Meet Maureen O'Brien
2022 Philanthropist of the Year Finalist
Maureen E. O’Brien is a resident and native of Albany, New York. She is a graduate of the Academy of the Holy Names, University of Notre Dame (B.A.) and New York University (M.A.).
In 2018, following a national search, Maureen was appointed the first female President and Chief Executive Officer of New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID). NYSID is the designated facilitator of the Preferred Source Program for individuals with disabilities in New York State. Maureen manages the execution of over 1,000 state and municipal contracts on behalf of 100 disability service provider member agencies. Annually, more than 5,000 individuals with disabilities are gainfully employed through the program. Maureen combines her private sector experience and her desire to provide opportunities and advancement to individuals with disabilities bringing transformational change to the organization.
After serving as the Director of State Operations to 20th Congressional District Representative and Homeland Security Appropriator John E. Sweeney, Maureen became the Director of Government Affairs for Motorola Solutions Inc. (MSI) in 2007. In this capacity she handled the company’s public safety government relations work on large strategic projects in the eastern half of the United States. In 2016 she was elevated to Executive Director.
Maureen’s reputation in the state houses she has called on and among the member agencies of NYSID is that of an honest broker and trusted advisor with a keen understanding of the political process. Those who work closely with her are witness to her sense of humor, deep network of respectful colleagues and persistence in leaving no stone unturned.
Throughout her career, Maureen has served on a host of non-profit boards associated with her passion of providing advancement to individuals with disabilities. She is deeply involved in the NF Endurance Team (the fundraising arm of the Children’s Tumor Foundation). Since 2009, Maureen has served as an executive board member at Double H Ranch. Maureen has been a Trustee at Maria College since 2014. In 2019, Maureen became a trustee at Christian Brother’s Academy and in 2020 an Honorary Board Member at the Center for Disability Services.
Maureen was a recipient of the Andrew Heiskell Community Service Award and on two occasions the quarterly MSI Foundation Volunteerism Award. In 2012, 2013 and 2016, Maureen was inducted in MSI CEO Circle – recognition of performing in the top 10% of the company. In 2016, she was a recipient of The American Institute for Public Service Foundation Jefferson Award. In 2020, Maureen was recognized by the Albany Business Review as a Community Connector for Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and by City and State New York as a Socially Responsible 100 Leader making our state better for New Yorkers.
In 2021, Maureen was named a “Woman Who Means Business” by the Albany Business Review. She also received a Game Changer Award from Special Olympics New York and the Anthony J. Koenig Volunteer Service Award from the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State, both for her leadership in making COVID-19 vaccines accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Maureen is a member of the Notre Dame Club of Northeastern N.Y. and The Notre Dame Monogram Club. She and her family are communicants of Mater Christi Parish in Albany, New York. Together Maureen and her husband Dr. Paul F. Vogt have four boys Patrick, Andrew, Christopher and Gabriel.
United Way's Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year award recognizes an individual who has positively impacted our community.
Join us at the NYS Museum on June 9, 2022, when we reveal this year’s Capital Region Philanthropist of the Year!