If we’ve learned anything about the future of businesses—here in the 914 and beyond—it’s that the only constant is change. Leaders who fuel growth and future-proof their organizations need equal parts smarts, passion, confidence, and charisma. Courage, empathy, and adaptability help, too. Hear from 14 visionary men and women currently crushing it work-wise, in their own words.
Mogan Anthony
Partner & Executive Chef
Village Social Restaurant Group
He’s been invited to cook for the legendary James Beard Foundation and appeared on Food Network’s seminal competition show Chopped. His list of restaurants is impressive to say the least, including Village Social Kitchen & Bar in Mount Kisco and Rye, Locali Pizza Bar & Kitchen in Mount Kisco and New Caanan, and Pubstreet, Fatt Root Asian Kitchen, and Lulu’s Kitchenette, all in Pleasantville. Yet, Mogan Anthony is still humble.
First job?
I started as a poolside waiter at the Shangri-La Resort in Malaysia and did that for five years. I really enjoyed it—the energy, the pace, and the people.
“I started as a poolside waiter at the Shangri-La Resort in Malaysia and did that for five years.”
—Mogan Anthony
What is the most challenging thing about opening a restaurant?
Opening a restaurant is much easier than maintaining it day to day. There’s something about the adrenaline and dopamine that rushes through your brain when ideas are flowing—especially when you’re getting ready to open and have your first customers.
Do you have a favorite dish to make for your family?
We love simple pasta or noodles dishes. My go-to comfort food is an old-school cacio e pepe or carbonara.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?
“Stay small until you figure it out.” Mark Ramadan, the founder of the condiment company Sir Kensington’s, said that to me.
Corine Lurry-Mabin
CEO
Andrus
Andrus has been caring for vulnerable children since its founding in 1928, providing trauma-informed care and mental health services. CEO Corine Lurry-Mabin brings decades of experience to the role and always stays grounded in a vision that emphasizes equity, community partnerships, and innovative approaches to fulfilling the organization’s mission of promoting stable and healthy lives.
What inspired you to pursue a career in social services and mental health?
I wanted to help people heal from life’s adversities and envision something greater for themselves. To help uncover the hope buried under the trauma experience and tap into joy, happiness, and fulfillment.
For a leader who manages an organization focused on trauma-response care, what are the most important qualities to have?
Empathy and compassion, which are integral components of emotional intelligence and critical to creating safety and trust.
“I wanted to help people heal from life’s adversities and envision something greater for themselves.”
—Corine Lurry-Mabin
What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
Lately, the majority of my reading has been centered on my research for my Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy, looking at the association between psychosocial stress and gendered racism experienced by non-Hispanic Black women during pregnancy while controlling for preterm births.
Got a favorite spot in Westchester?
Not a single favorite spot, but I do enjoy the Greenburgh Public Library. Growing up in Yonkers, I was fascinated by the books and literature that filled the library shelves. They fueled my imagination.
Irene Amato
CEO & Owner
A.S.A.P Mortgage Corp.
After working in the real estate and finance industry for 15 years, Irene Amato was ready to go to work for herself and established A.S.A.P. Mortgage, now headquartered in Peekskill. Within five years she was at the helm of her own top-producing firm, which she credits in part to her learnings in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.
What made you want a career in mortgages?
I had a troubled childhood that taught me how important it is to have a safe and secure place to call home. My background, combined with my passion for helping others, made the mortgage industry a perfect fit for me.
What’s been your hardest professional challenge?
The 2008 mortgage crisis. After seven years in the business, I was watching homeowners here and across the country lose their homes, and many I couldn’t help. It was heartbreaking. Industry-wide layoffs became daily news, and a website even tracked which companies were going out of business each week. Despite the chaos, I’m grateful we survived. It strengthened my resilience and dedication.
Any specific aha moment when you felt like you could finally say, ‘I made it’?
There isn’t one aha moment. They happen all the time.
Favorite quote?
“At the end of the day, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.”
