Originally posted on The Troy Record by Danielle Sanzone
Sept. 28, 2014
Twenty-four women will be honored Oct. 1 at the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region’s Resourceful Women’s Luncheon in Troy.
Patty Fusco, president and CEO of Fusco Personnel, will be given the Resourceful Woman of the Year award.
“Having just celebrated the 20th anniversary of her firm’s founding at the end of April, Patty truly epitomizes the definition of not only a truly resourceful and accomplished woman, but is also a remarkably caring and giving woman in and beyond her community,” said YWCA Executive Director Daquetta Jones. “Her professional life has been dedicated to matching women with the right employers, and despite her rigorous professional demands, she has always found the time to keep helping the community in both social and economic endeavors.”
Fusco started the business soon after having her first of four daughters.
“I was working in the business for someone else and decided I wanted to do this for myself and have the flexibility to be there for my child. I resigned after my maternity leave and opened my business the following day,” she said.
The Niskayuna resident said the mission of Fusco Personnel is to empower its employees and candidates while innovating and enabling the business to solve some of their clients’ most complex recruiting challenges.
As this year’s Resourceful Woman of the Year, Fusco said a resourceful woman in her life was her mother.
“For her love, strength, wisdom and encouragement – she has guided and molded me into the person I am today,” she said.
This year’s awards will from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy.
Wilhemina Hicks of the YWCA will be honored as the Woman of Inspiration at the ceremony. She does case management and the Ready to Work program at the YWCA. Originally from Mississippi, she went through the domestic violence program at Unity House then found a job at the YWCA after completing the Ready to Work program herself. She lives in Troy with her six children.
“I never thought I would be at this point,” said Hicks. “I’m thankful for those who have helped me along the way.”
“In 2010, the YWCA-GCR opened this event to the larger community to honor women that are making a difference in their community, work place and beyond. Since then, this event has helped the YWCA-GCR to be more transparent in the Capital District and built connections and partnerships,” added Jones.
The Resourceful Women’s Luncheon awards were established in 2000 to recognize and honor those whose community and professional pursuits advance the empowerment of women, which is a core value of the YWCA-GCR’s mission. The luncheon strives to honor everyday women that make a difference in their work place, community and beyond, officials said.
“These accomplished, energetic and committed women represent the spirit of determination we hold dear at the YWCA-GCR,” said Jones.
All proceeds from the Resourceful Women’s Luncheon will benefit the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. Women go to YWCA-GCR in times of crisis, for safe and affordable housing, victim advocacy, help with addiction, job training and career counseling, and case management.
Others who will be recognized include Stacy Pomeroy Draper of the Rensselaer County Historical Society and Marion Roach Smith of marionroach.com for the Education award; Anissa Hochberg of 3M, Kasey Laboy of Repeat Business Systems Inc. and Renee Price of Hoosick Valley Contractors Inc. for the Front-Line award; Chris Galeo of Stiletto Salon, Denise Horan of Integrated Management & Sales Consulting and Nancy Keenholts of The Country Trunk for the Entrepreneur award; Erin Crotty of Audubon New York, Kimberly Sanger Jones of E. Stewart Jones Law Firm, and Linda O’Malley of Oakwood Community Center for the Philanthropy/Public Service award; Meaghan Carroll of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Julie Clancy of Siena College, and Brandi Miller of Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce for the Emerging Professional award; Tammy J. LaBrake of Boss It Back and Marie Maxwell of Greene County Mental Health for the Health and Human Services award; and Sharon DiLorenzo of Capital District Community Gardens, Lisa Lagon of Jaeger & Flynn Associates, Theresa Moroukian of Mosaic Associates Architects, Ann Neilson of The College of Saint Rose, Colleen Ryan of Preservation League of New York State, Angela Scesny of Bouchey Financial Group Ltd. and Nicole Stein of SEFCU for the Management award.
General tickets are $50. For more information, contact Malissa Pilette-McClenon at 274-7100, or malissap@ywca-gcr.org.
