WWS 2024

5 Annual th

Friday, March 14, 2025 Sonesta Downtown White Plains

theeventdepartmentny.com events@theeventdepartmentny.com

Thank You for Coming!

Welcome to the 5th Annual Westchester Women’s Summit!

Dear Friends, Welcome to the 5th Annual Westchester Women’s Summit, the largest Women’s History Month celebration in our region! Five years ago, we set out to create a space where women could come together to learn, connect, and lift one another up. Today, this Summit stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, resilience, and the unwavering commitment to empowering women in all aspects of life.

This milestone would not be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors, partners, and collaborators. Your dedication fuels our mission and allows us to provide a platform for women to share their voices, build meaningful connections, and spark change. Thank you for believing in the power of this movement and for standing with us in the pursuit of equity and opportunity.

To every speaker, panelist, and attendee - you are the heart of this event. Your stories inspire, your leadership paves the way, and your presence makes a difference. As we celebrate this landmark year, let’s remember that empowered women empower women. Let’s continue to lift each other up, break barriers, and shine.

Here’s to five years of impact - and to many more ahead!

With gratitude,

Rose Cappa Rotunno Creator and Producer Westchester Women’s Summit

Messages from our Sponsors Did you know that women are disproportionately affected by memory loss and dementia? As caregivers, daughters, sisters, and friends, women experience the impact of memory-related conditions in profound ways. At Wartburg, we’re committed to providing state-of-the-art, compassionate memory care that supports both residents and their families.

Our brand-new, cutting-edge Memory Care Assisted Living facility, The Berkemeier Living Center, offers a warm, secure environment where residents receive personalized care, engaging therapies, and innovative support tailored to enhance quality of life. Whether you’re seeking care for a loved one or navigating memory care options, we’re here for you—because every moment matters.

Wartburg proudly supports the Westchester Women’s Summit and its mission to uplift womenled initiatives. Special thanks to Rose Cappa-Rotunno, Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Wartburg, for her dedication to enhancing education and programming for women’s wellness and well-being.

Schedule a tour today!

914-513-5125 www.wartburg.org

Bridget Zimmermann Vice President of Operations

Corporate AV couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the Westchester Women’s Summit! What a great event to recognize, motivate, and empower the strong women in our community!

Joe Guilderson & the Corporate AV Team President

March 14, 2025 Dear Neighbors, In honor of Women’s History Month, Westchester County is thrilled to participate in the fifth annual Westchester Women’s Summit. This inspiring event brings together some of the County’s most accomplished female leaders, highlighting their invaluable contributions to our community and fostering an environment of empowerment and growth.

I am personally proud to have my colleagues joining as panelists, including Westchester County Special Advisor to the County Executive Catherine Borgia, Westchester County Director of Employee Assistance Program Lara Fenig Stangel, LMSW, Westchester County Director of Operations Joan McDonald, Westchester County Office of Economic Development Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Deborah Novick, Westchester County Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Kathleen O’Connor, and Westchester County Office for Women Director Robi Schlaff.

This summit is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the outstanding female leaders who drive progress in Westchester County. Their dedication and expertise are invaluable assets to our government and our community, and highlighting their work inspires the next generation of women to lead with confidence and vision.

Congratulations to the Event Department for organizing another outstanding summit. I applaud this year’s theme, which focuses on women’s wellness through four essential pillars: physical and mental health, financial empowerment, family and community dynamics, and career growth.

Together, we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive Westchester County where every woman’s voice is heard and valued.

Sincerely, Ken Jenkins Westchester County Executive

Schedule of Events 8:30 AM

Welcome Coffee Talk: Tips and Tricks to Fill Your Cup Routines to start your day energized and organized.

9:30 AM

Coffee Break Physical and Mental Wellness Health is in Our Hands: Expert Health Advice for Women

10 AM

Workshop Session 1 choose 1 of 4

Financial Wellness Future-Proof Finances: Planning for Caregiving, Retirement & Your Passion Community & Family Wellness Don’t Sit Back: Advocate for What You Believe Career Wellness Level Up: In Life & In Business

Grab and Go Lunch 11:00 AM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

Discovery Village, Sponsor Workshops, Interactive Experiences & Networking Grab a bite in our unique discovery village featuring sponsors, nonprofits, community resources, and interactive experiences. A place for resources, information and connection.

