For our latest cover of Rochester Woman Online, we are honored to feature a woman who embodies grace, resilience, intellect, and heart — Miss New York USA. More than a titleholder, she is a leader rooted in service, a fashion editor and model with purpose, and a mentor committed to lifting other women as she rises.
When asked, “You’ve described the Miss New York USA crown as a bridge between your professional journey and your purpose — what does this moment mean to you personally and emotionally?” her answer reveals exactly why she wears it so powerfully. This crown merges two defining parts of who she is: her professional world of fashion, journalism, modeling, and mentorship — and her lifelong commitment to service. Philanthropy was instilled in her early, volunteering alongside her grandmother, Sister Janice Ann. Giving back was never optional; it was foundational. Becoming Miss New York USA was never about holding a title — it was about honoring responsibility. To her, the crown is not about perfection. It is about purpose.
That purpose is evident in her work beyond the spotlight. When asked, “What inspired you most about your work with Dress for Success, and how has it deepened your understanding of women’s confidence and career growth?” she speaks about transformation. Not just resumes and interviews — but belief. She has watched women walk into rooms unsure of themselves and leave believing in their potential. Through Dress for Success, she witnessed firsthand how confidence and opportunity are directly connected. When a woman feels prepared and supported, she doesn’t just look different — she shows up differently. She speaks differently. She believes differently.
Leadership, for her, is not about commanding attention — it is about listening with intention. She defines it as having the courage to create space for others to shine, to choose empathy over ego, and progress over pride. In a world often divided, she believes pageantry can bridge gaps by celebrating individuality while building community. Strength, grace, ambition, and compassion are not contradictions — they coexist.
Her turning point this year wasn’t a moment on stage — it was internal. It was the decision to stop anticipating what others expected and to show up fully as herself. Authentic. Resilient. Unapologetic. That shift changed everything. And while her mother — a former Mrs. New York America and 1st Runner-Up at Mrs. America — inspired her journey into pageantry, she now carries that legacy in her own voice, in her own season.
Yet perhaps the most defining chapter of her reign has come through unimaginable loss. When asked, “What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome this year?” her answer is both heartbreaking and powerful. During her reign as Miss New York USA, she unexpectedly lost her father to a heart attack. Her best friend. Her hero. Her biggest supporter. Grief reshaped her — but it did not stop her. Instead, it deepened her empathy and strengthened her purpose. She continues to lead while healing, honoring his legacy through advocacy and a growing partnership with the American Heart Association. As she beautifully says, strength isn’t the absence of grief — it’s the courage to keep serving through it.
Six months into her reign, with more than 40 appearances completed, national campaigns under her belt, and a heart firmly rooted in service, she represents New York with authenticity, ambition, and inclusion. She is proof that women can be multifaceted — polished and purposeful, ambitious and compassionate.
This is more than a cover story.
It’s a portrait of a woman who understands that a crown is not the destination — it is the platform. And she is using every inch of it with intention. We hope you enjoy our interview with Christiana DiNardo.
You’ve described the Miss New York USA crown as a bridge between your professional journey and your purpose, what does this moment mean to you personally and emotionally?
This crown merges two very important parts of who I am, my professional experiences in fashion, journalism, modeling, and mentorship and my lifelong commitment to service. Philanthropy was instilled in me at a very young age. My grandmother, Sister Janice Ann, and I often volunteered together growing up, so giving back has always been at the core of my life. That’s why being Miss New York USA felt like a role I was meant to embrace. For me, it’s not just about holding a title, but about honoring the responsibility of service.
This role is more than a crown; it is a platform to connect, to serve, and to lead with intention. Being Miss New York USA means carrying responsibility with grace. It’s about using your voice to inspire, your influence to include, and your heart to serve. To me, it has never been about perfection, it has always been about purpose.
What inspired you most about your work with Dress for Success, and how has it deepened your understanding of women’s confidence and career growth?
What moved me most about Dress for Success was witnessing transformation, not just professionally, but personally. I’ve had the privilege of helping women build confidence through resume development, interview preparation, and professional growth tools. But the true impact goes deeper than skill-building.
I’ve seen women walk into rooms unsure of themselves and leave believing in their own potential. That shift is powerful. It taught me that confidence and opportunity are directly connected. When a woman feels prepared and has the right resources and a great support system, she shows up differently. She speaks differently. She believes differently.
What does being a leader mean to you?
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about having the courage to listen.
To me, being a leader means recognizing that every person’s story matters and understanding that real strength comes from lifting others up, not standing above them. It’s choosing empathy over ego and progress over pride.
A true leader creates space for others to shine. She celebrates diverse perspectives and isn’t afraid to admit when she’s still learning. That’s the kind of leadership I strive to embody; one rooted in compassion, humility, and purpose.
How can pageantry help bridge divides in society?
Pageantry has the power to bridge divides by celebrating our shared humanity over our differences. There’s a misconception that all titleholders are the same, but in reality, we each bring our own stories, industries, and passions to the stage.
When those unique perspectives come together, they create a network of women who unite worlds; from fashion to philanthropy, from business to advocacy. Pageantry reminds us that strength, grace, ambition, and compassion can coexist. Unity begins when we celebrate both individuality and community.
