Day: February 20, 2009

If you missed our last event, then now’s your chance to see what you missed. Click on the video below and you’ll find out about some amazing Westchester moms who have dedicated their personal and professional lives to helping others.

Our incredible speakers included:
LEE WOODRUFF
As co-author of the best-selling In an Instant, Lee Woodruff garnered critical acclaim for the compelling and humorous chronicle of her family’s journey to recovery following her husband Bob’s roadside bomb injury in Iraq. Appearing together on national television and radio since the February 2007 publication of their book, the couple has helped put a face on the serious issue of traumatic brain injury among returning Iraq war veterans.
Woodruff is currently a contributor for ABC’s Good Morning America, reporting on a variety of home and family related topics. She is working on a second book.
A freelance writer, Woodruff has penned numerous personal articles about her family and parenting that have run in such high-profile magazines as Health, Redbook, Country Living, and Family Fun. She also works as a contributing editor of Family Fun, where she writes about health and travel, and has served as a spokesperson for the publication, participating in national and regional broadcasts to discuss various topics on its behalf.
In addition to freelance writing, Woodruff ran her own public relations and marketing consulting business for 16 years. Before that, she was senior vice president of public relations firm Porter Novelli, and spent a year in Beijing, China, working for communications company Hill & Knowlton, counseling clients as varied as GE, Chrysler/Jeep, Bausch & Lomb, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. In the latter position, she helped international clients break into markets in the People’s Republic of China.
At present, Woodruff lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband. They have four children.
ALISON TEPPER SINGER
Alison Tepper Singer is an autism advocate and most recently served as executive vice president for communications and awareness at Autism Speaks. Alison has been with the foundation since its launch in March 2005 and is a member of the board of directors, in addition to overseeing the strategic communications and development of the growing organization. She served as interim CEO of the organization from March through July 2005.
Prior to joining Autism Speaks, Alison spent 14 years at CNBC and NBC in a variety of positions, including vice president of programming in NBC’s cable and business development division, producer of CNBC’s MoneyWheel and MarketWrap programs, and, most recently, special projects producer at CNBC, where she produced the award-winning series, “Autism: Paying the Price.” She has a B.A. in economics from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Alison has both a daughter and an older brother with autism, giving her long-term, personal experience with the disorder. She lives in Scarsdale, NY, with her husband, Dan, a partner in the media practice at McKinsey & Company. They have two daughters, Jodie and Lauren.
LAUREN CANDELA KATZ
2008 Westchester Fundraiser of the Year recipient Lauren Candela-Katz, is a fundraiser and not-for profit professional for twenty years, who has an extraordinary gift to connect with people. She radiates enthusiasm and is known for her passion, tenacity and perseverance. When Lauren sees a need un-met or someone says “this can’t be done,” she comes up with the right plan and execution to get the job done and doesn’t take no for an answer. Lauren has a rare ability to see the big picture and a compelling manner to lead others to achieve it.
In 2004, Lauren brought her talents and experience to the White Plains Library Foundation to help reach a million dollar goal to build The Trove, the new Children’s Library. She continues to raise annual funds for The Trove and recently embarked on a new campaign to build The Edge, a new area for teens. Among her accomplishments for the Library, Lauren has brought hundreds of new donors, recruited many new volunteers, and launched two new library fundraisers that have become the talk of the town – the annual Treasures Gala and Trumble in The Trove. Lauren’s efforts also help identify additional needs among the constituency and she creates new programming for the Library to meet those needs.
Before coming to the Library, Lauren raised millions of charitable dollars at United Jewish Communities, formerly United Jewish Appeal, Jewish Federations and Calvary Hospital.
Lauren is also an avid volunteer community activist and brings her heart and professional expertise to these roles as well. She serves on the Auxiliary Board of White Plains Hospital Center and headed the committee to raise funds to build a new playground at Church Street Elementary School. In addition to many other community projects, Lauren also mentors new non profit professionals, those looking to make a career change into the field and high school students involved in community service projects.
Lauren received her Masters of Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Judaic Studies from Ohio State University. She is married to Michael Katz, partner at Cuddy & Feder, and resides in White Plains with their two children, Daniel and Ethan.
For more information, visit the White Plains Library at www.whiteplainslibrary.org. Or, if you’d like to RSVP, email me at beth@rolemommy.com.