Women from all fields came together March 31 to participate in SUNY Oswego's third annual Women’s Empowerment Summit, which highlighted nonprofit leaders.

Assistant Director of Career Services Megan McGarvey Mazzoccone, a 2007 graduate, introduced the event.

“We would not be able to do any of this event without the generous donation of the Feinburg Family Fund," said Mazzoccone, who organized the event. "They are supporting the ability to do programming that helps uplift women.”

The Feinberg Family Fund at SUNY Oswego was originally created in 2003 by Robert Feinberg ’78 and his wife, Robbi. The fund has grown to support SUNY Oswego students seeking professional and academic experiences to further their co-curricular career goals including Internships, co-ops, and various professional development opportunities.

For the keynote panel, titled Women of Impact, four accomplished women joined moderator Christina Galvin Argus ’18 M’19 for the discussion:

  • Mino Lora, co-founder and executive artistic director of the People’s Theatre
  • Melanie Littlejohn, president and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation
  • Jamie Alverez, vice president of marketing and communications, Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways
  • Kelly Vann, GenAI transformation and adoption lead, rotary and mission systems, Lockheed Martin

The panelists detailed their respective experiences as pioneers of their fields while stressing the purpose of supporting and uplifting other women.

“We do what we do because we love it … and we feel as though we are making an impact, that we are somehow making the world a little bit better … and that’s the whole point,” Littlejohn said when asked what motivates her, and why she does takes the leaps she does.

The keynote left students feeling seen by industry professionals, highlighting that struggles are temporary, yet a normal endeavor in life.

Breakout panels and workshops took place from 5 to 6 p.m. The sessions allowed enough time for current students and guests to sit in on two 25-minute discussions in an area of their choice. These options included:

  • Leadership in Media and the Arts
  • Salary Negotiation Workshop
  • Community First: Leaders Making a Difference
  • Advising the Future: Careers that Support Women in Education, Mentorship and Beyond

Argus bestowed her knowledge onto students as she switched from emcee to speaker, focusing most of her remarks about her experiences managing production for NewsChannel 9 WSYR. Marguerite Mitchell, director of education at the Redhouse Arts Center, joined in this panel to share her expertise, all under the moderation of Bella Poynton, a playwright and historian with the SUNY Oswego Theatre Department.

University Advancement’s Jennifer Hill introduced the Salary Negotiating workshop. Scarlet Burney, manager of talent acquisition at SRC, shared her input.

“To be able to have skills in salary negotiation is vital for every student, regardless of gender identity,” Mazzoccone said.

Jennifer Joyce of the Office of Experiential Learning moderated the Community First: Leaders Making a Difference section. Senior public health educator Sonia Robinson shared her perspective on how interests can be harnessed to create career pathways that focus on giving back to the community. Robinson currently holds a membership with the Oswego Chapter of Zonta, and the Oswego County Youth Bureau.

The last session was called Advising the Future: Careers that Support Women in Education, Mentorship and Beyond. The gender and women's studies program co-hosted this session, with assistant professor Linea Cutter acting as a representative moderator. Alumnae Bethany Cole ’16 and Marissa Mason ’13 M’15, shared how they used their Oswego degrees in their professional careers as an admissions counselor and special education teacher, respectively.

The evening wrapped up with a catered networking reception. The first 75 students to arrive were awarded signature “swag bags,” which included Girl Scout cookies handed out by local Oswego Girl Scouts.

“We always have a networking portion of this event, so students can practice making connections in an inclusive and non-intimidating environment,” Mazzoccone said.

The third annual Women’s Summit uplifted attendees, having each section allow for a different inspiring takeaway. After reading through feedback from her student survey, Mazzoccone reflected on the impact the event made on students and faculty alike.

“This event is really special to me,” she said. “It means so much to have a space for folks to feel seen, heard and inspired.”

— Written by Gabriella Misciagna of the Class of 2026 for University Advancement