Libby Pataki

Libby Pataki, who served as the First Lady of New York from 1995-2007, has worked tirelessly alongside her husband, Governor George E. Pataki, to raise awareness for children’s and women’s health issues – and to promote tourism and the arts around the state.

Mrs. Pataki brought the Mother’s Day Mammography initiative to New York, which encourages women to schedule early mammograms. She worked with the New York State Health Department to promote mobile mammography units in order to reach out to underserved communities. This initiative drew national attention, with the model now being used across the country. Mrs. Pataki has been an advocate for the Child Health Plus program, which provides health insurance to underinsured children, and was also a spokesperson for a youth-oriented anti-smoking campaign.

While First Lady of New York, Mrs. Pataki launched the overhauled I Love NY tourism campaign in 1995. She also worked with the New York State Thruway Authority to bring tourism to all area rest stops, and created public-private partnerships with major New York City art institutions to bring the Great Art Series to Albany.

In her current position as Director of Putnam County Tourism, Mrs. Pataki has put her home county on the international radar by including the 2013 Putnam Cycling Classic as part of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Cycling Tour. She has also brought national attention to some of the county’s treasured destinations – Breakneck Ridge and the Great Swamp.

A tireless community advocate, Mrs. Pataki has been on numerous task forces to promote women and tourism. She was president and director of the Ronald Stafford Cancer Support Foundation, and has been an active voice in promoting the rich history of Putnam County and its historic sites.

In her spare time, this mother of four has also authored four children’s books.