Thank you to the 400+ colleagues, partners, and friends who made this year’s Keep Westchester Thriving Awards such a success! 

Our Executive Director, Jan Fisher, opened the event with a passionate celebration of Westchester's nonprofit sector, applauding its strength, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to service amid this year’s unprecedented challenges.

We were deeply honored to welcome NY State Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who offered heartfelt remarks celebrating the honorees and Emerging Leaders Class of 2025. She reaffirmed both her own commitment—and that of the entire Westchester Delegation—to championing and safeguarding the vital work of our nonprofit sector.

We were also grateful to hear from Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, who acknowledged the significant challenges our sector has navigated and those that lie ahead, and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the organizations that strengthen our communities. 

Suzanne Gardos kicked off the Emerging Leaders Program graduation with a moving and heartfelt celebration of their 11-month journey that not only improved their ability to lead, but make news friends across Westchester. 

A special thank-you goes to Juanita Pope of the Child Care Council of Westchester and Chair of the ELP Advisory Board, who supported the class throughout their learning journey and proudly read the graduates’ names. We are also deeply grateful to M&T Bank for their generous support, which makes the Emerging Leaders Program possible.

Congratulations to the NPW Emerging Leaders Class of 2025 on completing an 11-month journey of professional development! Applications for next year’s ELP class are due December 12th, 2025. Apply today! 

The celebration continued as we honored this year's 2025 Keep Westchester Thriving Award recipients for their extraordinary ingenuity, expertise and resolve in addressing the challenges faced by our neighbors and in creating opportunities for all members of the county. 

Thank you NPW Board President Ron Abad, CEO of Community Housing Innovations for introducing the honorees alongside our Executive Director, Jan Fisher.

Congratulations to the 2025 Distinguished Service Award Recipient: CarlLa Horton, for her outstanding accomplishments as Executive Director of Hope's Door and for her lifetime of unwavering leadership, groundbreaking advocacy, and transformative impact in the field of domestic violence prevention and social justice.

Congratulations to the 2025 Individual Changemaker: Jeremy Christopher Kohomban, PhD, President and CEO of The Children’s Village. 

Congratulations to the the 2025 Small Nonprofit Changemaker: 914United. The award was accepted by Jonathan Alvarez, Chief Executive Officer.

Congratulations to the the 2025 Nonprofit Changemaker: Westchester Parks Foundation. The award was accepted by Joseph Stout, Executive Director, Seth Mandelbaum, Board Chair, and client Casey McGuire. 

We can't thank all our event sponsors enough for joining us in celebrating the nonprofit sector - you are an integral part of the success of Westchester's nonprofits!

Check out the Keep Westchester Thriving Digital Journal HERE.

Congratulations to our newly elected 2026 NPW Board Member Jonathan Alvarez, Executive Director of 914United. 

Announcing the 2026 NPW Executive Committee and Board Members elected to their 2nd and 3rd terms.

Nothing would be possible without the tireless work of our amazing NPW Board of Directors. 

Thank you to NPW Board Member Judy Troilo, Executive Director of the LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center for chairing the KWT Planning Committee.

We look forward to continuing to strengthen Westchester’s nonprofit organizations as they transform lives, empower communities, and drive positive change!

Thank you Peter Oberc Photography for the amazing pictures!

A special shoutout to Events to Remember for helping us plan and execute this amazing event and Corporate AV for the audio and visuals!