Javier Diaz
CEO
Wings Air Helicopters
Former investment banker Javier Diaz founded his West Harrison-based aviation company in 2002. Over time he has expanded into medical transport and even cinematography, contributing to movie blockbusters including Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Fate of the Furious 8, and National Treasure. Wings Air also offers customized experiences for charter clients, coordinating a seamless experience from door to sky.
What inspired you to pursue a career in aviation?
As a teenager, I often flew with my uncle, who owned small airplanes. I was captivated by the sense of control, the perspective, and the freedom of flight. Those moments planted the seed. Later, I realized I didn’t just want to fly. I wanted to build something around it by creating a company that could reshape how people experience aviation. That passion and my entrepreneurial drive ultimately led me to start and lead Wings Air.
What are some of your biggest accomplishments as CEO?
I’m proud to have built a company people trust, whether they’re relying on us for high-profile film shoots, critical medical missions, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Our most important milestones include securing long-term partnerships with major networks, playing a role in life-saving organ transplant missions, and maintaining a spotless safety record.
“I am proud to have built a company people trust, whether they’re relying on us for film shoots, critical medical missions, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”
—Javier Diaz
What was a major challenge you had to overcome?
The pandemic was a defining moment, because our flight schedule came to a halt practically overnight. I had to make tough decisions, reprioritize, and pivot quickly. That period pushed us to diversify so we expanded further into aerial cinematography and began building out our emergency medical transport services. It made me a more resilient leader and reinforced the importance of staying proactive in the face of uncertainty.
Tell us about your company’s film and television work.
Wings Air is deeply involved in aerial cinematography. We provide helicopters, drones, pilots, and aerial coordination for film, television, and commercial productions. Our work includes everything from sweeping establishing shots to high-precision aerial sequences. It’s high-stakes, high-reward work that requires both creativity and precision.
Dan Casterella
CEO
American Christmas
What started as a high school money hustle decorating houses for the holidays has become a career at American Christmas, a Mount Vernon-based commercial decorating company whose client roster includes many of the most iconic New York City landmarks—think Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, Macy’s, Cartier, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Care to share any special Christmas memories?
One is decorating my parents’ house when I was a kid. Another is a time when I had just started at American Christmas, and it was an all-hands-on-deck situation to get a job done. I ended up working 35 hours straight and it was hard, but it taught me a ton about teamwork and how to deal with clients.
Describe your usual day-to-day at American Christmas?
I oversee much of the operational side of the business, working with clients as well as our overseas factories. A recent key initiative has been working hard to grow our revenue while reducing the number of clients we have, to allow us to focus more exclusively on our VIPs. In the past five years, we have doubled revenue while reducing our client count by 50%.
What do you foresee next?
Christmas comes yearly! The set-up work for our first installations typically start around September 1st. We also plan to keep giving back to the community with our annual Holiday Lane, when we open our showroom to the public throughout November and December. We donate all proceeds from ticket sales directly to local charities.
Catherine Wynkoop
Co-Founder & President
TRA (Formerly Westfair Rides)
This former Peace Corps volunteer (she spent two years in Iran) has done good around the country in numerous health care roles, including a stint as CEO of a visiting nurse service in Dallas. Now, Catherine Wynkoop leads an organization working to provide collaborative transportation and mobility management alternatives for older adults and adults with disabilities in Westchester.
What was your first paying job?
I was a waterfront camp counselor, teaching swimming, lifesaving, and canoeing. The waterfront counselors were very popular, because canoes were the only way off the island for trips to town and local watering holes on days and nights off.
If you could have any job other than your current one, what would it be?
Though this work is tough, it’s amazingly gratifying to collaborate with skilled and accomplished team members who see the value in what they do and bring enthusiasm to solving challenges. I can’t think of another job I would rather have.
“I can’t think of another job I would rather have.”
—Catherine Wynkoop
Are you a morning person or a night person?
Morning. I like quiet walks with my dog before the phone starts ringing.
