El blog de Fidelis Care

During Women’s History Month, Fidelis Care is pleased to recognize our 2025 Women of Impact who serve their communities. We salute these providers and community partners who make a difference every day.

Chavon Bunch
Executive Director, Southside Community Center

Chavon Bunch leads Southside Community Center, which works to affirm, empower, and foster the development of self-pride among African American citizens of greater Ithaca. Programming at Southside Community Center includes youth and educational services, a food pantry, pet care clinics, bicycle services, performing arts, and culturally significant events and celebrations that honor the historic, present, and future lives of Black people. Chavon has worked in partnership with Fidelis Care on employment fairs, after-school programs, and food distributions.

Laura Combs, LCSW, CASAC, CPP
Executive Director, New Choices Recovery Center

Laura Combs has served at New Choices Recovery Center in Schenectady for more than 20 years in various capacities, currently as executive director. She leads a team of counselors, peers, and administrators who compassionately and diligently provide prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Laura has served on several community boards including Community Fathers. Laura works closely with the Fidelis Care Community Relations team to assist New Choices clients in enrolling for health insurance.

Caroline Feasler
Family Center Director, Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County

Caroline Feasler’s work centers on delivering critical support services, combating food insecurity, and fostering employment and educational preparedness. A significant highlight of her career is the successful implementation of CAPC’s Mobile Food Pantry program. This initiative has brought much-needed fresh produce and essential food items to underserved rural communities. Fidelis Care has supported CAPC food insecurity programs through donations and by connecting with individuals at pantry sites to assess their healthcare needs.

Meghan Gough
Membership and Aquatics Director, Northeast Bronx YMCA

Meghan Gough is the liaison between the YMCA and Northeast Bronx community. In addition to her role at the YMCA, Meghan also coordinates food distribution events, develops chef-led food equity classes, and oversees a summer camp program for children capped off with a back-to-school event. Meghan and the YMCA have partnered with Fidelis Care for health insurance information and enrollment events.

Christine Hein
Executive Director, People’s Place

Christine Hein is currently the Executive Director of People’s Place, a 52-year-old not-for-profit located in Kingston and serving all of Ulster County. She has been an advocate for food security for more than 12 years and during that time has expanded the agency from four programs to 22, serving 1.5 million meals. In 2024, People’s Place acted as a social safety net to over 10,000 households in Ulster County. Christine collaborates with Fidelis Care to provide weekly food distributions and health insurance information and assistance.

Shannon John
Founder, Calming Nature Doula Center and Services

Shannon John is a passionate advocate for empowering women through their birth experiences. In addition to her certification as a doula, Shannon has pursued extensive training, becoming a childbirth educator and certified lactation counselor, equipping her with the knowledge to provide evidence-based education and support. Shannon collaborates with Fidelis Care’s BabyCare program and maternal health focus to ensure expectant mothers in the Buffalo region receive the best care, guidance, and support throughout their pregnancies.

Bharati Sukul Kemraj
Founder and CEO, Bharati Foundation

Bharati Sukul Kemraj leads the Bharati Foundation, established in 2014, and originating from the Vishnu Mandir Hindi Temple in the Bronx. She actively engages with the underserved and underrepresented, arranging impactful events that focus on critical issues such as health equity, food security, and the enrichment of community and culture. The Bharati Foundation works with Fidelis Care to elevate well-being through community and health insurance information and enrollment events.

Evelyn Kormanik
Staten Island Giving Circle Founder

Evelyn Kormanik founded the Staten Island Giving Circle in 2008. The organization started with 24 people and has blossomed into a strong service outreach endeavor with more than 1,200 interested activists serving populations in need of financial or hands-on assistance. Staten Island Giving Circle initiatives include Adopt-a-Pantry, school enrichment and literacy programs, and Junior Giving Circles. Evelyn works with Fidelis Care representatives to share health insurance information with children, seniors, military veterans, and the homeless population.

Anita Lewis
Chief Development Officer, Economic Opportunity Program of Chemung and Schuyler Counties

Anita Lewis oversees five key areas that enrich the lives of those served by the Economic Opportunity Program of Chemung and Schuyler Counties. These include literacy, job training, after-school care, Ernie Davis Community Center, and family support programs. Anita also serves on the boards of The Arc of Chemung/Schuyler, Bethany Village, and Southern Tier Regional Planning Committee. She works closely with Fidelis Care to plan collaborative community events focused on health and wellness.

