Winning Women

KathodeRay recognizes exceptional women making a difference in their communities

#WinningWomen Series

We love to celebrate women who develop an entrepreneurial mindset – one win at a time! From smaller to massive wins, we all deserve a pat on the back to motivate us to keep going. If you know someone you want to give extra encouragement to, we encourage you to nominate them for our ongoing Winning Women spotlight! Know a Winning Woman? Nominate her today!

2024

Michelle Rivera

Owner, Love Shine Tea
Michelle Rivera, owner of Love Shine Tea, is an avid community builder. She sees Love Shine Tea as a welcoming and inclusive place for people to gather.  In addition to teas from around the globe, the shop also has baked…Read moreLearn about Michelle Rivera

Joan Wissert

Owner, Middleburgh Mercantile
As an artisan herself, Joan Wissert understands how difficult it is to constantly be loading up the car with goods and taking them to markets. After relocating from Western New York to Middleburgh, she noticed a void in the area…Read moreLearn about Joan Wissert

Lisa Tenneson

Owner, Four Star Realty Group
It’s Winning Women Wednesday! This month we are proud to highlight Lisa Tenneson, owner of Four Star Realty Group, Inc. Lisa’s dream of working in Real Estate began with her love for homes, design, and connecting with people. Just two…Read moreLearn about Lisa Tenneson

Hui-Hsin Liu

Owner, Willow Acupuncture
Before immigrating to the United States, Hui-Hsin Liu practiced traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture at various clinics in Asia. During that time, she felt her capacity to care for patients was limited, and she decided she wanted to open her…Read moreLearn about Hui-Hsin Liu

Dr. Liz Boomhower

Owner, Catskill Valley Chiropractic: A Center For Wellness
Dr. Liz Boomhower, owner of Catskill Valley Chiropractic: A Center For Wellness, started her business 2 years ago after being inspired by her parents to start her own business. As a chiropractor, Dr. Liz uses a holistic approach to bring the…Read moreLearn about Dr. Liz Boomhower

Dawn Kralovich

Owner, Down With the Wellness
Dawn Kralovich, owner of Down With The Wellness, started her business 2 years ago after becoming a board-certified nurse coach. This expanding upon her 2 decades of experience as a registered nurse. As a nurse coach, she takes a holistic…Read moreLearn about Dawn Kralovich

Keely Tumey

Owner, Balayage Bar Salon
After completing the hair and make-up programs at Paul Mitchell School in Schenectady, Keely Tumey opened her own studio, the Balayage Bar Salon in Freehold. While she specializes in balayage, blonding and hair extensions, she also sells locally made skin…Read moreLearn about Keely Tumey

Teddi Campbell

Owner, Teddi's Flowers (retired)
In addition to being a business owner for many years, Teddi Campbell also has a long history of community service. After 9/11 while her son was serving in the Marines, Teddi collected donations at her shop to send out gift…Read moreLearn about Teddi Campbell

Cassandra Lang Tritto

Owner, Cassandra's Cakes
For the past 4 years, Cassandra Lang Tritto has been creating beautiful and delicious cakes, cupcakes and sugar cookies for weddings, birthdays, baby showers and other special events. Cassandra’s Cakes has been featured three times by Wilton Cake Decorating. In…Read moreLearn about Cassandra Lang Tritto

Heather Williams

Owner, Living Stone Events & Pippy's Hotdog Truck
Heather Williams sees a couple through their special day from beginning to end at the Living Stone event space – handling the booking, catering, shopping, and anything else she can to create the wedding of their dreams. In addition to…Read moreLearn about Heather Williams
2023
KrisAnne Lynch, Owner of Lynch's Pot O' Gold Restaurant & Campground

KrisAnne Lynch

Owner, Lynch's Pot O' Gold Restaurant & Campground
In 2020, KrisAnne purchased the family business, Lynch's Pot O' Gold, which has been in operation for 50 years. KrisAnne does everything from cooking to cleaning to bartending to serving customers, to keep the business going. She is particularly proud…Read moreLearn about KrisAnne Lynch

Mokihana Pambianchi

Owner, Bliss Events
For the past 13 years, Mokihana Pambianchi has been creating beautiful and unique events for her clients including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and more. Bliss Events was the 2023 Chronogrammie winner for weddings in the rental company division and has been…Read moreLearn about Mokihana Pambianchi
Lenora Freese, Owner of Lenora Freese LMT and Alternative Body Works Center in Catskill

Lenora Freese

Owner, Lenora Freese LMT & Alternative Body Works Center
Lenora has been a massage therapist for the past 24 years, helping her clients to manage chronic pain, reduce stress, or recover from injuries and be the best version of themselves. She was recently named the 2023 Businesswoman of the…Read moreLearn about Lenora Freese
Andrea Macko and Sylvia Hasenkopf, owners of Porcupine Soup

Sylvia Hasenkopf & Andrea Macko

Owners, Porcupine Soup
Seeing a need for accessible local news, Andrea and Sylvia launched Porcupine Soup in November 2020 with a goal of reaching 5,000 page views. To their surprise, they ended up hitting 20,000 in the first month, and at the end…Read moreLearn about Sylvia Hasenkopf & Andrea Macko
Nicole Ambrosio, Project Manager for the Town of Greenville and Grant Writer for the Laberge Group