Best thing about your job?
The best thing is working with a committed and capable team that benefits older adults and people with disabilities who want to live in their communities.
Philip Ozuah, M.D., PH.D.
President & CEO
Montefiore Medicine
As a nationally recognized expert in his field, Dr. Philip Ozuah serves as the president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine, an umbrella organization of the Montefiore Health System’s 13 hospitals (including three in Westchester), 10,000 physicians, 53,000 employees, and over 7.5 million patients every year. In the role, he has made access to healthcare by underserved communities a priority in addition to overseeing $8 billion in annual revenue. He has recruited exceptional and diverse healthcare talent while improving the organization’s financial and operational performance by integrating care across the large Montefiore system.
Dr. Ozuah earned his medical degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He completed his pediatric internship and residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore, and his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Southern California School of Medicine. An award-winning educator, Dr. Ozuah also leads the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
In addition to his clinical and educational leadership accomplishments, Dr. Ozuah has consistently been recognized by Modern Healthcare magazine as one of the nation’s top physician executives. It’s no surprise that under his leadership, Montefiore has consistently ranked among the top one percent of all U.S. hospitals.
Jeff Nyikos
President & CEO
Leros Point to Point
As CEO of the largest ground transportation company in both Westchester and Fairfield counties, Jeff Nyikos lives and breathes reliability. Under his direction, the more-than-four-decades-old company has expanded through strategic acquisitions while staying committed to treating employees like family.
You started working at Leros part-time in college and are now CEO. What are your guiding principles?
Strong communication, empowering others, creating a positive environment, being empathetic, and always leading by example.
“You can’t build a high-performing team around vehicles and logistics alone.”
—Jeff Nyikos
How do you keep your team motivated?
You can’t build a high-performing team around vehicles and logistics alone. You must build it around people who feel valued, respected, and part of something bigger. At Leros, it’s all about the culture, and you can’t build culture on Zoom or Teams. Motivation doesn’t come from incentives alone; it comes from being seen, heard, and valued. Ultimately, we’re in the business of trust. When your people feel supported, they pass that sense of confidence and care to our clients.
What kind of car do you drive, and what do you always keep handy?
A Range Rover. Sunglasses, reading glasses, sneakers, and a pickleball racquet because you never know when someone wants a game.
Derek Anderson, Fache
Senior Vice President, President
Northern Westchester Hospital
After his first year of college, Derek Anderson lived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for two years as part of a volunteer mission for his religion. He credits that early work experience with shaping a broader view of the world that still influences his leadership style and helps him keep people at the center of his work. He started at Northwell Health in 2010 as a project manager and has risen steadily through the ranks.
Has your formal education played a big part in how your career has developed?
To cover tuition and books, I had to work nearly full-time during my University of Utah undergraduate degree, before moving to New York for graduate school at Columbia. I’ve held a job since I was 12, so to come out of my undergraduate training with no debt, and real work experience, it helped tremendously in the early stages of my career with grit and a strong work ethic.
“A core leadership style of mine is being with the team where they are.”
—Derek Anderson
If you could have any job other than your current one, what would it be and why?
May I pick two? I have always appreciated and admired the creative and technical aspects of architects. I love building programs and helping others to see the potential in something they can’t see themselves—we do this in healthcare a lot, but I can see this parallel the field of architecture. The second job is that I often joke I should go back to nursing school. I would not be where I am, if not for a nurse manager early in my career.
Are you a morning person or a night person? What do you like about that time?
Definitely morning. I’m up at 5:10 a.m. every day for some form of exercise: swimming, running, cycling, or strength training. Mostly, I train so I can survive my triathlon races, but really have come to appreciate the silence and quiet spaces early in my day. I often will not listen to anything during a 9+ mile run or an hour in the pool. It is amazing how when you let your mind flow, how much you can sort out.
Any specific leadership lessons you took away from the pandemic period?
