Melissa McMonagle, 28
Development and Communications Manager
THE WOW FACTOR: Melissa develops communications strategies and aligns social media storytelling directly with fundraising objectives for a nonprofit legal center at Pace University that provides free civil legal representation to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse in Westchester and Putnam Counties. Among many initiatives, she implemented a new donation tracking system to improve data accuracy, created an internal bulletin to better align staff across departments and overhauled content creation to include more visually engaging pictures, graphics and videos.
WHAT’S MORE: In a year Melissa raised more than $50,000 in additional revenue through strategic email solicitations, increased Facebook content interactions by 46% and followers by 53%, doubled Instagram content interactions while growing followers by over 1000, and added more than 400 new newsletter subscribers.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” – Mr. Rogers
Ciara Mulligan, 29
Advocacy Manager
THE WOW FACTOR: Ciara leads the organization’s policy, government relations, and community engagement efforts, bridging the gap between local families, partner agencies, and policymakers. Lately, ensuring that the hard realities of hunger in Westchester are clearly understood at every level of government looks like: 200+ direct government engagements, 60+ targeted policy communication drafts, 40+ grassroots mobilization actions, 30+ media and public awareness touchpoints, 20+ unique lived-experience stories identified and shared, and 12+ legislative tours.
WHAT’S MORE: Her leadership has been especially vital during federal funding cuts and SNAP disruptions, helping to securing additional support for Healthy School Meals for All, Nourish New York, the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program, and the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Everybody has a calling. Your real job in life is to figure out why you are here and get about the business of doing it.” – Oprah Winfrey
Dillon Faulkner, 31
Chief Operating Officer
Backyard Sports Cares and MVP Basketball Camp
President
THE WOW FACTOR: Dillon is the man behind thriving community-based sports programs that serve 1000+ local youth of all ages, combining mission-driven design with strong operational execution to ensure programs are both impactful and economically sustainable. As a proven growth strategist, Dillon has guided organizations through 200%+ revenue growth by expanding programming, building strategic partnerships, and implementing targeted outreach and marketing strategies. “The amount of children he’s impacted is staggering,” noted one of his multiple nominators.
WHAT’S MORE: Through his leadership, programs provide hundreds of need-based scholarships that promote equity, confidence, and healthy habits, by ensuring that limited financial means don’t mean kids are shut out of the benefits of taking part in organized sports.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Your world will expand for every step you dare to take outside your comfort zone.” – Maria Irving
Sabrina Fata, 30
Program Supervisor for Pretrial Services
THE WOW FACTOR: Sabrina grew up with a social worker father who advocated for at-risk youth and she was determined to find a way to help others, too. In her role at nonprofit CHOICE of NY, she works with people to help them stay out of jail. Her efforts with at-risk early offenders between the ages of 17 to 24 have resulted in 95% not committing a second offense, and 85% have their records expunged. According to colleague Robert Marrone, her department leans heavily on her to locate MIA clients. “She’s our own private detective,” he wrote.
WHAT’S MORE: As one of the key players at CHOICE, Sabrina shares credit for the organization significantly expanding to serve 4000 clients a month throughout Westchester and the Bronx, with a presence all municipal offices and court houses in its service area.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “The scars on your soul from the last time you fell don’t define you.” – Unknown
Gregory Maugeri, 32
Project Executive
THE WOW FACTOR: Greg oversees the full lifecycle of complex, from-the-ground-up mixed-use and multifamily real estate development projects in Westchester. As of 2026, he manages an active development portfolio totaling approximately $750 million and has successfully completed more than $1.5 billion in projects, including the delivery of over 1,500 residential units and more than 2 million square feet of space, including AVE Hamilton Green (White Plains), Two Clinton Park (New Rochelle), Maven (the Bronx), and Atlantic Station West (Stamford).
WHAT’S MORE: Greg is actively involved with the Westchester Parks Foundation and serves as a member of its Emerging Leaders Council; he is passionate about increasing awareness of the depth of offerings provided by the Westchester County Parks system.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Be the voice of reason.” – Gregory Maugeri Sr.
