Abigail Doyle is the Executive Assistant & Marketing Specialist at Walden Savings Bank and has been with the company since 2015. She began her career at Walden Savings Bank as a Teller and quickly rose through the ranks to become the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, as well as the Marketing Specialist where she provides critical support to the bank’s leadership team, board of directors and marketing department. In addition, she is responsible for overseeing the bank’s internal events and community service program, which reflects her commitment to giving back to the community. She is truly an asset to the Walden Savings Bank team.

With a strong foundation built during her time at the bank, she has unlocked many opportunities to get involved with local organizations. Previously, Abbey has served on both the Leadership Committee and Alumni Committees for the SUNY Orange Foundation helping foster connections between past and present members of the college. Additionally, Abbey contributed her expertise to the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan’s Hudson Valley Gives Committee and assisted Vision Hudson Valley on the Ottaway Medal Dinner Committee.

A proud graduate of the Leadership Orange Class of 2024, Abbey established meaningful connections with business leaders across Orange County, finishing the program as the keynote speaker at the Leadership Orange Graduation. Her career is a testament to her passion for leadership, community service, and professional growth. In 2024, Abbey was recognized as an Orange County Rising Star by the Junior League of Orange County, highlighting her contributions to her profession and the community.

A lifelong resident of Orange County, Abbey holds her Associate’s Degree from SUNY Orange and her Bachelor’s Degree from Marist College. Outside of her work at Walden Savings Bank, Abbey has a love for the performing arts. Each year she dedicates her time and talent as a choreographer for the annual musical production at Valley Central High School. Now living in Newburgh, Abbey enjoys her free time between the pages of a good book, exploring the cuisine of the Hudson Valley or cherishing time spent surrounded by family and friends.

Cian Ballentine is a skilled bookkeeper and data organization manager at Hudson Valley Kitchen Design Center, where their meticulous attention to detail and organizational prowess shine. With a background that uniquely blends finance and design, Cian expertly manages data throughout the business, collaborating with designers to optimize workflows and build out the company's new Customer Relationship Management system.

In addition to their professional accomplishments with HVKDC, Cian has been self-employed as a house cleaner, organizer, and accessibility consultant for over a decade, taking on everything from weekly maintenance cleaning in Manhattan to level 5 hoards in West Virginia. They have traveled throughout New England and the Mid Atlantic, cleaning, organizing, and consulting for neurodivergent, disabled, and covid-cautious clients, and connecting them with additional resources. They utilize the Patreon platform in order to raise funds, allowing them to provide reduced-rate and free services to those in need for whom cost may be a barrier to assistance. They also coordinate mutual aid, volunteer crews, and crowdfunding efforts for friends and clients as needs arise.

Before joining the kitchen and bath design industry, Cian worked in a wide variety of positions, from non-profit secretary to leatherworker's apprentice to website designer. They honed their organizational skills in the arts, working logistics for both small and large-scale events. These diverse experiences have instilled a deep appreciation for the creative process, enabling Cian to bring a unique perspective to their current role. They have a proven track record of delivering exceptional results under pressure, making them an invaluable asset to any team. Recently, they have been pursuing learning more about creating adaptive and accessible spaces for individuals with disabilities of all kinds.

In their free time, Cian enjoys fiber arts, live music, road trips, visiting botanical gardens and museums, and spending time with their partner, Ivy.

Dianne began her real estate career in 2004 and quickly distinguished herself as a top‑producing agent before joining Howard Hanna Rand Realty in 2009. As a salesperson, she wholeheartedly embraced the tools and training provided to her, propelling her into the role of Business Development Manager. In that position, she trained agents across 10 office locations in both Orange and Rockland Counties, specializing in the company’s technology platforms and productivity tools.

Her passion for agent growth and development led her to advance once again—this time to Assistant Manager of the flagship New City office, where she coached and supported more than 160 agents. In February 2018, Dianne was named Branch Manager of the Goshen office, where she continues to lead with dedication, managing more than 70 agents and guiding them through technology adoption, business planning, transaction support, and one‑on‑one coaching. In January 2024, her leadership expanded to include the Pine Bush office, fostering collaboration across both locations while strengthening coverage throughout Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, and surrounding regions.

Dianne’s success, expertise, and commitment to agent development have now elevated her to the role of Growth & Development Manager of Orange County, where she oversees three offices—Monroe/Woodbury, Goshen, and Pine Bush—with two Business Development Managers reporting to her. In this role, she focuses on strategic growth, agent recruitment, training, and driving overall performance across the county.

A lifelong learner, Dianne continues to expand her knowledge of real estate, technology, sales skills, social media, and personal branding, sharing that expertise freely to support agents at every stage of their business. She remains deeply committed to identifying new talent and cultivating thriving, high‑performing offices filled with driven, like‑minded professionals.

