Susan Pagones
It’s been two years since Susan Pagones, Partner at Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency in Beacon, focused on her heart health in the American Heart Association’s BetterU class, but her commitment to the Go Red for Women movement has only increased. She chaired the 2020 Digital Go Red for Women Luncheon and is chairing the 2021 Go Red for Women Celebration.
“I don’t think I finished what I wanted to accomplish, since COVID caused us to change the way the event looked,” Pagones said of her reason for returning.
The 2021 Dutchess-Ulster Go Red for Women Celebration is set for Thursday, Nov. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Culinary Institute of America, 1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park.
“We have a terrific executive leadership team, and a great mix of new and old ideas,” Pagones said.
The traditional “PURSEonality” auction will return, and a “Go Red Get Moving” project launches on Labor Day weekend, which encourages people to walk, run, bike or be active in their favorite places in the Hudson Valley, and share their photos on social media. There will be a recognition for the person whose photos got the most likes during the campaign. Stories of survival will remind attendees of the impact their donations can have.
Another new program, the Teen of Impact, will be celebrated at the Go Red for Women Celebration. Three Hudson Valley teens – Addy Pagones and Reily Mowen of Beacon, and Rihanna Mullings of Middletown – were part of the inaugural class that participated in this initiative. Together, the three teens raised $12,906 to fight heart disease and stroke, and led activities to raise awareness about the American Heart Association’s mission.
Addy Pagones, Susan Pagones’ daughter, was the second-place winner in New York state
“This is a program we need to continue, and I’d love to get it into more high schools, to raise awareness at that level,” Susan Pagones said. “I saw a great motivation in my daughter, and I want to congratulate all the participants. If teens have lost somebody, they understand the need for the work of the American Heart Association. Teen of Impact gives them an opportunity to do something about heart disease and stroke.”
Pagones lost her own mother at a young age to heart disease, which has made the Go Red movement near and dear to her heart. She had her own cardiac scare last year, but got it checked right away, and everything turned out okay. She is also taking COVID into consideration as she leads the 2021 campaign.
“With COVID, people should invest more in themselves,” Pagones said. “I took a step back from my daily grind. You have to put time into yourself and your health. If you aren’t here, you can’t help and you can’t give back to the community. That, along with the fact that all of us have been affected by heart disease somehow, personally or in our family. We need to continue to raise awareness about heart disease in women. Go Red teaches us to be proactive, to be in control, and to set the example for our family. Being part of the Go Red Celebration on the 19th is a great way to do that.”
Pagones, 54, grew up in Beacon, and started working in the family business, Antalek & Moore, when she was 22. She took it over 11 years ago and owns it with a partner. She has a B.S. from SUNY Brockport. She and her husband, Timothy, have five children and three grandchildren between them.
“Susan brings that perfect combination of passion and drive to the Go Red Celebration,” said Jennifer Alnwick, vice president, small business banking at Bank of America, and chair of the Hudson Valley Board of Directors of the American Heart Association. “We’ve seen COVID add stress to women’s lives, as they continue to be leaders in their professions and in their homes. Susan’s leadership of Go Red means that Hudson Valley women will have more tools to improve their own heart health. We’re grateful she has returned to lead this campaign again.”
Pagones is joined by an Executive Leadership Team for the Go Red for Women campaign. They are: Sharon DiCarlo; Liz Donohue; Filomena Fanelli; Christine Foreman; Melissa Hannigan; Susan Howell; Tricia Mood; Kim Kenyon; Barbara Ostrander; Kate Rabe; Deb DiRubbio; Carol Schmitz and Janna Whearty.
About the Dutchess-Ulster Go Red for Women Celebration
The Dutchess-Ulster Go Red for Women Celebration is set for Friday, Nov. 19, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Culinary Institute of America, 1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park. Susan Pagones of Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency is the chair of the event. Annie and Ryan of Q92 will emcee the event. There will be an auction featuring “PURSEonality,” the Go Red Get Moving leader will be acknowledged, and the Teens of Impact will be recognized. Sponsors include Nuvance Health, Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency, Q92.1, The Southern Dutchess News and Hudson Valley Magazine. For information, visit DutchessUlsterGoRed.heart.org or contact [email protected].