Executive director of local ARC chapter named Geneseean of the Year

By Billie Owens
Feb 6, 2012, 2:05pm

The Geneseean of the Year for 2011 is Donna Saskowski, executive director of the local chapter of NY ARC. The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce made the announcement today.

Saskowski will be among the honorees at the chamber's 40th Annual Awards Ceremony on April 14 at the Clarion Hotel in Batavia. The other recipients were announced Friday.

She is renowned for her service to people with developmental disabilities, her leadership skills and commitment to community development. In addition, she is praised for her ability to forge partnerships and collaborations, strengthen existing services and integrate people with disabilities into the community, thereby maximizing their opportunities for full participation.

A lifelong resident of the Town of Darien, she received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Social Work from the University of Buffalo School of Social Work and has been on staff at Genesee ARC since 1989 and executive director since 2004.

Saskowski was named Social Worker of the Year in 2010 by the Western Division of the New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). In 2006, she was a member of the Community Health Foundation Leadership Fellows and she is a member of Leadership Genesee’s Class of 2005.

The other 2011 chamber award recipients (previously announced) are:

Business of the Year: Arctic Refrigeration Company of Batavia, Inc.

Agricultural Business of the Year: Baskin Livestock, Inc.

Industry of the Year: Graham Corporation

Entrepreneurial Business of the Year: Adept Equipment Services

Innovative Enterprise of the Year: Palm Island Indoor Waterpark at the Clarion Hotel

If you'd like to attend the event, call Kelly J. Bermingham, at 343-7440, ext. 26, to make your reservations or with any questions you may have.