmosphere of the evening helped commemorate her special day. Mattone was recognized for her charity work throughout the borough and received the “Philanthropist of the Year” award.
Borough President Helen Marshall offered congratulatory words to her predecessor Claire Shulman who received the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Marshall applauded Shulman for her groundbreaking run as the borough’s first female president.
“Thank you for all you’ve done and the foundation you’ve laid for me,” said Marshall.
This year’s honorees included: Fatma Abboud, CEO & Executive Director, EIHAB Human Services; Charity Abdi, Compliance Officer, Joseph Addabbo Family Health Center; Jackie De Leon, Nurse Practitioner, Joseph Addabbo Family Health Center; Dr. Mary Andrea, DPM, Hyperbaric, Wound Care & Podiatry Center; Connie Jeanne Attanasio, President & CEO, Attanasio & Associates; Nora Bassett, Independent Consultant, Adjunct Professor for CUNY School of Professional Studies; Dr. Esther Benenson, Executive Director, William O. Benenson Rehabilitation Pavilion; Tara Buonocore-Rut, Associate VP Business Development, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehabilitation; Susan Cohen, Marketing Director, Brandywine Senior Living; Alina Camacho-Gingerich, Ph.D., Director Latin American & Caribbean Studies, St. John’s University; Karen Dorsey, Project Manager, Skanska USA Civil Northeast Operations; Anne M. Dunne, Director of Health Care Consulting, Grassi & Co.; Lisa Gneo, Director of Sales, Z NYC Hotel; Rudean Harvey, President & CEO, Ametis Industries, Inc.; Jamie Johnson, Regional Director of Golf Events and Fundraising, American Golf Corporation; Marta Kazandjian, Director, Division of Speech Pathology and Swallowing, New York Hospital Queens; Maura McCarthy, Queens Borough Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Transportation; Peri Millman, M.D., Director, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, New York Hospital Queens; Michele E. Keller, Shift Manager, Resorts World Casino NYC; Rita Mercieca, Executive Director, Forest Hills Hospital; Eileen Minogue, Executive Director, Patient Airlift Services; Rosa Murciano, Senior Vice President, New York Community Bank; Elsie N. Vaca, First Senior Vice President, New York Community Bank; Herlema Owens, President & Founder, Association of Women Con
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