Dr. Hackman has served as the vice president for academic affairs at SUNY Orange since 2016 and was promoted to the role of provost in 2023. Hackman directs an academic division offering 38 degree and certificate programs to a student body of nearly 4,000 full- and part-time students. She oversees the College’s libraries, academic support services, Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa, and Center for Teaching and Learning. SUNY Orange employs over 100 full-time faculty and nearly 300 adjunct (part-time) instructors. Hackman also provides executive leadership for the student services division, including Admissions, Academic Advising, Accessibility Services, Career Services, Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, Wellness Center, Center for Student Involvement, Student Services Central, Testing Center, and opportunity programs for students including TRiO, EOP, CSTEP, and ASAP.

Hackman also currently serves as the Co-Chair, SUNY Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Advisory Committee, is a member of the SUNY Transfer Task Force and the New York State Community Colleges Leadership Academy Advisory Board.

In her time at SUNY Orange, Hackman spearheaded the college’s acquisition of a 2.9 million dollar grant, as a newly designated Hispanic Serving Institution. The grant, entitled PROSPERAR: Moving students from surviving to thriving, is designed to transform the OCCC students’ experience and significantly increase students’ retention and completion, especially for Hispanic and low-income students. Hackman also served as the executive lead for the College’s successful 2023-2024 Middle States Commission on Higher Education Self Study and Reaccreditation.

Memberships and affiliations include, Chair, New York Association of Chief Academic Officers (2023-2025), Past President, National Council of Instructional Administrators (affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges) (2021-2023), Commissioner, American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Structured Pathways (2022-2025), Trustee, Vision Hudson Valley (2021 - 2024).

Prior to joining SUNY Orange, Hackman served as the first-ever dean of learning support at Parkland College, in Champaign, Illinois – a position designed to ensure a cohesive, comprehensive, and effective learning experience for both students and employees. As dean, Hackman oversaw all academic support services, the first year experience program, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and served as project director for the college’s $2.1 million Title III grant.

In September 2014, Hackman received the 2014-15 Community College Leadership Award from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Department of Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. The award recognizes outstanding academic and professional accomplishments in the two-year college environment.

Initially a part-time computer science instructor in 2004 at Parkland, Dr. Hackman served as a business training instructor in 2008-09 before being elevated to director of the College’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in July 2009. Over five years, she worked hand-in-hand with faculty, staff and administrators to offer more than 300 professional learning and development sessions annually in support of Parkland’s mission and core values.

Hackman completed her Education Policy, Organization and Leadership doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and a master’s of education degree in human resource development from UIUC and an associate’s degree from Southwestern Illinois College (formerly Belleville Area College).

Jane E. Samuelson, P.E., M.ASCE, is a licensed New York State Professional Engineer, working as a civil engineer for the consulting firm Engineering & Surveying Properties, P.C., based in their Village of Montgomery office. Jane has over 25 years of land use design, environmental permitting, municipal review, and construction experience. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Ohio University in Athens, Ohio in 1996 and earned her NYS Professional Engineering license in 2001. She is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Nation Society of Professional Engineers. Jane served as an officer of the Orange/Sullivan Society of Professional Engineers from 2000-2005 and again in 2012-2014, where she was President from 2004-2005.

Jane also served as Treasurer of the Hamptonburgh Fire District from 2001-2022. From 2012-2021, she volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader for an active group of young girls in the Heart of Hudson council area. She was a member of the Town of Montgomery Comprehensive Plan Committee from 2020-2021. Jane currently serves on the Valley Central School District Board of Education, where she is a member of the District’s Policy and Technology Planning Committees.

Jane lives in the Town of Montgomery with her husband, Jay – a lifelong resident of Orange County and descendent of Amy Bull Crist, and their daughter who attends Valley Central High School. Jane was born in England and moved to Orange County in 1997 after living in the suburbs of both Chicago, IL and Cleveland, OH. She enjoys many of the outdoor activities the Hudson Valley has to offer including hiking, biking, kayaking, golfing at the Country Club at Otterkill, concerts at Bethel Woods, and sampling craft beverages at local farm breweries, cideries, and wineries.

John is a partner who has been with the firm since September of 2014. He is a New York State licensed attorney with over 20 years of practice experience focusing in the areas of real estate, environmental, land use, zoning and municipal law. John represents developers and municipalities throughout the Hudson Valley in the land use review and approval process. He regularly appears before (and represents) local municipal planning, zoning and legislative boards in often complex and controversial approval processes. John has worked with major international corporations and successfully obtained approvals for the construction of cell towers, gas stations, drug stores, banks and big box retailers, as well as single family residential subdivisions and multi-family residential developments. In addition, John has also been involved with approvals for religious and educational uses.

