Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce Names Katharine Briar-Lawson Woman of Excellence
UAlbany School of Social Welfare dean one of eight women recognized for success in career, community service

Contact(s):  Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 5, 2008) -- University at Albany-SUNY School of Social Welfare Dean Katharine Briar-Lawson has been named a Woman of Excellence by the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce. Briar-Lawson joins seven others who will be recognized for success in their professional careers and community service during the Chamber's Women's Business Council's 17th Annual Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon to be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 26 at the Albany Marriott Hotel.

"This year's winners truly exemplify the spirit of the Women of Excellence Awards, demonstrating progression in their careers, involvement in their communities and accomplishments in their personal and professional lives that set them apart from their peers," said Chamber President Lyn Taylor.

For more than 30 years, Briar-Lawson has been a leader in child welfare, social welfare and social work education, advocating for vulnerable and oppressed persons and those who serve them. 

Since moving to Albany in 2000, Briar-Lawson has been influential in improving university-community relationships, establishing innovative social service collaborations in the Capital Region and strengthening relations among the university, state and local government and the public and non-profit sectors. She is nationally recognized for her work in social work education, child welfare and aging.

Briar-Lawson serves as president of the National Association of Deans and Directors of Social Work (NADD), which represents nearly 200 schools of social work in the United States. Briar-Lawson helped to foster important national initiatives, including workforce development for child welfare, aging populations, and funding from a charitable foundation for a leadership academy for deans. Over the past 15 years, she has spearheaded university-community partnerships and family and interprofessional collaboration in more than 40 states. She recently helped to co-host the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) Symposium on Community Building and Child Welfare. In addition, she is a frequent consultant abroad, traveling to the Netherlands, Peru, South Africa and South Korea.

Briar-Lawson will be recognized for Excellence in the Professions. This year's honorees also include:

• Emerging Professional:
  Rachel Zimolka, Senior Business Development Executive, Sunmark Federal Credit Union

• Excellence in Sales or Marketing:
  Sandra Nardoci, Associate Broker/Relocation Specialist, Prudential Manor Homes

• Excellence in Business:
  Missy Shorey, President/Chief Executive Officer, Shorey Public Relations

• Excellence in Management (1-10 employees):
  Anne LaRoche, Manager of Technology & Information Systems, KAPL Inc.

• Excellence in Management (11-74 employees):
  Stacy Fitch, General Manager, The Paradies Shops, Albany International Airport

• Excellence in Management (75+ employees):
  Paula Stopera, President/Chief Executive Officer, Capital Communications Federal Credit Union

• Distinguished Career:
  Eileen Bagnoli, Executive Vice President/Secretary, Pioneer Bank

"The Women's Business Council is proud to recognize these eight outstanding women for their contributions to the business community," said Heather Ford, WBC chair. "Their achievements set the standard for excellence among women in business and remind us of what can be attained through passion and commitment."

The event's major sponsors are Academy of the Holy Names, KeyBank, Times Union and Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna LLP.

Tickets for the event are $56; corporate tables are also available. Registration is available online.

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