2012 Achievers Honorees
An Achiever is a trendsetter, a leader, and a mentor. She is a humanitarian and has used her professional knowledge and personal insight to make a difference for others. She is innovative, proactive and leads by example. An Achiever has opened doors for other women and has fostered their rise in business, the professions, and the community. An Achiever is a woman that has risen to the top and gained the esteem and admiration of both those who have influenced her and those whom she influences.
Kate Murray
Supervisor Kate Murray is the chief executive of America's largest township, serving the over 760,000 residents who call Hempstead Town home. The first woman to be elected supervisor in Hempstead Town's 368-year history, Kate Murray is no stranger to shattering the glass ceiling and accomplishing a host of impressive "firsts." Prior to serving as Supervisor of Hempstead Town, Kate Murray was the first woman and attorney to be elected Hempstead Town Clerk. Elected in 2001, she established a full service passport facility that has grown to be the nation's largest passport processing center. Prior to her serving as Hempstead Town Clerk, Murray became the first woman and first Levittowner elected to the New York State Assembly from the 19th District.
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Katie McGowan
HorseAbility began in 1993 when founder Katie McGowan lent her horse to a friend and physical therapist who used hippotherapy as a treatment modality for a child with cerebral palsy. When Katie saw the child's physical and emotional connection with the animal and how her treatment accelerated through the use of the horse, Katie knew she had found her calling. Combining her education, her love of children, and her relationship with horses, she forged her own trail to start this wonderful organization.
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Audra Fordin
Audra is the 4th generation owner to operate Great Bear Auto Repair and Auto Body Shop, founded in 1933 and became one of America’s leading franchise groups, supporting the auto repair industry. She, and her family before her, has provided quality auto repair and body service to thousands of clients over the years. In 2007, Audra took full ownership of Great Bear, the franchise name and the Flushing, New York location and has grown the business to nearly three times its size through her aggressive marketing and service programs.
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Carol A. DeSantie
Carol DeSantie is an accomplished practitioner in human resources with over twenty years of experience in both the public and private sector. In her current role with Sterling & Sterling, Inc. she is responsible for providing leadership in developing and executing human resources strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the organization, specifically in the areas of succession planning, talent management, change management, organizational and performance management, training and development, and compensation. In this role, Ms. DeSantie strives to provide strategic leadership by articulating Human Resource needs and plans to the executive management team, collaborating with the CEO and President on growth strategies and overall well‐being of the organization. Ms. DeSantie is also a member of the Executive Cabinet at Sterling & Sterling.
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Teresa Ward
Teresa Ward is the President of Teresa’s Family Cleaning, an award-winning Long Island home and commercial cleaning company that services Nassau and Suffolk County, including the Hamptons. Teresa founded the company in 1993 in her basement and garage which today, has grown into one of the most successful home and commercial cleaning services on Long Island.
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