John is able to manage all aspects of the land development process, beginning with negotiating contracts/leases, conducting any due diligence, procuring the necessary land use approvals (including navigating clients through the SEQRA process) and litigating any disputes.

John also utilizes his real estate and general municipal law skills to represent numerous municipal housing authorities within the Hudson Valley.

Laura is Vice President of Program Management at Prudential. During her 27 year tenor, she has managed several key initiatives such as Office 365 Mobile, Enterprise Mobile Strategy and Multifactor Authentication. Her current focus is Mergers, Acquisitions, Divestitures, Joint Ventures and other strategic IT initiatives in support of Prudential's enterprise wide strategy. Laura is a graduate of Old Dominion University and holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Marketing Management. She also holds professional certifications in Project Management earning her Certificate of IT Project Management from George Washington University in 2002 and her PMP Certification in 2006. While at Prudential, Laura served on the Board for the Project Management Council, and held the Chair position for the project management awards from 2007-2019. Laura was also a recipient of the Prudential Project Management Customer Focus award in 2006. From 2019 – 2022, she was Co-Chair of Operations for the Prudential Women Empowered Business Resource Group, and is currently the Technology Co-Chair. Laura also volunteers her time with the Registration Team for the NJ Project Management Institute, a position she has held since 2010.

Lauren Hunter is a Senior Designer at LAN Associates in Goshen, NY. She began her career with LAN as a summer intern in 2017, later continuing in a part-time role before joining the firm full-time in 2022. In her position, Lauren collaborates closely with a team of talented design professionals and clients to bring thoughtful, inspired design solutions to life. She is dedicated to expanding her expertise and is currently studying for her architectural license. In 2025, Lauren earned her LEED Green Associate credential and looks forward to integrating more sustainable design strategies into her work.
Lauren’s architectural experience includes contributing to a range of local projects across Orange, Sullivan, and Westchester Counties, such as the design of a new STEAM Lab at Liberty High School and district-wide renovations within the Mamaroneck Union Free School District. Her academic work has been showcased at Exhibit Columbus in Indiana and at the Wharton Charity Fashion Show in Philadelphia. In addition, her designs have been featured in several domestic and international architectural journals, including Antagonismos and the STOA Journal.
In 2019, Lauren received her Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a Minor in Sustainability from Ball State University.  Then in 2022, she received her Master's of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.
Lauren actively participates in LAN Associates’ Internship and Mentorship programs and their Young Professionals Group. Outside of LAN Associates, she is an active committee member in Leadership Orange’s Marketing and E.D.G.E Planning Committees, as well as a member of the American Institute of Architects: Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter.
Lauren currently resides in Chester, New York. She enjoys hiking around Orange County, traveling to new places, summer concerts at Bethel Woods, and spending time with her family and friends. She also has a side business as a photographer in and around Orange County.

Leonel Soriano is a Branch Manager at Walden Savings Bank and has been with the company since 2025. Leonel’s primary role as Branch Manager is to ensure the branch meets organizational financial, operational, service, and growth objectives. An optimist, driven, and self-motivated, Leonel has worked in the banking industry for 12 years starting as a bank teller.

Leonel holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Le Moyne College. During college he learned the importance of educating the whole person, which included a commitment to being involved in the community. He participated and led groups that tutored children, built houses in New Orleans for those affected by the devastation during hurricane Katrina, and volunteered in soup kitchens. In 2019, Leonel received the Orange County’s RISING Stars Award for his commitment to tutoring elementary level students in Newburgh. He currently serves his community in a couple committees and as a board member for Vision Hudson Valley and Leadership Orange.

Leonel lives in Newburgh, NY with his twin sister and spoiled chihuahua, Bella. He enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with his family (7 siblings and 15 nieces/nephews), and taking any opportunity to take a fabulous picture.

Former Orange County Executive

Founder of Shute Consulting Engineering, PLLC in Goshen, NY.  A licensed professional engineer in NY, NJ, and Pennsylvania, specializing in sustainable and high-performance building systems design.  Mr. Shute is a small business entrepreneur and a community minded leader who attended Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Mr. Shute serves on the board of Vision Hudson Valley in Sugar Loaf, NY, and is the Treasurer and Immediate Past President of The William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House Association, Inc. www.bullstonehouse.org .  Mr. Shute also is an elected Councilman for the Town of Hamptonburgh . 

Lyle R. Shute resides with his wife and family in Campbell Hall, NY, and has been in Orange County, NY for over 50 years.

Matthew Matossian is the creator and owner of Diamond Grade Media, as well as the originator and CEO of The Sugar Loaf Film Festival. In addition to filmmaking, Matthew has a firm footing in the live event world. As the lead booking agent for The Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, Diamond Grade Media Entertainment secures bookings and produces dozens of live music and comedy shows a year!