A core leadership style of mine is being with the team where they are. I never worked remote during the pandemic as my team was fighting the battle in person—I am grateful I leaned into this, and it will forever be a part of my style.
Christopher Laubis
CEO
Opengate, INC.
Founded in 1969 by two mothers who wanted to create an environment where their special-needs children could thrive, Opengate has grown into a trusted organization providing residential and day services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. CEO Christopher Laubis leads a team committed to delivering respectful, compassionate services.
What is the most important thing to know about adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
It’s hard to pick just one thing, but creating a supportive environment that recognizes individual preferences and respects personal choice probably tops the list. Working with someone who has an intellectual or developmental disability shouldn’t mean helping the person achieve goals that you think are important. It means supporting the person to achieve what is important to them.
“Our team of Direct Service Professionals is the heart and soul of our agency.”
—Christopher Laubis
How do you measure success for yourself and Opengate?
In our field, success is not measured by the same standards used by most businesses. You can’t always plot our wins on a graph. Sometimes success is gauged by the size of someone’s smile. We need to have a financial strategy that ensures Opengate will be around for a long time to continue our mission, but mostly, success is measured by the quality of life enjoyed by the people we support.
What is the most surprising part of a typical day as CEO?
How fast it goes! When you are providing 24/7/365 support, the clock never stops. Our industry is in the midst of a staffing crisis. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated employees who regularly adjust their schedules, work extra days, come in early and stay late to ensure that each of our residents and program participants gets the quality support that they need and deserve. Our team of Direct Service Professionals is the heart and soul of our agency.
Irenee Provenzano
Vice President, Senior Area Retail Leader
KeyBank
She started at KeyBank in 2015, as a branch manager. Now a VP tasked with oversight of 13 bank branches carrying $1 billion in deposits, Irenee Provenzano is proud to have launched initiatives to shift company culture, including the African Heritage networking group, Key4Women, and community reinvestment programs.
Why do you feel KeyBank’s work is important?
We’re more than just a county financial institution. We are a trusted partner in the economic and social fabric of the Westchester community, empowering small businesses with access to capital, and supporting homeownership.
Will you share a major challenge you’ve faced?
Becoming a single mother shortly after having my daughter was an unexpected and difficult transition. I was navigating parenthood and a demanding career and had new financial responsibilities on my own. There were moments of uncertainty, but I knew I had to stay strong and create a stable, fulfilling life for both of us. That pushed me to become more resilient, determined, and resourceful.
“I’ve made it a priority to build a diverse team that reflects the demographics of our region.”
—Irenee Provenzano
How has KeyBank changed under your leadership?
I’ve made it a priority to build a diverse team that reflects the demographics of our region, because I believe representation allows us to better understand and meet the unique needs of our clients. I’m especially proud of expanding the Key4Women initiative across all three counties I oversee, creating more access for women entrepreneurs to capital, education, and networking.
What set you on the path to becoming a business leader?
My dad was a business owner while I was growing up. He always told me, “Whatever you agree to do, make sure you do it well. Even if it’s mopping the floor, make sure you do it well.” That advice has stayed with me throughout my life.
J.D. Summa
CEO & President of General Construction
Kings Capital Construction
Founded in 2009 and named to the INC. 5000 in 2014 and 2015, KINGS has long been a linchpin of Westchester’s development industry, bringing hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars’ worth of work to the area, significantly boosting the county economy.
Do you have an all-time favorite project?
My favorite development to date hasn’t been built yet. We’re breaking ground next summer on a 160,000-square-foot project on top of The New Union Church of New Rochelle, building 115 affordable housing units. What I love about this is working with the church pastors. For those who don’t know, The Union Baptist Church on Main Street burned down close to 10 years ago. We started working with them several years back to bring this vision to life. They are amazing people that have become like family over the years.
“Take responsibility for everything. Work for what you want and go get it.”
-J.D. Summa
What’s the biggest risk you have taken in your career and how did it pan out?
