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A business and philanthropic dynamo
Woman of the Year: Colleen West-Levy
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December 23, 2009 | 11:25 AM
Paint a picture of positive energy in motion and the visage of Colleen West-Levy will appear, as she does time and again for all those fortunate to be touched by this compassionate and generous woman. Her journey is admirable, her story an inspiration to women of all ages.
After returning to school at the age of 28 — and completing three years of coursework in half the time — the newly single mother of an infant and 2-year-old "picked herself up by her bootstraps," according to Colleen's husband of 15 years, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, and began her career as a court reporter in 1989.
Determined to provide the highest quality services, she established Enright Court Reporting, Inc. in 1991. Through her vision and commitment, the agency of which she is founder and president has grown to a staff of more than 30 court reporters and is recognized as one of the most professional agencies serving the Metro New York, Long Island and White Plains areas. Then, in 1998, this entrepreneur purchased a franchise for transcription services which, under her leadership, transitioned to an alliance program that now consists of 50 independently owned transcription companies throughout the nation.
West-Levy is "an amazing woman with an amazing story," said Steve Levy. "A tremendous role model for young women going through struggles in their lives, Colleen demonstrates that you can get it done despite the challenges you face."
Enright Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and General Counsel Anne Marie Caradonna said, "It has been my joy to know Colleen West-Levy as a friend for 14 years and my privilege to work closely with her over the past two years. There is no one more positive, more professional or more productive than Colleen, nor is there anyone with a bigger heart."
Caradonna calls West-Levy a "devoted wife and mother and nurturing woman" who has always strived to give her children every opportunity. Indeed, her two grown daughters, Shannon and Erin, are themselves exemplary young women.
Shannon is a first-grade teacher in the Connetquot school district, married this past September to fellow teacher Robert Valenti. The couple are embarking on home ownership and, according to Steve Levy, Colleen's next major goal is to become a grandmother!
"No matter what my mom has accomplished so far, she has no limits on her compassion," said Shannon. "She tries to touch everyone's life in some way, and make their lives better in any way she can."
Erin is a second-year med student at Harvard who, with her mother's help, started her own nonprofit organization that aims to promote the health of sub-Saharan African populations through the distribution of needed health care supplies and community health education.
Caradonna describes West-Levy as a "truly genuine person," and a "terrific employer" who takes the time to know her entire staff personally. Her warmth and compassion extend to her management style and define her as an ideal employer, respected and admired for her hands-on approach and consideration of each "whole" person, their life and family, in her employ.
As a recognized business leader, West-Levy lends her experience to several advisory boards including the Long Island Business Institute, a proprietary college for professional business careers, as well as other civic organizations and the Sayville and Patchogue chambers of commerce. In addition, she volunteers and supports several charitable organizations including United Cerebral Palsy of Suffolk County, from which she recently received an honorary degree from the Children's Center for her dedication to their education program.
West-Levy began a two-year term as chair of the board of directors for UCP in January 2009, after having volunteered countless hours to the organization over the prior five years. She dedicates and devotes her time to UCP, raising awareness about disabilities and the challenges faced by UCP's participants, attending events and supporting the organization through her leadership, innovative ideas and networking efforts.
When UCP hosted its annual gala dinner dance in October 2009, West-Levy was the honoree, and humbly expressed her gratitude: "UCP has added so much to my life and made me a better person."
In his tribute, UCP Suffolk President and CEO Stephen Friedman remarked, "She is the radiant face and the articulate, compassionate voice of UCP Suffolk, and there could be none better ... she has been the most steadfast friend to UCP Suffolk, and the strongest advocate, not just for the individuals we serve, but for creating Life Without Limits for all people with disabilities."
Proud husband Steve Levy recounted the events of the gala: "The best part of the evening was the look on the faces of the UCP clients — it was as if they looked upon the face of Mother Teresa. Colleen takes it upon herself to go into the agencies, sit down with the clients, touch them, stroke their hair and have conversations with them. She makes each individual feel important and special because she has genuine compassion for each one." Levy described the evening as "one of the most emotional events you have ever seen, the whole place was crying, reacting to her presence."
West-Levy serves on the board of directors of the Bob Venero Children's Foundation and also supports the Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at Stony Brook University and 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition. Featured on Cablevision's "Women of the New Century," West-Levy sets an example for other women who are meeting daily business challenges. She was honored in 2008 by the National Association of Women Business Owners, and was named one of Long Island's Top 50 Most Influential Women by the Long Island Business News in 2008. And just this year she was invited to join the board of the Long Island Philharmonic.
West-Levy was selected in 2007 as an honoree during National Women's History Month by the Town of Islip because of her extensive philanthropic efforts and outstanding achievements.
"It's an exciting time to be a woman in today's age and I embrace the opportunity to be part of an event that celebrates that journey," said West-Levy of the honor. "Women have never had a greater voice than in today's global culture and I applaud those women who have used their voice to effect change and improve the human condition."
West-Levy is the chair of the March 2010 gala committee for Splashes of Hope. She is also a member of The Energeia Partnership: The Academy for Regional Stewardship at Molloy College, into which West-Levy was inducted in 2008.
With an emphasis on leadership through service, the partnership "gives proven, ethical leaders the opportunity to act as catalysts for change, helping to create innovative and sustainable solutions to the most pressing challenges facing our region," according to its newsletter.
"Energeia" is a word Aristotle used to describe the action that turns potential energy into actuality and an apt description of our Woman of the Year.
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