Leadership program to graduate 20 professionals

The Leadership Westchester program will graduate 20 professionals at Westchester Community College in Valhalla on June 25. The event will celebrate the completion of a nine-month program offered by The Volunteer Center of United Way.

The training gave participants opportunities to learn about nonprofit board responsibilities and key management tools that are essential for taking on volunteer leadership positions.

Karen Schatzel, vice president and housing committee chair of the League of Women Voters of Westchester, will receive the 2013 Alumna of the Year Award.

Schatzel served on the boards of Abbot House, the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct, the Irvington Historical Society and the board of education of the Abbott School. She chairs the Committee on Directors of the Louis August Jonas Foundation, and was the president of the Fortnightly Club, a social organization in Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow and Irvington. Since 1997, Schatzel has been volunteering at Historic Hudson Valley.

Leadership Westchester, which will celebrate its 18th year, provides monthly seminars that help refine leadership skills and keep professionals current with the county’s social, political and economic climate.

“Leadership Westchester not only prepares you to be a better, more authentic leader in your professional, volunteer, and personal life, but also helps you define what is important to you and how you can have a positive impact on others,” said Alisa H. Kesten, executive director of The Volunteer Center, in a press release.

The 2013 Leadership Westchester graduates are:

Francely Bernard of the Bronx, director of resource development, United Way of Westchester and Putnam.

Patrick Brennan of Fishkill, vice president of information technology, The Westchester Bank.

Maire Brosnan Katavolos of Nyack, executive director, Community YMCA of Northern Westchester.

Karen Cheeks-Lomax of Mount Vernon, executive director, My Sisters’ Place.

Olivia Ecker of Tarrytown, facilities coordinator, communications, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Ed Forbes of MountKisco, digital team leader, The Journal News.

Jill Gottlieb of Chappaqua, coordinator, Caregiver Center Replication Program of Northern Westchester Hospital.

Jennifer Gruenberg of Scarsdale, board member, White PlainsHospital and Westchester Community College Foundation.

Mary Jo Jacobs of New Rochelle, human resources consultant.

Ann Kilbourne of Hartsdale, manager of planning and analysis, Bunge Global Agribusiness.

Marjorie Lang of Irvington, administrative vice president, M&T Bank.

Sharon Masciovecchio of New City, development director, March of Dimes.

Drew McKay of White Plains, project manager, Arben Group L.L.C.

Elizabeth Phillips of Peekskill, director of health education services, Hudson River HealthCare.

Frankie Shahar of New Rochelle, vice president of communications and marketing, Association of Development Officers.

Deborah Silverman of Rye Brook, financial consultant.

Julie Sootin of Pleasantville, director of development, Westchester Children’s Museum.

Katherine Stipicevic of Tuckahoe, senior manager, PepsiCo Inc.

Raymond Wong of Mount Vernon, relationship manager, small business, TD Bank.

John Wool of West Harrison, director of admissions, Berkeley College (Westchester campus).