The 2003 NYWICI Foundation College Career Conference: Future Communicators in The Making.

It was a beautiful cool November weekend when over 250 young women and men began arriving in mid-town Manhattan for NYWICI’s fifteenth Career Conference. A record number of participants, the group was primarily college level from 54 schools around the country, but also included those established in a career who were interested in making a change, and even a few from high school. With the addition of the entire NYWICI student affairs committee guiding the participants through the day, it was a full house at the Roosevelt Hotel in mid-town Manhattan.

For those who were able to arrive early for the media informational tours, the weekend started on Friday, November 14, with visits to either CBS News, Avon or Fox Television. They toured the facilities and had the rare opportunity to converse one-on-one with media professionals, receiving advice and encouragement from such executives as Marcy McGinnis (Senior VP, News Coverage, CBS News) and Vicki Banchak, (Executive Director, Field Sales, Avon Future.)

But this was just a prelude to the roster of over 40 seasoned professionals they would be meeting the next day. Indeed, excitement was definitely in the air when the group, with their conference materials and continental breakfasts, gathered in the Grand Ballroom of the Roosevelt Hotel very early on Saturday morning, and was warmly welcomed by NYWICI conference co-chair Karen Schadow. Looking out over the crowded room, Karen welcomed the group and promised a 9-hour day full of opportunities to every participant in the room. President of The Voice of Success, Karen herself had some advice: She stressed the importance of networking at every stage of one’s career and urged each participant to take full advantage of that day’s chance to mix and mingle.

Karen then talked about NYWICI’S commitment to the education and development of the future leaders of the communications industry, citing the $60,000 awarded in merit scholarships last year, and encouraged the participants to seek the funds available to them through the NYWICI Foundation, information for which was in their packets and on the website. Karen also gave a brief history of the previous Career Conferences and thanked the current team of Student Affairs Committee (listed at end of copy.)

Karen then welcomed the first speaker of the day, her longtime friend and colleague, Consuelo Mack, CNBC Senior Correspondent, Anchor & Managing Editor “The Wall Street Journal Report”.

Consuelo began by quoting Joseph Campbell, one of her former professors at Sarah Lawrence College who would frequently tell his students, “Life is too short, and the work day too long,” to not like what one is doing. She then talked about her own circuitous route to the positions she holds today in the financial news world and spoke candidly about the 75% pay cut she once took and the debt she incurred in order to seek her passion. She listed a host of jobs she held prior to her present one and opined that we’re all destined to have at least 7 or 8 careers in our lifetimes. “Be realistic when examining choices,” “target the organization you want to zero in on” and “go for the smaller market,” were just a few of the words of wisdom she offered the group during the Q&A session, and her parting words were to “go for it now.”

From there the group divided into 3 hours of 3 workshops, each featuring 4 industry speakers including a moderator. All workshops were fully attended, and each one could have gone on for hours, with questions coming thick and fast. A good part of the discussions centered on specific industry information, but ultimately came around to what was required of the individual to get into that industry, and how to prepare for it. And almost all of speakers ended each session with the following advice: You must be passionate about the business you choose, although you must also be flexible about what you want to do and can do in it. Take intern jobs, regardless of what they are, and take any job you can when you’re ready to go into the business, to get your foot in the door. Network Network Network. Keep your contacts alive, and whatever you do, don’t burn any bridges. They’ll come back to haunt you.

Lunch came none too soon for the hungry group, but they were totally energized and rehabilitated by the luncheon speaker, Roz Abrams, who, after spending 18 years at WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News, announced she had resigned from the network 2 days before, to move on to a new phase of professional life. Her inspiring story of how she started, the experiences she had at the company (the good and the bad), and what led her to make the decision to leave was emotional as well as illuminating. One of her overriding themes was that “starting over” can happen at any age, at any point in one’s career. This observation placed herself currently in the exact same position of the students she was addressing, and as she finished, the audience jumped to its feet in ovation. She then spent a good half hour taking questions, and did not mince words in some of her answers and advice. Other inspiring words that came from this very meaty session included: “If you’re lucky, you’ll make mistakes;” “Balance work and play;” “Never let jealousy, envy or competition ‘undercut another woman;’” And, regarding women balancing work and family, “Raising children is how this nation was born!”

Following the luncheon, the group was divided into 5 Skill Building Workshops, such as Resume Writing, Job Interviewing, and Finding Your Career Path. A great example was the Job Interviewing session run by Linda Smith of Manchester who put the group through the series of situations an individual would face in the process, such as the importance of body language (your posture, how you handle stress), salary negotiations (be honest about present salary, resist accepting offer on the spot), proper follow-up (written letter the best).

