WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
NAWBO Buffalo Niagara has partnered with WKBW-TV for “Women in Leadership,” a program that recognizes area businesswomen who have succeeded both in the business and charitable arenas and inspire others to follow in their path
Honorees are established women business owners or professional/working women who have exhibited leadership, enterprise, and excellence in their business and give back to the Western New York and/or greater community with volunteer service.
Women In Leadership Award Application 
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January 2012 - Felicia Doctor, My Precious Angels DaycareFelicia has an inspirational success story that took her from dropping out of high school to being the owner of a successful corporation. Felicia grew up on Buffalo’s East Side and had her first 3 children without a husband. She obtained her GED and then spent 17 years in banking and collections. In 2004, she started her own business—My Precious Angels Daycare on Bailey Avenue, and within 3 years her business had a waiting list. In January 2011, Felicia opened a 2nd location and now employs 11 people full-time to supervise children from 6 weeks to 12 years old. She runs her business as more than a baby-sitting service with the philosophy that Buffalo children should get the same level of education as kids in the suburbs. My Precious Angels Daycare participates in Project CARE, aprogram through “Read to Succeed Buffalo” that aims to infuse language and literacy primarily into home-based child care centers in our Literacy Zone. Channel 7 news interview | AM Buffalo |
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December 2011 - Kathryn A. Jackson, Attorney at Law, P.C.Kathryn is a business and estate attorney who was once a partner in a large law firm in downtown Buffalo. After 13 years, she left the firm to open her own law practice in the Village of Williamsville and is still going strong after almost 10 years. Kathryn keeps her practice specialized so that she can give each client her personal attention and takes advantage of technology so she can always be available when needed. Kathryn is a strong advocate for professional working women and is one of the founding members of NAWBO Buffalo Niagara as well as a past president. In fact, while president, Kathryn initiated and completed the first all women-built Habitat for Humanity House in WNY. She is also a past member of Business and Professional Women of Buffalo and American Businesswomen’s Association and a current member of NYS Women, Inc. In addition, Kathryn has participated as a board memberon numerous not-for-profit boards. Channel 7 news interview |
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November 2011 - Dr. Kelly Komm Truong, DDS, Crosspointe DentistryKelly is a 2004 graduate of UB’s Dental School who opened her own dental
practice in Getzville. She provides a wide variety of dental services and
uses the latest dental technology to do so. She also uses needle-less
anesthesia. Kelly says her secrets to her business success are her
employees and taking pride in ownership. |
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October 2011 - JENNIFER COOPER, of Old Glory Flag & Banner, a Division of Cooper Sign Co.Old Glory Flag & Banner was created as a product diversification to insulate Cooper Sign Co. against the declining industry in Niagara Falls. It provides US flags made in the US, as well as foreign, armed forces, state, historical, custom corporate flags, and flagpoles on both a retail and commercial level. Jennifer's company faces competition from flags made in China for far less cost, but is committed to only selling US flags made in the USA. The Company participates in the ADOPT A PLATOON PROGRAM, a volunteer based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving deployed US Service men and women, ensuring that they are not forgotten by a grateful Nation. It also supplies used flags to the Veterans and Boy Scout Troops for flag burning ceremonies. Channel 7 news interview | AM Buffalo |
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September 2011 - Tara Vogel, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of BuffaloTara has accomplished a great deal at a young age. She is COO at Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Buffalo, where she leads the non-profit organization with high energy and skill. Tara and CCCS are on a mission to teach Western New Yorkers the best strategies to master their credit through financial counseling, credit report reviews sessions, housing counseling, budget counseling, unsecured debt repayment plans, small business financial counseling and many quality financial literacy programs that focus on our youth. Tara is dedicated to goals of non-profit organizations, starting her career with the YWCA. She is also a member of the Women’s TAP Fund (Taking Action in Politics), the Loan Committee for Ways to Work Program through Child & Family Services, and the Nominating Committee for EveryWoman Opportunity Center. |
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August 2011 - Emily Brady, Fisher's FriendsEmily founded Fisher’s Friends Dog Daycare in 2005 and now has 7 employees working for her. The business offers dog daycare and grooming services. It also has a boutique that sells pet products. Emily became involved with a national non-profit organization called Feeding Pets of the Homeless based in Nevada. Its mission is to provide care to the pets of the homeless and seriously needy. Fisher’s Friends has become the Western New York donation center for pet food and funds and collects, repackages and delivers pet food to several local soup kitchens where it’s then given to those in need. To date Fisher’s Friends has distributed over 3,000 pounds of pet food to local soup kitchens. |
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July 2011 - Carolyn Valenti, Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & WeintraubCarolyn is a certified public accountant and started her accounting firm with her partners in 2000. With over 30 years of experience serving a diverse client base, Carolyn brings valuable insight to tax planning and consulting with a combination of creative and practical advice. She works with partnerships, corporations and individuals and serves a large number of professional service firms such as medical practices and law firms. Carolyn is a member of the Western New York Women’s Fund, a group that has a mission to be a leader in identifying, communicating and funding innovative, effective solutions that improve the lives of women and girls in Western New York. She is also involved with the Buffalo Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, a group nationally recognized as a leader in providing comprehensive service programs for nearly 12,000 people with MS and their families. |
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June 2011 - Renee Cerullo, RLComputingRenee founded her business, RL Computing in 2000, and provides a one stop IT shop providing customized website designs, print marketing materials, logo designs, and IT support services. Renee has been an active member of the Ed Tech Foundation since 2004. She is responsible for all of its marketing and promotional materials, website, social media presence, event planning, volunteer coordination, and hardware supplies. Renee has been active in the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) since 1998 due to her own personal experiences with chronic disease. She organized the annual Take Steps Walk, and within a two year period, her efforts increased participation from 100 walkers to over 600 walkers. |