Hundreds of supporters cheered while 53 honorees were celebrated at Power Women of Long Island presented by Catholic Health. These women make Long Island a thriving and vibrant place to live, work, and play in. The event took place on Thursday Nov. 17 at The Mansion at Oyster Bay.
The ultimate networking event celebrated extraordinary women from a broad spectrum of the business and nonprofit worlds who were recognized for their accomplishments and their commitment to making a positive impact on Long Island.
Schneps Media and Catholic Health, as the presenting sponsor of the event, recognized women as leaders in organizations and the community.
“We are a healthcare system deeply rooted on Long Island. We’re committed to the community and the people of Long Island,” Catholic Health Senior Vice President for Strategy and Chief Marketing Officer Joseph Carofano said. “We share that same philosophy with Schneps Media.”
Catholic Health Chief Risk Officer and Chief Privacy Officer Lesli Giglio and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Catherine Caronia were among the honorees.
“We’re celebrating all of the awardees,” Catholic Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Golbin said. “And it’s a pleasure and an honor to celebrate the women of Catholic Health, especially our two awardees tonight. We’re lucky to have leaders such as our two awardees.”
The event was hosted by Schneps Media, publishers of the Long Island Press, Dan’s Papers, Noticia and Behind the Hedges, which is proud to bring together extraordinary women to connect, support, do business and build community with each other. When women support women, amazing things happen.
“Tonight, I’m humbled to be part of this esteemed group of women who exemplify women in leadership and the importance of their work,” Joanne Adams, executive director of the Belmont Child Care Association, said. “I’m proud that we’re changing lives every day.”
She said they provide a “safe, nurturing and academically inspiring program” that can make a difference in children’s lives.
In addition to the ultimate networking and joyful celebration, 100% of the raffle proceeds went to the nonprofit Winters Center for Autism.
“We’re about bringing communities together. What I like about this event is it’s bringing all these fabulous women together,” said Mindy Perlmutter, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council-Long Island. “We can network with each other and learn from each other. It’s so empowering and so inspiring to be in this type of environment.”
The celebration was a night to remember for supporters and honorees alike. Dr. Jennifer McMonigle, a neurologist at McMonigle Neurology Associates, pointed out that so many women in the room have been pioneers.
“I think it’s amazing. I’m honored to be here with all these powerful women who are leaders in their field,” she said. “A lot of women here broke the glass ceiling.”
She talked about how important it is to shatter stereotypes and misconceptions that hold glass ceilings in place.
“I think when I was growing up there was a stereotype that women weren’t good at math and science,” Dr. McMonigle said. “With my daughter’s generation, that’s different.”
She added that enjoying one’s job, while making a difference in people’s lives, is rewarding, making healthcare a fulfilling, if challenging, profession.
“I love it. It’s a privilege to take care of patients,” she said. “The patients who come to me are in the darkest period of their life and I get to help them and, hopefully, cure them.”
The honorees epitomize what makes Long Island so great: people who through persistence and ability overcome obstacles and rise through the ranks of their profession.
Maria Conzatti, interim president of Nassau Community College, is the first woman to lead that school.
“This event is a capstone for many women here that are really moving Long Island in general in a wonderful direction,” she said.
Conzatti said she is proud to be among the honorees, and to join Adelphi University, Long Island University, Hofstra University, and Nassau Community College as schools led by women. Dr. Christine Riordan, president of Adelphi University, also was among the honorees that night.
“It’s an honor to be among these ladies running the educational institutions on Long Island,” she said. “It’s a privilege. I don’t know that it’s fully sunk in for me.”
Power Women of Long Island Honorees
Chaka Adams, Vice President of Marketing & Community Relations of Jovia Financial Credit Union
Joanne K. Adams, Executive Director of Belmont Child Care Association, Inc.
Deana Ambrosio, Marketing Director of Lorraine Gregory Communications
Alyse Arpino, CM Performing Arts Center Executive Director
Heather E. Barry, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at St. Joseph’s University
Mary Ann Caputo, Executive Director, Support for People with Oral, Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC)
Catherine Caronia, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at Catholic Health
Diana Choy-Shan, Esq., Partner Cona Elder Law PLLC
Stacey Conklin, RN, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services
Dr. Maria P. Conzatti, Interim President of Nassau Community College
Karen Curley, MPA, National Vice President of Development and Corporate Engagement of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Pamela Curtiss, Vice President of Vocational and Non-Residential Program at Life’s WORC
Robin Daleo, Managing Partner of Law Offices of Robin Burner Daleo, PLLC
Jodi Deitch, Executive Administrative Assistant/Office Manager of The Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center
Jennifer DeSena, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor
Sharon Devonish Leid, MPA, Chief Executive Officer of NetStrucPR LLC
Krystal Fernandez, Owner, Celebrity Makeup & Beauty Expert of Royal 24 Boutique
Katherine Fritz, Chief Development & Communications Officer of Long Island Cares
Lesli Giglio, Chief Risk Officer, Chief Privacy Officer of Catholic Health
Sheryl Giugliano, Partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek PC
Barbara Guerriere, Home Loan Consultant for Valley National Bank
Corinne Hammons, MPA, President & CEO of Little Flower Children & Family Services
Yvette Hester, Founder & CEO of The Manna Project of Long Island
Victoria Hu, VictoritaPrive President & Founder
Cherylyn Hynes, Home Loan Consultant for Valley National Bank
April Intrabartola, Vice President of Eastman Cooke Construction
Mara Johnston, Managing Principal of Keystone Global
Lynne Koufakis, Board Chair for Life’s WORC
Joely Leidner, Managing Partner of Jobs By Joely
Nathalie Lilavois, Zahara Crown, Inc. Founder/CEO
Jacqueline LoCastro, Senior Vice President, Marketing for HealthCare Partners
Dr. Parul Dua Makkar, Owner/Dentist of PDM Family Dental
Laura Maresca-Santore, Interior Designer at LMS Design
Suzanne McLaughlin, Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing for Custom Computer Specialists
Dr. Jennifer McMonigle, Neurologist at McMonigle Neurology
Meredith Michaels, Chief Development Officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island
Catherine Muscente, Vice President, Mission and Ministry at Molloy University
Mindy Perlmutter, Jewish Community Relations Council – Long Island Executive Director
Tobi Phillips, Founder and President of Village East Gifted
Adriana Pisani, Rising Star Award
Christine Ponzio, M.S.E.d, Executive Director of Winters Center for Autism
Jean Price, Founder & CEO of Women Ignited Now, LLC
Hon. Gail Prudenti, Dean of Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
Christine Riordan, Ph.D., President of Adelphi University
Dorothy Roberts, VP of Hotel Operations & Development for Oxford Hospitality Advisors
Megan C. Ryan, Esq., Nassau University Medical Center’s Chief Legal Officer
Viviana Smith, Licensed Real Estate Agent at Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Marie Staub, President of WBE Products Corp.
Charlene Thompson, Esq., Chief Executive Officer of Thompson Economic Development Services, LLC
Mary Jean Weber, St. Johnland Nursing Center CEO
Nyrekia L. White, MBA, Director of Advancement & Strategic Partnerships for the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County
Kerri Winans Kaley, Director of Business Development for Encore Luxury Living
Michele Winters, Owner of Winters Center for Autism
Tanya Yaminian, Esq., Associate at Ackerman Law PLLC
