70 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • DECEMBER 2017 70 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • SEPTEMBER 2017 70 LONGISLANDPRESS.CO M • SEPTEMBER 201-----------TUTU111
Long Island’s most powerful Hundreds gathered to pay tribute to the 2017 Long Island Power Women in Business. (Photo by Allen Ngai)
Nearly 650 people gathered to celebrate as
women business and community leaders were
honored at the Long Island Power Women in
Business Awards and Networking Event on Nov.
30 at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck.
Honorees each took turns sharing the inspiration
for their transformative work before mingling
with friends, families and colleagues at the
posh catering hall.
Each then strutted her stuff down a catwalk
to receive her award from Long Island Press
co-publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis.
“Being part of a group of women like this, with
so much passion about what they do in life,
both personally and professionally, was such an
honor for me,” said Suzanne Brienza, Director
of Meter Services for PSEG Long Island. “The
energy you feel from powerful women makes
you feel unstoppable. I am most proud of being
part of an organization like PSEG Long Island,
which values the development and promotion of
women while providing me with the flexibility
to be a mom to my three children.”
Among this year’s special honorees were Nassau
County Executive-elect Laura Curran; Nassau
County District Attorney Madeline Singas; Linda
Armyn, Senior Vice President of Corporate
Affairs for Bethpage Federal Credit Union, who
received the Community Leadership
Award; Donna Drake, host of “Live It Up With
Donna Drake” on WLNY-TV; “Dynamic Duo”
Geri Gregor, CPA, partner in charge of business
advisory services and Lisa Rispoli CPA, AEP
partner in charge of trust and estate services,
of Grassi & Co.; Jessica Kalra, attorney with
David Gallo & Associates, LLP, who received the
Diversity Champion Award; and Dr. Chetachi
Nwoga-Ecton, CEO and President of the When
in Need Foundation, who received the Hall
ofFame/Global Giving Award.
Raffle proceeds were donated to the nonprofit
Family & Children’s Association, The Retreat, a
nonprofit that helps domestic violence survivors,
and Metavivor, which raises funds for metastatic
breast cancer research.
The awards gave the honorees a moment to
reflect on their successes.
“We’re all about the women,” said honoree Juliana
Curran Terian, President and CEO of Rallye
Auto Group.
“My most proud, successful accomplishment is
that I’m the mother of five women,” said honoree
Silvana Scotto, the self-described “Queen of
Fun,” proprietor of the Sagamore Bridge Club
and woman behind several other ventures.
Others were profusely thankful.
“I am so touched that the leadership at Parker
Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation
nominated me for this award,” said Maureen
Schneider, RN and Director of Corporate
Admissions at the New Hyde Park-based Parker
Jewish Institute. “It has been a pleasure, and a
blessing in my life to work with such dedicated
and professional people, whose only mission is to
give quality care to our patients and residents.”
One honoree best summed up the theme of the
night — keeping the charitable holiday spirit
alive year round.
“Every day is a good day just as long as we’re
helping someone,” said Linda Armyn, Senior
Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Bethpage
Federal Credit Union, who received the Community
Leadership Award.
This year’s 2017 Power Women honorees were:
Tara Anglim LCSW-R, ACHP-SW, Associate
Director Palliative Care, Peconic Bay Medical
Center-Northwell Health
MaryAnn Benzola, Director of Marketing, Custom
Computer Specialists, Inc.
Suzanne Brienza, Director of Meter Services,
PSEG Long Island
Anne Brigis, President & CEO, YMCA Long
Island
Lisa Burch, VP & Chief Operating Officer, Family
and Children’s Association