Making International Women's Day Everyday

Ever since St. Francis College went co-ed 50 years ago, many successful women have graduated from the institution to become successful leaders in a variety of fields. Now, many of these women are coming together to grow the Women Leadership Network (WLN) at St. Francis College.

After a series of introductory and workshop events, the WLN hosted its first in a series of Power Breakfast with special guest Lorraine Fisher, Senior Director of Media Relations of MLB Network. The event was an opportunity for 20 SFC students to hold a meaningful, in-depth conversation with a leader in the communications field. The purpose of these breakfasts is to encourage our students to not only have a seat at this table, but also have a voice.

"Spending breakfast with Lorraine was so much more powerful than seeing her speak on a panel or in a big lecture hall," said Communication Arts major Danielle Francavilla '19. "The conversation flowed. We had the opportunity to ask plenty of questions and Lorraine offered great perspective on building my dream career."

The next WLN Power Breakfast on March 27 features Maya Nussbaum (Founder & CEO Girls Write Now) and Jessie McGuire (Executive Director, ThoughtMatter Branding). The two will lead a discussion on Female Empowerment, Finding Your Voice, Creative Communication, Networking, Branding, and Leadership.

Once again, this will be an exclusive, intimate conversation for SFC students, providing them with amazing access to expertise. St. Francis College juniors and seniors who want to participate, as well as women who would like to host a breakfast are welcome to email [email protected].

"On this International Women's Day, we wanted to draw special attention to the generosity of our alumnae and friends of the College in helping to grow the next generation of leaders," said Katherine O'Hagan of the Women's Leadership Network and Associate Director of Scholarship Giving at St. Francis. "WLN's goal is to expand the resources of the College in order to prepare our students for success in their field of interest. We know that building a strong network of alumnae and friends is crucial to achieving that goal."

A third breakfast is schedule for April 24 with St. Francis College alumna Rose Lanard '84, Chief Diversity Officer of S&P Global.

Biographies

Maya Nussbaum has grown Girls Write Now over the last two decades from a loose association of women writers into a dynamic, volunteer-powered community, and a nonprofit after school program distinguished by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities as one of the top 15 in the nation, by the Nonprofit Excellence Awards as one of New York's top 10 nonprofits, by Time Out New York as one of the best places to volunteer, and by Youth INC with the Innovators Award for improving the lives of New York youth. Maya has been named one of the Top 40 Feminists under 40 by The Feminist Press, one of the Top 20 Philanthropists under 40 by The Observer, a Local Hero by Metro New York, an Education Hero by The New York Times, a Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) People's Voice Nominee, and a 2016 White House Champion of Change.

Jessie McGuire, Executive Director, Strategy at ThoughtMatter Branding Agency has spent the last decade as a strategic powerhouse working with companies like Kimberly-Clark, P&G, Danone, and Colgate Palmolive. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in transforming billion-dollar brands into social icons, both on the client and agency side. She absorbs consumer trends and uncovers insights to ignite brilliant solutions. As a facilitator of ideas, Jessie collaborates across the agency to further push creativity. Her profound knowledge of consumer behavior inspires and motivates us all to create meaningful work that sparks engagement, moves culture, and connects consumers to brands on the deepest of emotional levels.

Women Leadership Network Mission

WLN supports and encourages the development of leadership skills in our students and young alumnae by providing opportunities to collaborate with each other and to network with more experienced career women who support St. Francis College. This network will be used to empower our students, reconnect with our alumnae and network with new friends while growing the SFC community through professional, educational and social events.

St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City's five boroughs and beyond.

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St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
www.sfc.edu