There are three main awards presented annually by the RSC Alumnae/i Association:
Unless otherwise specified, all alumnae/i from Russell Sage College are eligible for consideration in each of the three award categories regardless of gender identification, while either attending as a student or as an alumnae/i. We are proud of all of our alumnae/i award recipients. To view past recipients, learn more about these awards, or to nominate someone, click here.
Outstanding Young Alumnae/i Award
Recognizes an alumnae/i within 15 years of graduation. Honorees are considered based upon accomplishments in career, professional organizations, artistic or literary achievement in the creative or performing arts, and/or recognition for community service.
Jabin Ahmed, ’15
Jabin Ahmed is a Hudson, New York based artist, writer, and activist. She is the co-founder of Hudson Muslim Youth, and Jaago Hudson. Through her work at Jaago Hudson, Jabin has written and illustrated a guidebook for South Asian Survivors and their loved ones. The guidebook is translated into eleven languages and is free to download worldwide.
Jabin’s passion for community and dedication to social justice was recognized by the Elias Activist Fellowship, and the Columbia County 40 under 40 award. Her controversial writing on facebook has landed her in BBC news, and was also featured in a documentary called Hudson America.
Jabin works alongside her mom, owner and principal broker at Harring Properties.
Vincent Corrado ’18
Vincent Corrado grew up ski racing in southern New York, about an hour outside of the city. My mountain was 300 vertical feet, a small mountain called Mount Peter.
At Russell Sage, Vincent found the professors really adapted to his learning style. He says he was never much of a textbook learner but more of a real-life scenario type. He had to put extra time into studying. If most students studied for one hour, he needed to study for two hours. But because Sage is small, professors were always willing to go the extra mile to help him succeed. The reason Vincent went to PT school was to one day work with the U.S. Ski Team. In 2018, he earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Sage.
After being an avid racer through high school and college, he began coach ing at Mount Peter and worked at a nearby physical therapy practice. November 2020, Vincent began working Part Time Contracts for the US Ski Team with the Men’s World Cup Slalom Team and Men’s Development Team. By July 2021 he became the full time physical therapist for the US Ski Team as the Men’s Development Team. From May 2022- April 2025 he served as the full time physical therapist for the Men’s World Cup Tech Team (Men’s World Cup Slalom and Men’s World Cup Giant Slalom Teams). In July 2024 Vincent got married, and he and his wife are expecting their baby daughter this spring.
It’s his fourth year with the team. He shared, “I love it. There’s nothing like standing on top of a mountain every day. Some of the most breathtaking views in the world. My morning commute is up a chair lift. It’s as cool and as incredible as I imagined it being.”
Currently the Physical Therapist for U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Men’s Alpine World Cup Tech team, Vincent is currently working with athletes preparing for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Alumnae/i of Influence Award
Honors Russell Sage College graduates who have achieved a high level of success in living out the ideals expressed in the College’s motto: To Be. To Know. To Do.
Trish Cellemme ’90
Trish Cellemme, a 1990 Russell Sage College graduate, joined the staff at Russell Sage in 1997. In 2005 she assumed the role of Vice President for Student Life, leading the effort to ensure that Russell Sage students have an engaged, meaning ful and productive co-curricular life. She oversees all aspects of athletics, student health and wellness, recreation and fitness, residence life, student activities, accessibility services and leads college wide activities such as orientation and commencement.
In her time at Sage she has taken the greatest pride in the impact she has had on the College’s athletic program. In her 20 years as Vice President, she has led the department’s growth from 5 teams and 55 athletes to 21 NCAA Division III teams and 325 athletes.
She lives in Albany NY with her wife Rhonda and her children Izzy (18) and Henry (16). Her daughter Izzy is a member of the RSC class of 2028 and is studying Nursing. As a first year student Izzy lived in Kellas 222, the same room that Cellemme occupied as a first year student in 1986.
