Home4th Annual Conference
NYC 2017
Believe. Inspire. Achieve.
"Exemplifying the Ability & Power of Women to Achieve"
Event Photography by Mijanou President
TGTW Graphics, Designs & Website by Poison Ivy Designs
Custom Creations by Courtney Iverson Foehl
Engaging today's girl
to empower tomorrow's woman
Today's Girl Tomorrow's Woman ®
2017 Keynote Speaker - REGINA CALCATERRA, ESQ.
Regina is the co-author of Girl Unbroken, A Sister’s Harrowing Story of Survival from the Streets of Long Island to the Farms of Idaho, which she co-wrote with her sister Rosie Maloney and is the author of her New York Times Best Selling memoir Etched in Sand, A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island. Etched in Sand appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers lists for 18 weeks rising to #2 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal’s Non-Fiction E-Books Best Sellers list and #6 on the New York Times Non-Fiction Combined Print & E-Books list. It also was been selected for One College/One Book Read and Community Reads at several US colleges and communities and has been integrated into college and high school curriculums nationwide.
Regina speaks nationally on resilience, the plight of foster children, childhood poverty and homelessness and how we all can positively impact the life of a child in need. See the most recent article on the awareness Regina raises when she speaks here.
Meshelle
Indie Mom of Comedy
Participating Schools
The Brooklyn Academy of Global Finance
Institute of Health Professions at Cambria Heights
Business of Sports School
James Madison High School
Academy of Finance & Enterprise
High School of Economics & Finance
Academy for Scholarship & Entrepreneurship
Bronx Engineering & Technology Academy
Williamsburg Charter High School
Chelsea High School
High School for Innovation in Advertising & Media
Thomas A. Edison High School
New Dorp High School
Clara Barton High School
El Puent Academy for Peach & Justice
University Neighborhood High School
Williamsburg HS Architecture & Design
Young Women's Leadership School of E. Harlem
HS for Construction Trades, Engineering & Architecture
Conference Speakers
Eric L. Adams
Brooklyn Borough President
For the past three decades, Eric L. Adams has served the residents of the city of his birth as a police officer, state senator and coalition builder. In November of 2013, he was elected to represent all of Brooklyn as borough president. Born in Brownsville and educated in the City’s public school system, Eric is committed to ensuring Brooklyn’s bright future by helping each and every Brooklynite reach his or her full potential.
In 1995, he co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, an initiative that not only improved NYPD/community relations, but raised funds for worthy causes throughout the city. From 2006 until his election to borough president in 2013, Eric represented the 20th Senate District, working tirelessly to address a broad range of issues affecting constituents, from civil rights and public safety to transparency in government and quality of life. Eric has also served on the board of the Eastern District Counseling Service, an organization assisting former substance abusers to live productive lives without dependency on drugs or alcohol.
Eric maintains residences in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Prospect Heights, where he has resided for over twenty years. He enjoys riding the streets of Brooklyn on his bicycle, meditation, and exploring new cultures and places.
Emony Robertson
Les Femmes de Substance,
Cornell University
Emony Robertson was born & raised in NYC. Emony is a senior who studies Developmental Sociology & Communication, in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University. She intends to attend law school post graduation. On campus she currently serves as the President of a professional women’s organization, Les Femmes de Substance (LFDS). Also, she serves as a member of a popular jazz band, After Six. One of her passions is empowering young women to dream & act big, for their heart’s desires.
Azadeh Khalili
Founding Executive Director, Commission on Gender Equity, Office of the Mayor
Azadeh is an innovative manager & policy maker with experience in government, philanthropy & the not-for-profit sector. Throughout these varied experiences, her approach to social change has been rooted in developing the leadership capacity of vulnerable populations, promoting inclusion & collaboration, and holding out a focus on results & accountability.
Meshelle is a wife, mother of 3, and sought after comedienne whose appearances include: Nickelodeon's Search for the Funniest Mom in America 3 (Hosted by Rosanne Barr), Martin Lawrence Presents: THE FIRST AMENDMENT STAND UP (STARz), THE BLACKLIST: 20 Most Notable and Notorious Moments of 2009 & 2010 (TV-ONE); BET News Presents; Obama: Journey to the White House, as well as BET's ComicView (2013), The WORD Network (Soulaughable Comedy Series) (NBC, syndicated Documentary) Walk a Mile in My Shoes: 90 Year Look at The NAACP. Meshelle pioneered the role of "Michelle" (portrayed by Kimberly Elise in the film adaptation) in the hit Stage Play "Woman Thou Art Loosed" written by TD Jakes & Terry McFadden. Meshell's inaugural literary offering "101 Things Every Girl/Young Woman of Color Should Know" (Duafe Press, 2010) is available online.