What moment during your journey competing this year felt like the true turning point?
The turning point was internal.
It was the year I stopped trying to anticipate what others wanted from me and instead committed to showing up fully as myself. I am extremely hard working and someone who is extremely resilient, but this year, I showed up as the truest most authentic version of myself. I walked into the competition not seeking approval, but offering authenticity. That shift changed everything. I knew that regardless of the outcome, I had grown into the woman capable of carrying the title and representing New York with Pride.
Your mother was a former Mrs. New York America and 1st. Runner up at Mrs. America, did she inspire you to be involved in pageantry?
I actually wasn’t born yet when my mother competed, so I didn’t watch her journey in real time.
But growing up, I saw the impact it had on her; the confidence, the discipline, and the lifelong friendships she built. Pageantry was never presented to me as just a competition. It was shown to me as a platform. When I chose to compete, she definitely was one of the reasons I was inspired to become Miss New York USA. Now, as Miss New York USA, I’m proud to continue that legacy in my own voice, in my own season.
You’ve hosted major fashion events like New York Fashion Week — how do you view fashion as self-expression and social influence?
Fashion is visual storytelling. Before we speak, we communicate through presence.
As a fashion editor and model, I understand both the artistry and strategy behind the industry. As Miss New York USA, I see fashion as influence, a way for women to express individuality, celebrate culture, and confidently claim space.
In New York especially, fashion is identity. When used intentionally, it becomes a powerful tool for representation and empowerment. I’m continuing to grow my career in television/film and hosting and with a passion for fashion, hosting New York Fashion Week was a dream come true!
What message would you give to young women after rejection?
Rejection is refinement. I competed multiple times before earning this title, and each near-win strengthened my resilience and clarified my purpose. Setbacks are not reflections of worth, they are invitations to evolve.
I truly believe the comeback is always stronger than the setback.
What has been your proudest moment in your modeling career so far?
Over the past two years, I’ve had the honor of shooting campaigns for some of my dream brands; Lululemon, Reebok, Anne Fontaine, and national commercials for Gold Bond, Hard Rock Casino ect. I’ve also graced the covers of L’Officiel and Glamour Magazine. Grateful for every step of this journey and excited for what’s ahead.
What would you tell your younger self?
I would tell her to stop striving for perfection.
The qualities she once tried to change would become her greatest strengths. The path wouldn’t always be straight, but every detour would shape her into the woman she was meant to become.
She is enough now, not once she achieves something, not once she is validated, but right now.
What do you hope people remember about your reign?
I hope my reign is remembered for intention.
That I used visibility to amplify others. That I represented New York with authenticity, ambition, and heart.
Six months into my reign as Miss New York USA, I’ve completed over 40 appearances, from sporting events and galas to fashion shows and speaking engagements, each one has reinforced why this role matters.
If women walk away believing they can be multifaceted, ambitious and compassionate, polished and purposeful, then I will feel I fulfilled my responsibility.
New York is the most diverse state in the nation, and I intend to continue representing it in every space, with integrity and inclusion.
What has surprised you most about yourself?
I’ve discovered a deeper resilience within myself.
The schedule is demanding. The expectations are high. But I’ve found strength in the responsibility. This role has stretched me, and in doing so, revealed capacities I didn’t know I possessed. I’ve always been someone who loves being busy, and having a booked schedule, but I’m surprised how well I’ve balanced my professional and personal life.
How do you define empowerment?
Empowerment is ownership, ownership of your story, your ambition, and your influence.
I entered my first pageant because I believed in the connection between confidence and opportunity. Fashion gave me a voice. Pageantry gave me a platform.
What began as a love for style evolved into a mission: helping women feel seen, capable, and celebrated. Today, I do that through my title as Miss New York USA, my career as a fashion editor and model, and my mentorship with various organizations in New York State.
Being an empowered woman means being unapologetically multifaceted, embracing intellect, femininity, ambition, and service simultaneously , and using every platform, from a mentoring room to a national stage, to uplift others while remaining grounded in purpose.
What’s the hardest part about pageant preparation?
Finding balance. You’re navigating fitness, interviews, wardrobe, travel, and your everyday responsibilities all at once. It’s demanding, but it’s also empowering. You learn discipline, self-belief, and how to perform under pressure.
While it may be one of the most challenging aspects of the journey, it’s also my favorite. I thrive on growth. We should always strive to be ever-learning and evolving, not only to further our own goals, but to better serve others.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome this year?
The hardest thing I’ve had to overcome this year was unexpectedly losing my father to a heart attack during my reign as Miss New York USA. He was my best friend, my hero, and my biggest supporter. Grief has a way of reshaping you. It forces you to slow down, to reflect, and to redefine what truly matters.
While I’ve continued showing up in my role, I’ve also been learning how to lead while healing. That loss has deepened my empathy and strengthened my purpose. It’s one of the reasons I am working toward a partnership with the American Heart Association, to honor his legacy by raising awareness and encouraging heart health education.
I’m incredibly grateful for my support system; my mom, my grandmother, my brother, and my friends, who have carried me through this season.
This year has taught me that strength isn’t the absence of grief, it’s the courage to keep serving through it.
