Westchester County Association President Marissa Brett recently was honored as a “Woman of Influence” in the metropolitan New York area by the New York Business Journal.
- Marissa Brett
Brett, who was named WCA president in 2014, was one of 78 women honored at a January luncheon ceremony in Manhattan. The women were selected for having both successful business careers and strong track records of using their success to help other women, according to an announcement from the WCA.
In its first year, the Women of Influence program in the greater New York City area is part of a national effort by American City Business Journals to identify and celebrate women business leaders and to foster business environments that will create even more successful women in the future. Nominations for the honor were submitted last fall by association partners, entrepreneurs, business owners and executives. The winners were picked by a group of American City Business Journal editors.
“I am deeply honored and consider myself most fortunate to have been surrounded by people who supported me throughout my career,” Brett said in a statement. “I plan to use my success to educate young professionals who are just starting out in their careers.”
Formerly a vice president of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp., Brett joined the WCA in 2011 as executive director of its economic development division, where she spearheaded the organization”™s Blueprint for Westchester initiative and the growth of the Blueprint Accelerator Network of business partners supporting early-stage companies. WCA officials noted the Yonkers native also has launched networking groups for the county”™s expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem and for its top scientists to spark further innovation.
Brett serves on the board for the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, the Leadership Council of the YWCA of Westchester and on the board of advisers for the Fordham University School of Professional Studies.
