Congratulations 2023 Achievement Awards Honorees

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THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF THE CAPITAL REGION IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE 2023 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREES

These outstanding local leaders will be honored in the community throughout the Fall, leading up to the International Center of the Capital Region’s 2nd Annual Achievement Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, held Thursday, November 2th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clifton Park from 11:30AM-1:30PM, where they will be officially recognized.

The winners of the 2023 Achievement Awards are:

BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP – Yono and Donna Purnomo

Chef Yono Purnomo was born in Solo, Indonesia in 1951 and graduated from APN/NHI in 1971. He then embarked on a circuitous career journey in the splendid dining rooms aboard the unparalleled SS Rotterdam, flagship of the Holland America Cruise Lines. Chef Purnomo has expertly mastered the unique blending of exotic spices, soothing coconut milk, lemongrass, lime leaves and dragon-mouthed sambal, creating a unique, sophisticated, complex and layered cuisine. Chef Yono works with Indonesian Embassies globally to “Spice up the World”. Chef Purnomo is an Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Culinary Ambassador.

Among his many accomplishments Chef Purnomo has been featured on the Today Show, and the TVFood Network and has presented his cuisine to sold out audiences at Manhattan’s famed James Beard House five times. Purnomo has won numerous “Best of Show” awards as well as Bronze, Silver and Gold medals through both National and International competitions and was awarded the American Dream Award in Washington DC by Pepsico and the National Restaurant. Association Chef Yono was conferred upon by The State University of New York the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in May of 2021 and is a member of the American Culinary Federation’s elite American Academy of . Chef Purnomo has been honored with the  Medaille de Merite, Academie Brillat Savarin, France as well as the President’s Medallion from the American Culinary Federation.

Chef Purnomo strives to introduce his native culture as well as cuisine through cooking classes, demonstrations and lectures for schools, civic organizations, charities, as well as for fellow chefs. He firmly believes that education is the key to growth and enrichment. Yono presently has endowed scholarships at SUNY Schenectady, SUNY Cobleskill his alma mater in Bandung Indonesia and Akpar Medan.

Donna Purnomo is co-owner, along with husband Yono and son Dominick, the Capital Region’s critically acclaimed “Yono’s” restaurant and dp An American Brasserie in downtown Albany. A native of Amsterdam, NY, Donna is a graduate of Long Island University with degrees in Education, Music and Theater.

Though music and theater were Donna’s areas of study she switched gears and jumped into the hospitality industry to fill the “business head” gap that was created when she and  husband Yono began their restaurant in 1983. More than 40 years of experience in the industry have turned her into a serial multi-tasker, and though Donna’s primary responsibility is to handle all of the financial and administrative matters of Wine and Dine Group LLC she is also the pastry chef and it is not unusual for Donna to book all events and private functions and more often than not to execute them as well.

Donna Purnomo is incapable of saying no to anyone. From co-founding the Albany Chefs Food and Wine Festival, a three-day event of wine tastings, culinary seminars, chef and bartender competitions benefitting arts programs in the Capital Region, to Girl Scouts programs including Cookie Cuisine and other programs, and to countless culinary & hospitality mentoring programs and competitions, Donna is willing to lend a hand.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & CITIZENSHIP – Ashok Adikoppula

Ashok Adikoppula is an Indian immigrant, an IT graduate of Sikkim Manipal University. He moved to the USA from England after completing his post-graduation in Hospitality and Business Administration. He has been living in the capital region for over 13 years, he is the 2nd child to his parents, father who served in southern state of Andhra Pradesh’s (currently know as Telangana) government for 36 years and mother is a homemaker, he is the 2nd sibling of 4 brothers, his entire family is living in India. He met his wife Rajini in their junior college (11th grade) and married for 15 + years with 2 daughters.

Ashok Adikoppula is an IT professional working for New York state, prior to joining the NYS ITS family a decade ago, he worked in the private sector in India, England and USA.  Besides his professional career, he also enjoys volunteering in his free time.

Ashok is a recent inductee of Cricket Hall of Fame. He is currently serving as East Zone Chairman of USA Cricket (the national governing body). He also served as the East Zone men’s (2023) and Women’s (2022) team coach at national tournaments. He is a Member of Capital Region Hate & Bias Prevention Regional Council.