Liberta Barcia, 28
Trusts and Estates Associate
THE WOW FACTOR: Liberta (Libby)’s day-to-day practice centers on highly detailed trusts, wills, petitions, and advance directives. “This work is not glamorous,” according to her boss, James Ausili, a partner at Bleakley, Platt & Schmidt in White Plains. “But Libby totally gets that what we do now has huge implications down the road for the clients we serve. She keeps at it until she figures out how we can best protect a family.” In November 2025, she was voted into the Executive Committee of the County Bar Association’s Trust & Estates and Taxation Section.
WHAT’S MORE: Libby was recently honored by Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law with a Shining Star Award, a designation of significant early-career success.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Attributed to Theodore Roosevelt
Ryan Hirt, 25
Director of Development
THE WOW FACTOR: Ryan is responsible for increasing community engagement, driving strategic partnerships, and leading innovative fundraising initiatives at this nonprofit, with the sole goal of expanding access to essential services for individuals and families struggling with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. According to one of his numerous nominators, he is known for his fearless approach to making introductions and building relationships that benefit both the Access: Network and the broader community.
WHAT’S MORE: Ryan co-led the organization’s LongTerm Giving Strategy Team, linking financial advisors to Access to help secure fiscal sustainability; he also helped build an 8-member Junior Board of Directors for the organization in less than a year.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “You may not be 100% but you better give 100% of what you have.” – Barry Chapman (Ryan Hirt’s grandfather)
Natalie Goldfarb, 32
Senior Director of External Communications
Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
THE WOW FACTOR: Natalie modernized SEPA’s integrated communications strategy at a pivotal moment in the transition to clean, affordable, and resilient energy. Her superpower is translating complex, technical, hard-to-understand energy topics into clear, human-centered storytelling that resonates with decision-makers and community members alike. By the numbers: Under her leadership, SEPA’s LinkedIn impressions increased by more than 200% year over year, engagement rose 394%, and link clicks grew 521%.
WHAT’S MORE: In 2025, Goldfarb was honored with the Rising Star in Energy Branding Award from CHARGE Energy Branding, recognizing her leadership in thoughtful, resonant storytelling and brand strategy within the clean energy sector.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.” – Carl Sagan
Derick Ansah, 30
Assistant Vice President
THE WOW FACTOR: Derick’s work centers on guiding clients through pivotal life and business transitions, helping family owned enterprises plan for continuity, supporting retirees in protecting their lifelong savings, and assisting foundations in aligning financial strategy with mission driven outcomes. He is also a Junior Board Member of Sun River Health, a nonprofit that operates more than 50 clinic locations across Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City that develops innovative ideas to expand access to quality healthcare for underserved populations.
WHAT’S MORE: Ansah personally mentors students from middle school years through college to help them build confidence, leadership skills, and foundational financial literacy; he also regularly leads “Invest Days” at local branches to empower individuals to better manage their money with a future focus.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Do or do not, there is no try.” – Master Yoda
Michael Conigliaro, 33
Property Management
THE WOW FACTOR: Michael is responsible for the day-to-day management of 19 commercial buildings totaling 2,000,000 square feet. His capable, confident supervision of more than 20 employees on his field team has an undeniable ripple effect through the Westchester business community because it results in over 150 companies being able to succeed at what they do. Since joining GHP, Michael has developed such a broad base of technical expertise in building systems that he now is able to work directly with engineering to correctly resolve issues quickly and reliably.
WHAT’S MORE: This White Plains resident plays a key role in GHP’s Emergency Response Team; in other words, when something goes wrong anywhere on company property after hours, he’s usually the fixer.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Hungry dogs run faster.” – Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles
Amanda Seebeck, 29
Events & Marketing Communications Coordinator
THE WOW FACTOR: Amanda sees opportunities to build business far beyond the scope of her strategic communications role at the historic Harrison country club that originally opened back in 1917, leading the creation of innovative, family-friendly programs such as the Kid Zone Winter Series and frequently welcoming 350-400+ guests to holiday themed brunches. According to her nominator, who referred to her as “both a creative force and an operational powerhouse,” she also plays a vital leadership role in elevating member engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
WHAT’S MORE: Amanda’s broader expertise includes planning corporate trade shows and nonprofit galas.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “I’m gonna live and live now. Get what I want, I know how.” – Barbra Streisand
Alexa Amato, 28
Content Manager
THE WOW FACTOR: “Alexa is someone who can take a loose concept with very little direction and turn it into a finished product that no one else would’ve thought of, which to me is one of the best examples of innovation,” says her boss, Love Social Media founder and CEO Katie Love. “She is able to take a stale video of someone talking and transform it into a compelling masterpiece that includes transitions and elements in a way of storytelling that takes the creativity of our content to another level. And she has a true team mindset.”