Cynthia “Crickett” Thomas-O’Dell RSC ’80, ’95
Crickett Thomas-O’Dell is a graduate of Albany High School (NY). She received her undergraduate and graduate education at Russell Sage College and Sage Graduate School.
Crickett spent the bulk of her professional career working in education settings; enrollment management – almost 10 years at Russell Sage College and Sage Graduate School, print to digital learning environments, international educational travel, and STEM curriculum implementation at the high school and middle school levels-all focused on providing opportunities for others.
In 2019, she joined WDI – Workforce Development Institute as the Regional Director-Capital Region. with her promotion to the Statewide Pre-Apprentice Program Coordinator/Director of Community Engagement, she wears two hats professionally, one for WDI and the other for their partner – the NYS Building & Construction Trades Council. Her recent work hasfocused on providing careers for women, people of color, those previously incarcerated and veterans in the unionized construction industry. Her focus on providing pathways for the underserved to obtain good careers, enjoy family sustaining salaries and entrée into the middle class had her featured in the Capital Region Women@Work magazine and the Albany Business Review.
Crickett is a member of the Capital Region Professional Women of Color and a 2021 graduate of Capital Region Chambers’ Leadership Tech Valley/Capital Region Leadership. She serves on the board of the NYS Economic Development Council, the Upstate NY Black Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Center for Economic Growth Leadership Board, WMHT Advisory Council, Capital Area Urban League, NAACP, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, The Business Council of NYS, the Forum for Executive Women and the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce. She was named a 2019 Wonder Woman for Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce, a 2022 Woman of Distinction by Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh-NYS Assembly 112th District and a 2022 Woman Who Means Business by the Albany Business Review and been a mentor for the BizWomen Mentoring Monday annual event. For the 2025 Strong, Smart & Bold Awards for Girls, Inc. Crickett has been named the Honorary Chairperson.
Living in Saratoga County, Crickett and her family enjoy basketball – she and her daughter Bre are both basketball referees. In 2024 Crickett was inducted into the NYS Basketball Hall of Fame for her 25 years of service as a basketball referee. She is also a high school volleyball referee and a martial arts judge. Crickett holds a 5th degree Black Belt in Karate and a 1st degree Black Belt in Judo. Crickett serves as the President of the Saratoga Sparks Girls AAU Basketball organization, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Capital District Girls Basket ball League, and a statistician for the NYS Public High School Athletic Assoc. Media Committee-State Basketball Championships. A member of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Albany, NY she is active in the Ushers Ministry, the Women’s Ministry, the Praise/Liturgical Dance Ministry and sings in the Women’s Day Choir.
Karen Drenkard, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Dr. Karen Drenkard ’80 is the President of Drenkard Healthcare Consulting, with expertise in healthcare and nursing strategic planning, academic/practice partnership development, quality management, and project management.
Drenkard served as Chief Nursing Advisor /AARP Public Policy Institute for the Center for Health Equity through Nursing. She was most recently the associate dean at GW School of Nursing leading the COVID response efforts. She has ten years of experience as chief nurse at Inova Health System, a multi-hospital system. She has served as the chief nurse at GetWell, a technology company, and was the executive director at ANCC and the Magnet Recognition® program.
Drenkard is the chair of the Inova Alexandria Hospital Quality and Safety Committee, and an appointed board member for the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL). She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and National Academies of Practice. Drenkard received her PhD in nursing administration, policy and ethics from George Mason University, is a Wharton Nurse Executive Fellow, and a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow.
Angela Puorto Cortina ’07, ’09
Angela Cortina is a leader in federal human resources. Angela has a 13 year federal career, 10 of which have been in Human Resources. Currently Angela serves as the Supervisory HR Specialist and Program Manager for the Performance and Awards Program at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Previous to FDA, Angela served as Supervisory HR Specialist and Awards Program Manager at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Angela and her teams have overseen major technological overhauls in the performance and award arena within FDA and USCIS. The Programs that Angela has overseen have provided policy guidance and services to over 20,000 employees (at each agency).