Keynote Juju Chang

VIP Reception Meet & Greet with Juju Chang Physical and Mental Wellness Breaking the Silence: Advocating for Mental Health

2:30 PM

Workshop Session 2 choose 1 of 4

Financial Wellness When Life Happens: A Financial Survival Toolkit Community & Family Wellness Safe Hands, Strong Voices: Supporting Survivors and Strengthening Communities Career Wellness Women that Lead: Navigating Traditionally MaleDominated Industries

3:30 PM

Wine, Women & Chocolate Reception

PLAZA BALLROOM

Welcome 8:30 AM

Rose Cappa-Rotunno Creator and Producer Westchester Women’s Summit

Tara Rosenblum Mistress of Ceremonies News 12

Tara Ritchie Vice President, Operations & Planning NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Ken Jenkins Westchester County Executive

COFFEE TALK: TIPS AND TRICKS TO FILL YOUR CUP Routines to start your day energized and organized

Gianna Palminteri Actor/Writer/Producer

SarahAnne Kennedy Certified Holistic Wellness Health Coach

Autumn Fletcher Transformational workshop leader and Somatic Practitioner

Keynote 1 PM

Juju Chang Emmy Award-Winning Co-Anchor of ABC News' Nightline

Katie McCann Professional Organizer, Owner at Haven

Physical & Mental Wellness PLAZA BALLROOM A

10 AM

HEALTH IS IN OUR HANDS: EXPERT HEALTH ADVICE FOR WOMEN M O D E R A T O R Amrita Markan, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CBC, CCE Director of Nursing, Maternal Child Health, NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester

Preya Ananthakrishnan, MD Director of Breast Surgery, White Plains Hospital Physician Associates

Dr. Cheryl Brannan Founder, Sister to Sister International, Inc.

Colleen Magliari Borrelli Vice President, Patient Experience, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital

Dr. Julia Keltz Obstetrics & Gynecology, WMCHealth

Mzimeli Morris, MD, OB/GYN Director of Labor & Delivery, NewYorkPresbyterian Westchester

2:30 PM

BREAKING THE SILENCE: ADVOCATING FOR MENTAL HEALTH M O D E R A T O R Lara Fenig Stangel, LMSW Director, Westchester County Employee Assistance Program (WCEAP) Department of Community Mental Health

Stephanie Marquesano Founder & President, The Harris Project

Reverend Daphne Swinton, LMHC Licensed Therapist, WJCS and Minister of Christian Care & Counseling, Union Baptist Church

Stacey Roberts, LCSW CEO, Greater Mental Health

Victoria M. Wilkins, PhD NewYork-Presbyterian's Westchester Behavioral Health

Financial Wellness PLAZA BALLROOM B

10 AM

FUTURE-PROOF FINANCES: PLANNING FOR CAREGIVING, RETIREMENT & YOUR PASSION M O D E R A T O R Marianna Mapes-Harris Disability Income Specialist, Financial Representative Strategies for Wealth

Maria Bronzi Partner, Strategic Alliances Altium Wealth Partners

Joanna C. Feldman Partner, Maker, Fragale & Di Costanzo, LLP

Greg Sirett, CFP CRC Retirement Plan Advisor, Empower

2:30 PM

WHEN LIFE HAPPENS: A FINANCIAL SURVIVAL TOOLKIT M O D E R A T O R Loren F. Ward, CFP®, CRPC™, CPFA™ Senior Vice President Wealth Management Advisor Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

Roberta S. Goodman, Esq. Senior Staff Attorney, Elder Justice Unit Pace Women's Justice Center

Maggie Patrick, CFP® CDFA® Vice President, Financial Advisor, The Hanes Haber Group, Morgan Stanley | Wealth Management

Judy Herbst Executive Director, Savvy Ladies

Deborah Novick Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Westchester County Office of Economic Development

Family & Community Wellness PLAZA BALLROOM C

10 AM

DON’T SIT BACK: ADVOCATE FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE M O D E R A T O R Catherine Borgia Special Advisor to the County Executive

Rev. Margaret Fountain Coleman BS, MDiv, MTh, MSEd., MS Leadership/Supervision Founder, Brand Yourself Ministries, LLC

Jirandy Martinez Executive Director, Community Resource Center

Mary Marvin Mayor of Bronxville

2:30 PM

SAFE HANDS, STRONG VOICES: SUPPORTING SURVIVORS AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES M O D E R A T O R Robin Schlaff Director, Westchester County Office for Women

CarlLa Horton, M.P.A. Executive Director, Hope's Door

Cindy Kanusher Executive Director, Pace Women’s Justice Center

Kymberly McNair, MDiv, S.T.M.​​ Senior Director of Social Transformation, My Sister’s Place

Kate Permut Chair, Westchester Women's Agenda

Annie Seifullah, Esq. Founding Partner, Incendii Law PLLC

Career Wellness PLAZA BALLROOM D

10 AM

LEVEL UP: IN LIFE AND BUSINESS M O D E R A T O R Elena Rivera-Cheek, MBA Founder and Chief Executive Officer, C&A Digital

Pam Kerlan, MBA SVP, Client Experience, C&A Digital

Ellen Gerstein Senior Director of Digital Communications, Corporate Affairs, Pfizer

