2025 Remarkable Women winner: Shaloni Winston

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- NEWS10's 2025 Remarkable Woman of the Capital Region is Shaloni Winston. For more than 30 years, Winston has been leading her team at The Arc Lexington to change the lives of thousands of neurodiverse people in the Capital Region. Winston explained, "So that they are able to succeed in life, to achieve careers they want, college if that is what they want."

It was while doing that work that Winston's daughter Priya was diagnosed with a genetic disorder known as Turner Syndrome. "Like many parents who are in that same situation, I took her to a top neurologist who told us she's not going to be able to work, she's not going to be able to drive, to do advanced education. But those were not her dreams, those were not our aspirations," Winston remembered.

As the CEO of a non-profit that aims to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities, Shaloni had more resources at her fingertips than most parents in similar situations, yet there were still plenty of challenges to overcome to give Priya the future she wanted and deserved. Together, mom and daughter learned what accommodations and skills she would need to succeed.

Wally Hart, Winston's colleague at Arc Lexington, added, "Being a mom who experienced that there was not going to be an opportunity for her daughter at least, that's what they were told. And then realizing it could happen, but she had to do a lot of work."

"It all came together because at Lexington I saw what we didn't with the people we support," said Winston. "And then I saw how a different approach with my daughter led to the successes she has had. So we combined the two and created a program for young adults because I figured there are others like my daughter, Priya."

With the help of her team, she launched Transitions in 2015, a program born out of the journey with her daughter's diagnosis. Through their own process, they learned what other families could benefit from. Transitions focuses on social skills, college readiness and self-advocacy as the program prepares young adults to live a more independent life. More than 100 students are enrolled.

"She is just so relentless in her efforts, if there is a barrier she works tirelessly to make it happen," Priya said as she reflected on her mom's work.

Priya not only went on to college, she earned her doctorate in social work and philosophy and now works with her mom at Arc Lexington overseeing their clinical counseling and classroom services. "I've seen the impact on the class on young people and it has changed their lives," Priya recounted. "Several students who have broken down into tears in that class because no one has spoken to them about having a disability."

"As a mom she recognized that there are many parents who were really worried about what was or is the future for my child," said Hart. "She built those things into developing Transitions. Both students and parents could see success and opportunities."

Winston's work remains rewarding for her every day. She added, "Seeing the achievements at Lexington has and Transitions has, every student success makes me feel so proud, it makes me feel just like my daughter."

Her encouragement and attitude has helped lead the team at Arc Lexington in supporting 1,300 children and adults throughout Albany, Fulton and Schoharie Counties each year. The support is only enhanced by the gap Winston experienced first-hand and the vision she had 10-years ago to give Priya the future they both wanted. Transitions now allows all to see what is possible when you let people learn without limits and thrive. "I am very, very proud of how we support people with disabilities, and what our staff does to help people achieve miracles."

As the winner this year, Winston will be traveling to Los Angeles, California later this month where she will connect with Remarkable Women from around the country. NEWS10 is also donating $1,000 to the charity of her choice which Winston selected as the Transitions Scholarship Fund.