President of Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA), Albany Chapter. Ashok has been volunteering in this organization for the past 7 years and APAPA plays an instrumental role in empowering the Asian American Community with civic engagement and leadership.

Ashok was the driving force behind a new law “Promote and Expand the Sport of Cricket in New York”, he tirelessly advocated for 4 years, including finding the sponsors and cosponsors of the bill.

Ashok and his like-minded business partners have established the first ever professional cricket facility in Schenectady County, which draws 100’s of out of state professional youth, women, and men’s players to the region throughout the summer for zonal and national tournaments.

He is a recipient of many state and local citations and awards. In 2022, New York State Senator Neil Breslin recognized his contributions to the game of cricket through a citation.

COMMUNITY SERVICE & PHILANTHROPY – TINA OMOROGBE

With over 30 years of nursing experience,  Dr. Tina Omorogbe, DNP, MS, FNP-BC, RN, is an experienced family nurse practitioner at Albany Med Health System. She was born and raised in Nigeria. She migrated to the United States in the late 1980s to pursue a career in nursing. She obtained her Bachelor’s in nursing from Excelsior college, and her master’s degree in nursing with a specialty in family practice from Sage Colleges. Dr. Omorogbe later got her Doctorate degree in nursing practice from Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA. 

Her clinical knowledge, experience and love for people has moved her to extend her passion out of the hospital walls into underserved communities through her non-profit work. Founded by Dr. Omorogbe,  Chasing Health Inc. teaches underserved communities of color about high blood pressure by providing free blood pressure screenings,  health coaching, and education at barber shops,  beauty salons, churches, community programs and other non-profit organizations locally and in Nigeria.  She is passionate about promoting health equity and reducing health care disparity.

Dr. Omorogbe is the first female elected president for the Association of Nigerians in the Capital District.  The organization’s mission is to promote programs that reflect the aspirations of Nigerians in the Capital Region,  foster unity and strength and to positively  impact their local communities through collaboration and partnership with other non-profit culturally sensitive organizations.  Dr. Omorogbe is married and blessed with three children and two grandsons.

DISTINGUISHED CAREER – VIKTOR HOLOVASHCHENKO

Viktor Holovashchenko was born in the Lviv region of Ukraine and immigrated to the US in 2000 during his early career with his young family. Viktor holds a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Lviv National University in Ukraine and an MBA degree from SUNY Empire State College. He also earned multiple professional certifications in software architecture, software engineering and Agile project leadership. Viktor co-authored over ten patents as well as several technical publications in the area of robotics and autonomous systems. 

Viktor currently holds a position of Senior Software Architect at GE Aerospace Research located in Niskayuna, NY, where for over a decade he has been working on architecture and engineering of software-intensive robotics and other autonomous systems while coaching teams on the best practices in software architecture, engineering as well as Agile way of working. Most recently, Viktor has been leading the design and software development of aircraft engine, underwater and wind turbine inspection & repair portfolio of projects. Additionally, part of Viktor’s focus has been the architecture and implementation of development tools and best practices for GE robotics and autonomy software platform. Prior to joining GE Research, Viktor had grown from a junior software engineer to the technical director with the local Capital Region software company developing enterprise-class software for construction and service industries.  

Viktor has been an active member of the local Ukrainian community for over the decade. Viktor had been elected and volunteered as the President of Ukrainian American Cultural Center (UACC) for the past five years and recently stepped down due to the tenure expiration after six years on the Board of this charitable organization. Viktor led and facilitated many events and activities supporting and encouraging study, knowledge and interest in Ukrainian culture and language while closely collaborating with other local Ukrainian organizations and churches.

During Viktor’s tenure many new members have joined UACC. With the full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched by Russia in February 2022 Viktor joined local leaders to spearhead Capital Region efforts to help his homeland. He facilitated cross-community collaboration of local Ukrainian organizations and churches to harness American people’s kindness by donating humanitarian aid in the form of goods and funds. UACC building in Watervliet became the main location where the cross-community Aid Committee had worked and later became to be known as “518Ukrainians”. UACC focused on providing 518Ukrainians informational platform (website and Facebook) for both humanitarian aid events and later refugees informational and small financial support while collaborating with local non-profit and state agencies specializing in refugees’ support and adaptation to the US society.  UACC also collaborated with Market 32 during the 2022 Music Haven concert series to fundraise for local refugees’ support.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – SENATOR NEIL BRESLIN

Neil David Breslin, Democrat, is currently serving as New York State Senator and Vice President Pro Tempore, representing the 46th District, which consists of parts of Albany County, parts of Schenectady County and Montgomery County. Born as one of six children, Neil is a lifelong resident of Albany.

