2023 New York Women in Leadership Symposium
March 21, 2023
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)
Theme
Rising in Resilience: Achieving Empowerment through Advancement & Adaptability
Sponsored By
Panelists
Daley
Monique Daley, MS, joined Wheeler Health as the first diversity officer at the organization, a statewide leader in integrated primary and behavioral health care. In her role, she promotes and monitors equity, diversity, and inclusion for the Wheeler workforce and patients; lead the Wheeler Diversity and Inclusion Committee; monitor and review the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion efforts; promote the full integration of National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (The National CLAS Standards) and health equity throughout Wheeler; and much more, including training and education, as well as ensuring Wheeler is working with minority- and women-owned businesses. Monique holds previous experience in higher education at Central Connecticut State University and Trinity College. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Hartford. Monique was born and raised in Jamaica before migrating to the United States. Her lived experience informs her approach to understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion. She views diversity as an asset and therefore employs an asset-based lens to her work. She is committed to addressing issues of historical and systemic racism to grant equitable, barrier-free, and just access to care.
Estrada
Ella Mae Estrada is associate dean of enrollment management, financial aid, and diversity initiatives at New York Law School, where she is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing policies and procedures for comprehensive admission and financial aid programs, and providing strategic direction and leadership for marketing, recruitment, and enrollment management. She also oversees all aspects of the financial aid program, including compliance with policies, scholarships, and funding from federal, state, and private sources, and works closely with faculty and student groups to develop, implement, and monitor programs that promote diversity within the law school. Dean Estrada earned her bachelor of arts degree at Golden Gate University, where she studied business management. She began her career at Golden Gate University School of Law, then worked as director of admissions and codirector of diversity initiatives at McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific before joining New York Law School. She has served on the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s Northeast Planning Committee. She has also served on a variety of panels sponsored by AccessLex and the New York City Bar Association, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Tri-State Diversity Council. Dean Estrada has volunteered with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) as a member of the Newcomers Workshop Planning Work Group, Pipeline Committee, and Technical Services User Work Group, and has spoken at various forums and panel discussions. She currently serves on LSAC’s Board of Trustees.
Madison
Sharon Madison is a corporate and non-profit executive and active board member with experience in Finance, Administration, Change Management, and Board governance. She is currently Chief Operating Officer at Prep for Prep, a 45-year-old leadership development and educational access organization that identifies New York City's most promising students of color and prepares them for success at private schools, college, and careers. Prior to joining Prep for Prep, Sharon was Chief Operating Officer for FPWA, an anti-poverty public policy and advocacy organization where she drove the sale of FPWA’s headquarters and led the purchase, build-out and relocation to a new state-of-the-art facility in the Financial District. Sharon’s earlier non-profit experience included various Director roles with the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation (now known as New York Edge), the largest provider of after-school programs in New York. Her previous roles in the private sector included Chief Operating Officer of United Building Maintenance Associates, a 30-year-old unionized commercial cleaning business founded by her father, as well as marketing and account management positions with Verizon, Time Inc., and Saatchi & Saatchi. Sharon has held several board positions and currently serves as a Trustee of her alma mater, Hamilton College, and a board member of Beginning with Children Education Network, a charter school network in Brooklyn. She previously served as a Trustee for Children’s Aid for 14 years, one of the largest child welfare organizations in New York City. A native New Yorker, Sharon grew up in Manhattan and on Long Island and currently resides in Brooklyn.
Martinez
Lisette Martinez leads Jefferson’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to ensure excellence in education, research and patient care. Since starting at Jefferson in May 2020, she has led the first comprehensive strategic plan for diversity in the institution’s 196-year history.
That plan includes a 30% goal for diversity in leadership, dialogue-building initiatives, resource centers for students, professional development, and a supplier mentorship program. From developing results-oriented diversity and inclusion
programs, to building strong relationships with community organizations and government agencies, Martinez works to ensure that all parts of Jefferson reflect the diverse cultures it serves.
Working closely with Jefferson’s CEO, Dr. Joseph Cacchione, she has been at the forefront of Jefferson’s response to issues of racial inequity, while nurturing an environment of dialogue and growth within the organization. Prior to Joining Jefferson she was Yale New Haven Health System’s Inaugural Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
Lisette graduated with Delta Epsilon Sigma honors from Thomas More University with an MBA in May of 2006; and received her BBA from the University ofCincinnati in August of 1996. She has one daughter, Giselle Sophia, 22 who is a graduate student at American University in Washington D.C. Lisette is a native of Detroit, Michigan and of Puerto Rican descent, speaks fluent Spanish and is in love with her culture. She is always proud to share her Puerto Rican heritage with everyone she meets; and enjoys cooking her famous arroz con habichuelas (rice & beans) for her friends and family.
