Meet the Panel

MSgt (Ret) Della Pray is Aerospace Science Instructor (ASI) at Rome Free Academy AFJROTC. She is responsible to meet the mission of AFJROTC which is to “develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.” She instructs students in the areas of leadership education, aerospace science, military drill, and wellness. Her goal is to provide students with the skills necessary for success after high school, regardless of the career path chosen.

The MSgt entered the Air Force in March 1984. She completed Aerospace Command and Control Systems Operator training at Keesler AFB, MS in July 1984. She was assigned to the 728th ACS Eglin AFB, FL. AFI OPCON Keflavik NAS Iceland, 24th AD Griffiss AFB, NY, 932nd AC&W Rockville AS, Iceland, NEADS Griffiss AFB, NY. In September 1995 she transferred from Active Duty Air Force to Active Guard Reserve with the NY Air National Guard. She cross-trained into the Communications-Computer Systems Operator career field and became the unit’s COMSEC Manager and NCOIC of Network Communication Section. MSgt Pray was on duty on 11 September 2001 at the Northeast Air Defense Sector, the first military unit to respond to the hijacked aircrafts. She retired in 2004 and became RFA AFJROTC ASI.

MSgt (Ret) Della Pray was a panelist at the STEAM Women Rising Symposium in both 2019/2023 and is returning as our panel moderator!

Anna Tobin D’Ambrosio is the President and CEO of Munson (formerly Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute) in Utica, New York. Prior to her current position, from 2012 until 2017, she served as Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Art at Munson and as Curator of Decorative Arts from 1989 to 2012.

As an expert in 19th-century American decorative arts, Ms. D’Ambrosio has served as curator for dozens of exhibitions throughout her career. She holds a master’s degree from the Cooperstown Graduate Program and attended the Attingham Program, the Victorian Society Summer School, and had a Winterthur research fellowship. She received her bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA. Her publications include numerous articles, catalogs, and book reviews on American decorative arts.

Ms. D’Ambrosio is a trustee at Williamstown Art Conservation Center in Massachusetts, Mohawk Valley Community College, and the Mohawk Valley Economic Development Corporation. She also serves on the Community Advisory Boards for the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute College of Business and the Masonic Medical Research Institute.

Iris Buczkowski is the founder and CEO of Birch Wealth Management, located in Rome, New York. She launched her firm in 2019 and has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the financial services sector. In 2017, she received the esteemed 40 Under 40 award.

A proud native of Central New York, Iris graduated from Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in finance, along with her MBA, from SUNY Poly. She is actively involved in her community, having served on the Board of Directors for various organizations including the Kelberman Center, Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, SUNY Poly Foundation, and Community Connected Schools. Additionally, she contributes to the Professional Advisory Board of Upstate Hospital Foundation and previously held a position on the Development Advisory Board for the Masonic Care Community.

Outside of her professional commitments, Iris dedicates her time to her three children’s activities. She is a strong supporter of the Morrisville State College field hockey program, where her daughter plays as the goalkeeper for the collegiate team. She also engages with drama clubs in the Rome City School district and participates in autism advocacy and awareness initiatives. Furthermore, Iris has made numerous philanthropic contributions to various agencies in the Central New York area and has established scholarships for students attending Rome Free Academy.

Ms. Nerlande Anselme previously served as Executive Director and Assistant Superintendent of Student and Family Services in Rush-Henrietta from 2010 to 2024. She has also worked as a School Counselor and as a district administrator for nine years in the Gates Chili Central School District. In 2024, Anselme was appointed the new Rome City School District Superintendent. She holds a B.A. in anthropology and an M.S. in college and agency counseling as well as two certificates of advanced study, one in school counseling from SUNY Plattsburgh and one in educational administration from SUNY Brockport.

Anselme is a member of The Forum for Educational Leadership, Education Research & Development Institute, Women Leading Ed, and the New York Association of Black School Educators. She received the Phenomenal Women Award from the New York State Association for Women in Administration in 2023, an award given to those who provide inspiration for the education leadership field and change the education landscape.

