News
August 8, 2019American Red Cross of Northeastern New York Elects New Board Officers for 2019-2020 Fiscal Year
The American Red Cross of Northeastern New York is pleased to announce the new slate of officers leading its board of directors for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. J. Robert Daggett assumes the role of board chair, filling the seat of Sujata N. Chaudhry who will now serve as immediate past chair. Renee Abdou-Malta and Krista St. George will serve as vice chairs, and all four officers will serve at least a one-year term.
“Volunteer leadership is critically important at the Red Cross,” said Gary Striar, chief executive officer for the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York. “Each one of our board members provides tremendous expertise, passion and commitment to help fulfill the Red Cross mission in our community. We are thrilled to be starting a new fiscal year with such outstanding individuals to guide our local work.”
Robert Daggett works out of the Albany offices of FirstLight Fiber, a leading provider of fiber optic services, delivered on state-of-the-art facilities, serving enterprise and carrier clients throughout the Northeast. He has more than 25 years of technology and management experience and has served FirstLight in numerous roles over the past 17 years. Daggett focuses on the critical needs of enterprise clients including healthcare, public safety and government which has enabled him to have a deeper appreciation for the mission of the Red Cross.
“Every day the Red Cross answers the call to help and support individuals in need during their time of crisis in our community and across our country,” Daggett said. “Serving the American Red Cross is a great privilege. Having the pleasure to do so with talented staff, dedicated volunteers and board members that always rise to the occasion is inspiration in its purest form.”
Sujata N. Chaudhry is the Founder and CEO of Tangible Development, the only Diversity & Inclusion Training and Consultancy firm in New York’s Capital Region and Tech Valley. After working as a market analyst with the U.S. Navy, Chaudhry synthesized her education and multicultural background in a position with AMP, Inc., now TYCO, before founding Tangible Development. She has served on the executive committee and board for the Tricity Indian Association and as an advisor for its youth organization. Continuing to be an active member, Chaudhry also served on the Albany-Colonie Chamber board and chaired the 2014 Women’s Business Council. In addition to her role on the Red Cross board, Chaudhry also serves on the boards for Girls Inc. and the International Center of the Capital Region and is an ambassador for Women@Work.
Reneé Abdou-Malta is the President-New York for Beacon Health Options, a health improvement company that specializes in mental and emotional wellbeing and recovery. A 34-year veteran of the health care industry, Abdou-Malta has worked at Beacon Health Options (formerly ValueOptions 1992-2014) for more than 27 of them, serving in a number of management positions with increasing responsibility within the organization. A registered nurse, Abdou-Malta earned a Master of Science in nursing from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Niagara University. She is a Certified Case Manager and Certified Legal Nurse Consultant. In 2014, she was honored as a Woman of Excellence by the Women’s Business Council of the Capital Region Chamber. She also received the 2013 Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Northeastern New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the 2007 New York State Senate’s Woman of Distinction Award.
Krista St. George is the chief marketing officer for GE’s Power Services business, based in Schenectady, NY, accountable for understanding and responding to evolving needs of utility, IPP and industrial gas plant customers. St. George joined GE in 1996 and has held leadership roles in multiple GE businesses. Her background includes Six Sigma process/product design, business transformation and sustainable development. She began her career as a process engineer with Lord Corporation, focusing on product development and process research in water-based adhesive technologies. St. George holds a BS and MS in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
The Board of Directors for the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York provides leadership and support for a chapter serving more than 1.1 million people across Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties. Every day, local Red Cross staff and volunteers respond to home fires and other disasters, train people in lifesaving skills, prepare families and businesses for emergencies, support veterans and military families with critical community services, and collect lifesaving blood to help patients in need. To learn more, visit redcross.org/eny.
