RW Inspires
Here's a closer look at Rochester women who are on the move. Each month we'll introduce you to five colorful and compelling women from all walks of life that have one thing in common: we look up to them and we admire them because they show us who we all can be.
Jennifer Leonard, Athena Award Winner
The annual 24th Athena Awards were held January 21 at the Riverside Convention Center. The Athena Awards are sponsored by the Women's Council of the Rochester Business Alliance. It is presented to a local woman who best reflects the values of business achievement, community service and support of women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. This year's program featured keynote speaker, Maggie Wilderotter, chairwoman and CEO of Frontier Communications Corporation.
From a group of 21 distinguished finalists, Jennifer Leonard, president and executive director of the Rochester Area Community Foundation, was chosen as this year's recipient of the big prize. Standing at the front of the Riverside Convention Center grand ballroom, Leonard embraces the Athena Award statue in one hand and reaches out to her youngest daughter, Kate with the other. "I am so proud," Kate says of her mother's award. It doesn't seem like a woman could have smiled more, but at this moment, Leonard manages to add to her already overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride. "She's the next generation of women and we all need to help them become all that they can truly be in this world," Leonard says.
Jennifer Leonard's background instantly tells the story of a woman deserving of the prestigious award. Her participation in community and business includes being a trustee for The Center for Governmental Research, a member of the Rochester Education and Literacy Commission, and she was also the first female treasurer for The Genesee Valley Club. She has also been chairwoman of the Community Foundations Leadership Team and was co-chairwoman for the Coalition of Community Foundations for Youth, currently called CFLeads.
Leonard's guiding vision as stated for the Athena Awards program is: "Always do your best. Both people and organizations do better with the right encouragement, education, incentives and evaluation - in a team atmosphere that respects individual contributions and sets high expectations, with the plans and tools to reach them." She also states that in Rochester, "We have a well-educated, family-friendly community with a tradition of innovation and excellence… and most of all we have a tradition of Rochesterians helping each other to succeed."
Jennifer Leonard is married to David Cay Johnston. Their family includes two daughters, 24 and 19, and six adult children.
AMITA VYAS owner , Amita's spa
Amita Vyas is her full name, but everybody knows her simply as "Amita." Amita has always been a beauty buff. Ever since she was a little girl in Japur, India, she loved to play dress up and admired beautiful women and the natural beauty she often saw in others. "Growing up, we loved to do makeovers and I learned many of the treatments and techniques I use to today from friends and family in India," Amita explains.
Amita's travels brought her to Rochester because her brother lived and worked here. "My brother taught me that you'll never get old by working hard," Amita recalls. It just so happens that Amita's hard work suits her. She aspires to open spas in Buffalo and Syracuse over the next few years. "I give 100% and perfection and that will turn into relationships and growth over time," she says. "The best part of it all is the excitement that I get from making new friends everyday. I have also learned to make friends with the snow since moving away from my desert home and here to Rochester." (Good advice for all of us who deal with harsh New York winters, Amita!)
It might seem strange that Amita holds a Master's degree in psychology and has also graduated from Continental School of Beauty, but it's obvious that she has the brains to go along with the beauty. She easily strikes a wonderful and refreshing balance between head and heart. Spending even just a few minutes with Amita is enough to get the full feeling of her gentle, competent, and calming yet energetic personality. "I am perfectly capable at the business side of things, but I do this because I truly love it," she explains.
Amita is married and speaks with pride about her two daughters, Aish, who is currently attending medical school in India and her younger daughter Aru, who is in grade school in Pittsford. "They are my inspiration," Amita says. Perhaps we'll be reading about them one day.
Lee An Riesenberger Store Manager , Lisa's Liquor Barn
Lee Ann Riesenberger's story starts in her hometown not too far away from where she works today. The road that led to her current place in life is full of challenges met and obstacles hurdled.
Lee Ann welcomes challenges. She's an athlete by nature, excelling in high school sports, earning a place in the East Rochester Sports Hall of Fame. She attended Towson University on a full athletic scholarship. This may have been her birthright; she is the baby and only girl in a family of four. "Growing up with three big brothers, you don't have any choice but to be tough," she says. "I know my parents were so excited to finally have a girl, but along with maybe being a little bit spoiled, I also had to hold my own with the big brothers," she says.
During her years at Towson, Riesenberger worked in a liquor store to earn a little extra cash. "I really liked that job, but I didn't see it as my future at the time," she explains. "It was just a job." But she picked up some pointers and stored them for future use. Lee Ann earned a degree in psychology from Towson, and upon graduation, she immediately went to work in the world of retail. "Don't ask," she laughs, "I have always had a knack for selling, I like to think that my degree in psychology fits into it somehow."