WHAT’S MORE: Alexa recently executed a complicated video shot list in the middle of busy Times Square; she won a 2025 Reelies Award (think Oscars-meets-Instagram) for Best Salesy Reel.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Speak even if your voice shakes.” – Attributed to Maggie Kuhn
Kevin Oliveros, 34
Restaurateur
Brothers Fish + Chips/Risotto/Maya Riviera
THE WOW FACTOR: Kevin’s culinary star has been on the rise since 2011, when the Ossining High BOCES alum started the casual fine dining restaurant Brothers Fish + Chips, which he still partly owns. He began working at Risotto in Thornwood in 2012, then bought the place in 2018 and made it his own by overseeing extensive renovations and developing a crowd-pleasing new menu. Those in the know order the tableside cacio pepe, which involves a server bringing a large cheese wheel to your table and mixing in pasta right in front of you. He is also part owner of Maya Riviera in Briarcliff Manor.
WHAT’S MORE: “My goal is to work and grow in a field where my passion for food and cooking can be fully utilized,” he says simply. Risotto earned a Best of Westchester 2023 designation for Tableside Pasta; the memorable dish has also been featured in numerous news and magazine articles.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Do something you really like and hopefully it pays the rent. as far as I’m concerned, that’s success.” – Tom Petty
Teddy Bugniazet, 33
Commercial Risk Advisor
THE WOW FACTOR: Teddy’s secret sauce in growing his client base and his agency’s Westchester profile is knowing exactly how to leverage the scope and resources of a global company to tailor solutions for businesses right here. Clients tend to turn to him when they feel their current insurance programs are cookie-cutter, not specific to their unique needs. The avid golfer and sports fan is deeply connected to the community through both the Business Council of Westchester and the Westchester County Association.
WHAT’S MORE: He devotes a substantial part of his off hours serving on the Junior Board of the Access: Supports for Living Foundation, founded to help people living with challenges associated with developmental disabilities and behavioral health issues.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship.” – Denzel Washington
Laura Lulgjuraj, 33
Associate Real Estate Broker
THE WOW FACTOR: Laura, an award-winning real estate pro and leader of the Laura Sells Westchester Sales Team at Houlihan Lawrence, has guided buyers and sellers through over $50 million in property sales in just seven years. Her superpower is leveraging her expertise as a Certified Interior Designer, credentialed by the New York Institute of Art and Design, to bring a holistic, 360° approach to buying, selling, and presenting homes in this ultra-competitive, fast-moving market.
THE WOW FACTOR: Raised in a family of builders and developers, Laura grew up learning about how houses are built, evaluated, and transformed. As a college student in her 20s, she was already designing residences and personally renovating investment properties.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “The goal is not to avoid highs and lows, but to avoid being ruled by them. Celebrate success, learn from failure, and remain steady enough to make sound decisions when the noise fades.” – Marlon Nichols
Angel Gray, 34
Program & Policy Director
Westchester Children’s Association (WCA)
THE WOW FACTOR: Angel advocates across a wide range of key issues, including childhood education, youth mental health and well-being, and youth justice at both the Westchester County and New York State levels, with particular focus during budget cycles, clearlu translating community needs into policy priorities and legislative action. In 2023, she helped secure a transformative grant from the Robin Hood organization to launch Parent Empowerment Groups at health centers across the county.
