Helen Aboah, CEO, Urban Zen, gave an inspiring Masterclass on “Merchandising & Product Development” for StartUpBootCamp FashionTech. Helen explained the importance of merchandising, focusing on 5 stages of a consumer business: ideation, conceptualization, development, market/showroom, and manifestation.

Helen shared her 7 golden rules for success in business:
🔹 #People are a value. Nurture relationships, partnerships, and customers.
🔹 Be passionate about your #productcategory and well informed of silhouettes, materials, and the competitive landscape.
🔹 To fulfill a strategic goal, set a series of processes and #steps.
🔹 Have a clear #narrative when disseminating information of the seasonal concept and individual products.
🔹 Do not focus only on #profitability, find a balance between profitability and #brand initiatives to have a long-lasting sustainable business.
🔹 #Collaborations is about working with others to achieve business goals and work through challenges.
🔹 #Criticalthinking ensures a better execution of brand and product strategy.

To view StartUpBootCamp’s social post on Helen Aboah, please visit HERE.

Janice Ellig, CEO, The Ellig Group LLC, was named 2022 Tippie Alum of the Year by the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. She will be recognized at a reception in downtown Chicago on May 19, 2022. This award is designed to recognize and honor alumni who are actively engaged in the life of the college. Janice has served as a panelist at the Tippie Women Summit and provides insight and encouragement as an advisor to the dean. She has taken time out of her busy career to be a frequent speaker in classes and has hosted events for the college in her New York City home. Janice is also the board chair of the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.

“Janice Ellig has been a strong advocate for Tippie students and alumni, whether it’s by hosting events in NYC or serving as a guest speaker in classes. In the last two years she has gone out of her way to support alumni as well, through participating in Tippie Women’s Summit events and mentoring executive women as they consider roles on corporate boards,” explained Tippie Dean Amy Kristof-Brown. “Our students and alumni have benefited greatly from her wisdom and expertise. She is a true advocate for our university and the Tippie College of Business.”

To learn more about the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business Alumni awards and view past honorees, please visit HERE.

Diane Finnerty, Morgan Stanley, Sr. VP – Wealth Advisor, Financial Advisor – Senior Portfolio Management Director, The FCG Wealth Management Group, was named to the 2022 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State ranking. Forbes’ sixth annual Top Women Wealth Advisors collectively manage $1.9 trillion. Forbes rankings were compiled by SHOOK Research, which researched and interviewed candidates who had been nominated by their firms.

“It’s an honor to be recognized among this group of outstanding women in the financial industry.” – Diane Finnerty

To view Forbes full list of 1,377 Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, please visit HERE.

Lorraine Hariton, President & CEO, Catalyst, released a new report indicating three norms that characterize more inclusive teams and signal innovation. As the workplace continues to change during the pandemic, new Catalyst data shows it’s crucial for team leaders and members to act inclusively to advance gender equity and increase employee engagement and innovation. The three norms have been identified as: promoting expressions of difference, fostering a team coaching climate and codifying fair team decision-making practices.

“Companies and teams who value inclusive team norms are best prepared to address workplace inequities in the future of work,” said Lorraine. “These data represent an opportunity for companies to improve innovation, productivity, and employee engagement.”

To view Catalyst’s full report, please visit HERE.

Billie Jean King, Co-Founder, World Team Tennis, conducted the coin toss ahead of Super Bowl LVI, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, demonstrating that women’s equality deserves to be front and center on the biggest stages in sports.

“It’s hard to understand inclusion until you have been excluded, and I am proud to be part of this year’s Super Bowl Coin Toss and the NFL’s commitment to bring us together and make us stronger.” – Billie Jean King

To view our social post honoring Billie Jean King, please visit HERE.

Genevieve Piturro, Exec Dir., Genevieve Piturro LLC, Speaker, Author, and Founder of Pajama Program, won a Bronze Medal at the Anthem Awards for her book “Purpose, Passion and Pajamas” and the story of the Pajama Program. The Anthem Awards recognizes dedicated and passionate people who provide a service that addresses a specific issue, provides a solution or boosts awareness, engagement or raises money for a Humanitarian Action & Services cause. Products could include: management, consulting, software, delivery, distribution, and creative services. Genevieve’s Pajama Program has delivered 7 MILLION gifts of new pajamas and new books to children in the U.S. through 63 chapters. Pajama Program promotes and supports a comforting bedtime routine and healthy sleep by providing sleep health education to children, parents & caregivers.

To learn more about Genevieve’s recognition by Anthem, please visit HERE.

Minerva Tantoco, Former Chief Technology Officer, New York City, was appointed by the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research to be its first Chief AI Officer, effective March 1, 2022. Minerva is an innovator, patent holder and entrepreneur who is committed to using technology to improve lives equitably. Minerva pioneered New York City’s efforts to prepare for its technological future, as its first-ever Chief Technology Officer. She brings expertise in AI, fintech, smart cities, cybersecurity and mobile technology to her new role at NYU McSilver, which will be overseeing the work of the newly-created AI Hub at McSilver.

“As AI-driven tools are being developed and deployed to serve industries and governments, we must remember that their greatest promise lies in serving the public good,” says Ms. Tantoco. “It takes thought leadership to innovate and hold systems accountable in order to ensure they live up to that promise, and do not deepen racial and social inequities. I’m excited to take on that challenge through the work of the AI Hub at McSilver.” – Minerva Tantoco

To read the full press release on Minerva’s latest appointment, please visit HERE.

Women in Business Wednesdays

Our #WBW interview series was born out of the same principle that is at the heart of the Women’s Forum – uplifting women. Our #WBW interviews allow women to discuss their professional journeys and provide great advice to other women looking to advance their careers and embark on the path to entrepreneurship. We have had the pleasure of interviewing Forum members- Sarah Kauss, Patrice Tanaka, Deirdre Quinn, Mijong Lee, Sarah McNally, Gina Gibney, Tracy McKibben, Rohini Dey, Lori Tauber Marcus, Susan McPherson and most recently, Gloria Feldt.

What better way to kick off Women’s History Month than with another great #WBW interview? Watch our latest interview with Ilene Wachs, President, Horizon Casualty Services, Inc., Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey who was interviewed by Sigal Zarmi, Head of Transformation, Morgan Stanley below. To read our interview with Ilene, please visit HERE.

To read or watch our past Women in Business Wednesday Interviews, click on the links below:

• Gloria Feldt, Co-Founder, Take the Lead
  • To watch our interview with Gloria, please visit HERE.
• Susan Spector McPherson, Founder & CEO, McPherson Strategies
  • To watch our interview with Susan, please visit HERE.
• Lori Tauber Marcus, Founder of Courtyard Connections, LLC.
• Rohini Dey, Owner & Founder of Vermilion
• Tracy McKibben, Founder and CEO of MAC Energy Advisors, LLC
• Gina Gibney, Founder, CEO & Artistic Director of Gibney
• Sarah McNally: Founder & CEO of McNally Jackson
• Mijong Lee, Founder and CEO of EMMELLE Design & MIJONGLEE
• Deirdre Quinn, Co-Founder and CEO of Lafayette 148
• Patrice Tanaka, Chief Joy Officer of Joyful Planet Inc
• Sarah Kauss, Founder and Executive Chairwoman of S’well

Are you or someone you know interested in sharing experiences as a business owner or entrepreneur? If you are interested in sharing your story, please email najapazant@womensforumny.org . The Women’s Forum Credo is ”Women helping other women never gets tired.” Imagine how many women in our communities, and beyond, you may help just by sharing your experience!

Head on over to Instagram @womensforumnewyork to view our interviews and like our posts.