Lee Ann has overcome a few hurdles along the way, but they have apparently only served to make her even stronger as a result. She is the single mother of one son, Luke, who is now 8 years old. She says, "Yes, I was widowed at a very young age, but I truly believe that living through my husband's battle with cancer, and in the end losing him to the disease has made me emotionally and mentally ironclad. My son keeps me grounded and keeps my heart young and full."
As store manager at Lisa's Liquor Barn, Riesenberger welcomes the opportunity to put her strengths to work every day. "I get to compete on my own playing field here and seeing customers satisfied means a victory." Lee Ann also enjoys occasional business trips. Some take her to France and Italy, where she gets to indulge her love for wine and other trips are centered around fighting for the liquor store's rights to be exclusive wine sellers. "This is a passion for me," she says. "I am a vocal advocate and will always be a formidable opponent." Bring on the next challenge…Lee Ann is ready!
Janet Lomax co-Anchor, New s 10 NBC
Janet Lomax is honestly surprised to hear that she's a household name here in Rochester. A very public persona, her real-life personality is one that values a little bit of privacy on the side. We welcome her knowledgeable, stable and confident presence into our homes everyday. We feel like we 'know' her; maybe even well enough to call her by name if we happen to bump into her at Wegman's or the mall. And that's okay with Janet, she understands that as the co-anchor of News 10 NBC, she has earned a place in our homes and lives over the past 30 years. A few minutes 'live' with Janet makes it easy to understand what truly makes her so easy to feel comfortable with.
Janet believes in, "…keeping it real," and was seemingly born to be in television. Her passion for the career started in high school and she continued on at Murray State, where she earned her degree in journalism and radio/ TV production in just three years. "I knew I wanted to work in TV, so declared my major in "television production in just three years." She continues, "But I got smart and added "Journalism," so that I would be able to find a job behind the scenes, or in front of the camera." Upon graduation, Lomax was hired on at WAVE TV in Louisville as a reporter. She was 'discovered' by WHEC in 1980 almost by chance. Janet agreed to come to Rochester as a reporter and later she became the co-anchor for the evening news casts. Her plan was to stay for about a year or so…and she has been here ever since.
Imagine being required to be 'live and on the air' two or three times a day while trying to raise a family and being known everywhere you go. It's amazing that Janet has so gracefully managed to invite us into her very public life while maintaining any semblance of privacy at all. But, she's been doing it for 30 years now. She's a pro. Janet explains the secret: "You can have a career and a life and find balance." She continues with a smile, "The secret is to know that nothing happens overnight, build a reliable support system, and…above all else, keep it real."
Dr. Patt y Yarmel Rochester city school #19 "Music has the power to transform lives and to create beauty and opportunity." This is Dr. Patty Yarmel's belief and passion. Dr. Yarmel oversees a program based at Rochester City School #19 that firmly places this belief and passion into the hands and hearts of 65 children who may not otherwise ever experience it. The conduit that holds it all together is simple: Patty's conviction, the commitment of her supporters, and a few dozen violins.
Patty is a violinist. She's played as a member of the Penfield Symphony for the past 17 years. She's also a wife, mother of two sons, a practicing Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Rochester Hearing and Speech Center, a consultant at The Center for Youth and an active contributor with the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Which all begs the question: "Where does she find the time!?" Well, wait a minute, because there's more: she also squeezes in a fourmile walk every morning (rain or shine) with friends, meditates and can't resist a hike outdoors - in her "spare" time to recharge her batteries. On top of all of this, she would love to find herself on a dream trip to…The Galapagos Islands. "I'm not one to dabble in anything," says Patty. "Anything I do, I do it all the way."
The violin project sprung from Patty's desire to share her love of music with children two years ago. "A child's smile is the best and only reward anyone could ask for," says Patty warmly. "Introduce music into young hearts and you bring happiness into all of our lives," she continues. All 3rd grade students at School #19 are offered the violin program as an elective and over 90% of the 65 students currently participating are 3rd and 4th graders. All students get group and one-on-one attention. Volunteer violin instructors, student mentors from the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and volunteers from the New Horizons Group, all strive to teach as closely to the Suzuki Method as possible.
"The children are doing so well and are an inspiration to us all," explains Patty. The program's success can be attributed to the perfect combination of dedicated volunteers, an incredibly supportive school principal, instrumental music teacher and classroom teachers, and donations from a very generous Rochester community. If Patty continues to get as much out of her effort as she puts into it, then hearts will sing as little hands play violin; for a long time to come.
