In recognition of her exceptional professional achievement, leadership in her field and meaningful community contributions, the Dutchess Community College(DCC) Foundation will induct Filomena Fanelli, founder and CEO of Impact PR & Communications, into its prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame. Fanelli will be formally recognized at the foundation’s annual Our Community’s Bridge to the Future Gala, on Saturday, March 28, at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie, New York. The event honors and celebrates alumni and community leaders whose achievements exemplify excellence, leadership and service.
“Receiving this alumni award from the college that shaped my professional foundation is a meaningful milestone,” said Fanelli. “The education and confidence I gained at DCC made it possible to build my PR agency, and the recognition carries special significance as my mother is also a graduate. Being acknowledged by an institution that has influenced multiple generations of my family underscores its lasting impact.”
Founded by Fanelli in 2014, Impact PR & Communications has grown under her leadership into an award-winning strategic public relations agency with a national client roster, serving organizations across industries, including banking and financial services, real estate, construction, tourism, hospitality and nonprofits. The agency aids clients in strengthening brands and reputations, creating thought leaders, building public trust and deepening community connections. Impact PR & Communications has earned national recognition, including being named the “Nation’s No.1 PR Agency” in CommPro’s influential industry ranking in August 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 “Women Owned Business of the Year,” multiple Mercury Awards by the Public Relations Society of America Greater Connecticut Chapter and more. Fanelli has previously been recognized as a Hudson Valley magazine Women in Business Honoree, a Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 Mover & Shaker and an Athena award honoree.
“Filomena Fanelli’s journey is a powerful reminder of what is possible through hard work, perseverance and service. Her induction into the DCC Alumni Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of her remarkable legacy,” said foundation’s interim Executive Director Anna Parra.
The Our Community’s Bridge to the Future Gala raises critical funds for the Dutchess Community College Foundation, supporting scholarships, emergency assistance, academic programs and student success initiatives. The event brings together alumni, community leaders and partners to celebrate achievements while investing in the next generation. Additional gala honorees include Raymond J. Freda (posthumously); Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, Samuel and Gail Simon, recipients of the Bridge to the Future Award, for their lasting contributions to education and quality of life throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley; and G. Angela Henry, recipient of the Bernard Handel Community Leadership Award for exemplary leadership, volunteerism and service across Dutchess County.