Weidner
Marissa Weidner, currently serves as Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer for Webster Bank. In her role, Ms. Weidner is responsible for the oversight and execution of a $6.5 billion Community Investment Strategy. Her responsibilities include oversight of all community-facing activities across the company, including Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Fair and Responsible Banking, Community Investment, Engagement and Philanthropy; Government Relations and Public Affairs; Supplier Diversity and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts. In addition, Ms. Weidner is responsible for the oversight of Webster’s Business Resource Groups’ focus on community partnerships, volunteerism, and charitable giving. Prior to her current role, Ms. Weidner served as Chief Human Resources Officer for Sterling National Bank where she was responsible for developing and executing human resource strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the organization. Originating and leading HR practices and objectives to create an employee-oriented, high-performance culture, Ms. Weidner identified and drove organizational change initiatives designed to significantly increase and maintain colleague engagement. Ms. Weidner is a dynamic, forward-thinking and results-driven professional named to Woman of Impact from NY Business Journal, was recognized by the Business Council of Westchester as a Rising Star under 40, is a recipient of the College of Westchester’s Alumni of the year award and was recently recognized as a C-Suite award recipient by the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals. Prior to joining Sterling National Bank, in November of 2015, Ms. Weidner served as president of the Westchester County Association (WCA), a business leadership organization. As president, she oversaw WCA activity and directed the BLUEPRINT for Westchester, the WCA’s aggressive private-sector initiative to spur economic development in the region. She crafted and executed the strategy to promote Westchester’s multiple assets and to market the county’s available real estate and $15 billion health- and bio-tech sectors. Her accomplishments are many. At Sterling National Bank, Ms. Weidner took a leadership role in enabling women to achieve their full potential with the creation of a Sterling Mentors program to encourage and assist high-potential colleagues in growing their careers and she also served as Chair of the bank’s Extraordinary Women of Sterling initiative. Ms. Weidner co-led the Cultural Integrations of Webster Bank and Sterling National Bank and also Sterling National Bank and Astoria Bank, as they moved through their mergers and led the combined organizations through culture shaping and activation initiatives. At the WCA, her efforts led to the groundbreaking conference, “Rethinking Westchester” that helped set the BLUEPRINT’s course of action. She organized City Showcases to market the county’s cities, and initiated the BLUEPRINT’s Work. Live. Play. initiative to attract and retain young professionals in the county. Prior to joining the WCA, Ms. Weidner was vice president of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation where she developed and implemented all real estate marketing programs resulting in more than seven million square feet of commercial space being occupied and almost six thousand jobs created. Earlier in Ms. Weidner’s career, she marketed a commercial real estate portfolio of 1.4 million square feet in White Plains for Albert B. Ashforth, Inc. Weidner holds a master’s degree from Manhattanville College, a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and an associate’s degree from the College of Westchester. Ms. Weidner serves as Co-President on the Board of Directors for the College of Westchester’s Charitable Foundation and is also serving on the Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County’s Board of Directors. She has previously served on the boards of Volunteer New York, the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board, the Advisory Board of Fordham’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies and the Leadership Advisory Council of the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester. Weidner lives in Sandy Hook, CT with her family and their three dogs.
Moderator
Mehta
Keti Mehta currently serves as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Growth Leader for Gallagher’s NY Metro office, where she manages the firm’s growth initiatives to expand and deepen client footprint across diverse industry segments. Mehta also serves as an Advisor to the inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of the Risk & Insurance Management Society’s (RIMS) Advisory Board. For the past eight years, Keti has passionately served as a Board Member on the Tri-State Diversity Council (NY, NJ, and CT). Recognized for being an inspiring growth accelerator, strategic brand promoter, and influencer - Keti Mehta successfully develops high-performing teams and strategic partnerships to unleash organic growth potential. She stands out for being a transformational culture catalyst by building diverse communities of practice that promote inclusion and collaboration. Keti leads by example and is a highly skilled, certified sales activator, leadership development coach, talent enthusiast and evangelist of the Customer Experience. Mehta has also held senior executive leadership roles at Hub International, USI Insurance Services, Dell, and Morgan Stanley. Keti resides in White Plains, Westchester County with her husband of 24 years and their beloved daughter, Karina. Keti is a licensed NY Property & Casualty Insurance Broker. Mehta received a Master of Arts degree in Change Leadership/Business Transformation from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in New York City. Additionally, Keti holds an Executive Coaching Certification from the International Coach Federation.
Awardee
Harvey
Nancy Harvey is the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer at the New York Power Authority, the nation’s largest state power organization. Nancy is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction in creating and supporting an environment that is inclusive, respectful and strives to be free from discrimination, intolerance, harassment and retaliation. A committed champion of women, minorities, underrepresented groups and cultural change, Nancy works to create a culture that helps all employees be and do their best. Nancy established NYPA’s Office of Civil Rights and Inclusion in 2017 to expand NYPA’s DEI efforts starting with a focus on employee engagement and education. Since then, Nancy has successfully introduced six Employee Resource Groups, provided executive leadership training around DEI and increased employee engagement scores across the organization. Before joining NYPA, Nancy was Senior Counsel; Ethics Officer for the Battery Park City Authority. She also served as Senior Counsel and Deputy EEO Officer for the New York City Department of Parks; Recreation. Nancy is a certified diversity practitioner and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Public Accounting from the City University of New York, Baruch College. She received her Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and is licensed to practice law in New York. A trusted advisor to senior leadership, trustees and colleagues, Nancy was named the 2021 Diversity Equity; Inclusion Power Player of the Year by the Smart Electric Power Alliance.
Award Nomination
$3 Transaction Fee Will Be Added