Rising Stars Feted At Annual Gala

From Thompson & Bender: The Business Council of Westchester’s Annual Rising Stars Awards event soared to new heights as more than 400 business people were on hand for a festive celebration and cocktail reception held June 13 at Million Air’s spectacular new passenger terminal at the Westchester County Airport.

“I’d like to congratulate this year’s class of Rising Stars. These exemplary leaders have distinguished themselves through their talent, determination, leadership and commitment to the Westchester business community. Their initiative, innovation and drive to succeed have gone a long way toward ensuring that Westchester remains the leading business that it is,” said BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon.

“The Rising Stars program debuted in 2004, and since then, we have recognized 600 exceptional young professionals in Westchester. The tremendous talent recognized over the years has evolved into an extremely active Rising Stars alumni group. The group provides opportunities for civic engagement, business education, community service, social and cultural activities throughout the year not to mention the quantifiable business that gets done,” she added.

The Rising Stars program is modeled after the national business recognition program “40 under 40.” Rising Stars honorees were chosen based on professional and/or entrepreneurial accomplishments, professional and/or business affiliations, and demonstrated leadership skills.

Here is the Rising Stars Class of 2019:

• Chhaya Aggarwal Gupta, MD, Attending Physician, Division of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center
• Andreina Almazlinos, Senior Director of Strategic Finance, Heineken USALamont Badru, Executive Director, Community Governance & Executive CouncilAmanda Bayley, Co-Founder and Landscape Designer, Plan it Wild
• Stephen Bedosky, Vice President & Partner, York International Agency
• Jennifer Bonhomme, Vice President-Senior Relationship Manager, TD Bank
• Kevin Bradley, Section Manager, Bronx/Westchester, Overhead/West, Consolidated Edison
• Nicholas Campbell, Owner and President, Insurance on Hudson Agency/Rivertowns Chamber of Commerce
• Steve Carpenter, Director of Clinical Sciences, Regeneron
• Joseph Cooke, Director, Yonkers Extension Center, Westchester Community College
• Meg Curtin, Associate Project Manager, Project & Development Services JLL
• Andrew Donchez, President-Development, Mill Creek Residential Trust
• Shary Enid Sanchez, Attorney in Charge, Peekskill Office Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
• MacKenzie Forsberg, COO/Founder, Genesis Realty Group, LLC.
• Elan Goldwaser, Assistant Professor of Sports Medicine/Physician Sports Medicine Specialist, Columbia University, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons/NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital
• Brendan Goodhouse, Senior Associate, Cuddy & Feder LLP
• Brendan Hickey, Senior Director, GHP Office Realty LLC
• Kevin Kelly, Senior Vice President, Group Manager- Commercial Real Estate, People’s United Bank
• Samantha Levine, President and Creative Director, Auburn Jewelry
• Caroline Martin, Director of Operations, MSM DesignZ Inc.
• Jennifer Martire Baukol, Owner/Co-Founder and CEO, STEPS Home Care
• Stephanie Melowsky, Esq., Vice President, PCSB Bank
• Michael Milano, Owner, Brightway Insurance-The Milano Agency
• Hillary Millman, Owner, In Better Words Marketing & Messaging
• Dan Mulroy, President, 373 North
• Danny Potocki, Managing Director, Accel7
• Aishling Quinn, Development Officer, Music Conservatory of Westchester
• Kemesha Salmon, Owner, TP Toys and Accessories
• Simon Schaffer-Goldman, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Development, Case Paper Company
• Evan Schein, Esq., Partner, Berkman Bottger Newman & Rodd LLP
• Jacob Schofield, Director of YPIE Regeneron STEM Institute, Yonkers Partners in Education
• Jill Spielberg, Partner, Harold Salant Strassfield & Spielberg
• Steven Stern, Managing Member, Stern Business Management
• Josh Strauss, Vice President and Director of Operations, Strauss Paper Company
• Christopher Strebel, Project Manager, LeChase Construction
• Julia Takeda, Founder & CEO, Fly Louie
• Erika Trovado, DO, MS, Co-Director, Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
• Jaclyn Tyler, President/Principal, AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley/Tyler Architecture and Planning, PLLC
• Carol Ward, Director, One River School
• Andrew Weisz, Vice President, RPW Group

About The Business Council of Westchester
The Business Council of Westchester is the county’s only business membership organization focusing on economic development and advocacy. It is the county’s largest and most prestigious business membership organization representing more than 1,000 members, including multinational corporations, hospitals, universities, biotech pioneers, not-for-profits, entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes. As the most influential economic development and advocacy organization in Westchester, The Business Council of Westchester’s members enjoy unparalleled access to today’s top thought leaders, diverse business development opportunities and lawmakers at all levels of government. The BCW Data Exchange provides the latest demographic research to help guide smart business decisions. The LEAP program, a one-of-a-kind initiative, gives members direct access to lobbying efforts at the county, state and national levels on issues that directly affect their businesses. Build, Connect and Win with The Business Council of Westchester. Visit thebcw.org to connect today