Sherri Heller, MBA VP, Marketing and PR, C&A Digital

Ana Medina Mantini Associate Publisher, Today Media

Christina Reyes SVP, Creative Director, C&A Digital

Aleida Frederico Retired, Former Senior Relationship Manager, VP, Commercial Banking, TD Bank

2:30 PM

WOMEN THAT LEAD: NAVIGATING TRADITIONALLY MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRIES M O D E R A T O R Nikki Hahn CEO at Women's Enterprise Development Center Inc. President, Cure JM Foundation

Joan McDonald Director of Operations, Westchester County Office of the County Executive

Wendy Morel Founder, WM Security Services

Kathy O'Connor Commissioner, Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation

Cindy Shmerler Sportswriter/Broadcaster, New York Times International

Stacey Tompkins President, Tompkins Excavating

Grab and Go Lunch LOWER LEVEL

11 AM - 1 PM

DISCOVERY VILLAGE, WORKSHOPS AND INTERACTIVE EXPIRENCES

Calmfidence Workshop 11:15 AM Patricia Stark The Calmfidence® Group

Becoming Unstoppable Workshop 12:15 PM Sarena Diamond CEO & Founder, Diamond Solutions Group, LLC

Hands-Only CPR and Naloxone Training

Design your Destiny: Vision Board Workshop

Professional Headshots

Sound Bath Meditation with Autumn Fletcher 11:15 AM Session & 12:15 PM Session

Krav Maga Demonstration

Mini Massages

Photobooth

Connect & Share Zone

Discovery Village Exhibitors Altium Wealth Apple Bank Association of Development Officers Beverley Olivacce C&A Digital Cancer Support Team Co-Communications Community Housing Innovations Inc. Corporate AV Cross County Shopping Center Forme Friends of Karen Greater Mental Health of NY Hope's Door Hospitality Resource Group Insight Ledger, LLC JANCARE Lawley Insurance Leros Transportation Group NewYork-Presbyterian Nonprofit Westchester OCA One Paso

Operation Prom Osborn Home Care Pace Women’s Justice Center PCSB Bank Photography by Rachna Sharc Media Sister to Sister International, Inc. Strategies for Wealth Sustainable Westchester TrustHouse Upper Cervical Chiropractic of New York, PC VeeKast Verizon Volunteer New York!

Wartburg Westchester Magazine Westchester Medical Center Westchester Office for Women Westchester Women's Agenda Westfair Communications White Plains Hospital Wholesome Living with Sarah Women United of Westchester

Wine, Women & Chocolate BEDFORD

3:30 - 5:30 PM CHOCOLATE TREATS AND FRESH FLOWERS PROVIDED BY:

Beverley Olivacce Butter + Bow Charmed NY EpicLight Beauty FILIGREE NYC Honey Notes Jewels Of The East Kids Upcycling Club PWR (Plastic Waste Reduction)

Kostume Klassics M.I.E. Lifestyle LLC Mirame oHHo Onyx Threads Puure Shawna Elizabeth Enterprise Touchstone Crystal Upstate Aura, LLC

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Thank You to Our Sponsors DIAMOND SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

One Wartburg Place Mount Vernon, NY 10552 914-699-0800 wartburg.org

Proud to support the Westchester Women’s Summit

INDEPENDENT LIVING We offer all the comforts of a retirement community on a rental basis – with no entrance fees or long-term commitments – in your choice of townhomes, apartments, and studios.

Live Your Best Life

ASSISTED LIVING Our residents have everything at hand and every opportunity to live their own life, on their terms. These apartments come complete with the supports and services a resident may require.

MEMORY CARE At Wartburg’s Berkemeier Living Center we are dedicated to providing exceptional care and support for individuals with memory issues, ensuring a life of comfort, dignity, and joy.

ADULT DAY CARE Whether your family chooses the social model or finds that the additional healthcare support of our medical model better meets your needs, you will have peace of mind knowing your loved one is in a nurturing, caring environment they are sure to enjoy.

One Wartburg Place | Mount Vernon, NY wartburg.org FOR INFORMATION: 914-699-0800

REHABILITATION Our care focuses on maximizing the independence of every patient. Our dedicated staff has many years of experience and the put that experience to work for every patient every day. We create an intensive therapy regimen for each individual that is based on their needs and goals – focused on a speedy recovery.

ucc-ny.com

dnkevents.com

Special Thanks Sr. Maria Barbera Ellen Bloom Catherine Borgia Patricia Brigham Donna Brown Lisa Buchman C&A Digital Marisa Dostilio James Constantino

Doreen Duffy Jamie Finch David J. Gentner, EdD Joy Haber Sherri Heller Alisa Holland Anne Jordan Duffy Joseph Richard Florals Stephaine Madoina

Carolyn Mandelker Lorraine Mazzo Patricia Mulqueen Beverley Ollivacce Laura Ramsey Robert Sanders Robin Schlaff Jayselle Trancoso Virginia Vetrano

...and so many others too numerous to mention