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Community Corner

Graduates of Leadership Westchester Deemed Experts in Community Service

Leadership Westchester, a program of The Volunteer Center of United Way, holds its annual graduation at Mercy College.

Leadership Westchester, a 10-month program led by the Volunteer Center of United Way, presented certificates to this year's graduates Thursday at Mercy College.

Sponsored by Westchester and Putnam United Way, Westchester ARC and Mercy College, the event marked the end of a program meant to instill in participants leadership skills that profoundly enrich both their professional and personal lives.

Each year, 18 emerging leaders are chosen to participate in monthly seminars, refining their leadership skills and learning important trends in Westchester's contemporary social, political and economic climates through a series of presentations by significant community leaders.

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"Participants are taken on a personal and professional journey that helps them identify areas of need and opportunities for meaningful service contributions," said Norman Fulton, Director of Corporate Programs for The Volunteer Center of United Way.

Alumnus Lawrence Gottlieb, who participated in the very first Leadership Westchester class back in 1997, was presented with its prestigious  "Spirit of Leadership Award."

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Receiving the honor, Gottlieb said: "There is always an opportunity to apply what I learned [in the program] because the class was so far- reaching in what we discussed—economics, politics, race, you name it."

Currently on the board of The Business Council of Westchester, Gottltieb made clear the impact taking part in Leadership Westchester had on his holistic-minded style of service.

"I was on The Volunteer Center of United Way's board for a number of years, so I think this is a phenomenal program," Gottlieb said. "Leadership Westchester focuses your energy in a positive way, but also in a practical way."

Alisa Kesten, executive director of The Volunteer Center of United Way, said, "As a former graduate it's very exciting to be here for the culmination of their many months of hard work. They're now ready to assume positions of greater responsibility in the community, perhaps with a non-profit organization or perhaps at work."

Alumni Committee chairwoman Angela Taylor is now the chief assistant and community representative for the mayor's office in the City of New Rochelle. Taylor graduated from Leadership Westchester last year.

"Participating in Leadership Westchester was a life-changing experience," she said. "Professionally the skills I gained enabled me to expand my role in New Rochelle's government to better serve the needs of the constituency as well as the municipality. Personally the program afforded me a renewed sense of purpose and clarity of mission."

Taylor said the program also taught her to strike a balance between work and family, an issue many Westchester women grapple with every day.

Amy Chase, a current graduate of Leadership Westchester, serves as the Director of Shelter Services for the Dobbs Ferry-based  specialty school Children's Village. She is in charge of a street-outreach program and oversees two youth shelters.

"I feel the program changed my marriage even," Chase said. "What I learned is to follow my passion. I love my job at Children's Village. I'm grateful they supported this and I hope to do great things for the organization."

Ken Jenkins, Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, also attended Thursday's ceremony. The program "is outstanding," Jenkins said. "They help so many individuals lend their skills, hearts and minds to various charitable activities in Westchester County."

And Nanette Naclerio came to support her stepson John Naclerio. "The way John has talked about it makes me interested in applying myself," Naclerio said. "I was a dietician/nutritionist, but retired in 2006. Since then, I've been volunteering in different places such as The Food Pantry and Ronald McDonald House."

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates to the class of 2010.

Graduates were: Mitzi Ambrose Washington of Mount Vernon, pharmaceutical sales specialist for Astra Zeneca;  Jeanne M. Blum of Peekskill, executive director, Caring For the Homeless of Peekskill, Inc.; Cassandra C. Campbell of New Rochelle, budget analyst, the City of New Rochelle; Amy Chase of Shrub Oak, director of children's services, The Children's Village; Ching-Hua Chen–Ritzo of Mahopac, research staff member, IBM; Taghira J. Herrar of Mount Vernon, Family Services of Westchester; Kim C. Holland of White Plains, program administrator, the County of Westchester Department of Planning;  Lynn Honeysett of New Rochelle, senior vice president of United Way; Ardith Jobson of Yonkers, consultant; Ann McDermott-Kave of Huntington, director of the OSI Pharmaceuticals Foundation;  Sarette Mitchell of Pelham, administrator, MBIA Insurance Corporation;  John J. Naclerio of Armonk, branch manager, Wells Fargo; Cecilia A. Quintero of Ossining, human resources professional; Susan C. Salice of Rye, non-profit professional and Judith Weber of New Rochelle, artist and vice president, New Rochelle Council of the Arts.

Click here to find out how to apply for Leadership Westchester.

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