MIDDLETOWN- A who’s who of the Mid-Hudson Valley business community gathered recently at the Stagecoach Inn in Goshen to present Maureen Halahan, President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership, with the first-ever Inspiring Leader Award.
The honor was bestowed by Orange Bank & Trust Company and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors as part of its ‘Women Guiding Women’ initiative, which seeks to empower and elevate women in the business world.
As the Mid-Hudson region’s longest serving business booster and economic development advocate, Halahan has remarkably attracted more than 230 companies to Orange County, creating over 10,000 new jobs and generating billions of dollars in capital investments. She also serves on a number of prominent boards including the Governor’s Mid-Hudson Regional Council, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Citizens Advisory Panel – Stewart International Airport, and United Way of Dutchess-Orange Region.
“She was the clear choice for the award in its first year,” said Michael Gilfeather, President and CEO of Orange Bank & Trust Company. “Her track record of achievements leading economic development initiatives and attracting critical investments to the Mid-Hudson region is astounding. But what’s equally impressive are her abilities to overcome challenges in a typically male dominated field and her steadfast commitment to lifting up other women in the professional world.”
“I’m humbled to earn this level of recognition from Orange Bank & Trust Company, and I am inspired by tonight’s distinguished speakers whose mentorship and actions have helped countless women elevate themselves in their careers,” said Maureen Halahan, President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership. “As women leaders, we must support each other if we’re going to secure more seats at the table for our peers, and the landmark Women Guiding Women initiative is a shining example of inclusivity in business.”
Acclaimed business leadership and executive coaching experts Regina Clark and Anna Gibbs addressed nearly 70 attendees at the top of the evening’s program, congratulating Halahan and imparting wisdom on the crowd about the key strategies and mindsets that women must embody to excel in their professional and personal lives.
Additional attendees included Carla Alfieri, 1st Vice President and Senior Private Banking Officer at Orange Bank & Trust; Kathy Cole, Vice President and Regional Sales Manager at Orange Bank & Trust; Kelly Lynch-Moloney, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc.; and Faith Ferguson, Owner of the Stagecoach Inn.
