Women’s History Month 2024:
Celebrating Women of Impact

During Women’s History Month, Fidelis Care is pleased to recognize our 2024 Women of Impact who serve their communities. We salute these providers and community partners who make a difference every day.

Dorothy Brundidge

Niagara Falls City School District Assistant Principal, Bloneva Bond Primary School

Dorothy Brundidge has a long history in education and community service. Highly respected by peers, parents, and students, she has played a pivotal role in the creation of a family support center designed to connect parents and their children to resources through community agencies. Brundidge has won several awards for her leadership and community service and serves as secretary of the St. John’s Missionary Society and is a member of the Francis Center Future Planning Committee.

Krishna Cionek

Hometown Health Centers Operations Manager, Schenectady

Krishna Cionek brings more than 13 years of healthcare experience to some of the most vulnerable populations in the Capital Region. Playing a pivotal role in constructing care locations and resources with a patient-centered approach, Cionek was instrumental in establishing four specialty care practices. She also founded two donation-driven resources, Patient Corner and Annie’s Closet, supporting expectant mothers and families.

Gloria Cox-Windom

Crisis Nursery of Greater Rochester Family Resource Navigator

Gloria Cox-Windom has a passion for creating a safe haven for children. She assists families with referrals to community resources such as childcare, housing, domestic violence counseling, housing and financial assistance, medical care, and substance use and mental health treatment. Cox-Windom also works with the Fidelis Care team to educate parents on the importance of obtaining quality, affordable health insurance.  

Sheila Dion

Erin’s Angels Founder and Executive Director, Oswego County

Sheila Dion is a visionary and compassionate leader, dedicated to making an impact on society. As the founder and executive director of Erin’s Angels of Central New York, an organization that mobilizes the community, individuals, and resources to provide food for children in need, Dion has harnessed her passion for social change and combined it with an entrepreneurial spirit. She also founded Small Town Girl Marketing, which serves small businesses.

Ana Figueroa

Long Island Head Start Associate Director, Parent/Community Engagement

Ana Figueroa oversees the Long Island Head Start parent involvement department, collaborating closely with parents to empower them to achieve their goals. Figueroa's commitment to serving her community extends beyond her work at Long Island Head Start. She has been a member of the New York State Head Start Association Board since 2013 and was elected vice president in 2017. Figueroa is also a board member of the Herstory Writers Workshops program and works closely with Literacy Suffolk to help adults improve their English language skills.

Alejandra Giron

Queens Women’s Chamber of Commerce President

Alejandra Giron takes pride in equipping entrepreneurs with the skills and capital needed to build successful businesses, generate income, and achieve their goals. As a passionate advocate for the small business community, she provides personalized attention, professionalism, and expertise. Recognized with numerous awards for her efforts, Giron enjoys networking with like-minded professionals from leading organizations in their fields.

Migdalia “Micky” Jimenez

Capital District Latinos Regional Executive Director, Albany County

Migdalia “Micky” Jimenez has demonstrated a fervent passion to help others in their greatest moment of need throughout her nearly four-decade career in healthcare. She has also continually sought to contribute to the community through volunteerism. Included among the many boards of directors she has served on are New York Association of Home Care Providers, Support Ministries, Hispanic Outreach Services, and 100 Hispanic Women.

Candy Kirkwood

The Sisters Keepers Co-Founder, Chemung County

Candy Kirkwood co-founded The Sisters Keepers food ministry to serve the homeless and hungry in Chemung County. The Sisters Keepers started by offering bagged meals to a few families in need. It now serves hundreds of individuals and families with much needed food, clothing, and personal hygiene supplies. Kirkwood has also partnered with Fidelis Care to help people learn about quality, affordable healthcare options available to them.

Evelyn Kormanik

Staten Island Giving Circle Founder

Evelyn Kormanik founded the Staten Island Giving Circle in 2008. The organization started with 24 people and has blossomed into a strong service outreach endeavor with more than 1,200 interested activists serving populations in need of hands-on assistance. Staten Island Giving Circle initiatives include Adopt-a-Pantry, school enrichment and literacy programs, and Junior Giving Circles.

Anissa D. Moore

Deputy County Executive, Health and Human Services, Nassau County

Anissa D. Moore provides transformational leadership through the support of health, human services, and housing to foster equity, civility, and community engagement in Nassau County. She was the first African American to secure a tenured position in the communications department and to be appointed dean of social and behavioral sciences at Nassau Community College. Moore is founder of the Long Beach STEAM Academy, which provides after-school homework assistance, emotional health workshops, financial literacy education, and arts experiences to low-income children.

Sister Mary O’Brien

Tioga County Rural Ministry Executive Director

Sister Mary O’Brien, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, is known for her commitment to service and community, inspiring generosity in others. Her impact is felt at Tioga County Rural Ministry through its food pantry, handicap ramp construction program, and holiday support services. Sister Mary's passion for service, coupled with her diverse interests and commitment to healthy living, reflect her vibrant personality and unwavering dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Felicia Parker

North Country Family Health Center Population Health Program Manager, Watertown

Felicia Parker leads a team at North Country Family Health Center that works to address social determinants of health needs faced by the community’s most vulnerable. She has built strong relationships with community partners to connect individuals and families to resources such as food and housing assistance and transportation. Parker is passionate about improving the health and wellness of her community and serves on the boards of the North Country Prenatal/Perinatal Council and Northern Regional Center for Independent Living.

Melissa Roys

Connected Community Schools Initiative Co-Executive Leader, Oneida County

Melissa Roys has spent the past 25 years of her career advocating for the well-being of families and children. Roys has also dedicated substantial time creating platforms and safe places for at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth and supporting undervalued communities. Under her leadership, the Connected Community Schools Initiative has grown to 20 schools spanning eight counties, offering resources and services to 25,000 students.

Hanan Salman, MD

Hanan Pediatrics Pediatrician, Brooklyn

Dr. Hanan Salman is an energetic and passionate pediatrician who helps young patients in Brooklyn. Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Hanan serves a diverse community and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Arabic. She is dedicated to improving the health literacy of her patients and the community.

Merlene Smith-Sotillo

Sickle Cell Awareness Foundation Corp. International Founder, President, and CEO, Queens

Merlene Smith-Sotillo of Queens founded the Sickle Cell Awareness Corp. International in 2007 while learning about the disease that affects two of her four children. The not-for-profit organization is dedicated to bringing awareness, passion, continuing education, and support to individuals and families with Sickle Cell Disease. Smith-Sotillo is also active in other civic and charitable organizations, including the Cancer Action Council and NAACP.

Renee Spear

Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Executive Director

Renee Spear has enjoyed a long career of supporting people with disabilities, the underserved population, and those living in poverty. Under her leadership, Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga has expanded its support offerings with housing and employment services and a fatherhood program in partnership with government agencies and community organizations. It has also grown its food services by opening a cafe that serves daily meals and launching a food rescue that works with local restaurants and stores.

Alyssa Starrantino, LCSW-R

Ellis Mental Health Services “The Living Room” Psychiatry Supervisor, Schenectady

Alyssa Starrantino has served in her role at The Living Room in Schenectady for two years and has more than 11 years of experience in the social work field. As co-founder and lead facilitator of the Capital Region Mental Health Task Force, she is passionate about increasing access to behavioral health care. Starrantino previously held positions as Residential Therapist at The Charlton School and Psychiatric Social Worker at Ellis Mental Health Clinic.