Pittsford Central School District congratulates long-time Board of Education member and former president Kim McCluski who has been named a finalist for the ATHENA International Award, presented by Greater Rochester Chamber and its Women’s Council affiliate. Currently serving as Board Chair for Golisano Children’s Hospital, McCluski was among 14 finalists for this award which recognizes female leaders “who have demonstrated significant achievements in business, community service, and the professional advancement of women.” Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce will celebrate all the finalists and announce the recipients at a ceremony on Thursday, February 1, 2024.

“I couldn’t think of a more deserving person than Kim McCluski to be nominated for this award. She is an extraordinary person who does extraordinary things regularly and without hesitation,” said Pittsford CSD Superintendent Michael Pero. “Her passion and unyielding commitment to bettering the lives of children has been demonstrated in countless ways and is an inspiration to others,” he said.

Ms. McCluski served on PCSD’s Board of Education for 24 years, including six times as president and nine times as vice president. As a member of the Monroe County School Boards Association since 1996, McCluski served as its president from 2003-2004 and vice-president from 2002-2003. She is the Pittsford CSD representative of the Monroe #1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Board and is in her third year as president.

As an active leader and youth advocate in the Greater Rochester Community, McCluski has volunteered countless hours of service to the Golisano Children’s Hospital where she has served on the Board of Directors since 2005. She has been Chair of the Golisano Children’s Hospital Board since January 2021, a member of the Executive Board for several years, and served as Chair of the Fundraising Committee for a number of years. In collaboration with the Pasley family, Ms. McCluski and her husband, Steve, spearhead the annual Rainbow Classic basketball games and related events with Pittsford Central School District to raise money for Golisano Children’s Hospital in memory of her son, Ryan McCluski, a 2002 Sutherland High School graduate, and Katelyn Pasley, a Park Road Elementary School student, who were patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Since the Rainbow Classic’s inception in 2001, more than $600,000 has been raised for the hospital. In 2021, the Pittsford Central School District Rainbow Classic was honored with the “Outstanding Young People in Philanthropy – Group” award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Genesee Valley Chapter (AFPGV).

Other volunteer leadership roles McCluski has held in the community include serving as a member of Nazareth College’s Board of Trustees from 2003-2017 and being honored with the title of Trustee Emerita in 2018. She also served as Area 2 Federal Relations Network Representative for New York State School Boards Association from 2003-2005; Area 2 Ambassador for New York State School Boards Association from 2000-2002; and member of the Pittsford District Parent Teacher Student Association since 1988, serving as president from 1994-1996 and vice-president from 1993-1994.

Over the years, McCluski has been recognized with a number of awards, including the 2020 Distinguished Service Award from the Pittsford Central School District PTSA, 2017 SAANYS (School Administrators’ Association of NYS) Friends of Education Award, 2016 Monroe County Legislature Willie W. Lightfoot Youth Advocate Award, 2010 Pittsford Rotary Edward Francis Community Service Award, and 1996 PTSA Life Membership Award.

The ATHENA International Award is given annually to a professional female leader who has demonstrated significant achievements in business, community service, and the professional advancement of women. Greater Rochester Chamber had been presenting this award annually since 1987.