Jaclyn A. Brilling JD’79
The 2023 Jeff and Genie Shields Prize Recipient
Jaclyn (Jackie) A. Brilling, Esq., was named the 2023 recipient of The Jeff and Genie Shields Prize. Brilling received this honor at the school’s 47th commencement ceremony on May 20, and she was also recognized at Reunion on June 3.
The Jeff and Genie Shields Prize was created in 2012 in recognition of Jeff and Genie Shields’ many contributions to VLGS. The prize is awarded annually to a member, or members, of the VLGS community (students, staff, faculty, trustees, friends, parents or alumni) in recognition of creativity and ingenuity in encouraging philanthropic support to the school. Each year, the selected recipients have the opportunity to allocate a financial stipend from this endowed fund to a VLGS priority program.
Brilling currently serves as the immediate past president of the VLGS Alumni Association Board of Directors. Under her tutelage, the VLGSAA Board implemented an annual peer-to-peer outreach effort that has had a direct impact on increasing the overall alumni giving rate each of the last four fiscal years. Along with two classmates, she also established a scholarship fund to support current students.
“My efforts to promote philanthropy at VLGS stem from my gratitude to the school for my career and life in the law. I feel compelled to repay VLGS, in some small measure, for the success I have experienced,” said Brilling. “To receive The Jeff and Genie Shields Prize in honor of my development efforts is a further tribute to the school because it demonstrates VLGS's appreciation for alumni and heritage. This is a great honor to me and my family, which we will deeply treasure as we continue this important work on behalf of our beloved institution. Thank you to the Shields family and the VLGS community for this wonderful recognition.”
Brilling has represented the Albany regional group on the VLGSAA Board since 2013 and has served as the VLGSAA Development Committee Chair since 2014. She retired in 2012 as secretary of the New York State Public Service Commission after completing a 34-year career as a utility regulator, and she is now an impartial hearing officer for the New York State Department of Education for special education hearings. She also serves on the Presumptive Mediator Panel, and as a mediator and arbitrator for the 3rd and 4th NYS Supreme Court Judicial Districts. In addition, Brilling is a consulting attorney on energy and environmental matters.