Dr. Michelle Enix-Kenney
CEO & Founder,
Excellence by Design Consulting
For over 20 years, Michelle has been empowering, enhancing & developing leaders to realize their capacity to lead beyond mere ability. With career highlights spanning the United States Pentagon to Black Enterprise Magazine, her passion to make an impact is unwavering. To this end, Michelle is the Founder of Excellence By Design Consulting. As the Founder of “Emerging Dreams,” Michelle trains, equips, inspires and mentors young women. In the community Michelle can be found serving as a judge, trainer, mentor and advisor to many organizations. Michelle is a proud Tuskegee University graduate & member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She holds multiple degrees & is certified in Leadership Development and is Executive Coach, mentor, life coach and passionate public orator. Michelle has been privileged to work for and mentored by some of the most influential & successful leaders of our time.
Nadia May
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences,
Cornell University
Nadia May is a senior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. She is a Communication Major and Business Minor. During her time at Cornell, Nadia launched The Carefree Black Girl, an online platform that provides a space for girls and women from all walks of life to revel in all aspects of their magnificence. Since its launch, Nadia has highlighted women from various paths and intends to broaden the exposure to young women's stories. Now preparing to graduate from Cornell, she will be able to combine her creative and inspirational passions while starting at the world's number one public relations firm, Edelman.
Panelists
Merrill Pond
Senior Vice President
Partnership for NYC
Imani Farley
Senior Relationship Associate
JP Morgan Chase
Andrea Gasior
Account Executive
Dell
Devanshi Shah
College Student
Baruch College
Lisa Guess
Americas VP - Systems Engineering
Juniper
Laurie Cantileno-Lillis
Service Delivery Executive
Cisco
Randi Gray
Systems Analyst & Technical Support
Achievement First
Missy Smith
Dell
Michelle Dutton
President
MBD Associates
Shana Savage
Education Director
Madison Square Boys & Girls Club
Dr. Michelle Enix-Kenney
Media Consultant
Excellence by Design
Manny Rappenecker
General Manager
Marriott's Algonquin Hotel
Times Square
Marina Marmut
Director
Operation Enterprise
Felicia Fleitman
Founder
Savvy Hires
Andrea Pitter
Owner & Designer
Pantora Bridal
Deborah Parchment
Executive Director Office of Mental Health
Kingsboro Psychiatric Center
Latrice Pelissier
Nurse Practitioner
New York Hospital of Queens
Jacqueline Adams, Esq.
Attorney
Bryna Beckler-Knoll
Senior Talent Manager
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP
Joanie Rubin
Pre/Post Natal Corrective Exercise
Specialist & Health Coach
Joanie Johnson Body Bond
Lisa Dughi
COO
NAF
Leticia Collado
College Student
Cornell
Veronica Cherne
Physiotherapist
Symbio Physiotherapist
Melissa Wetzstein
Nutritionist
Jenna Blaha
Tech & Fashion Editor
Marie Claire
Alissa Small
Fashion Stylist/Entrepreneur
Alissa Nichole
Nicole Mussenden
ESPN & FOX
Janny Scott
Author
Nadia May
Senior Undergraduate
Cornell
Vivian Rodgers-Hill
CEO
Lady V
Amanda Cabrera
Senior Undergraduate
NYU
Hon. Tanya Kennedy
Judge
Supreme Court, NY
Cheryl Williams
Deputy Chief Administration
Department of Education
Natalie Mason-Kinsey, Esq.
Chief Officer, EEO
MTA Bus Company/NYC Transit Buses
Tiffany Campbell
PhD Candidate
Indiana University
Alyssa Barrett, Esq.
Attorney
Cheryl Williams
Deputy Chief Administration
Department of Education
Mona Hammam
EM Pharmacist
NYPH Weill Cornell
Sonya Tennell
Attorney
Bronx District Attorney Officer
Selena Holmes
NYPD
Workshop Leaders for the
Empowerment Sessions for the Women of Today
Shannon St. Val
Financial Advisor/Coach
Your Financial Lane, Inc.
Theoria Cason
Assistant Director of Residential & New Student Programs
Cornell University
Session Moderators
Chrisann Luchetto
NYC Department of Education, OPSR
Gayle Baron
NYC Academy Foundation
Harini Venkatesh
NYC Department of Education,
OPSR
Courtney Savoia
NAF
Tanya Navas
NYC Department of Education, OPSR
Caryn McCarthy
Code Next
Keisha Taylor
NAF
Florence Dennis
NYC Department of Education, OPSR
Treva Patton
NYC Department of Education,
OPSR
Laura Bucko
NYC Department of Education,
OPSR
Support Staff
Kim Warren
BAGF
Jacelin Welch
Hair by Jacelin Welch
Evelyn Davila
NYC NAF
Sharon Fine
NYC NAF
