The Smart Hustle: Berkeley College 11th Annual Women's Entrepreneurship Week Spotlights AI Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Women in Tech
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Photo Caption: Entrepreneurs and technology leaders shared practical ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen marketing, engage customers, and improve efficiency during “The Smart Hustle: AI for Small Business,” on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Berkeley College in New York City. The event was held as part of the College’s 11th annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Week programming.
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Entrepreneurs and technology leaders shared practical ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen marketing, engage customers, and improve efficiency during “The Smart Hustle: AI for Small Business,” on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Berkeley College in New York City. The event was held as part of the College’s 11th annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Week programming.
Alexis King, a leadership strategist, executive coach, and bestselling author, presented the keynote address on the importance of prioritizing, practicing, and staying persistent as ways to navigate change.
“What you learned six months ago is already outdated, so always be practicing your craft,” said King, author of The Human Advantage: 7 Essential Skills to Stay in Demand as AI Gets Smarter. “Almost nothing is ‘one and done.’ I encourage you to remain persistent as you pursue whatever it is – whether it’s a smart hustle or continuing to learn and grow.”
Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College, presented King with the 2026 Women’s Empowerment Award. The annual award was established in 2021 to recognize the entrepreneurs and business leaders who have shared their career advice, personal experiences, and journeys to success with students and the community.
Photo Caption (L to R): Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College, presents Alexis King, a leadership strategist, executive coach, and bestselling author, with the 2026 Women’s Empowerment Award during “The Smart Hustle: AI for Small Business,” on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Berkeley College in New York City.
The event also featured opening remarks from Norell Thomas, a Berkeley College student leader and owner of the home baking business Nore Got Cake. Thomas will graduate from Berkeley College in 2027 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Management.
“I believe women need spaces where we can inspire, encourage, support, and mentor one another to become the highest versions of ourselves,” said Thomas, who launched a Women’s Empowerment Club for students in 2025. “Events like Women’s Entrepreneurship Week allow us to learn from women who have taken risks, overcome challenges, and turned their dreams into reality. As someone who returned to college after 20 years, I understand that everyone’s journey is different and it is never too late to start something new.”
Photo Caption: Norell Thomas, a Berkeley College student leader and owner of the home baking business Nore Got Cake, promotes her entrepreneurial venture during “The Smart Hustle: AI for Small Business,” on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Berkeley College in New York City.
A panel of leaders in business and technology shared candid advice on navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, addressing expectations placed on women in leadership, and building resilience and well-being.
Speakers included Moon Chang, Founder, Moon Chang NY and Professor, Fashion, Berkeley College Larry L. Luing School of Business®; Naomi Kraus, Founder and Principal Consultant, Veracitas Group LLC; Renee Kretz, Founder, Mi-Era; Daniela Palacios, Founder, Para KIDS!; and Ashley Scott, Founder, Data Girl Ash. Maria Rivera, Director, Continuing Education and Professional Development, Berkeley College, moderated the panel.
“This year marks the 11th anniversary of Women’s Entrepreneurship Week at Berkeley College and more than a decade of celebrating women who share their stories, successes, and challenges to inspire the next generation of women entrepreneurs,” said Kelly J. Depsee, Senior Director, Communications, Berkeley College. “Our panel not only shared practical insights on how to harness AI to work smarter and fuel business growth, but also focused on our human strengths, and how the next big business advantage may be knowing what not to automate.”
Event sponsors included Eastern Funding LLC and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
Photo Caption: Entrepreneurs and technology leaders shared practical ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen marketing, engage customers, and improve efficiency during “The Smart Hustle: AI for Small Business,” on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Berkeley College in New York City. Pictured (L to R) are Kevin L. Luing, Board Chairman, Berkeley College; Maria Rivera, Director, Continuing Education and Professional Development, Berkeley College; Renee Kretz, Founder, Mi-Era; Moon Chang, Founder, Moon Chang NY and Professor, Fashion, Berkeley College Larry L. Luing School of Business®; Naomi Kraus, Founder and Principal Consultant, Veracitas Group LLC; Ashley Scott, Founder, Data Girl Ash; Alexis King, leadership strategist, executive coach, and bestselling author; Daniela Palacios, Founder, Para KIDS!; Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College; and Kelly J. Depsee, Senior Director, Communications, Berkeley College.
WORDS FROM WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK 2026
“I find joy through my customers, fans, and followers who love my brand and fashion because we are all connected. You are not just selling the product or clothes, but you are selling the story and philosophy.”
– Moon Chang, Founder, Moon Chang NY and Professor, Fashion, Berkeley College Larry L. Luing School of Business®
“If you’re a human in the loop, you are actually a cog in the wheel. You should be a human in the lead – especially when you are working with AI. You should be retaining the judgment and the leadership as you build your businesses and exercise your own creativity.”
– Naomi Kraus, Founder and Principal Consultant, Veracitas Group LLC
“If AI continues on this trajectory, there is going to be more entrepreneurship and more accessibility to education, creativity, and really the things that empower us as humans.”
– Renee Kretz, Founder, Mi-Era
“It fulfills me as a person that I can further empower people who might have been where I was – doubting themselves and not knowing if they should be in this – even if their heart tells them they should.”
– Daniela Palacios, Founder, Para KIDS!
“AI is opening new possibilities every day. Staying curious, continuing to learn, and having the courage to try something new can turn those possibilities into meaningful opportunities.”
– Maria Rivera, Director, Continuing Education and Professional Development, Berkeley College
“Part of the journey is taking care of yourself. The first investment in your business is you and thinking about how you can protect yourself in the midst of upcoming deadlines and priorities.”
– Ashley Scott, Founder, Data Girl Ash
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 13 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North and a Top Performer on Social Mobility in the 2027 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower each student to achieve lifelong success.
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