WHAT’S MORE: In May 2023, when Westchester became the first county in the nation to pass Access to Counsel legislation guaranteeing legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction, Angel created the Court Watchers program to generate community-informed data on court proceedings.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “I want to be remembered as a woman who dared to be a catalyst for change.” – Shirley Chisholm
Marco Petruzzi, 27
Project Manager/Superintendent
Yonkers Contracting Company Inc.
THE WOW FACTOR: Marco is the project manager/superintendent of all of Yonkers Contracting properties in Westchester, managing and overseeing over $1 billion worth of properties and leading a crew of over 50 people. The former apprentice plumber and facilities foreman at Pace University now ensures all properties and commercial tenants are maintained properly on behalf of a legacy company that has been around for eight decades and literally helped transform this region through building projects and highway construction.
WHAT’S MORE: Marco is on the committee that plans the annual Impact Golf Outing and cocktail reception, a significant event in Westchester. (This year’s takes place June 25th). In 2025, they raised $60,000 for Blythedale Children’s Hospital.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” – Isaiah 54:17
Joe D’Aloisio, 33
Clinical Lecturer and Media Director
THE WOW FACTOR: Joe D’Aloisio could be any number of places on Iona University’s New Rochelle campus depending on the time of day; the 2025 Junior Faculty Award winner teaches multiple courses and runs a creative content initiative in partnership with Iona Athletics, which he founded to provide students with hands-on experience producing social media, live-event, and in-arena content for all varsity teams. He also played a key role in planning, developing, and launching Iona’s state-of-the-art television studio, completed last summer.
WHAT’S MORE: Joe leverages his professional network to connect students with growth opportunities at organizations such as ESPN, NBC, YES Network, NBC Sports, and WFAN. He’s also a freelance sports photographer.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” – Albert Einstein
Lindsey Houlihan, 27
Communications Director
Office of NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
THE WOW FACTOR: Lindsey leads all district office communications for the highest-ranking member in the New York State Senate, managing press strategy and execution, overseeing the Senator’s digital communications and social media presence, and helping to plan and execute press events and community initiatives. She has strengthened the district office’s communications infrastructure to significantly expand the Senator’s ability to connect directly with constituents through newsletters and social media, translating complex state policies into clear, accessible information for residents.
WHAT’S MORE: Lindsey has led and managed the Senator’s annual Angel Project since her first year in office, a program designed to provide holiday gifts for grandparents who serve as primary caregivers for their grandchildren. The project has expanded its reach by over 40% since her first year, through more than 140 volunteers fulfilling holiday wish lists.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Sydney Ericson, 28
Project Manager
Westchester Medical Center Health Network
THE WOW FACTOR: “Sydney supports enterprise-wide projects spanning hospital operations and support services, consistently operating at a level far beyond her role and years of experience,” according to her supervisor, Sahar Malek. For instance, she was a key player in relocating a full-service hospital in Kingston, partnering with multiple teams to ensure seamless continuity of care. “She is widely known for being everywhere she is needed and has become indispensable to large-scale transformation efforts across the organization,” says Malek.
WHAT’S MORE: Sydney coordinates employee engagement programming during summer months, fostering staff connection, morale, and organizational culture across departments. “She makes even the hardest days lighter,” notes Malek.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” – Vince Lombardi
Eric Dalton, 30
Vice President
THE WOW FACTOR: Eric architected a specialized neurological ecosystem that did not previously exist in the homecare sector, resulting in one of the most significant transformations of home-based healthcare in New York State, including eight counties across the Hudson Valley. According to agency owner Pamela Fitzpatrick, “He did not just expand a company; he expanded what families believed was possible inside their own homes.” As a result, Angels on Call has evolved into a nationally recognized leader in advanced dementia and Parkinson’s care.
WHAT’S MORE: Recognizing the growing caregiver shortage, Eric launched a tuition-free Personal Care Aide (PCA) school, expanding access to essential healthcare careers while strengthening the organization’s long-term workforce pipeline.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “History isn’t written by time – it’s written by those unafraid to define it” – Eric J. Dalton
Andrew Nickoletos, 34
Financial Advisor
THE WOW FACTOR: Andrew guides individuals and families through a comprehensive three-step process—Assess, Plan, and Manage—to ensure that financial decisions are data-and analysis-driven. He is hyperfocused on the firm’s ‘Protecting Those That Protect Us’ mission, playing a pivotal role in providing specialized financial guidance and meticulously crafted plans to first responders and community heroes, which is a group that is often underserved in the financial planning industry.
