Kodak researcher named to Forbes 50 over 50

Mridula Nair
Mridula Nair

An Eastman Kodak Co. scientist has been recognized in the inaugural Forbes 50 over 50: Vision List.

The new list highlights the exceptional women who are shaping the future of science, technology and art. Kodak Research Fellow and Senior Scientist Mridula Nair was named to the list.

“The visionaries on the list are leaving a lasting imprint on society and culture with their unique scientific and artistic visions,” said ForbesWomen Editor Maggie McGrath. “Through their dynamic ideas they are proving that there is no deadline for success – or for the most creative and fulfilling years of your life.”

Nair has some 136 U.S. patents, a majority of which were earned after she turned 50. She began working at Kodak in 1980 and her work across chemical synthesis, formulation science, dispersion and coating technologies, manufacturing and commercialization have sparked several key business concepts.

“It is by being a fearless idealist and creative problem solver that I have been able to innovate across businesses and generate a portfolio of patents for Kodak,” Nair said. “I could not have accomplished this without bold, innovative thinking and having a high-performing team to propel our ideas forward.”

Nair’s recent work has focused on light management, as she has invested a disruptive engineered microparticle technology to create smart opacifying textile coatings including Kodak’s Kodalux Fabric Coating.

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Six local wealth advisors named to Forbes list

Six Rochester-area wealth advisors have been named to the Forbes 2020 America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors list. 

The list includes 1,000 female advisors nationally and 124 women from New York State. 

Near the top is Lori Van Dusen, of Pittsford,  founder and CEO of LVW Advisors. Van Dusen ranked No. 5 on the national list and No. 2 in New York, with $1.8 billion in assets.

Lori Van Dusen
Lori Van Dusen

Forbes, using an algorithm developed by SHOOK Research, chose candidates for the list based on “qualitative data, such as telephone and in-person interviews, a review of best practices, service and investing models and compliance records; as well as quantitative data, like revenue trends and assets under management,” according to an article on Forbes’ website. Each woman selected also has a minimum of seven years’ experience. 

Other Rochester area woman selected are:

  • Nannette P. Nocon, Rochester, wealth advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, with $600 million in assets, No. 21 on the New York list and No. 138 on the national list. 
  • Elizabeth Thorley, Pittsford, wealth advisor, Thorley Wealth Management, with $195 million in assets, No. 71 on the New York list and No. 456 on the national list. 
  • Heather Goodbody, Pittsford, wealth advisor, Merrill Private Wealth Management, with $733   million in assets, No. 73 on the New York list and No. 471 on the national list. 
  • Tammy Mogilski, Rochester, wealth advisor, Legacy FInancial Planning/Raymond James, with $300 million in assets, No. 78 on the New York list and No. 498 on the national list 
  • Karen Zachman, Pittsford, wealth advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors, with $135 million in assets.  No. 118 on New York list and No. 859 on the national list.  

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Wegmans named to best-for-diversity list

Wegmans is in the top 10 of a brand new national list celebrating best companies for diversity.

Forbes and Statista created the new America’s Best Employers for Diversity award, which involved interviewing some 30,000 employees across the country about their employers. Wegmans ranked eighth on the list of 250 employers, the only company in the retail and wholesale category and only New York-based company to rank that highly.

“We are thrilled to be recognized and know how important it is to be a great place to work for everyone, and a place where people respect one another,” said Colleen Wegman, CEO of the 95-store supermarket company.   “Diversity of thought, gender, generation and race are the fabric of our company.”

Northern Trust, a financial institution in Chicago, took first place. Two universities—Harvard and Emory—also ranked highly, at fifth and seventh.

“Diversity has become a business imperative, because it makes businesses better places and richer in every sense of the word,” said Forbes’ Leadership Editor Fred Allen. “And so Forbes, working with our data partners at Statista, is proud to be releasing its first annual ranking of the best employers for diversity in America.”

“Our large survey of employees has shown that diversity is a highly relevant factor when choosing an employer,” said Statista CEO Dr. Friedrich Schwandt.

Employees answered surveys conducted anonymously online before companies were ranked. Forbes said that when a significant gap was found between the way female or minority employees ranked the employer and white males ranked it, that disparity was factored in. The list was drawn up after ranking the nominees for a number of diversity indicators, such as existence of a person or department responsible for diversity practices, minority members of the executive suite, diversity policies, and communication of the company’s diversity culture.

Wegmans also ranks 10th on Forbes’ American Best Employers list and 41st for America’s Largest Private Companies list.

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