Business Council Announces Class of 2012 Rising Stars

The Business Council of Westchester will present 40 young professionals under the age of 40 with Rising Star awards during a ceremony at MasterCard Worldwide, Purchase, NY on Thursday, June 7th.

Modeled after the national business recognition program “Forty Under Forty,” The Business Council annually honors the extraordinary accomplishments of Westchester’s young business leaders who are making their mark in their chosen profession. The Rising Stars represent individuals from diverse industries including financial services, construction, real estate, education, healthcare, biotech, information technology, retail, not for profit, and more.

“The Rising Stars award recognizes individuals who surpass expectations, raise the bar and set new standards for success,” said Dr. Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester. “These young leaders represent the vision and future of Westchester County and its business community and we look forward to paying tribute to them on June 7th.”

Anyone between the ages of 21 and 40 who works in Westchester was eligible for consideration as a Rising Star. The two-part nomination process asked the nominator to describe the nominees’ professional/ entrepreneurial and/or personal accomplishments and leadership qualities, while nominees were asked about lessons learned, strengths, and long term goals. A ten-person Steering Committee, chaired by Timothy Donohue, senior associate, CB Richard Ellis, Inc., Rising Stars Class of 2007, selected the “Forty under Forty” Rising Stars based on professional accomplishments, demonstrated leadership qualities and professional and/or business affiliations.

“As Westchester County continues to grow, so does the talent located within our region,” said Donohue. “By recognizing the innovative vision, accomplishments and influence that these young professionals have demonstrated in such a relatively short amount of time, we are supporting not only their prospering careers but also the future of business in Westchester.”

Established in 2004, the Rising Star’s program has recognized nearly 360 exceptional young professionals in Westchester to-date.  In 2008, A Rising Stars Alumni group evolved from the highly successful program. Consisting of former Rising Stars from diverse industries, the alumni group is actively engaged in developing and maintaining an environment where young professionals can succeed in Westchester. The alumni group provides opportunities for civic engagement, business education, community service and social/cultural activities throughout the year.

The 2012 class includes:

Lauren Amsterdam, co-owner/executive creative director of AMSTERLAND

Nelson Barreto, NY metro regional director of electronic security, Diebold

Katrine Aliha Beck, partner, Wilson Elser

Michelle Brier, director of marketing & communications, Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Lori Calandruccio, community choice director, Arc of Westchester

Daniel M. Chen, section manager of overhead, Consolidated Edison of NY

Michelle Citino, director of operations, DoubleTree by Hilton Tarrytown

Courtney Clark, marketing & communications manager, CBRE, Inc.

Christopher Dessi, CEO, Silverback Social

Tracey A. Di Brino, general manager, Carr Workplaces

Samantha Durante, freelance writer & consultant, Medley Media Associates

Jeanette Gisbert, senior director of Volunteer and Corporate Engagement, The Volunteer Center of United Way

Guochun Gong, Ph.D., staff scientist, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Sasha Guillame, vice president, Mrs. G’s Services, LLC

Matthew Holst, AIA, director of Architectural Services Reckson, a division of SL Green

Jamie Imperati, founder and president, Professional Women of Westchester

Jennifer Johnson, director of education, Lois Bronz Children’s Center

Nicholas Junta, vice president, Northwestern Mutual

Kurt Kannemeyer, director of development, St. Christopher’s, Inc.

Giancarlo Lanzano, director of construction sales & real estate, DGC Capital Contracting Corp.

Thomas Madden, commissioner – department of community development and conservation, Town of Greenburgh

Sabrina Magid, doctor of dental medicine, Advanced Dentistry of Westchester

Dan Malasky, Esq., Sr. Counsel, professional tennis, United States Tennis Association

Paul J. Marino, Esq., president, Marino Partners, LLC

Michael Martinell Jr., director of new media, Today Media Inc.

Barbara McRae Robinson, principal of preschool/elementary school, The New York School for the Deaf

Justin J. Moundas, senior vice president and principal, York International Agency, LLC

Richard Nightingale, vice president – youth & family services, Westhab, Inc.

Aaron Ondrey, director, Alliance Finance, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Mark Pauletti, owner/vice president sales and operations, Arctic Mechanical, Inc.

Edward Philipp, chief operating officer, Rye YMCA

Tiffany Phipps, senior project manager of leasing and development, BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

Michael Radosta, patient care director, New York-Presbyterian Hospital

Stefano Safaei, vice president of investments, Ares Capital Advisors of Wedbush Securities

Sherry Saturno, clinical director, Westchester Medical Center

Caitlin H. Snyder, director of special events and major gifts officer, Mercy College

Adam Stone, publisher, Examiner Media

Richard Thomas, director, NY AREA (Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance)

Franklin Vasquez, branch manager, Mahopac National Bank

Peter Zimmar, managing director, Heritage Realty Services, LLC

The Media Sponsor for Rising Stars is Examiner Media. Rising Stars is presented by MasterCard Worldwide and supported by Entergy, Altium Wealth Management, Berkeley College, Pace University, Reckson (a division of SL Green), Cross County Shopping Center and Abbott House.

The “Rising Stars” awards ceremony on June 7, 2012, 5:30- 8:00 p.m. will take place in the lobby at MasterCard Worldwide, 2000 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY. Tickets are $50 per person. For registration and/or additional information, visit www.westchesterny.org or contact Meg Curtin at the Business Council: (914) 948-2110 or mcurtin@westchesterny.org.