Nancy Kouris, founder of Blue Duck Bakery, is being honored by the East End Women’s Network with its Woman of the Year award.
Since she and her husband, Keith, opened their bakery in Southampton 19 years ago, it has expanded to three additional locations, in Greenport, Southold and Riverhead. She now serves as president of the company; Kouris is the master baker. READ
Melanie McEvoy of Laurel is the 2015 Woman of the Year. (Credit: courtesy photo)
The East End Women’s Network selected Melanie McEvoy of Laurel as its 2015 Woman of the Year.
Ms. McEvoy has served on the EEWN Board of Directors for the last three years, is the vice president of the North Fork Breast Health Coalition and recently worked as the event chair of the Pink Pearl Gala, which raised nearly $50,000 to benefit breast-cancer patients and survivors on the North Fork. (more…)
Jill Schroeder leading a Zumba class at her former JABS studio in Mattituck. (file photo)
The East End Women’s Network is honoring North Fork fitness instructor Jill Schroeder as their 2014 “Woman of the Year.” (more…)
East End Women’s Network is seeking Woman of the Year nominations. (Screenshot of EEWN’s website captured by Jennifer Gustavson)
The East End Women’s Network is seeking nominations for its annual Woman of the Year contest.
To apply, download the application below or at EEWN’s website. Entries must be received by March 15.
Recent winners include Riverhead school board president Ann Cotten-DeGrasse in 2013 and chief deputy Suffolk County executive Regina Calcaterra in 2012.
JENNIFER GUSTAVSON FILE PHOTO | Riverhead School Board president Ann Cotten-DeGrasse is the East End Women’s Network 2013 “Woman of the Year.”
The East End Women’s Network has named Riverhead Board of Education president Ann Cotten-DeGrasse its 2013 “Woman of the Year.”
Ms. Cotten-DeGrasse, who lives in Jamesport, was elected to the Riverhead Board of Education in 2007. Previously, she taught business for 32 years in the Riverhead School District and also served five years as president of the Riverhead Central Faculty Association.
After two scares with breast cancer in the mid-90s, Ms. Cotten-DeGrasse established the North Fork Breast Health Coalition in 1998 with her husband, Antonio. The organization helps breast cancer patients cope with diagnosis and treatment.
Ms. Cotten-DeGrasse will be honored at a dinner celebration on May 20 at Giorgio’s, in Baiting Hollow. The event is open to the public and begins at 5:30 p.m. Speakers include Riverhead Superintendent of Schools Nancy Carney and Janine Nebons, general manager at Tanger Outlets. Pre-order tickets are $60 for EEWN members and $75 for non-members. Admission is $85 at the door. To make reservations, go to www.eewn.org or contact [email protected].
The East End Women’s Network was founded in 1981. The organization aims to bring together women of diverse business accomplishments and to educate members and the public on issues affecting women.
COURTESY PHOTO | Regina M. Calcaterra has been named Woman of the Year by the East End Women's Network.
She will be honored at a dinner celebration on Wednesday, April 25 at Giorgio’s in Baiting Hollow.
Now in its 30th year, EEWN every year honors an East End woman who has “exhibited solid leadership responsibilities, commitment to her goals, and achievements in her professional life as well as personal character and service to her community and her colleagues,” according to an EEWN announcement.
“Not only did Regina Calcaterra meet all the criteria for our Woman of the Year award,” said EEWN board member Ceil Carpenter, “but it was the combination of her career success, overcoming great adversity in childhood and dedication to giving back to her community through volunteer activities including her work with foster care children, that is what sparked our interest and set her nomination apart.”
Ms. Calcaterra was named chief deputy county executive by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. She is the first woman to hold this position. She formerly was the founding and managing partner of the New York law office of Barrack, Rodos & Bacine, where she represented public and labor pension funds seeking to recoup billions of dollars from those who committed corporate fraud on Wall Street.
Her resume includes work as an advocate for disabled veterans, a frequent commentator on politics and public policy for national and local media outlets and volunteer work as a foster care advocate with You Gotta Believe. Her’s work with foster children was inspired by her own youth. Growing up, she and her siblings spent a substantial amount of time in the foster care system.
She sought the Democratic nomination to run for State Senate in 2010 but her residency status was successfully challenged in court by a potential opponent. She had formerly maintained a residence by Pennsylvania because of frequent visits there required by her legal work.
EEWN member Melanie McEvoy nominated Ms. Calcaterra for the Woman of the Year Award.
“Regina is a natural mentor to other women and someone I greatly respect for all that she does,” she said. “I’ve known Regina for nearly 15 years as a friend and colleague in the women’s political activist realm. She has always amazed me with her energy at getting things done in all aspects of life. She is a true leader in every sense of the word. Regina is a model and an inspiration for what we all can achieve.”
The East End Women’s Network was founded in 1981. The purpose of the organization “is to bring together women of diverse accomplishment and
experience, directing women into policy-making positions through the dissemination and sharing of career opportunities; to educate members and
the public on issues affecting women on the East End; and to promote the interests, conditions and positions of women in science, business,
industry, labor, government, the arts, education and public service,” according to the EEWN announcement.
The Woman of the Year event starts with networking at 5:30 p.m., dinner and program at 6 p.m. The price for the dinner is $55 for EEWN members
($80 at the door), $70 for non‐members ($80 at the door).
For more information and to make reservations visit EEWN website www.eewn.org or contact Ceil Carpenter, (631) 727-3777.