NJBIA Women Business Leaders Forum - Leading Women in STEM Share How to Stay Innovative and Confident - and Other Berkeley College Takeaways
Monday, September 27, 2021
Senior Associate, Media Relations
973-200-1048
Chanel-Donaldso@BerkeleyCollege.edu
“What STEM was yesterday is different from what STEM is today, and what STEM is going to be tomorrow. It’s all around us, and we don’t have the option of not addressing it.” – Darshan Desai, PhD, Professor and Chair, Business Data Science, Berkeley College
Photo Caption (Clockwise from top left): Moderator Carina Pologruto, Chief Innovation Officer, Marketsmith Inc.; panelists Merna Cirillo, Senior Manager, Contract Strategy and Analytics, Bristol Myers Squibb; and Darshan Desai, PhD, Professor and Chair, Business Data Science, Berkeley College; Michele Siekerka, President and CEO, New Jersey Business & Industry Association; and Sheri Horwitz, Senior Vice President, Information Technology, Synchronoss Technologies Inc., during the “Women in STEM” panel of the 7th Annual New Jersey Business & Industry Association Women Business Leaders Forum, held Friday, September 24, 2021.
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Confidence, mentorship and intellectual curiosity can help women excel in constantly changing STEM fields, said speakers during “Women in STEM,” a panel held on Friday, September 24, 2021, as part of the 7th Annual New Jersey Business & Industry Association Women Business Leaders Forum. The Forum was co-sponsored by Berkeley College.
“What STEM was yesterday is different from what STEM is today, and what STEM is going to be tomorrow,” said Darshan Desai, PhD, Professor and Chair, Business Data Science, Berkeley College. “It’s all around us, and we don’t have the option of not addressing it.”
Merna Cirillo, Senior Manager, Contract Strategy and Analytics, Bristol Myers Squibb, encouraged women to never stop learning and to promote themselves. “Be so good at what you’re doing that it can’t be ignored,” she said.
The speakers said women often face “internal barriers” that hinder their progression in STEM fields.
“Don’t be afraid to jump forward if you don’t know everything,” said Sheri Horwitz, Senior Vice President, Information Technology, Synchronoss Technologies Inc. She encouraged women working in STEM to connect with a professional they can learn from, and who complements their skill set.
The panelists spoke about the value of mentorship and building confidence in young women to pursue careers in male-dominated fields.
“One of the most important parts of mentorship is asking someone to come out of their comfort zone,” Desai said. “Having someone who has faith in you is very, very powerful.”
The panel was moderated by Carina Pologruto, Chief Innovation Officer, Marketsmith Inc.
Jasmine Briggs-Rogers, Senior Director, Berkeley College Career Services, Moderates Panel “COVID and Your Career Path”
Photo Caption (Clockwise from top left): Moderator Jasmine Briggs-Rogers, Senior Director, Career Services, Berkeley College; panelist Alice Robinson, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center; Claude Richardson, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Delta Dental of New Jersey/Connecticut; and Bonnie Negron, CEO and Founder, Bonnie Career Services, Inc., during the “COVID and Your Career Path” panel of the 7th Annual New Jersey Business & Industry Association Women Business Leaders Forum, held Friday, September 24, 2021.
Jasmine Briggs-Rogers, Senior Director, Career Services, Berkeley College, moderated a panel titled “COVID and Your Career Path,” held on Friday, September 24, 2021, as part of the 7th Annual New Jersey Business & Industry Association Women Business Leaders Forum. Briggs-Rogers led a discussion on how companies can support employees in the post-COVID-19 environment, how to navigate the “new normal,” and advice for graduates beginning their careers at this challenging time.
“Networking is really such an important part of your career and your job search,” Briggs-Rogers said, encouraging those entering the workforce to use and expand their professional contacts.
Panelists included Bonnie Negron, CEO and Founder, Bonnie Career Services, Inc.; Claude Richardson, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Delta Dental of New Jersey/Connecticut; and Alice Robinson, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center.
Berkeley College Career Services counselors also provided professional coaching sessions to attendees during the Forum.
Berkeley College Honors Student Angeline Gil Named NJBIA Rising Star Award Recipient
Photo Caption (L to R): Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College, Honors student Angeline Gil of Paterson, NJ, and Michele Siekerka, President and CEO, New Jersey Business & Industry Association, at the 7th Annual NJBIA Women Business Leaders Forum opening Cocktail Reception.
Berkeley College student Angeline Gil of Paterson, NJ, is a 2021 recipient of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) Rising Star Award, which honors New Jersey college students who exhibit future business leadership potential. Gil is one of five students to receive the recognition during the Forum. Rising Star Award recipients demonstrate a passion for their career path, academic success, and a commitment to their communities. Click here to read more.
Berkeley College celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2021. The theme commemorating this milestone is “Empowering Lives for 90 Years!” Visit the 90th Anniversary webpage for more information.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers continuing education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan, NY, and in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,900 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for eight consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
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