Premier Business Women of Long Island Awards
About the event
The annual HERALD Premier Business Women of Long Island Awards recognizes and celebrates the critical role women have in the business world, contributing diverse perspectives, skills, and innovation. Fostering inclusivity, driving creativity and problem-solving, women business leaders empower one another, close gender gaps and inspire entrepreneurship and corporate leadership for a more equitable and prosperous business landscape.
Why
This is a unique opportunity to align your company with diversity and inclusion values, fostering a positive corporate image. Supporting this event is not only a social responsibility but a strategic investment in a more equitable and prosperous workforce. This event increases your awareness and visibility, ultimately amplifying the brand’s reputation and market presence and showcases your commitment.
Audience
C-Suite, founders and executive female leadership
Meet the 2026 Honorees
Accounting Excellence Award
Donna M. DiSclafani
Partner, Prager Metis CPAs
Vanessa M. Gordon
Audit Principal, Grassi Advisors
Banking Leadership Award
Carol A. Allen
President & Chief Executive Officer, People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union
Lucy Zhang
FVP / Commercial Lender, Royal Business Bank
Nicole A. Stefanakos
Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking, Citizens
Community Impact Award
Giovana Bracchi
Executive Director, La Fuerza Community Development Corporation
Katherine Fritz
President & Chief Executive Officer, Long Island Cares
Lisa Burch
President & Chief Executive Officer, EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies
Merlisa Fairley, BS, PH. MBA
Chief Operating Officer, Pronto of Long Island, Inc.
Patricia Charlemagne, Ed.D., J.D.
Executive Director, Girls Inc. of Long Island
Suzette Gordon
President & Chief Executive Officer, SCO Family of Services
Valentina Janek
Founder and Host, Long Island Breakfast Club
Education Award
Maria Conzatti, Ph.D.
Chief Administrator, Nassau Community College
Education & Youth Award
Ellen Morris Tiegerman, MD
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Tiegerman School and Tiegerman Community Services
Jasmin Varela, Ed.D.
District Superintendent, Eastern Suffolk BOCES
Entrepreneurial Award
Charlene Jackson, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer, Thompson Economic Development Services, LLC
Joanna Austin
Chief Executive Officer, 31st State
Lety Algeri
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Plant Up
Finance Award
Agnes Falcone
Controller, Winters Bros.
Financial Services Award
Ana Ludemann, MBA
Vice President / Wealth Management Financial Advisor, Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC
Katherine Dean
Financial Advisor, Opal Wealth Advisors
Healthcare & Wellness Award
Carmine Peña, DDS
Endodontist, Peña Dentistry PLLC Practice Limited to Endodontics
Carol Gomes
Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Stony Brook University Hospital
Janis Hoffman, LCSW-R
Co-Founder, Mindful Therapy
Jill Kofler, LMHC-D
Co-Founder, Mindful Therapy
Marina Cortese, DAc, LAc, CMES, CCES, CSCS
Founder, MoveMed Rx
Reena Walia
Lead, Marketing and Growth Strategy, Always Compassionate Health
Tara Buonocore-Rut
President & Chief Executive Officer, CenterLight Health System, Powered by C2Q.
Vanessa Baird-Streeter
President & Chief Executive Officer, Health & Welfare Council of Long Island
Insurance Award
Evelyn Gellar
Managing Director, Forest Hills Financial Group
Legal Excellence Award
Barbara Marissa Maisto
Member, Bond Schoeneck & King
Cheryl L. Fratello, Esq.
Founding Attorney, Fratello Law, P.C.
Marketing Award
Erin Nourijanian
Vice President of Marketing, UBS Arena
Media Excellence Award
Astrid Cordoba
President, AVC Media
Mor Greenberg
Founder, Mor Media Group
Skye Ostreicher
Founder, In the Room Media & The Political Personality
Minority Women OWNED Business Award
Noreen Carro
President, LMN Printing of NY, Inc.
Power Team Award
Drive Fore Success
Jaime Franchi
Director of Communications & Government Relations, Long Island Contractors Association
Sheryl Buro
Deputy Executive Director / Chief Financial Officer, Long Island Contractors Association
Rory Shaffer Walsh
Vice President of Institutional Advancement, St. Joseph’s University, New York
Michelle Papajohn
Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, St. Joseph’s University, New York
Heather E. Barry, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, St. Joseph’s University, New York
Eileen White Jahn, M.B.A, Ph.D.
Executive Dean, St. Joseph’s University, New York
Janelle Hill
Associate Vice President for Student Life, St. Joseph’s University, New York
Jessica McAleer Decatur
Vice President for Marketing and Communication, St. Joseph’s University, New York
Marion Kowalski, CPA, M.S.
Interim Chief Financial Officer and Controller, St. Joseph’s University, New York
Christine Murphy
Vice President for Enrollment Management, St. Joseph’s University, New York
Public Service Award
Maegan Fox
President, Project Thank a Cop
Real Estate Award
Gina Coletti, PhD, ABR, SRES, RSPS
President, Broker/Owner, GC Advisory Group, Inc.
Suci Padro
Branch Manager, Nationwide Mortgage Bankers
Technology Award
Lucia Suljic
Vice President of Corporate Legal, Canon U.S.A., Inc
RISING STARS UNDER 40
Jillian Kashuba
Managing Associate, Forest Hills Financial
Janna Rodriguez
President, The Innovative Daycare Company
2026 Photo Gallery
2025 Photo Gallery
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Click on a logo to learn more.