Her dedication to fostering inclusive educational environments and her innovative approaches to student and family engagement have made her a respected leader in the field. Anselme’s commitment to equity and excellence is reflected in her efforts to implement programs that support diverse learning communities and enhance educational opportunities for all students.

AnneMarie Walker-Czyz, RN, Ed.D., NEA-BC, was named President/Chief Executive Officer of Rome Health, effective March 1, 2021. Employed at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital since 1997, she served as the Chief Nursing Office, Vice President of Clinical and Educational Services and Chief Operating Officer before joining Rome Health. She earned her nursing degree from the St. Joseph’s College of Nursing and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. She also holds a Master of Science and Clinical Nurse Specialist degree from Upstate Medical University. In 2015, she graduated from St. John Fisher College earning an Education Doctorate degree in Executive Leadership. Research areas of interest have been in the impact of innovation adoption on quality and cost in nursing care. She is also certified as a Nurse Executive from the ANCC.

Together with the Rome Health Board of Trustees and its executive team, AnneMarie established a bold vision to transform community-based healthcare to provide convenient access to the best care out there here in Rome in state-of the art facilities that reflect the quality of care we deliver. Through the support of public funding and private philanthropy, we have advanced that vision at a rapid pace:

2022: Constructed a Medical Center with 42 exam rooms on campus, bringing together primary care, specialists, diagnostic testing and retail pharmacy under one roof.

2022-2023: Renovated the 2 East Medical/Surgical Unit, creating bariatric friendly rooms for the hospital’s accredited bariatric surgery program.

2023: Constructed a Women’s Surgical Suite adjacent to maternity for patient safety and to increase overall surgical capacity.

2023: Achieved designation as a primary stroke center.

2024: Broke ground on an addition for a new surgical center to provide modern ORs with the size and flexibility to accommodate continuous advancements in technology and a new 9-bed ICU to reflect the lessons learned during COVID-19.

2024: Launched a surgical robotics program.

Ms. Martin was named President and Chief Executive Officer in 2024, having previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer since 2019. She was also elected to the position of Director of the Utica Mutual Insurance Company, Graphic Arts Mutual Insurance Company and Republic-Franklin Insurance Company in 2019.

She joined Utica National as an Examiner in 2001 and, following several promotions, was named Corporate Secretary in 2013, Executive Vice President in 2013, and Director of Underwriting Operations in 2014. She was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2016.

Ms. Martin holds a juris doctorate from Albany Law School, a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Government from St. Lawrence University, and the Associate in Claims (AIC) professional designation.

She has been active with the United Way campaign, and has served on the Parent Teacher Association of the Clinton (New York) Central School District, as a Member of the school’s Sports Boosters, and as a Child Volunteer Protection Advocate Board Member of the American Youth Soccer Organization. She is a Laurentians Investing in Networking and Careers (LINC) mentor for St. Lawrence University and a member of its Parents Committee. She is also on the McNeil Academy Advisory Board of LeMoyne College and is a member of the Campaign Steering Committee of the Mohawk Valley Health System. Kristen was elected to the New York Insurance Association’s Board of Directors in 2020.

Jackie Mann hails from Holland Patent, NY, and holds a B.S. in Mathematics. She is currently completing her MAT in Adolescent Education while teaching geometry at Adirondack High School. Beyond her passion for teaching math, Jackie is also dedicated to health and wellness. In her leisure time, she enjoys cooking, playing tennis, and spending quality moments with her dogs. A fun fact about Jackie: she was a STEAM Scholar at the Project Fibonacci STEAM Leadership Conference in both 2018 and 2019, and she has since returned as a facilitator, helping teams of students from around New York. Jackie is eager to share her experiences and inspire participants of the STEAM Women Rising Symposium to chase their dreams while embracing her own professional and academic journey in the local community.