Going all in on my first major development project, putting everything on the line. It’s not for the faint of heart, there was a lot of learning along the way. Things worked out and I consider it a successful project for a multitude of reasons. Some people learn by reading, analyzing, and watching others, waiting for the right time to start. Others learn by diving in. I’m in the second category. Books don’t teach you some lessons and when it’s your livelihood on the line, you find ways and answers you didn’t know where there. It was a win and changed the path of my career.
Piece of advice you’d offer your younger self?
Take responsibility for everything. Work for what you want and go get it. Keep pushing no matter how hard it gets because the sun always shines after rain. Most importantly, keep buying real estate.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard
Mayor
City of Mount Vernon
As the 30th mayor of Mount Vernon, Shawyn Patterson-Howard made history not once but twice—first when she was elected in 2019 as the first woman to step into the role, and again in 2023, when she was the first sitting mayor in 20 years to get re-elected. She has led New York State’s 8th largest city through the pandemic, criminal justice reform, and major infrastructure and financial challenges, in her trademark straightforward, pragmatic style.
If you could have any job other than your current one, what would it be and why?
I would be a Chief Corporate Philanthropy Officer. I’ve witnessed the hard work being done in underserved communities, often by people and organizations who lack adequate resources. On the other hand, many corporations are seeking meaningful ways to invest in communities but don’t know how to find or partner with those actually doing the work. I would love to serve as a bridge between these two worlds.
Are you a morning person or a night person?
Both! I wake up early on East Coast time and go to bed late on West Coast time. I love the quiet focus of early mornings and the creative clarity of late nights.
“I love the quiet focus of early mornings and the creative clarity of late nights.”
—Mayor Shawn Patterson-Howard
Any specific leadership lessons you learned during the pandemic?
Admit what you don’t know. During the pandemic, we often had more questions than answers. It was critical to be honest, to partner with people who could help find solutions, and to lead through fear with compassion and collaboration. It was both the best and worst of times and forced us to assume the best in each other, to be innovative, and to collaborate like never before.
What’s on your nightstand right now?
A water bottle, my phone, my laptop, a leadership book, my Bible, and my journal.
Jim McHale
President
JP McHale Pest Management
The business Jim McHale has built brick by brick for over 40 years started as his father’s side hustle in the 1970s. He uses only the most-up-to-date science to tackle termites, bed bugs, and other pests that plague homeowners, all while protecting “this great earth we all live on.”
What was the first job you ever got paid to do?
My first job was delivering The Evening Star when I was 12. At 14, I got hired by Gerry Gallagher, owner of Jeremiah’s Restaurant [now Firehouse Grille] in Peekskill. Gerry worked right alongside us, actively involved, not just presiding. Jeremiah’s catered to local business professionals, and I observed lots of networking and overheard plenty of stories.
“Life is a journey, not a destination. Live in the moment.”
—Jim McHale
Has your formal education played a big part in how your career has developed?
I was not a great student and wasn’t crazy about the idea of going to college, but my dad insisted I give it a try. As a moderately successful high school wrestler, I was offered a spot at SUNY Morrisville and the coach, Dennis Nostrand, was one of the most impressive people I have ever met. I excelled at Morrisville, both in the classroom and on the wrestling team and earned an opportunity to transfer to Cornell University. Meanwhile, my dad, JP McHale Sr., was a corrections officer at Sing Sing and ran a pest control business on the side. I worked with him every chance I could. I enrolled in the Entomology program at Cornell and my wrestling coach there, Andy Noel, connected me with Dr. Ed Raffensperger, who structured the first successful cluster fly treatment in upstate NY. Most entomology students were focused on agricultural pest management. Others were studying to solve insect-related diseases in Third World countries. I was the only urban pest management student and had access to brilliant professors. It enabled me to hit the ground running after graduation, taking an innovative, science-based approach and employing environmentally sustainable solutions.
If you could give your 25-year-old self a single piece of advice, what would it be?
Life is a journey, not a destination. Live in the moment. Have more empathy and more confidence in your beliefs.
