2025 Women of Distinction honored
This year, the event was held at MHAB Life Skills Campus in Plattsburgh.
Each year, Jones invites community members to nominate impactful women from across numerous categories to be recognized for their efforts throughout the district. After reading through the more than 200 heartfelt nominations he received, Jones notified the winners.
'It is my honor to recognize this year's Women of Distinction awardees,' Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) said.
'Between volunteering to help those in need or going above and beyond in their professions to best serve their communities, this year's honorees are truly making a difference in the North Country. Please join me in congratulating these women for this well-deserved award.'
The recipients of the 2025 Women of Distinction awards are:
Valerie Abraham-Rogers, Volunteerism Award
Valerie Abraham-Rogers has been an active member of the Lake Placid community for decades, making Lake Placid her permanent home in 1996.
She has held positions in many organizations in the community including Board Member and Treasurer at Songs at Mirror Lake Music Series, Member of the Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Committee, former Board Member for the Saranac Lake & Lake Placid Farmers' Markets, and a Member of the Lake Placid/North Elba Development Commission.
Abraham-Rogers's devotion to the community is unmatched, with her creation of the Lake Placid Community Day which has quickly become a beloved event that celebrates all those who live, work, or volunteer in the community.
Despite her busy schedule, she finds time to volunteer her vocals, often singing for fundraisers or other civic events. Her desire and ability to inspire positive changes makes her a true leader in volunteerism.
Valerie Ainsworth, Service to our Hometown Heroes Award
Valerie Ainsworth's commitment to veterans in our community has been unmatched. As the Executive Director of Homeward Bound Adirondacks, she works tirelessly to help fulfill their mission, helping veterans to reclaim their life and find hope beyond trauma.
On top of this, Ainsworth serves as the Executive Director of the Mental Health Association in Essex County, Inc., advocating and assisting individuals with emotional and psychiatric challenges as they achieve recovery, dignity, and independence. She still finds time to manage her private practice which specializes in trauma and PTSD, a useful tool for veterans on their way to recovery.
Despite her busy schedule helping those who have served, Ainsworth finds time for her small rescue farm. She deeply cherishes her family, and always finds time for them in her busy schedule.
Maria Alexander, North Country Neighbor Award
Maria Alexander got her start as a family worker with the Joint Council for Economic Opportunity — JCEO Head Start Program, kicking off her extensive career in the non-profit field.
She worked her way up to the position of teacher, then moved into the office becoming the Senior Outreach Coordinator. She eventually became the Director of the Senior Outreach Program and the Big Buddy Program. After a dedicated career at JCEO, Maria made the switch to the Senior Citizens Council of Clinton County where she became the Executive Director.
She oversaw several projects, including the opening of Catherine Gardens. Aside from her professional accomplishments, Alexander has served on many boards and committees, helping the community in any way possible.
She is also a member of the Plattsburgh Rotary, participating in events to give back to the community.
Amanda Bulris-Allen, Healthcare Award
Amanda Bulris-Allen has been the leader of NAMI Champlain Valley since 2009.
As a licensed Master of Social Work, she helps individuals who are struggling with mental illnesses, as well as their families, with accessing support and resources. She holds strong to her core values that hope and recovery will change the lives of people struggling with mental illnesses.
Bulris-Allen's significant abilities in crisis intervention have been instrumental in establishing NAMI as a cornerstone of advocacy and support for those impacted.
She has a passion for helping her community and is recognized for her tireless work with underserved individuals in the region, as well as pushing boundaries to ensure positive outcomes are achievable.
Michele Carpentier, Education Award
Before her long career at SUNY Plattsburgh in the Student Support Services program, Michele Carpentier began as a Head Start Home Based instructor in AuSable Forks. She is a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh, with multiple degrees in education and counseling.
During her career at SUNY Plattsburgh, Carpentier championed the cause of students who needed extra support to navigate through their college careers.
