The Westchester County Association announced details for the “Year of Innovation,” a series of programs as part of its Blueprint for Westchester campaign to celebrate those helping move the county forward. The series begins in November with a slate of events planned for Global Entrepreneurship Week, including a Twitter chat, the Women in Tech Awards luncheon, a pitch contest for entrepreneurs and the WCA”™s Fall Leadership Dinner.
“The WCA”™s ”˜Year of Innovation”™ celebrates the brightest minds and strategic thinkers in Westchester County,” WCA President Marissa Brett said in a press release announcing the events. “Our special programs address critical business issues, provide support to emerging companies, and feature the expertise of leaders who are accelerating growth in Westchester”™s Innovation Economy and spurring economic development in the region.”
On Nov. 18 at 12:30 p.m., John Lucker of Deloitte will lead a virtual Q&A on Twitter that will give businesses in Westchester and beyond a leg up on how to best use data to inform a company”™s next steps and strategic plans. Lucker, who has developed numerous advanced analytic business solutions, is a frequent speaker in the industry on this topic. Attendees may submit questions prior to and during the 45-minute chat using the hashtag #WCAData to participate.
At 5:30 p.m., Christina Bechhold, co-founder and managing director of the Manhattan-based angel fund Empire Angels, will emcee an event designed to help entrepreneurs take their ideas to the next level. Emerging companies will have the opportunity to hear from Bechold, a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal”™s startup blog, The Accelerators, and to present their business plans to a panel of judges. The winner receives a $10,000 cash grant and acceptance into Westchester”™s Blueprint Accelerator Network. Interested entrepreneurs can apply by visiting Westchester.org. Applications are due Nov. 7 and tickets to the event are $20 per person.
On Nov. 19, guests at the WCA”™s inaugural “Women in Tech” awards luncheon will have the chance to hear from the women pioneering some of the world”™s most important scientific research. The luncheon, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown, will honor scientists responsible for engineering the flu vaccine, researching new breast cancer treatments, discovering breakthroughs in cerebral palsy therapies, tackling drug-resistant viruses, and advancing DNA sequencing. They are: Doris Bucher, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at New York Medical College; Chau Dang, chief of the West Harrison Medical Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Kathleen Friel, director of Clinical Laboratory for Early Brain Injury Recovery at Burke-Cornell Medical Research Institute; Julia P. Gregory, the CEO of ContraFect; and Soo Young Yang, the founder and chairman of Histogenetics. Tickets are $110 for WCA members and $130 for nonmembers.
At this year”™s Fall Leadership Dinner, which will be held Nov. 20 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Westchester Marriott, four individuals will be honored for their achievements in their respective industries and for having a positive impact on the Westchester business community and the regional economy.
William Cuddy, the executive vice president at CBRE, will be honored at the dinner for his leadership in the Westchester real estate community and for his vision as chairman of the Blueprint for Westchester. Laura Forese, the president of New York Presbyterian Healthcare System will be recognized for her role in expanding the health system”™s health care delivery network into Westchester County. Robert Glazer, the CEO of ENT and Allergy Associates will be honored for his leadership in health care administration and the strategic growth of his company over the last 17 years. Steven Safyer, the president and CEO of Montefiore Health System, will be recognized for his foresight and leadership in guiding Montefiore to become a nationally recognized center of clinical excellence, training the next generation of health care leaders, delivering science-driven and patient-centered care to the region, and for expanding his medical center”™s footprint in Westchester County.
This year”™s leadership dinner keynote speaker is John D. Bassett, III, chairman of Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co. and subject of the New York Times bestseller, “Factory Man,” written by Beth Macy. Under his leadership, Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co. sales have increased from $38 million in 1983 when Bassett joined the company, to more than $90 million today. He will share his “Five Principles You Need To Compete in the Global Marketplace,” illuminating them with anecdotes to make business leaders think about improving their position on the world”™s stage.
