Left to right: Karen Erren, President and CEO of Feeding Westchester; Tom Gabriel, President and CEO of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam; Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson (moderator) Partner Thompson & Bender; and Leslie Lampert, Executive Chef and Proprietor of Ladle of Love and Love Hospitality.
United Way Women’s Leadership Council “Take a Walk in Her Shoes” Event Celebrates Women in Philanthropy
Two prominent leaders dedicated to helping women and families living on the financial edge received the United Way Women’s Leadership Council’s 2024 ‘Woman of Distinction” award on December 10 at its 12th Annual Celebration of Women in Philanthropy. Karen Erren, President and CEO of Feeding Westchester, and Leslie Lampert, Executive Chef and Proprietor of Ladle of Love and Love Hospitality, were honored for their work addressing food insecurity in the Hudson Valley. NewYork Presbyterian and PepsiCo were presenting sponsors for the event.
The annual breakfast recognizes and reinforces the work of women helping financially vulnerable women in Westchester and Putnam counties become self-sufficient through targeted resources and programs. The event at Abigail Kirsch at Tappan Hill in Tarrytown was attended by 400 nonprofit and business leaders.
In addition to NewYork Presbyterian and PepsiCo, this year’s sponsors include Con Edison, PURE Insurance, Thompson & Bender, Fifth Third Wealth Advisors, Valley Bank, Wegmans, and Westchester Medical Center Health Network.
During the breakfast, Erren and Lampert shared personal stories about the satisfaction they get working to make a difference in their communities. Both women also reminded the audience that everyone has experienced adversity, and no one is immune from falling on hard times. All of us, they said, can make a difference in small ways.
“What I would say to everyone here is, just listen to yourself,’’ said Erren. “For me, it’s hunger, for you, it might be trees or dogs – whatever matters most to you. It is the cumulative effort of all of us that changes the world.’’
Tom Gabriel, President and CEO of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, said the United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council chose these two women for their role in helping to solve a significant issue for those living on the financial edge.
“Food insecurity continues to be a major issue for 40% of Westchester and Putnam families who are living paycheck to paycheck,’’ he said. “The personal mission of these two honorees aligns perfectly with the United Way and the Women’s Leadership Council’s goal to help financially vulnerable women and families. Karen and Leslie serve as examples of what can be accomplished with vision and dedication.”
Proceeds from the annual Women’s Leadership Council breakfast are used to help support the lives of ALICE women, children, and their families in Westchester and Putnam, who struggle daily to afford their most basic needs. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed, once known as the working poor.
More about the honorees:
Karen C. Erren
President and CEO, Feeding Westchester
Karen Erren’s leadership style and deep commitment to fighting hunger inspire both the team at Feeding Westchester and its community. Her natural ability to balance critical decision-making with team collaboration and her skill in humanizing the cause through personal stories drive the organization’s approach to addressing hunger in Westchester. A passionate “servant leader,” Karen has greatly expanded the organization’s community presence and advocacy efforts and led a building expansion doubling Feeding Westchester’s food storage capacity.
Leslie Lampert, Executive Chef and Proprietor, Ladle of Love and
Love Hospitality
Leslie Lampert’s highly successful “Love” brand began unexpectedly when her homemade soups for 9/11 responders gained popularity, and word spread rapidly. Celebrating 21 years, Leslie and the brand are the recipients of numerous accolades and awards. Whether delivering meals to medical professionals during the pandemic or providing weekly nutrition to 1,500+ kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester, Leslie Lampert is widely known and regarded for always providing meaningful support and comfort to those in need around her.
United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) is an anti-poverty organization dedicated to improving the lives of 40% of our neighbors who live in poverty or paycheck to paycheck. United Way provides strategic resources and tools to help struggling residents lead a better, more stable life, and these include our 211 Helpline operating 24/7 across the Hudson Valley, early literacy programming for preschoolers in underserved communities, job skills training and financial empowerment for financially struggling adults and families, as well as access to health services and discounts on prescription drugs. United Way supports hundreds of local nonprofits with millions of dollars in grants and essential goods for basic needs, as well as by providing affordable professional development and connecting nonprofits to new resources.
Visit https://www.uwwp.org/ or call 914-997-6700 for more information. Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayWP, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/united-way-of-westchester-and-putnam, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedwaywp/ and Twitter (@UnitedWayWP).