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2018 Conference
BELIEVE. INISPIRE. ACHIEVE.
2018 Keynote Speaker - Nantasha Williams
Government Advisor;
Head of Social Impact & Political Engagement at Woman's March
Organizer and social innovator with a demonstrated history of working in the public affairs industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Governmental Affairs, Government Administration, Crisis Communications, Community and Media Relations. Combining my passion for government, social innovation, public-private partnerships and honed strategic planning & organizational management skills to pursue a career in public affairs and social impact. My experience working in nonprofit, corporate, and state government have given me a unique perspective and focus. I have 8-9 years of experience, a master's in Public Administration, and have held senior level positions. I also have experience managing teams, delivering PSA Campaigns, and strategic partnerships. Through my professional and academic experiences, I have developed expertise in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, utilizing social media, building strategic plans and partnerships, applying storytelling to drive change, conducting media monitoring, and community relations.
Brooklyn, NY
2017 Conference
"Exemplifying the Ability & Power of Women to Achieve"
2017 Keynote Speaker - Regina Calcaterra, ESQ.
Author
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.
New York City
Regina’s memoir Etched in Sand appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers lists for 16 weeks during 2013-14 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. Then in 2015, for the third year in a row, Etched in Sand returned to the New York Times Best Seller and Wall Street Journal’s list for the 17th week appearing again at #2 on the Non-Fiction E-Books list and #10 on the Non-Fiction Combined Print & Ebooks list (August 2015). It also was been selected for One College/One Book Read and integrated into college, high school and middle school curriculums. Regina’s next book, about her youngest sister Rosie’s journey, will be released in October 2016. For the past twenty-six years Regina has spent her policy, managerial and legal career in both the private and public sector. She is presently an attorney working for the State of New York.
2016 Conference
"LITLE GIRLS WITH DREAMS BECOME WOMEN WITH VISION"
New York City
2016 Keynote Speaker - Regina Calcaterra, ESQ.
Author
2019 Conference
Mapping Your Journey
New York City
2019 Keynote Speaker - Dr. Jessica Clemons
NYC-Based Psychiatrist
Dr. Jessica Clemons, a NYC-Based Psychiatrist, has recently been recognized by Forbes as a leader in making mental health and wellness a part of the current zeitgeist. Dr. Clemons received her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University and is currently completing her residency training at New York University. While her work is primarily in providing direct clinical care, her mission is to reduce stigma associated with mental illness.
Her work in mental health advocacy consists of using social media, primarily Instagram via @AskDrJess to host Weekly Live Q/A sessions to educate her following, as well as engage with them in real life events, specifically #BeWell, her community based conversation series featuring artists, musicians, and activists intended to inspire attendees and normalize conversations about mental health.
Her efforts have gained national attention including being selected to provide the first live televised therapy session on VH1, “In Session Live: With Dr. Jess”, recognition as the first spotlight story for Beyonce’s WeGood Black History Month campaign, as well as the attention of NYC Department of Mental Health, the American Psychiatric Association and several global brands.
2020 Conference
OUR HOPES. OUR DREAMS. OUR POWER.
New York City
2021 Conference
PEARLS OF POSSIBILITY
New York City (Virtual)
Marcia Cantarella has been an Associate Dean at Hunter College, a Dean at Princeton University and part of the Dean’s staff at New York University’s College of Arts and Science. In these functions she has been responsible for academic advisement, career development, preparation for postgraduate fellowships, development of diversity programs, and strategies to generally enhance students’ academic experience and outcomes. She has drawn on 15 years of corporate experience gained as a Director in Public Affairs and then in Marketing at Avon Products to apply those skills and background to communications challenges, financial and strategic planning in a higher education environment. As Vice-President of Student Affairs at Metropolitan College of NY she was responsible for web development and rebranding of the College as well as admissions and student services.
She is the author of I CAN Finish College: The Overcome Any Obstacle and Get Your Degree Guide (www.icanfinishcollege.com) which educators, parents and students say is a goldmine of information and strategies especially for first generation, low-income and students of color who struggle to complete college degrees.
Dr. Cantarella frequently provides workshops for college bound students for programs including Futures and Options, Prep for Prep, and Eagle Academy. She was author of the Student Handbook and Facilitators Guide for the PBS documentary All the Difference produced by Wes Moore as well as materials for the Ken Burns documentary College Behind Bars.
She is Co-Director of the Hunter College Black Male Initiative and has been a consultant with the National Urban Coalition for Effective Education. She is Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for Degrees NYC. She serves on the Boards of the READ Alliance and Saint Elizabeth University and serves on many other advisory boards including the Create Change Transform Foundation and the Boy Scout Council of Manhattan.
Dr. Cantarella graduated with Honors from Bryn Mawr College and has her Masters and Doctoral degrees from New York University in American Studies with a focus on American Business. She is the daughter of Civil Rights Leader Whitney Young.
2021 Keynote Speaker - Marcia Young Cantarella, PhD
Educator
Today's Girl Tomorrow's Woman ®
2022 Conference
BACK IN TOUCH
New York City (Virtual)
Tra'Lynn Husbands has worked in the finance industry for over 8 years. She has partnered with many major organizations throughout New York such as the NYPD and DOE to educate their employees and the community about personal finance. One of her passions is to bring financial literacy and freedom to people of all ages through presentations and personalized counseling.
2022 Keynote Speaker - Tra'Lynn Husbands
Discovering What Really Matters
Unique Times ~ Creative Opportunities
#BeYou
"The Future Is Yours."
BELIEVE. INSPIRE. ACHIEVE.
2023 Conference
MAKING OUR MARK
Collette V. Smith is the Founder & President of Believe N You, Inc. She gained international notoriety when she became the NFL's First African American female coach & the first female coach in NY Jets franchise history. Collette made her NFL coaching debut with the NY Jets defensive backs in 2017 during Training Camp.
Her professional football career started at the age of 42, playing for the NY Sharks, an all-women's professional football team. After being sidelined by an injury, she served as Coach & Director of Marketing for the two Women's Professional Football Leagues, the WFA (Women's Football League Association) & IWFL (Independent Women Football League).
2023 Keynote Speaker - Collette V. Smith, Founder & President of Believe N You, Inc.
Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow
10th Annual Conference
