Berkeley College Celebrates Inclusivity during Inaugural International Women's Day DEI Leadership Summit
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Senior Director, Communications and External Relations
973-200-1099
KME@BerkeleyCollege.edu
Photo Caption: (Left) Eve Cortes, Human Resources Consultant and Certified Leadership Coach, Eve Cortes Coaching LLC, welcomes the audience during the inaugural DEI Leadership Summit, held on International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, 2024. (Right) Berkeley College professors Heidi Hoefinger, PhD; Lisa Karakas; and Jennifer Yadav share resources and strategies for creating inclusive workplaces.
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Leaders learned how to elevate their executive impact and inspire inclusion during the inaugural DEI Leadership Summit, held on International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, 2024. The event, hosted by Berkeley College in New York City, was presented by Eve Cortes Coaching LLC, with support from the International Association of Women NYC, the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Prospanica New Jersey, Sparx Labs, Success Chica, the United Nations: NGO Committee on Private Sector Development, and the USAfrica Trade and Business Network.
“Today we celebrate the powerful women who dared to dream, who dared to lead, who dared to open the door wider for equity and inclusion,” said Eve Cortes, Human Resources Consultant and Certified Leadership Coach, Eve Cortes Coaching LLC.
The event was attended by more than 100 women leaders from the tristate area, as well as virtually attended by high school students from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School in New York City and the YWCA.
“The conversation of leadership is so important. Who are we mentoring? Who are we pushing ahead?” said Giselle Alers, Vice Chair, NGO Committee on Private Sector Development at the United Nations. “It’s about the legacy. It’s not about the ‘now.’ It’s about the future.”
The DEI Leadership Summit featured networking sessions and an “Inspiring Inclusion” panel of diversity, equity, and inclusion experts. The panel was moderated by Maria Rivera, Director of Continuing Education, Berkeley College, and featured Soraina Baez, Budget Manager, Communications and DEI Committee, National Council of University Research Administrators, Region 2; Peina Cao, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mint House; Anjli Garg, JD, Certified Coach and Corporate Lawyer; and Karen Palmer, Executive Coach, Karen Palmer Coaching.
Breakout sessions with Berkeley College professors Heidi Hoefinger, PhD; Lisa Karakas; and Jennifer Yadav offered resources and strategies for creating inclusive workplaces. Attendees who attended their presentation and breakout session received a Berkeley College Continuing Education program certificate, “International Women’s Day Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Summit: Conducting Inclusive Workplace Meetings: Strategies and Interactive Breakout Sessions.”
Learn More about Continuing Education: The Berkeley College Continuing Education program offers a DEI certificate as well as several other courses that can meet the needs of professionals seeking to advance in their careers or looking to enter a new field. Click here to learn more.
The afternoon closed with a VIP session moderated by Karen Palmer, Executive Coach, Karen Palmer Coaching, and featuring Vaughn Davis, Founder and CEO, Hyper Nimbus; Lissa M. Cabassa, Vice President, U.S. Human Resources Country Head and DEI Head, GSK; and Natasha Pongonis, CEO, Envisify Global Intelligence.
“It was a very informative and empowering event,” said Kristina Dallis-Evans, Staff Analyst, City of New York.
“It was so amazing to connect with women across industries who share common values,” said Ashley Henry, Manager, Global Product Development and Co-Chair of the fresh DEIB Council. “We were thrilled to walk away with new information and connections.”
Berkeley College Corporate Learning Partnerships
Photo Caption: Randy Gómez serves as Director, Corporate and Community Relations, Berkeley College Corporate Learning Partnership in New York.
The event was also attended by several Berkeley College Corporate Learning Partners. Through Berkeley College Corporate Learning Partnerships, employers benefit from customized courses and training to upskill their workforce.
“Berkeley College is proud to recognize the individuals and organizations whose unwavering support and collaboration advances critical conversations about advancing DEI in the workplace,” said Randy Gómez, Director, Corporate and Community Relations, New York. “Their active engagement in promoting a more inclusive and equitable society sets a powerful example for communities and organizations worldwide.”
Photo Caption: The inaugural DEI Leadership Summit featured an “Inspiring Inclusion” panel of diversity, equity, and inclusion experts.
“One thing I try to do with new employees is to have them participate in different activities and workshops that can broaden their education.” – Soraina Baez, Budget Manager, Communications and DEI Committee, National Council of University Research Administrators, Region 2
“Companies need to provide a platform for their employees to feel heard and comfortable to speak their opinions. … When you lead with inclusivity in mind, you attract inclusivity.” – Peina Cao, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mint House
“Reframe the word ‘failure’ in your mind. I don’t know how many times I beat myself up for not achieving what I thought I should have achieved. In hindsight, every single one of those moments that I thought was a failure turned into a brilliant opportunity. – Anjli Garg, JD, Certified Coach and Corporate Lawyer
“Once you have created the policies and the strategies, keep that channel of communication open with your people to ask – ‘How is this working for you?’ Give them a safe space to have that conversation.” – Karen Palmer, Executive Coach, Karen Palmer Coaching
“Integrating DEI into business strategies is not just a moral imperative but also a critical factor for business success, contributing to a more inclusive and productive work environment.” – Maria Rivera, Director of Continuing Education, Berkeley College
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 New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 3,500 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 11 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2023-2024 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
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