Annual Awards Celebrates Cornerstone Partners

Celebrating a Century of Caring 

at United Way's 2026 Annual Awards

TROY, NY - June 23, 2026 - United Way of the Greater Capital Region proudly celebrated a Century of Caring and its Cornerstone Partners dedicated to building a resilient Capital Region during its 2026 Annual Awards at EMPAC at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The evening brought together community leaders, partners, volunteers, and supporters to recognize their collective impact across the region.

The evening honored United Way's Cornerstone Partners comprised of individual donors, businesses, foundations, and organizations whose generosity, leadership, and commitment created opportunities for children, families, and neighbors in the Capital Region.

Each partner advanced youth opportunity, improved health outcomes and mobilized the caring power of our community. The partnerships and collaboration resulted in a stronger Capital Region where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

"We are grateful to everyone who joined us to celebrate and highlight the impact we can have together," said Peter Gannon, President & CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region. "Our Century of Caring is only made possible by the people and organizations who have stood beside us over the past 100 years. This past year, we were able to make even greater impacts on neighbors in their time of need. Together, we are building stronger communities today while laying the foundation for our next century of service."

The celebration also highlighted special moments featuring young readers who have gained new skills through United Way's Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, United Way's newest Summer Meals Ambassadors, and families in the Jubilant Birth program who feel the impact of this work every day, have access to better opportunities, and thrive as a result.

2026 Annual Awards Honorees

INDIVIDUAL CORNERSTONE PARTNERS

Tocqueville Society
Donors contributing $10,000+

Wallace Altes

Melissa & Josh Bennett

Rich & Diane Dewey

The Fagan Family

Neil Golub

Mark Kornfein & Ellen Jacobsen

Andrew Marsh & Kathy Mattes

The Massry Family

Marilyn J. Mielke Trust

John J. Nigro

Percy Waller Foundation

Diana & Richard Straut

Enid Tanenhaus & Lewis Segal

William & Roberta Winsman

CORPORATE CORNERSTONE PARTNERS

GOLD AWARD
Companies contributing $75,000+

  • Hannaford Supermarkets
  • Market 32 & Price Chopper
  • National Grid
  • Naval Nuclear Laboratory
  • New York Independent System Operator

Silver Award
Companies contributing $15,000 - $74,999

  • Arrow Bank
  • Bobrick Washroom Equipment
  • Capital District Transportation Authority
  • CDPHP
  • Central Hudson Gas & Electric
  • CSEA
  • DeNooyer Chevrolet, Inc.
  • Environment One Corporation
  • GE Aerospace
  • GE Vernova
  • KeyBank
  • MVP Health Care
  • NBT Bank
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • Teamsters Local 294

Per Capita Giving Award
Companies with employees donating $600+

  • The Bonadio Group
  • Gilbane Building Company
  • Plug

COMMUNITY CORNERSTONE PARTNERS

518 Day

  • CDPHP

 

Emergency Relief Program

  • Albany County Executive Dan McCoy 
  • The Regional Food Bank

Unions United

  • IBEW Local 236
  • Teamsters Local 294

PROGRAM CORNERSTONE PARTNERS

Jubilant Birth

  • Albany County Executive Dan McCoy & Albany County
  • Charles Touhey & The Carl E. Touhey Foundation
  • Highmark Blue Shield

www.unitedwaygcr.org/birth

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

  • Aflac New York
  • Fagan Associates
  • Fenimore Asset Management
  • George Hearst III
  • IBEW Local 236
  • Chet & Karen Opalka
  • Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation
  • Enid Tanenhaus & Lewis Segal

Summer Meals

  • Aflac New York
  • Albany Med Health System
  • Bank of America
  • CDPHP
  • Hannaford Supermarkets

HONORARY COMMITTEE

Erin Abele*
Alan Alexander*
Wally Altes**
The Baltzersen Family
Relentless Awareness LLC
Melissa* & Josh Bennett**
Dr. Kristie Bowers*
Dr. Crystal L. Brandow
Capital Region Chamber & CEG
Ryan Case*
Marcia Cognetta* & Michael Provancher
Kevin* & Nerissa Cordella
Bartley Costello
Colonie Town Supervisor Peter Crummey
Rabbi Matt Cutler
Terri Devizzio
Rich* & Diane Dewey**
Linda Doody
Mike Durand
John Eberle & Pam Eberle
Enterprise Mobility
Senator Patricia A. Fahy
The Fagan Family**
The Foundation of St. Catherine’s 
Center for Children
Peter & Lauren Gannon
Mona J. Golub
Neil Golub**
Greater Capital Association
of REALTORS(R)
Sara Hamilton
John* & Lynda Kearney
Dr. Coretta Killikelly 

Dwayne & Ana* Killings 
Jim & Julie Knox**
Frank Koncewicz
Mark Kornfein & Ellen Jacobsen**
Brandi Landy*
Kathy Leyden*
Andrew Marsh & Kathy Mattes**
Murray & Mallory Massry**
Norman & Micki Massry**
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy
Hon. John T. McDonald III, RPh
Meier Law Firm, PLLC
Ron Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Monthie
John J. Nigro**
Brian & Beth O'Grady
Chet Opalka
Whitney Pangburn, Marshall + Sterling
Charles & Amy Pinckney
Anne Putnam
Kevin Quaranto*
Brian* & Stacey Sano
Sheehan Productions
Diana & Richard Straut**
Alicia* & Patrick Suarez
Samuel Trimboli* & Matt DeCrescente
Enid Tanenhaus & Lewis Segal**
Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, Inc.
Michael & Lynette Tucker
Andy Willette*
William & Roberta Winsman**
Adam & Melissa* Wolf
Nathan A. Writer

Annual Awards 
Photo & Video

Relive some of the special moments from the evening by browsing our Annual Awards photo album.

 See the Impact

The commitment of our Cornerstone Partners is making a meaningful difference throughout the Capital Region. From helping children get the best possible start in life to connecting families with critical resources and expanding opportunities for financial stability, every partnership helps create lasting change.

Watch our 2026 Annual Awards Impact Video to see how, together, we are building a stronger community.