The final event in this full day was the High Tea Reception, at which time all participants had a chance to mix and network with each other, some of the speakers and NYWICI board members, fueled by an array of pastries and refreshments. There was a sense of relaxed euphoria in the crowd – they were tired but definitely exhilarated and enlightened by their experiences. One got the feeling that it was a most successful day for them, and for NYWICI! Summed up one participant: “At least I know now that my Dilemma - Where to Begin My Career - is Universal!”

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Following is a complete program description of 2003 NYWICI Foundation Conference, including committee members:

 

 

2003
Student Career Conference

Program Information

Saturday, November 15, 2003
The Roosevelt Hotel
Madison Avenue at 45th Street, New York City

 

Student Career Conference Committee

Vice Presidents – Student Affairs

Joan Cear, Senior Vice President, G.S. Schwartz & Co. Public Relations
Karen Schadow, President, The Voice of Success

Student Affairs Committee Members

Martha Arnold, Manager, Copy Edit/Outlet Development, Avon Products, Inc.
Trudi Baldwin, Director of Communications, Columbia University
Laurie Joseph, Faculty Member/Job Placement Counselor, Nassau Community College
Constance Kustas, Senior Accounting Clerk, Marist College
Beth Mauro, Principal, Mauro Barry Communications and Coordinator, Conference Speakers
Jodi Noffsinger, Reference Coordinator, Fox News Channel
Terri Park Hyde, President, MyWordsPrecisely.com
Melanie Rush, Internship Counselor/Adjunct Professor, Fashion Institute of Technology
Cecile Schoberle, Principal, CS Creative
Charlotte Tomic, Account Group Supervisor, Golin/Harris International
Marian Woodworth, Copywriter/Editor, Avon Products, Inc.

 

Keynote Speakers

Consuelo Mack
Anchor & Managing Editor "The Wall Street Journal Report"
CNBC Senior Correspondent

Having joined CNBC in 1998 as part of the network's strategic alliance with Dow Jones, Consuelo Mack is one of the most accomplished women in business journalism.

In addition to being CNBC's senior correspondent, she is also the anchor and managing editor of “The Wall Street Journal Report,” positions she has held since 1987. Additionally, Ms. Mack has been the anchor and editor of “The Asian Wall Street Journal Report,” a weekly business program syndicated throughout Asia. She also hosted the 1996 PBS documentary series “Emerging Powers” and the 1994 PBS special “Pacific Rift.”

In 1986, before joining "The Wall Street Journal Report," Ms. Mack was the anchor and executive editor of "Today's Business." She was a contributing reporter on NBC's “Today” and was founding news editor and co-anchor of the CableACE Award-winning “Business Times,” on ESPN from 1982 –1986.

Prior to her television career, Ms. Mack held a number of research and money management positions at prominent Wall Street investment firms, including Merrill Lynch and Mitchell Hutchins. Ms. Mack is also a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She is the recipient of an Outstanding Young Women in America Award and a Media Award for Excellence in Advancing Financial Understanding presented by the New York Chapter of the International Association for Financial Planning. Ms. Mack was recently honored by the Women's Economic Round Table with their first Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in Print and Electronic Financial Journalism. Mack graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a bachelor's degree in English literature, history and political science.

Roz Abrams
Anchor, Eyewitness News, ABC-TV

Roz Abrams has been a member of the Eyewitness News team since 1986, first as weekend anchor and general assignment reporter, then as anchor of Eyewitness News at 5pm. She also served as the host of the former programs “New York: Non-Stop” and “Making It.”

Her special reports have looked at a variety of subjects, from the information superhighway to the difficulties facing women trying to get ahead in the modern world. She has covered the end of the apartheid in South Africa and the tenth anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster in the Ukraine. Prior to joining Eyewitness News, Ms. Abrams worked at KRON-TV in San Francisco as an anchor, CNN as an anchor and WXIA in Atlanta as anchor/reporter.

She has received many awards and honors from both the industry and the community. Governor Pataki honored her as one of the recipients of the Women of Excellence Award for her inspirational contribution to the community. The New York Women’s Agenda honored Ms. Abrams with a Star as a role model for women. She has also received the Centennial Award for service and achievement in media by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Abrams received her B.S. in sociology from Western Michigan and an M.A. in speech from the University of Michigan.

 

Advertising

Georgia Crowley – Moderator
Georgia Crowley is an account supervisor at Cason Nightingale, a small communications firm in Manhattan, where she oversees the execution of media, creative and promotional deadlines as well as marketing strategies including media placement and promotional events. She is primary client liaison for key accounts.

Ms. Crowley joined Cason Nightingale in September of 2001 after coaching women’s rowing for three years at Yale and the University

of California. Before venturing into collegiate athletics, Ms. Crowley taught English at Phillips Exeter Academy for a year and worked as a project manager at a rapid prototyping company in Berkeley, California. Ms. Crowley was graduated from Yale University in 1995 with a B.A. in history.