On academic scholarship, Neil attended Fordham College from which he graduated with a BS degree in Political Science. While in law school at the University of Toledo, he was named the editor-in-chief of the Law Review. Upon graduation from law school, Neil became an associate in the firm of Garry Cahill & Edmunds and two years later became a partner in a new firm entitled Garry, Cahill, Edmunds & Breslin. In 1981, Neil formed a partnership with his two brothers, Michael and Thomas. Currently, Neil practices law as “of counsel” to the firm of Barclay Damon, LLP. 

Neil has been a community leader for many years. His involvement in civic and social areas in Albany includes 15 years as a board member of Arbor House, a residence facility for women in need. He also served as president of Arbor House for a period of seven years. Neil has been the attorney for St. Anne’s Institute in Albany and has performed work for Hospitality House, the International Center and Hope House, a drug treatment facility. Further, Neil was Vice President of the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless from 1994 to 1998.

An active member of the New York State Bar Association, Neil has served as a lecturer on real estate law; editor of the newsletter of the New York State Bar Association General Practice of Law Section and much more.

In recognition of his dedication and commitment, Senator Breslin has received awards from countless organizations including the Environmental Planning Lobby, Capital Area Council of Churches, the Legal Project, the Homeless Action Committee, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Caregivers Respite Services of Catholic Charities, University at Albany’s Presidential Honors Society, New York State Bar Association, American Civil Liberties Union, KidsPeace National Centers, Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy (“Distinguished Public Service Award”) and Robert F. Kennedy Democratic Club (“Profiles in Courage Award”).

In 2017, he received the Centennial Medallion from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany as well as the CWA Solidarity Award. In 2018, he received the Humanitarian Award from Living Resources. In 2019, he received the 2019 Public Service Award from the Insurance Federation of New York. In 2020, he received the Legislator of the Year Award from the NYS Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In 2021, he received the John Dunne Champion of Justice Award from Prisoners’ Legal Services.  He received the Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award from Citizen Action of New York in 2022.  In 2023, he received the UAlbany Medallion Award and most recently, he received the Legislative Champion Award from Donate Life NYS.

He received this award as ICCR Volunteer Year of the Award for always meeting with our international professional exchange groups and helping to secure state funding for our youth programming.

NEW: GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP – CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER

The Chinese Community Center Capital District of New York, Inc. was founded in 1973 by 16 founding fathers. They came to the United States from Taiwan and Hong Kong as graduate students in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. After graduating with advanced degrees they moved to the Capital District for employment and to establish families.

Guided by their mission, the CCC has been operating the Chinese School in Latham since its inception in 1973. Currently there are more than 300 students enrolled for once-a-week classes in Chinese language and cultures, as well as English as Second Language classes. The CCC Chinese School students are encouraged to volunteer at the Regional Food Bank every year.

Every year for the past 50 years, the CCC showcases the Chinese traditions, costumes, and performing arts annually during the lunar new year celebration, the dragon boat festival in the spring and the moon festival celebration in the fall. It has participated in the annual Albany Festival of Nations since 1976.

In this world of constant changes and evolution, we see profound technological advances, instant information flow, the disappearance of boundaries between the foreign and the domestic, we see a world with distinctions, differences yet with common humanity. Our fate and destination are intertwined and interdependent. The CCC strives to be the resource center for Chinese culture and language, a place to educate and to interact, to elevate the awareness of differences and to respect such differences. The CCC strives to inspire and to foster understanding of people with different cultural backgrounds. The mission of ICCR is exactly what the CCC is passionate about, so in the depth of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the CCC without hesitation, donated and landed the badly needed financial support to the ICCR.

NEW: DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING – FESTIVAL OF NATIONS

This is its 52nd annual Festival of Nations with more than two dozen ethnic groups from around the world have been offering this event to Capital District residents for more than five decades. It’s the only such Festival with the longest existence in our area. All representatives from each nation have equal voices in planning the Festival. Over the years about 40 Nations have been represented. Their website is: www.festivalofnations.net. About 3000 people attend the Festival each year. It’s like a trip around the world in five hours.