You can enjoy the rest of the February Issue on our website
Friday, February 19th, 2010 | Rochester Woman Magazine
by Lindsay FerrinHere's a closer look at Rochester women who are on the move. Each month we'll introduce you to five colorful and compelling women from all walks of life that have one thing in common: we look up to them and we admire them because they show us who we all can be.
Jennifer Leonard, Athena Award Winner
The annual 24th Athena Awards were held January 21 at the Riverside Convention Center. The Athena Awards are sponsored by the Women's Council of the Rochester Business Alliance. It is presented to a local woman who best reflects the values of business achievement, community service and support of women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. This year's program featured keynote speaker, Maggie Wilderotter, chairwoman and CEO of Frontier Communications Corporation.
From a group of 21 distinguished finalists, Jennifer Leonard, president and executive director of the Rochester Area Community Foundation, was chosen as this year's recipient of the big prize. Standing at the front of the Riverside Convention Center grand ballroom, Leonard embraces the Athena Award statue in one hand and reaches out to her youngest daughter, Kate with the other. "I am so proud," Kate says of her mother's award. It doesn't seem like a woman could have smiled more, but at this moment, Leonard manages to add to her already overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride. "She's the next generation of women and we all need to help them become all that they can truly be in this world," Leonard says.
Jennifer Leonard's background instantly tells the story of a woman deserving of the prestigious award. Her participation in community and business includes being a trustee for The Center for Governmental Research, a member of the Rochester Education and Literacy Commission, and she was also the first female treasurer for The Genesee Valley Club. She has also been chairwoman of the Community Foundations Leadership Team and was co-chairwoman for the Coalition of Community Foundations for Youth, currently called CFLeads.
Leonard's guiding vision as stated for the Athena Awards program is: "Always do your best. Both people and organizations do better with the right encouragement, education, incentives and evaluation - in a team atmosphere that respects individual contributions and sets high expectations, with the plans and tools to reach them." She also states that in Rochester, "We have a well-educated, family-friendly community with a tradition of innovation and excellence… and most of all we have a tradition of Rochesterians helping each other to succeed."
Jennifer Leonard is married to David Cay Johnston. Their family includes two daughters, 24 and 19, and six adult children.
AMITA VYAS owner , Amita's spa
Amita Vyas is her full name, but everybody knows her simply as "Amita." Amita has always been a beauty buff. Ever since she was a little girl in Japur, India, she loved to play dress up and admired beautiful women and the natural beauty she often saw in others. "Growing up, we loved to do makeovers and I learned many of the treatments and techniques I use to today from friends and family in India," Amita explains.
Amita's travels brought her to Rochester because her brother lived and worked here. "My brother taught me that you'll never get old by working hard," Amita recalls. It just so happens that Amita's hard work suits her. She aspires to open spas in Buffalo and Syracuse over the next few years. "I give 100% and perfection and that will turn into relationships and growth over time," she says. "The best part of it all is the excitement that I get from making new friends everyday. I have also learned to make friends with the snow since moving away from my desert home and here to Rochester." (Good advice for all of us who deal with harsh New York winters, Amita!)
It might seem strange that Amita holds a Master's degree in psychology and has also graduated from Continental School of Beauty, but it's obvious that she has the brains to go along with the beauty. She easily strikes a wonderful and refreshing balance between head and heart. Spending even just a few minutes with Amita is enough to get the full feeling of her gentle, competent, and calming yet energetic personality. "I am perfectly capable at the business side of things, but I do this because I truly love it," she explains.
Amita is married and speaks with pride about her two daughters, Aish, who is currently attending medical school in India and her younger daughter Aru, who is in grade school in Pittsford. "They are my inspiration," Amita says. Perhaps we'll be reading about them one day.
Lee An Riesenberger Store Manager , Lisa's Liquor Barn
Lee Ann Riesenberger's story starts in her hometown not too far away from where she works today. The road that led to her current place in life is full of challenges met and obstacles hurdled.
Lee Ann welcomes challenges. She's an athlete by nature, excelling in high school sports, earning a place in the East Rochester Sports Hall of Fame. She attended Towson University on a full athletic scholarship. This may have been her birthright; she is the baby and only girl in a family of four. "Growing up with three big brothers, you don't have any choice but to be tough," she says. "I know my parents were so excited to finally have a girl, but along with maybe being a little bit spoiled, I also had to hold my own with the big brothers," she says.
During her years at Towson, Riesenberger worked in a liquor store to earn a little extra cash. "I really liked that job, but I didn't see it as my future at the time," she explains. "It was just a job." But she picked up some pointers and stored them for future use. Lee Ann earned a degree in psychology from Towson, and upon graduation, she immediately went to work in the world of retail. "Don't ask," she laughs, "I have always had a knack for selling, I like to think that my degree in psychology fits into it somehow."