She served in various roles in the Student Support Services Program, including as a Director of Services for Individuals with Disabling Conditions, Director of the Campus Emergency Grants Program, Director of the Educational Opportunity Program, as well as the Founder and Coordinator of the Campus Food Shelf.
Carpentier has impacted the lives of thousands of students during her almost 40-year tenure at SUNY Plattsburgh, giving them the opportunity to lead remarkable lives made possible by their education.
May Chow, Law Enforcement Award
May Chow retired from the United States Secret Service with more than 21 years of service. She was a Senior Resident Agent in Burlington, Vermont, served on the Vice-Presidential Detail under the Bush and Cheney Administration, and was a Special Agent in the San Francisco, California office.
She also has extensive computer forensic training and network intrusion training, all tools she used to her benefit while serving the United States Secret Service.
Chow has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Memphis State University, and a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Memphis. She is a first-generation Chinese American born to immigrant parents, becoming the first of her family to go to college and succeed at the American Dream.
Today, Chow serves the Lake Placid Community as Village Justice, holding the position since March of 2023. She is also a member of the Rotary Club of Lake Placid where she continues her commitment to serving the community.
Geana Dyer, Trailblazer Award
Serving six years in the National Guard, and eight years as a Critical Care Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit, Geana has dedicated her time to advocate for the gap in support for families like hers.
After her son was diagnosed with Cockayne Syndrome, she turned her pain into purpose. Dyer established The Cockayne Syndrome Foundation in 2024, which has raised funds and reached out to 43 families across the country to deliver essential items to help with care.
Dyer has been a strong advocate and leader, where she has already left her mark in New York state. She has successfully advocated for October to be recognized as Cockayne Syndrome Awareness Month, as well as being a persistent voice in support of the Complex Care Assistant Bill.
She is grounded in a fierce love for her son and a strong belief that no family should have to choose between their child's quality of life or financial survival.
Helen Nerska, Community/Civic Affairs Award
Helen Nerska was born and raised in Peru, but after attending college at SUNY Plattsburgh she relocated to Canada, where she would work 35 dedicated years in senior marketing and administrative positions. Nerska returned to her roots in Peru in 2005 and has been a community icon since.
Nerska was the Manager of the North Star Underground Railroad Museum from its opening in 2010 until April 2014. She has served as the Treasurer of the Saranac Chapter 1-142 DAR, as well as a Board Member for the Northern New York American-Canadian Genealogical Society. She also dedicates her time as Vice President of the Women's Rights Alliance of New York State and President of LWV of the North Country.
Nerska serves as the Historian for the Town of Peru, providing community members and neighbors alike with the history of the small North Country town.
She is the current Director and former President of the Clinton County Historical Association, preserving and sharing the long, inspiring, and significant history of Clinton County through events, presentations, or simply stopping by the museum for a tour.
Despite her deep dedication to the community, Nerska found time to author stories such as 'Clinton County Suffrage Story' as well as being a writer for the Heritage Corner in the Sun Community News & Printing and previously the Press-Republican.
Joy VanLeuvan, Businesswoman Award
Joy VanLeuvan has been dedicated to the automotive industry for over 40 years, all with Riley Ford, Inc. She started off at Riley Ford as a Sales Associate, eventually rising through the ranks as a Sales Manager, and General Manager. In 2012, she became the Dealer Principal and President. VanLeuvan oversees all aspects of dealer operations, ensuring Riley Ford operates smoothly every day.
She has led Riley Ford to be the recipient of several awards. These awards include over 34 Customer Satisfaction and Performance Awards in the 45-year history that her family has owned the dealership. She has led the dealership to become the first and only automobile dealership in New York State to be a certified Women-Owned Business.
A recent business accomplishment was the successful acquisition of a new Plattsburgh location, allowing Riley Ford to better serve the community.
Despite her deep commitment to her business endeavors, she finds time to serve on several boards in the community. This includes serving as the Treasurer and Executive Board Member of the New England Ford Dealers Association and serving on the Hudson Headwaters Patient Advisory Board.
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28-07-2025
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New York Post
12-07-2025
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Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
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