NEW YORK, NY – November 4, 2020 – The New York Institute of Credit (NYIC) Women’s Division today announced the recipients of the 14th Annual Women in Achievement Awards. NYIC is a non-profit educational institution that bridges the gap between business theory and business practice through networking and educational programs for industry professionals. Three honorees will be recognized during a virtual event on February 3, 2021.

“Each year these awards recognize incredible women who have shown a dedication to excellence in their profession and in their industry at large,” said Harvey Gross. “NYIC is committed to Diversity and Inclusiveness and seeks to ensure full participation of professionals from all cultures and backgrounds. Each of these award recipients share a similar commitment to improving equity and inclusiveness in their organizations and across the industry

The Honorable Stacey L. Meisel, Bankruptcy Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey, will be presented with the Fourteenth Annual Honorable Cecelia H. Goetz Award, which celebrates Judge Goetz’s legacy. She was the first woman bankruptcy judge appointed in the Eastern District of New York, and led a life that reflected a story of firsts and, in so doing, laid a foundation which enabled others to follow in her footsteps. Judge Meisel was appointed to the court on September 24, 2015, and was previously in private practice at Becker Meisel, LLC.

Rachel Ehrlich Albanese, Esq., Partner, DLA Piper, will be presented with the Fourteenth Annual Executive of the Year Award. The award recognizes excellence in entrepreneurial spirit and is presented to individuals who have achieved noteworthy success in business and who have assisted other women in achieving their goals. Rachel has 20 years’ experience representing secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, equity holders, purchasers of distressed assets, and other parties in interest in a wide range of restructuring matters, including cases under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, out-of-court workouts and cross-border insolvency proceedings.

Ramona Morel, Director, Consumer Bankruptcy Project, City Bar Justice Center, will be presented with the Fourth Annual Renaissance Award. The award recognizes discovery and exploration in the ever-changing business world and is presented to an individual who has served as a trailblazer in the business community through dedication to continued learning, community service, mentorship and developing new business and leadership opportunities of others. As Director of the Consumer Bankruptcy Project, Ramona leads a team in providing free legal assistance to low-income consumers, helping New Yorkers with outstanding debts, assisting debtors in filing pro se bankruptcy petitions, and providing pro bono representation to debtors in contested matters.

Registration for the 14th Annual Women in Achievement Awards ceremony will be opening soon and more details on the virtual event can be found online.

In addition, the three award winners are participating on a panel during NYIC’s Virtual Credit Smorgasbord held on November 4th and 5th. Their session, Sharing Perspectives on the Post-COVID Workplace, will be co-moderated by Elizabeth Aboulafia, Esq., Partner, Cullen and Dykman LLP and Sheryl Giugliano, Esq., Partner, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. More information and registration can be found online.

About the NYIC

The New York Institute of Credit (NYIC) was founded in 1918 as the New York Chapter of the National Institute of Credit (NIC). In 1957 NYIC was granted an absolute charter as an educational corporation by the Board of Regents of the State of New York. As a non-profit organization, NYIC has always attempted to bridge the gap between business theory and business practice. As a result, the faculty of NYIC consists of educators who are primarily credit executives or prestigious and articulate accountants or lawyers who are appreciative of the value of a close alliance of the professions. The synergetic education created out of that special relationship has been effective and acknowledged. The administration of the NYIC is conducted by Trustees, elected Officers and a staff which is headed by the Executive Director.