Lee Ann has overcome a few hurdles along the way, but they have apparently only served to make her even stronger as a result. She is the single mother of one son, Luke, who is now 8 years old. She says, "Yes, I was widowed at a very young age, but I truly believe that living through my husband's battle with cancer, and in the end losing him to the disease has made me emotionally and mentally ironclad. My son keeps me grounded and keeps my heart young and full."
As store manager at Lisa's Liquor Barn, Riesenberger welcomes the opportunity to put her strengths to work every day. "I get to compete on my own playing field here and seeing customers satisfied means a victory." Lee Ann also enjoys occasional business trips. Some take her to France and Italy, where she gets to indulge her love for wine and other trips are centered around fighting for the liquor store's rights to be exclusive wine sellers. "This is a passion for me," she says. "I am a vocal advocate and will always be a formidable opponent." Bring on the next challenge…Lee Ann is ready!
Janet Lomax co-Anchor, New s 10 NBC
Janet Lomax is honestly surprised to hear that she's a household name here in Rochester. A very public persona, her real-life personality is one that values a little bit of privacy on the side. We welcome her knowledgeable, stable and confident presence into our homes everyday. We feel like we 'know' her; maybe even well enough to call her by name if we happen to bump into her at Wegman's or the mall. And that's okay with Janet, she understands that as the co-anchor of News 10 NBC, she has earned a place in our homes and lives over the past 30 years. A few minutes 'live' with Janet makes it easy to understand what truly makes her so easy to feel comfortable with.
Janet believes in, "…keeping it real," and was seemingly born to be in television. Her passion for the career started in high school and she continued on at Murray State, where she earned her degree in journalism and radio/ TV production in just three years. "I knew I wanted to work in TV, so declared my major in "television production in just three years." She continues, "But I got smart and added "Journalism," so that I would be able to find a job behind the scenes, or in front of the camera." Upon graduation, Lomax was hired on at WAVE TV in Louisville as a reporter. She was 'discovered' by WHEC in 1980 almost by chance. Janet agreed to come to Rochester as a reporter and later she became the co-anchor for the evening news casts. Her plan was to stay for about a year or so…and she has been here ever since.
Imagine being required to be 'live and on the air' two or three times a day while trying to raise a family and being known everywhere you go. It's amazing that Janet has so gracefully managed to invite us into her very public life while maintaining any semblance of privacy at all. But, she's been doing it for 30 years now. She's a pro. Janet explains the secret: "You can have a career and a life and find balance." She continues with a smile, "The secret is to know that nothing happens overnight, build a reliable support system, and…above all else, keep it real."
Dr. Patt y Yarmel Rochester city school #19 "Music has the power to transform lives and to create beauty and opportunity." This is Dr. Patty Yarmel's belief and passion. Dr. Yarmel oversees a program based at Rochester City School #19 that firmly places this belief and passion into the hands and hearts of 65 children who may not otherwise ever experience it. The conduit that holds it all together is simple: Patty's conviction, the commitment of her supporters, and a few dozen violins.
Patty is a violinist. She's played as a member of the Penfield Symphony for the past 17 years. She's also a wife, mother of two sons, a practicing Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Rochester Hearing and Speech Center, a consultant at The Center for Youth and an active contributor with the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Which all begs the question: "Where does she find the time!?" Well, wait a minute, because there's more: she also squeezes in a fourmile walk every morning (rain or shine) with friends, meditates and can't resist a hike outdoors - in her "spare" time to recharge her batteries. On top of all of this, she would love to find herself on a dream trip to…The Galapagos Islands. "I'm not one to dabble in anything," says Patty. "Anything I do, I do it all the way."
The violin project sprung from Patty's desire to share her love of music with children two years ago. "A child's smile is the best and only reward anyone could ask for," says Patty warmly. "Introduce music into young hearts and you bring happiness into all of our lives," she continues. All 3rd grade students at School #19 are offered the violin program as an elective and over 90% of the 65 students currently participating are 3rd and 4th graders. All students get group and one-on-one attention. Volunteer violin instructors, student mentors from the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and volunteers from the New Horizons Group, all strive to teach as closely to the Suzuki Method as possible.
"The children are doing so well and are an inspiration to us all," explains Patty. The program's success can be attributed to the perfect combination of dedicated volunteers, an incredibly supportive school principal, instrumental music teacher and classroom teachers, and donations from a very generous Rochester community. If Patty continues to get as much out of her effort as she puts into it, then hearts will sing as little hands play violin; for a long time to come.
You can enjoy the rest of the February Issue on our website
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