Matthew’s career as Director and Director of Photography is the culmination of 25 years of experience in the filmmaking business. Matthew’s client list includes BMW, GMC, Pfizer, Samsung, Apple, Netflix, Novo Nordisk, Aetna, Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, Kevin Hart, and many many more! Matthew has Directed and DP’d countless projects, television shows, docu series and comedy specials including Say Yes To The Dress, Ghost Adventures, Real Housewives of New Jersey and New York, Jersey Shore (pilot), Mike Epps, Plastic Cup Boyz, Ryan Davis, and Jim Florentine to name a few.

Vice President - M&T Bank

Ron is a graduate of Salem State College and has worked in the distribution and logistics field for over 20 years. Starting while in school as a part-time truck driver running line-haul at Boston’s Logan Airport, then working his way into tradeshow freight and eventually owning an airfreight trucking company based in Boston. Ron also has over 12 years’ experience managing teams for large scale distribution centers in both Massachusetts and New York.

Ron was presented with the opportunity to leverage his experience in logistics, distribution, and leadership in June of 2021 when he left the corporate world to join Mid-Hudson Works as operations manager. In Fall of 2022 Ron was asked to help grow awareness and client base in the community and is now the director of business development for Mid-Hudson Works and North River Roasters.

When Ron is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two children, and extended family and friends which now stretches from New Hampshire to The Hudson Valley. On weekends Ron can be found taking his wife Jen out on drives to lunch dates in their Jeep, skiing the East with their son Jackson, and rock climbing and hiking The Gunks with their daughter Liz.

Rose Little and her family are long-time residents of Port Jervis, NY. Their interests include outdoor activities, traveling, and exploring new foods. She is currently the Director of Clinical Partnerships at CHIPANY (Community Health Independent Practice Association of NY), an entity that brings together NYS federally qualified health centers committed to delivering care and service excellence to marginalized populations. In her role, she oversees projects and fosters partnerships to strengthen capacity and resources to innovate and elevate the standard of care in community health. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, she extends her work to navigate individuals towards breaking down barriers that hinder them from reaching their healthcare goals and to further improve health outcomes in the communities. She completed her nursing degrees at Villanova University in Villanova, PA and Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society.

She graduated from the Leadership Orange Signature Program in 2022 and is a recipient of the organization’s L.E.A.D. (Learn. Evolve. Advance. Develop.) award. Rose serves as the Vice President of the Leadership Orange board, co-chairs the DEAI (Diversity/Equity/Accessibility/Inclusion) committee and remains active with the Junior Leadership Orange and Nominating committees. She is a certified mentor for children with special needs and is a past Board Member at Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship, a non-profit organization that provides equine-assisted therapy to vulnerable populations. Lastly, she serves on the Orange County Human Rights Commission to support activities related to increasing awareness in the communities to promote understanding of equity, acceptance, and humanity. Family, strengthening community, and health equity are central elements to her personal and professional endeavors. Through the educational and networking experiences, it has provided her a platform to strengthen these elements and welcomes the opportunities to give back to the Hudson Valley communities.

Tom joined the firm in 2014 as an MBA graduate of Pace University’s Lubin School of Business. In 2023 he became a partner in the client advisory department, where he focuses almost entirely on the Construction Industry Practice. His experience includes review and reporting on financial record keeping in the form of financial statements and filing of tax returns. Tom brings his technical expertise of the construction industry to his clients in the form of analytics and key performance indicators that can help his clients make strategic business decisions when planning for the future. Tom keeps up on current tax laws and construction industry regulations that affect how his clients do business.

Tom is recognized for his expertise and skills with: 

• Construction industry specific analytical and financial statement consultation and reporting 

• Use of QuickBooks, Sage, and other construction specific accounting programs, including project management systems 

• Mentoring peers and training team members in the construction industry practice 
• Design and implementation of RBT financial statement templates 

Professional Affiliations

• New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) – Member
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) – Member 
• Modena Fire and Rescue – Department Treasurer and General Member 
• Orange County Rising Star – 2018 Honoree 
• Hudson Valley Pattern For Progress Fellow – 2020 
• Visions Hudson Valley – Board Member & Finance Committee
• Northeast Subcontractors Association (NESCA) – Member
• Associated General Contractors (AGC) – Member
• Construction Industry Council (CIC) -  Member
• Construction Industry CPAs Consultants Association (CICPAC) - Member
• NESCA & AGC – Joint Education Committee - Member

Education

• Pace University Lubin School of Business, BBA and MBA
• RSM Accelerators
• RSM Leadership & Advisory Institute

Licenses/Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant, New York