Fourteen leading executives in Westchester and Fairfield Counties were honored at the Westfair Communications 2025 C-Suite Awards on the evening of Oct. 23. The event took place at RPW Group’s 1133 Westchester Ave. in White Plains.
A theme discussed by the award recipients was their methods for keeping operations competitive in a tough climate without compromising values. Another was ways they are enhancing loyalty and a sense of belonging among employees, especially younger ones who may find attractive the idea of moving from business to business while climbing the ladder of success.
“The one thing that I noticed when I came in here tonight was the energy,” said Mistress of Ceremonies Jennifer Maher, a soulful prosperity business coach. “It wasn’t a frenetic, overhyped energy; it was the energy of people who have built something meaningful … and stayed true to something bigger than a bottom line.”
Maher noted that she was a founder of the Putnam County Business Council and when the pandemic hit and things started to shut down some businesspeople began to panic and fear that their businesses would go under.
“I started coaching businesses I didn’t know anything about,” Maher said. “I literally helped dozens and dozens of business owners not only survive the pandemic but thrive. And that was the most alive I’ve ever felt. I realized I had been chasing success. All of my goals were external and material, every single one of them. What I really wanted was soulful prosperity; the kind of success that feels good in every ounce of your body. It’s not about the car or the things; it’s about who you become, and that’s what soulful prosperity is.”
Guest speaker Dr. Cara Pensabene, global medical director for Mastercard who has been active with the American Heart Association in Westchester and Fairfield pointed out that the association’s Go Red for Women program is a national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women and it’s a program that should be of interest to C-Suite leaders.
“It’s about action, advocacy, and community,” Pensabene said. “Life moves fast, Between families, careers, calendars and commitments it’s easy to put your own health on the back burner. But when it comes to your heart delay is no longer an option. Go Red for Women is where community and connection meet action. It’s where women come together to learn, to lead and to live longer, healthier lives. As we look ahead, I invite you as C-Suite leaders to be a part of this movement.”
When John Barbalaco, executive vice president and chief banking officer of DR Bank accepted his C-Suite Award, he commented that when he was early in his banking career, he really appreciated that executives at the bank where he was working listened to his ideas and expressed appreciation for his interest in sharing them. He said that he has applied that in his current position.
Faith Ann Butcher, chief impact officer for United Way of Westchester and Putnam, said upon accepting her C-Suite Award that executives can hold their values while at the same time being competitive.
“As long as you’re open-minded and innovative you can do anything in a strong network,” Butcher said.
Award honoree Lisa Cordasco, president of New Crystal restoration, said in a message that competitiveness never comes at the expense of integrity.
Catherine Duke, chief talent officer for the law firm Robinson+Cole, was an honoree and in a message said that the firm holds regular town halls with staff and that the firm’s partners make videos to help communicate with others in the firm.
C-Suite Award recipient Scott Edelman, CEO and executive director of Burke Rehabilitation, said that people who move to other jobs often are leaving managers and managers need to do a better job of leading by example.
Melinda Huff, chief creative officer of the company Mirame that she founded in 2011, received a C-Suite Award.
Bob Knight, president and CEO of Harry Marketing, in accepting his 2025 C-Suite Award, said that leaders “have to be bold without being reckless. It’s a balance. If you’re lucky you surround yourself with incredible people who help you with that balance.”
Dr. David Lubarsky, president and CEO of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) in a message expressed thanks for his C-Suite award and said, “At WMCHealth, we’ve been intentional about building a culture where people understand their impact on every patient and community we serve.”
Weezie Mullaly, president and owner of the Weezie Mullaly Insurance Agency, said the hardest thing for her to do as a small business owner starting out was to find good talent.
Award recipient Kathleen Reckling, CEO of ArtsWestchester said that nonprofits these days are thinking more about collaboration rather than competition. She said that a strong factor in success is not compromising one’s values.
Joseph Ruhl, executive vice president for Westchester County of Orange Bank & Trust Company, told the audience, “Our institution gives young people an opportunity to grow within the organization.” In accepting his C-Suite Award, Ruhl explained how the bank hires young college graduates and exposes them to various aspects of the banking business trying to see where they would best fit and gives them opportunities to grow within the organization.
Devon Scanlon, who owns and operates Chick-fil-A locations in Connecticut, said that while she retains current employees, she also welcomes newcomers.
“We have 14 people who’ve been with us since we opened 11 years ago,” Scanlon said when accepting her C-Suite Award.
The 2025 C-Suite Award for Douglas Torre, chief information officer at White Plains Hospital, was accepted by Dr. Matthew Shafiroff, the hospital’s chief medical information officer.
“Doug and our team at White Plains Hospital will remain committed to innovation, operational excellence and serving our community,” Shafiroff said.
Tami Wilson, CEO of Feeding Westchester Inc., said in her award acceptance remarks, “My focus is always going to be on people. That can mean showing up for people, seeing in people things they’ve never seen, supporting them, developing them, bringing them along.”
Serving as judge for the 2025 C-Suite Awards was Ronald Rosado Abad, CEO of Community Housing Innovations, Inc. Partners with Westfair Communications in the awards event were DR Bank, White Plains Hospital, Burke Rehabilitation, Win Waste Innovations, and WMCHealth. Supporting the event were Action Entertainment and Vistage.
