Funke Announces Bonnie Ross as 2016 Woman of Distinction for the 55th District

Senator Rich Funke today announced Bonnie Ross Executive Director of the Partnership for Ontari County, is the 2016 Woman of Distinction for the New York State Senate's 55th District. The Women of Distinction program honors exceptional women from across New York who are making a big difference in their communities every day. Ross will join other Women of Distinction at a reception in Albany this evening that will recognize and honor their contributions. 

"Bonnie Ross represents the very best that our community has to offer," said Funke. "Following a successful career she could have retired, but instead she chose to give back and our community is now better for her service. Because so much of her work happens behind the scenes, it's great to have this opportunitiy to thank Bonnie for her contributions. On behalf of all those who she has and continues to help, I'm honored to select Bonnie as our Woman of Distinction of 2016."

Ross was named Executive Director for the Partnership of Ontario County, Inc. in 2014 after a short stint in private consulting following her retirement as a member of the Executive Team with Thompson Health. Under Ross' leadership, the Partnership has strengthened its service offerings, launched collaborative public-private partnerships. and added six new programs while growing the organization's reach by over 80% within two years. Today the Partnership interfaces with more than 50 local nonprofit organizations and over 200 volunteers. Ross is a 2010 Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce Athena Award nominee and recently accepted two awards on behalf o the Partnership, including the "Choose Health" Award from the Ontario County Board of Supervisors and the Howard J. Berman Prize from the Lifetime Health Care Companies.

"Bonnie has supplied positive energy and enthusiasm to the Partnership team," said Philip C. Povero, Ontario County Sheriff and Chair of the Board for the Partnership of Ontario County. "As Executive Director, Bonnie works tirelessly supporting alliances which cultivate positive social change. The collaborations Bonnie has helped form focus on enhancing the quality of life for all residents of Ontario County." 

The Partnership for Ontario County is an indenpendent non-profit with offices in Canandaigua, New York. It has served Ontario County since 1998 and is the umbrella organization for several programs and initiatives, including; Ontario County Youth Court; Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes; Family Support Centers; Partnership for Success; Nowhere to Go; Youth Mental Health First Aid; With Youth for Youth; and the Never Alone Club. The Partnership's mission is to create, support and administer alliances to cultivate positive social change.

The Women of Distincition Contemporary Awards Ceremony will be held in Hearing Room B, Room 120 of the Legislative Office Building in Albany tonight at 5:30 p.m. To nominate someone for the 2017 award, simply submit a 250 word or less biography of the nominee, as well as a current address and contact information to Funke's District Office at 230 Packets Landing, Fairport, NY 14450. Nominations for 2017 will be accepted until April 1, 2017. 

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