2025 Alumni of Distinction Honoree
Annalinda Pandolfi Ragazzo, CNR SAS '74
Retired Attorney
Annalinda Pandolfi Ragazzo received her bachelor's degree in history from the College of New Rochelle in 1974 and a juris doctor degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 1977. Since graduating, she has had a multi-faceted career, as an attorney and as an educator; as well as a long history of volunteerism.
Annalinda began her career as a lawyer in the Family Court Bureau of the Westchester County Attorney’s Office, before transitioning into the Litigation and Appeals Bureau, and then supervising the Family Court Bureau. She also served as the chair of the Westchester County Bar Association’s Law Day and New Lawyers’ Committees. Her successes led her to be nominated by the Westchester County Bar Association for appointment by the NY Supreme Court Appellate Division – Second Department to the Grievance Committee for the 9th Judicial District, which she served on until 1990.
In 1985 Annalinda joined the Katz, Wolfe and Caraccio law firm in Rye, NY. There she continued as a litigator and added real estate law to her practice and expanded the firm’s practice into Connecticut.
In 1990 the Ragazzo family moved to Markham, Ontario, Canada (a suburb of Toronto). Annalinda put her legal career on hold but became immediately involved in the community. During the period 1990 to 1999 she served as President of her son’s cooperative nursery school, Vice President of the local skating club, President of the Newcomer’s Club, leader of her daughter’s Girl Guide troop. In addition, she served on the parents’ board of her children’s elementary school, and volunteered as a docent at the Fred Varley Art Gallery.
In 1999 upon return to the United States, Annalinda shifted careers and entered into the world of academia in Rochester, NY becoming director of the paralegal studies program at Bryant & Stratton College, then a two-year business institute with multiple locations in NY, Ohio and Virginia, focused on educating non-traditional, older students and students from underrepresented rural and urban communities. Within 5 years, she became Academic Dean for the two Rochester campuses, having oversight for both faculty and student services. During this time, she played an integral role in Bryant & Stratton’s Middle States Accreditation process, enabling the school to offer 4-year bachelor’s degree programs.
In 2013 Annalinda retired from her professional career, but continues to devote significant time as a volunteer. Over the past decade she has served in a variety of leadership roles for The League Club of Naples, Florida, an organization of nearly 600 women who raise money annually to provide grants to non-profits that serve the mental and physical health of women, children, and families in Lee and Collier Counties. For four years she served as auction chair for The Golisano Children’s Hospital Luncheon/ Fashion Show. She continues to volunteer as a Docent/ Tour Guide for the Koreshan State Historic Site, and volunteers at various food pantries, and other community organizations. Since CNR’s alumni migrated to Mercy University, Annalinda has served as Chair of the Communications Committee of the CNR Alumni Legacy Council, ensuring that alumni have a means to stay connected.
Throughout her professional career as a lawyer and educator, as well as through her volunteerism, Annalinda has made lasting contributions to the lives of others with her compassion and service, embodying the CNR motto Serviam, or ‘I will serve.’