Chien Hwang
Chien Hwang is an award-winning creative director currently sharing his talents with clients of Young and Rubicam including Diet Dr. Pepper, Miller Beer and New York 2012 Olympics. Before joining Y&R earlier this year, Mr. Hwang was associate creative director at BBDO advertising where he worked on accounts that included Pepsi, Diet Pepsi. Mountain Dew, General Electric, HBO and Visa.

Among the advertising awards he has received are the Clio, London International Ad Awards and The New York Festivals. Mr. Hwang earned a B.S. in business administration from the University of California, Riverside before studying advertising and film at the Art Center College of Design.

Kelly LaClair
Kelly LaClair is a senior account executive with Cline Davis & Mann specializing in pharmaceutical advertising. She manages day-to-day activities on accounts including Pfizer products Norvasc & Lipitor Dual Therapy and Zithromax Managed Care. Prior to joining Cline Davis & Mann she served as an account executive for Lowe McAdams Healthcare where she worked on with GlaxoSmithKline.

Ms. LaClair has worked as a project manager and marketing associate for Medscape.com and started her career as a marketing assistant at John Wiley & Sons, Inc. She holds a B.S. in business administration from Salisbury State University in Maryland.

Bobby J. Wooten
Bobby Wooten is marketing account executive and producer at WABC-TV, where she has worked in marketing roles since 1999. Her job takes her into cross-over media, as she produces the marketing-related commercials, web pages and print materials for local and national campaigns including “NBA on ABC,” “The American Music Awards,” “October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month” and the “Rudolph Giuliani Fire Safety Campaign,” to name a few.

In her spare time, she travels and sings with the Grammy-Award winning Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir, serves as a mentor to girls between the ages of 12 and 18, and is vice president of the youth department at a church. Wooten has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

On-Camera Careers

Karen Schadow - Moderator
Karen Schadow, president of The Voice of Success and vice president of student affairs of New York Women in Communications, specializes in voice training and public speaking. She has more than 25 years experience in theatre, television and film from which she had developed her highly recognized expertise in vocal coaching, presentation skills coaching, media training and public speaking skills training.

Her 20 years experience at ABC Television, in sports, news and entertainment production has been acknowledged with two Emmy Awards. Ms. Schadow holds a master’s degree in theatre and a bachelor’s degree in communications and humanities from Florida State University.

Emme
Emme is a supermodel, television host, best-selling author, fashion designer and lecturer. The full-figured model has twice been named one of People’s “50 Most Beautiful People.” Ladies Home Journal chose her as one of the “Most Important Women in America” and one of the “Most Fascinating Women of he Year.” Glamour named her “Woman of the Year” and Biography honored her as one of the “25 Most Influential Women.” Emme hosts “Fashion Emergency” on E! Entertainment Television and the Style Network. She has designed two fashion collections bearing her name, an Emme Doll, and written two books.

Emme is a vocal advocate for women’s health and fitness and is chair ambassador of the National Eating Disorders Association. She is also a national ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and honorary chair of its cycling series. Emme attended Syracuse University on a full athletic scholarship and is a member of the University’s Orange Plus Hall of Fame for her contributions to women’s athletics.

Melinda Murphy
Melinda Murphy is a correspondent for the Early Show on CBS. She specializes in features showing the slightly wackier side of life. Prior to joining The Early Show, Ms. Murphy was a feature and traffic reporter for WPIX-TV’s WB-11 Morning News. As the last airborne reporter on September 11, she reported on the collapse of both towers, for which she garnered an Emmy Award. Prior to joining WPIX, she was a morning reporter at News 12 New Jersey and had worked at WCBS-TV as a news writer and field producer. She has an extensive background in production and has worked in a variety of television genres including national televised live events and syndicated talk shows.

During her career, Murphy has won numerous awards for on-camera achievement and reporting. In 2002 she co-edited Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast Journalist Report September 11, a collection of accounts from journalists who covered the events of that day. Murphy holds a degree in journalism from Texas A&M University.

Rita Nissan
Rita Nissan, the award-winning Albany/political reporter for New York 1 News, knows state and city government – and the broadcast news business – inside and out. She covers state government during the legislative session and also reports on what’s happening at New York City Hall. Before joining New York 1 News in 2002, she was a reporter for News 12 Long Island and worked on-air at News 12 the Bronx. Her television experience includes positions as an assignment desk editor, an associate producer, a production assistant and a TelePrompTer operator.

During her college years, Ms. Nissan held internships on Capital Hill, at Fox News Channel, WABC-TV and at a community newspaper. Ms. Nissan has a B.A. in Journalism from Hofstra University.