Marisol Mancebo
Executive Director, Yonkers Police Athletic League

Following her arrival in the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1992, and a long career with the YMCA in Yonkers, Marisol Mancebo now leads the Yonkers Police Athletic League. The foundation's sports and recreation programs keep young people engaged in positive youth development activities and reinforce the concepts of discipline, leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Marisol works with Fidelis Care community representatives to share health insurance information with those served by the Yonkers PAL.

Carmen Maquilon
Director, Catholic Charities of Long Island

During her 20-plus year tenure at Catholic Charities, Carmen Maquilon has been responsible for directing legal and social services for the immigrant community of Long Island. Carmen has led a team of immigration attorneys, accredited representatives, and resettlement case managers in providing legal representation and social services to individuals. Carmen is a board member of the New York Immigration Coalition and a fully accredited representative with the Department of Justice. She works with Fidelis Care representatives to share health insurance information with those served by Catholic Charities.

Anita Mault and Patricia Connors
Managers, Brockport Area Veterans Club

Anita Mault and Patricia Connors are both full-time volunteers at the Brockport Area Veterans Club. Patti retired in 2010 from the New York State Department of Health as a Health Program Administrator and Anita retired in 2019 as an M&T Bank Manager.  Since their retirement, they have volunteered to help veterans and families in the Brockport area community. With Anita and Patti’s guidance, the Brockport Area Veterans Club hosted a Fidelis Care Veggies to Go event in 2024, with another one being planned there for 2025.

Yvonne Rieckhoff
Administrative Assistant, Oswego Health

After losing most of her eyesight in a car accident, Yvonne Rieckhoff started teaching English online and moved to Oswego, where she volunteers with the Oswego Health Foundation, helping edit grant applications and serving on the Employee Giving Campaign Committee. Yvonne transitioned into her current role as Administrative Assistant in the Quality Department for Oswego Health Medical Practice, where she works closely and collaboratively with industry partners such as Fidelis Care to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care.

Estefany Ruiz
Program Coordinator, Nassau County Office of Hispanic Affairs

Estefany Ruiz works in collaboration with government entities, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to ensure the Hispanic community's access to vital resources and initiatives. An impassioned advocate of equality and active participation, Estefany's role is pivotal in bridging the gap between the community and government services, especially for individuals facing adversity. She works closely with Fidelis Care representative to share health insurance information with the Latino community.

Jacqueline Sweeney
Executive Director, Community Health Workers Association of Rochester

Since her retirement from the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Baby Love maternal health program in 2022, Jacqueline Sweeney has dedicated her time establishing CHWAR’s official training course. Jacqueline plays a pivotal role in preparing community members as frontline public health workers. She serves on the Parents as Teachers Advisory Committee and the Town of Irondequoit’s ICARE Program on Racial Equity. Jacqueline works with Fidelis Care’s Community Relations team to provide training on how the NY State of Health Marketplace works, through a “101-style” course.

Jill Teeter
Executive Director and CEO, Tioga County Boys & Girls Club

Jill Teeter leads Tioga County Boys & Girls Club with passion and dedication to empowering youth. Beyond her role at the Boys & Girls Club, Jill has spent her 25-year career in the nonprofit sector of Tioga County. She actively advocates for community engagement, volunteerism, and nonprofit leadership, serving on The Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation Board and working to assist local not-for-profits with grant writing and applications. Jill has worked with Fidelis Care on collaborative community events, including a Veggies to Go that served 125 families.

Ilze Thielmann
Director, Team TLC NYC

Ilze Thielmann leads Team TLC NYC, an all-volunteer organization affiliated with Grannies Respond/Abuelas Responded, Inc., which has greeted and assisted asylum seekers arriving in New York City for more than five years. Under Ilze's leadership, TLC has grown from a group of about 10 active volunteers to a roster of more than 2,000. Ilze and her team have assisted tens of thousands of new arrivals in New York to obtain legal assistance, clothing and supplies, food, transportation, and healthcare. She works with Fidelis Care to provide health insurance information.

Sara Vacin
Executive Director, GLOW OUT!

Sara Vacin leads GLOW OUT!, a not-for-profit dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals across Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. Sara has developed numerous programs, including Safe Zone training, LGBTQ+ youth leadership initiatives, intergenerational events, after-school programming, and a suicide prevention conference. Sara works closely with Fidelis Care in planning events for Pride Month and LGBTQ+ Health Week.

Robin Williams
Middletown Town Council Member

Robin Williams is a driving force in Middletown, dedicated to improving the lives of those around her. She has led the charge in establishing a local satellite resource office, which will provide easier access to essential community organizations for the residents of southeastern Delaware County. Along with her work on the Middletown Town Board, Robin is an independent insurance agent offering Medicare educational sessions and working with Fidelis Care to connect community members in need of health insurance.