WHAT’S MORE: He is currently working towards his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, to complement his Series 7 and 66 securities licenses and life and health insurance licensure; this year Andrew was proudly named to the board of the Westchester B.L.U.E Foundation, which aids police officers in need.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren Buffett
Caroline King, 26
Business Performance Advisor
THE WOW FACTOR: Caroline works with businesses through Insperity to strengthen and streamline their HR operations to optimize growth and profitability, improve employee productivity, reduce employer risk, and compete for top talent by offering more competitive benefits packages. “She has a rare combination of big-picture vision and the willingness to do the work to bring that vision to life,” wrote one of her nominators. “She’s the type of leader who doesn’t wait until she’s ‘more experienced’ to create change. She’s doing it now.”
WHAT’S MORE: Caroline’s connection to Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP) dates back to her high school years; now a Board Member, she advocates domestic violence survivors, veterans, immigrants, and individuals facing housing insecurity.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Every day may not be a good day, but there is something good in every day.” – Alice Morse Earle
Anthony Torchia, 30
COO
Founder and CEO
WOW FACTOR: Anthony built a software company to solve a problem he’s lived firsthand working for his family’s Briarcliff Manor-based business, Coral Sea Pools: Contractors rely on paper tickets and group texts not because they want to, but because nothing else is simple enough to fit into real workdays. His app lets field workers capture job progress through photos and voice notes in English or Spanish and uses its software to convert that input into professional summaries for business owners and clear updates for customers.
WHAT’S MORE: He refined the product by testing workflows with Coral Sea’s 30-40 person crew, in real field conditions as opposed to theoretical ones; he bootstrapped Best Way without venture capital or outside investors and launches this summer.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “You can just do things.” – Anthony Torchia (himself)
Steven Still, 32
Associate Attorney
WOW FACTOR: Steven collaborates closely with senior partners on high-impact cases involving election law and challenges brought under the New York Voting Rights Act. His work regularly spans the First, Second, and Third Departments of the Appellate Division, where he has both drafted winning briefs and argued appeals, and his work on the earliest cases under the New York Voting Rights Act has already shaped statewide conversation and earned coverage in News 12 and in The Hudson Independent, Democracy Docket, and other regional and national outlets.
WHAT’S MORE: Steven clerked for a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in the Family Division, where he worked on cases involving child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, custody, and juvenile matters. He previously interned for both federal and state appellate judges.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness; that is life.” – Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Hediye Mamak, 29
1st Deputy Commissioner
City of Mount Vernon Buildings Department
THE WOW FACTOR: Hediye played a central role in the department’s digital transformation in 2022 by working directly with software engineers to launch the City’s online permitting system, OpenGov. This initiative transitioned the department from a longstanding paper-based process to a fully digital platform. As a result, over 30,000 permit and application records are now accessible online. Residents can easily apply for permits, submit payments, and request inspections. Since the launch of OpenGov in 2022, the department has generated over $10 million in revenue, supported by the seamless online payment system.
WHAT’S MORE: Hediye is FEMA-certified advanced building scientist; in 2024, she helped secure and implement a $700,000 grant to digitize the City’s 11,000 historical building records into a cloud-based digital environment that supports OpenGov.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Lead with humility. Act fairly. Work hard. Help genuinely. And always try to make people smile along the way.” – Hediye Mamak (herself)
Shot on Location
The class of ’26 were ready for their close-ups at Kanopi, an incredible restaurant and penthouse event space atop the Opus Hotel in White Plains. Chef Anthony Gonçalves and his wife Andreia, expeditor extraordinaire, lead the team in an unforgettable setting with a wall of windows that frames a view of the Hudson River all the way down to the Manhattan skyline.
Related: These Wunderkinds Are Spicing up Westchester’s Business Scene
