CSEA President Danny Donohue
presents the State Mission
Achievement Award to state
Taxation and Finance (Albany)
Local President Kim Wallace-Russo.
ALBANY — New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (Albany) Local President Kim Wallace-Russo has done much to build our union, starting with her local.
A beloved CSEA activist, Wallace-Russo was recently honored with our union’s State Mission Achievement Award.
The award, presented last fall at the Annual Delegates Meeting, recognizes activists whose efforts in education and engagement help build our union.
Wallace-Russo, along with other local officers and an extensive network of shop stewards and grievance representatives, have worked for many years on building their local.
The state Department of Taxation and Finance (Albany) Local, in many ways, is the union “ideal” that includes well-informed members, active committees and a solid working relationship with management.
But that wasn’t always the case.
“I got started in my activism kind of on a whim,” Wallace-Russo said. “It was a tumultuous time for our local. [Local activists] were split and there was a lot of turmoil. I was asked to come on board as the local secretary and I accepted.”
Wallace-Russo set to work not only learning more about her union, but working to make our union stronger. “I was very young and green, but I was motivated to learn what CSEA was all about,” she said. “I loved it! Being involved in my union and helping others was such a good fit for me. I felt like I finally found my niche.”
In this 2016 file photo, CSEA state Department of Taxation and Finance
(Albany) Local President Kim Wallace-Russo, second from right, and local shop stewards pledge to Never Quit our union. From left are Justine Carey, Del Stephens, Wallace-Russo and Felicia McGill.
In addition to her local role, Wallace- Russo serves as a delegate and is active on numerous regional and statewide committees. She is also a graduate of our union’s Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Program, which develops the leadership skills of CSEA activists.
She also previously served as our Capital Region treasurer.
Wallace-Russo is considered a mentor, a leader and a friend to many of our members.
Like many altruistic leaders, Wallace-Russo was surprised at being singled out for recognition.
“When I got the call that I was chosen for the award, at first, I was like, ‘really?’” she said. “I was truly so honored because being chosen meant being among people I truly respect. I was wowed to think that I made a difference and people noticed! To me, I am just doing what feels right.”
— Therese Assalian