Angela holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Russell Sage College, and a Master’s Degree in Organization Management from Sage Graduate School.
Angela and her husband Angel along with their children Logan, Ella, Gemma, Athena, and Antonio live in Vermont, their oldest, James, is active duty in the Army. When not working Angela enjoys time with family, fishing, and being a “gymnastics mom”.
Dr. Veneilya Goodwin-Harden, ’02, ’05, ’15
Dr. Veneilya Goodwin-Harden has been serving on the Albany Community Police Review Board for the past 9 years as Vice Chair, Police Liaison, and Mediation Chair. Dr. Goodwin-Harden received her Doctor of Education from St. John Fisher University in Rochester New York. She has a master’s degree in counseling and Community Psychology and Certificate in Forensic Mental Health and bachelor’s degree and Associate’s degree in criminal justice all from The Sage Colleges.
Dr. Goodwin-Harden’s career has centered around advocacy, changing historical narratives in policing, equity, and mental health. Dr. Goodwin-Hardens research is titled Recommendations and Strategies for addressing Policing Disparities from a Community Asset Perspective and is availability at https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/education.
As a Mental Health Professional, Dr. Goodwin-Harden has served for the past ten years at The New York State Office of Mental Health on strategic initiatives and policies impacting vulnerable populations. She provides Mental Health Counseling for adolescents, teens, and adults at 1st Step Counseling Practice in Albany NY. Her mantra is to “live and lead with integrity on purpose”.
Dr. Goodwin-Harden resides in the Albany Capital Region with her two daughter’s Rhianna and Freedom she enjoys traveling, reading, and learning about different cultures.
Friend of the Association Award
The Friend of the Association Award is a special award, given out from time to time to individuals to recognize their dedication and service to the Alumnae/i Association.
Bonita “Bonnie” Maxon ’65
Bonnie Maxon is a retired teacher who taught Physical Education and Special Education for 30 years. She received two masters degrees in Learning Disabilities and Special Education.
Bonnie served 15 years on the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center board that provides courses and support in professional development for school districts. During her active teaching she was the President of the Berlin Teachers Association. She continues being active with New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) by being the Legislative Chair and lobbing for education with state legislators, traveling to other states to help endorsed candidates for American Federation Teachers (AFT).
A regular volunteer at Joseph’s House and Shelter, she works with children, makes meals and stays nights during code blue. She also volunteers in Troy for the Sidewalk Warriors that provide food every Thursday. She has been an avid supporter of the Troy Music Hall and the Theatre Institute at Sage where she attends many performances.
An active alum, Bonnie has helped with move in day at Russell Sage in Troy for many years and is involved in other campus activities such as registering students to vote. For the last 20 years has been the Class of ’65 correspondent.
Doris L. Crockett Medal
The Doris Crockett Medal is the highest honor the Alumnae Association bestows upon a Russell Sage graduate. This award recognizes an alum’s lifetime of commitment to Russell Sage, her/his achievements in career, community, family and her/his personal qualities of integrity and loyalty: all virtues embodied by Dean Doris Crockett Davie.
Kathryn Diamond ’60
Kathryn began her career in health care after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Russell Sage College in 1960. She initially practiced as a registered nurse before pursuing a law degree, ultimately building a respected legal career specializing in workers’ compensation law in California.
Her professional path later led her to serve as an executive at Natus Medical Inc., a pioneering company dedicated to advancing medical products and services. Beyond her corporate leadership, she demonstrated entrepreneurial vision as the founder of Sewing Renaissance, a fabric store and sewing school located in Menlo Park, California.
Deeply committed to global health and women’s empowerment, Kathryn has also served on the board of WINGS (Women’s International Network for Guatemalan Solutions Inc.), a nonprofit organization that promotes reproductive health care access in Guatemala.
Throughout her career, Kathryn has exemplified a spirit of service, innovation, and leadership — values that continue to enrich the Russell Sage community and beyond.
Nominating and Awards Committee
