❑ Congratulations to Lucia Chiocchio and Cindy Kanusher who were honored with the 2023 Women Innovators Award from Westfair Communications on October 26, 2023 at the VIP Country Club in New Rochelle. The award is given to women who have been innovators in various fields, advocate for innovation in their organizations and break barriers by making significant contributions to science, technology, arts and other areas. 

❑ Westchester County Executive George Latimer has appointed Lisa M. Denig, Esq., WWBA Board member and Past President, as Commissioner of Human Resources at the Westchester County Department of Human Resources. Lisa has previously served in senior positions within the Office of Court Administration and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and as the Chief of Staff to the Putnam County Executive.

❑ On March 2, 2023, the Society of Irish-American Lawyers (SOCIAL) honored Kathleen Donelli, Esq., WWBA Past President and Partner at Goldschmidt & Genovese, LLP, with a Distinguished Achievement Award at its annual GALA. The Hon. Sondra M. Miller gave eloquent and meaningful introductory remarks about her mentoring relationship and bond with Kathleen, and the Hon. Colleen D. Duffy, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, presented her with the award. Kathleen gave a rich speech, both educating the audience about Ireland’s history and sharing a personal history of her family and profession.

WWBA President Elizabeth Z. Marcus, and longtime WWBA members Mary F. Kelly, Esq., Past President of both WBASNY and the WWBA, and a founding member of Kelly & Knaplund, and Carla D. Glassman, Esq., a founding member and Of Counsel to Glassman & Brown, LLP, were among those present in support. The WWBA extends heartfelt congratulations to Kathleen on this honor.

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Q: When and why did you become involved in the WWBA?

A: I became involved in the WWBA a few years after I started working in Westchester.  I had been working at a large NYC firm - then had two children in a row and was going to take a break, but one partner in a Bronxville firm was persistently asking me to work part-time at their firm; they needed a trusts & estates attorney. The part-time quickly became fulltime, but two years later I had my third child.  I realized I was going to become immersed in working in Westchester and wanted to meet more of the legal community. I was already an ABA member and a NYSBA member but was looking for more local involvement. I joined the WCBA and was told about the WWBA, and that the Trusts & Estates Section chairs, Rita Gilbert and Donald Klein, had periodic meetings at Rita’s office with Chinese takeout for which everyone contributed.  It was open for general discussions and occasionally a presentation on a particular topic. I joined the WWBA and started going to those meetings that I could attend.  At that time, in the early 1990s, the WWBA was the most welcoming group for women attorneys starting to practice in Westchester; I believe it still is.

Q: Which activities and positions of the WWBA have you participated in?

A: I’ve been a co-chair of the Trusts & Estates Section for years and have spoken at both CLE programs and non-CLE programs.  Our firm has sponsored/supported the Holiday parties and the WWBA Foundation.

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