Chief Program Officer William Iannuzzi Earns Advocacy Innovation Award for Exceptional Youth Civic Engagement
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Nov. 13, 2025 – The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle recently received several prestigious honors from Boys & Girls Clubs of America recognizing outstanding leadership and innovation across the organization.
CEO Becky Mazzanobile was named the Northeast Area Council CEO of the Year for the second consecutive year, honoring her exemplary leadership, service and contributions to the Boys & Girls Club movement and to the New Rochelle and Westchester communities.
The award celebrates CEOs who demonstrate exceptional dedication to advancing youth development, strengthening community partnerships and driving organizational excellence at the local, regional and national levels. Mazzanobile, was also recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Northeast Boys & Girls Clubs Alliance, where she will help guide statewide collaboration, legislative engagement and the expansion of quality youth development programs across the region.
“I am humbled to be named, for the second straight year, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club New York/Long Island Area Council for leadership and service,” said Mazzanobile. “Last year, I was gratified by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s recognition preceding this year’s election to the Alliance’s Board of Directors. I share every honor with our amazing staff who prioritize great futures for our youths every day.”
The Club’s Chief Program Officer, William Iannuzzi, earned the Advocacy Innovation Award for the organization’s exceptional youth civic engagement programming. The honor recognizes Boys & Girls Clubs that empower teens to analyze issues, advocate for their communities and elevate their voices through youth-led projects and collaboration with local leaders.
The award was presented to Iannuzzi on behalf of the Club during the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Northeast Leadership Conference, held Oct. 7-10 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle was also recognized as one of the top five Boys & Girls Clubs in the Northeast for its excellence in youth advocacy and civic engagement.
These distinctions highlight both the organization’s shared commitment to empowering teens through initiatives such as Think, Learn, Create Change (TLC), Youth Civics Day and the Keystone Club, programs that help young people identify community issues, develop leadership skills and take action to create meaningful change.
“This recognition of Will Iannuzzi reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team,” said Mazzanobile. “Every day, our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to create opportunities for young people to learn, lead and thrive. To see our advocacy and leadership initiatives celebrated on a national stage reinforces that our strategic approaches and programs in New Rochelle are not only meaningful locally but vital to the success of the Boys & Girls Club movement nationwide. It’s another example of how great futures truly start here.”
Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, acknowledged Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and its staff during his keynote remarks, highlighting the Club’s impact and recognizing Teen Director Gustavo Morales and Youth Development Specialist Juan Ruiz Diaz for their exceptional work and leadership within the movement.
“Receiving recognition from Boys & Girls Clubs of America President Jim Clark was both humbling and energizing,” said Iannuzzi. “It was a proud moment to see two of our staff members, both former Club teens, acknowledged for their leadership and innovation. This award validates the intentional efforts we’ve made to elevate youth voice and advocacy at every level of our organization.”
Over three days, Club leaders participated in sessions focused on Child & Club Safety, Youth Development, Resource Development, Government Relations and Board Engagement. The conference also included networking opportunities and an exhibit hall showcasing resources designed to support Clubs in expanding their reach and deepening impact.
The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s award-winning civic engagement initiatives include Think, Learn, Create Change (TLC), a hands-on advocacy program where teens identify community issues, research their root causes, and design youth-led projects that promote meaningful solutions. The Keystone Club, the organization’s premier teen leadership program, empowers members to plan and lead service projects, build strong character and explore educational and career pathways while giving back to their communities.
Additionally, Youth Civics Day brings together teens, elected officials and community leaders for a day of dialogue and collaboration, allowing young people to share their perspectives, practice public speaking and experience civic engagement in action. Together, these programs help youth strengthen their leadership skills, elevate their voices and take active roles in shaping positive change in New Rochelle and beyond.
Attending the conference, Iannuzzi added, directly benefits the youth served in New Rochelle. “We bring back insights, strategies and connections that strengthen our local programs,” he said. “By aligning our initiatives in workforce development, emotional wellness and civic engagement with national best practices, we ensure that our staff remain innovative, inspired and equipped to deliver the highest quality experiences for our members.”
For 95 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 10,000 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.
Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective, and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.