Nicole Ambrosio

Project Manager, Town of Greenville; Grant Writer, Laberge Group
After teaching for 35 years, Nicole started her own business Ambrosio Inc. where she helped municipalities apply for grant funding. Today, she still continues much of that work in her capacity as the Project Manager for the Town of Greenville's…Read moreLearn about Nicole Ambrosio
Kathleen McLean, President of The McLean Group

Kathleen McLean

President, The McLean Group
Through her work with the McLean Group, Kathleen educates clients about how to create a work environment where all people can thrive by addressing leadership development, team building and equity. She has received numerous awards for her work, including Women…Read moreLearn about Kathleen McLean
Rachel Puckett, Director of Community/Employee Relations and Planning at Mid-Hudson Cablevision

Rachel Puckett

Director of Community / Employee Relations and Planning, Mid-Hudson Cablevision
Rachel has been with Mid-Hudson Cable for almost 15 years, working her way up from an Administrative Assistant. In addition to acting as a liaison to local governments, keeping them abreast of Mid-Hudson’s fiber upgrades and other expansions, Rachel also…Read moreLearn about Rachel Puckett
Karen Gallo, Owner of Karen's Flower Shoppe

Karen Gallo

Owner, Karen's Flower Shoppe
For the past 39 years, Karen has been creating flower arrangements for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, funerals and other special occasions. She received the 2023 Susan Oldazowski Professional Women of Excellence award, was inducted into the Women Professionals Hall of Fame,…Read moreLearn about Karen Gallo

Susan Kayne

Founder/CEO, Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation
We are proud to highlight Susan Kayne, Founder/CEO of Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation, a non-profit organization that rescues horses (off-the-track Thoroughbreds in particular), from abuse, neglect and slaughter. In addition to rehabilitating and caring for approximately 55 horses at a time,…Read moreLearn about Susan Kayne
Crickett Thomas-O'Dell, Director of Community Engagement and Statewide Pre-Apprentice Program Coordinator for the Workforce Development Institute (WDI)

Crickett Thomas-O’Dell

Director of Community Engagement and Statewide Pre-Apprentice Program Coordinator, Workforce Development Institute
Crickett knows community building. She is the Director of Community Engagement and Statewide Pre-Apprentice Program Coordinator for the Workforce Development Institute (WDI). She spends her days helping workers gain the skills and opportunities that lead to quality jobs and careers…Read moreLearn about Crickett Thomas-O’Dell
Toni Carroll, Executive Director of the Greene County YMCA

Toni Carroll

Executive Director, Greene County YMCA
Toni is currently pursuing a second Master's Degree in Public Health, and brings extensive experience to her position as Executive Director of the Greene County YMCA. At the Greene County Rural Health Network, Toni spearheaded multiple wellness and educational efforts…Read moreLearn about Toni Carroll
2022
Nneka Bell, President & Owner of Celebrities Quality Painting, Inc

Nneka Bell

President & Owner, Celebrities Quality Painting Inc.
Nneka knows service. She served our country in the US Navy and when her term was up, she opened The Celebrities Boutique followed by Celebrities Quality Painting INC. and began caring for customers and employees alike. Both businesses bring quality…Read moreLearn about Nneka Bell
Pamela Geskie, President/Executive Director of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce

Pamela Geskie

President/Executive Director, Greene County Chamber of Commerce
If you operate a business in Greene County, chances are you’ve met Pamela Geskie personally. As Membership Director for the Greene County Chamber of Commerce for the past 5 years, she’s been laser-focused on helping member businesses become more prosperous…Read moreLearn about Pamela Geskie
Victoria Storrs, President & Founder of Storrs Associates

Victoria Storrs

President and Founder of Storrs Associates
Victoria knows development. She has been a leader in the analysis and the quantitative research required to create disciplined advice for public entities and private sector businesses for over 20 years. Her firm, Storrs Associates, guides clients through the intricacies…Read moreLearn about Victoria Storrs
Nicole Bliss, Vice President and Human Resources Officer at National Bank of Coxsackie

Nicole Bliss

Vice President and Human Resource Officer, National Bank of Coxsackie
As a NYS WBE, we love to celebrate women who are natural leaders – one win at a time! That’s why we’re proud to highlight Nicole Bliss, Vice President and Human Resource Officer at National Bank of Coxsackie. As a…Read moreLearn about Nicole Bliss
Judith Wines, Adult and Outreach Services Manager for the Upper Hudson Library System

Judith Wines

Adult and Outreach Services Manager, Upper Hudson Library System
Since accepting her position as Adult and Outreach Services Manager at the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) a few months ago, Judith Wines has been hard at work developing and continuing many programs designed to improve library services for Albany…Read moreLearn about Judith Wines
Rebecca Flach, executive director of Hope Full Life Center Inc. located in Ravena

Rebecca Flach

Executive Director, Hope Full Life Center Inc.
Rebecca Marion Flach is executive director of Hope Full Life Center Inc. located in Ravena. Her work there helps to provide critical support for people struggling with food insecurity. It all started with the Helping Harvest food assistance program in…Read moreLearn about Rebecca Flach

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