Olivia Baker, local Girl Scout, presented Tory Irgang with the Girl Scouts of WNY 2019 Woman of Distinction Award in Buffalo on Sept. 26. Submitted photo

On Sept. 26, the Girl Scouts of Western New York honored Tory Irgang, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation executive director, as a 2019 Woman of Distinction.

The Women of Distinction Award honors women throughout Western New York for their strength in character, dedication to community service and commitment to mentoring and encouraging girls and young women.

“On behalf of the entire Board of Directors at the Foundation, we are incredibly proud of Tory and her accomplishments,” said Peter Stark, CRCF Board of Directors president. “Throughout her career she has exhibited extraordinary leadership skills and her vision for this community is inspiring. We are grateful to have her a part of our organization.”

Prior to her role at the Foundation, Irgang served for seven years as the executive director for the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County and before that she worked in the health and human service sector in Chautauqua County. A graduate of Southwestern Central School and the University of Mount Union, Irgang is a member of Panama United Methodist Church, the Rotary Club of Jamestown and vice president of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation.

As part of the award process, Irgang was paired with Girl Scout, Olivia Baker from Hamburg, who interviewed Irgang about her career path and role in the community. Baker then presented Irgang her award at the event in September.

“Girl Scouts of WNY is a wonderful organization and I am grateful to have been selected as the recipient of this recognition,” Irgang said. “For me, the best part was getting to know Olivia (Baker). She is a bright, rising leader who will do awesome things in our region.”

In addition to Irgang, the following women were honored during the event: Christine Bonaguide, Esq., Partner, Hodgson Russ LLP; Linda Clark, M.D., Doctor of Preventive/Occupational Medicine, Founder and CEO, Clark Occupational Medicine Services; Candace Johnson, Ph.D., President and CEO, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; Joyce A. Markiewicz, EVP, Chief Business Development Officer, Catholic Health; Nadia Pizzaro, Homeless Services Director, BestSelf Behavioral Health, Inc.; Katherine Conway-Turner, Ph.D., President, Buffalo State College; Lori Van Dusen: Founder and CEO, LVW Advisors; Linda Zakrzewski: Volunteer of Distinction, Teacher, Family and Consumer Science, School 81 Buffalo.