 

Publishing

Debra Shriver – Moderator
Debra Shriver is vice president and chief communications officer for The Hearst Corporation, serving as primary spokesperson and chief communications strategist for the company. From 1996 to 1999 she served as senior vice president, marketing communications for Hearst Magazines. As overseer of all business communications and marketing efforts for the company’s magazines group, Ms. Shriver coordinated communications for the launches of Lifetime, CosmoGIRL! and O, the Oprah Magazine.

Prior to joining Hearst, Ms. Shriver served as senior vice president, communications for the Newspaper Association of American serving as publisher of Presstime, a monthly trade publication of newspaper news and trends. Earlier in her career, she was director for communications for the Washington, DC office of Ogilvy & Mather. She began her career as a newspaper reporter for Gannett, Co. Shriver received an M.A. in journalism and a B.A. in communications from the University of Alabama. Ms. Shriver is a past president of NYWICI and the NYWICI Foundation. She currently sits on the board of the NYWICI Foundation and the board of Cosmetic Executive Women.

Ellen Archer
Ellen Archer is the vice president and publisher of Hyperion, the adult book publishing unit of ABC Inc. Founded in 1991, Hyperion publishes general-interest fiction and non-fiction, hardcover, trade and mass market paperback books.

Prior to joining Hyperion in 1998, where she is responsible for the editorial, publicity, marketing, sales, production and art departments, Ms. Archer held marketing and publicity positions at Random House, Simon and Schuster and Doubleday. She is a member of the Women’s Media Group and the ABC, Inc. mentoring community.

Martha Nelson
Martha Nelson has been managing editor of People since April of 2002. Within her first year, People had landed interviews with the hottest celebrities and received accolades for content. The move marked a return to the publication she left in June of 1994 to become the founding editor of In Style. Prior to launching In Style, Ms. Nelson had been an assistant managing editor at People, responsible for the human interest segment of the magazine. Previously, she was a consulting editor at Who Weekly in Australia. Before coming to Time Inc., she was editor-in-chief of Savvy magazine and of Women’s Sports & Fitness; staff editor at Ms. Magazine and managing editor of Signs: Journal of Women in Culture & Society.

Ms. Nelson serves on the Board of Directors for The American Society of Magazine Editors, The Drama Department, and The AIDS Community Research Initiative of America and is on the Advisory Committee for New York University. Nelson holds a B.A. in art history from Barnard College.

Charity Robey
Charity Robey currently works as a consultant at John Wiley & Sons Inc. doing developmental editing, book acquisitions and marketing in the Higher Education division. During her 18 years with Wiley, Ms. Robey has worked as an editor for engineering texts, managed editors working in engineering, statistics and computer science.
She has developed many of the bestsellers on Wiley’s respected engineering lists. In 2000, Ms. Robey received Wiley’s Pacesetter Award for implementing and innovative sales training program while serving as executive marketing manager in chemistry, psychology and business.

Non-Profit Sector

Laurie Joseph – Moderator
Laurie Joseph is an instructor and job placement counselor at Nassau Community College in Garden City, NY. She currently counsels, advises and teaches students and alumni regarding job search issues and places them in appropriate positions. Some of her previous positions include career counselor at Pace University’s lower Manhattan campus and job placement counselor for The Center for the Media Arts.

Ms. Joseph has also taught communications arts classes for 10 years, both at Nassau Community College and Pace University. She holds a M.S. in mass communications from Boston University and a B.A. in speech/communications/theatre education from Monmouth University.

Trudi Baldwin
Trudi Baldwin is director of communications and student recruitment for the School of Continuing Education at Columbia University, where she directs the school’s advertising, promotion, publications and web communications. She also oversees its student information center. Ms. Baldwin developed, and is the academic director of, the new master’s degree program in strategic communications.

Ms. Baldwin was educated in England, receiving a higher national diploma in business studies from what is now Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education. She is a member of Public Relations Society of America, New York Women in Communications and New York Women in Film and Television.

Kathleen Hunt
Kathleen Hunt represents CARE International at the United Nations, working on humanitarian relief and development. She is a co-chair of both the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, an independent monitoring and advocacy group and the Nongovernmental Organization Committee on UNICEF. She also sits on the advisory committee of the Children’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch.

Prior to joining CARE International in 2000, Ms. Hunt had worked in more than 25 countries in various capacities. From 1994-1999 she was a consultant to UNICEF, Human Rights Watch and Open Society Institute. From 1987-94 she was a foreign correspondent in Africa, eastern Europe and the former USSR for National Public Radio, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the New York Times Sunday Magazine. Her Human Rights Watch investigation into the Russian orphanages provided the basis for an award-winning ABC “20/20” segment in January of 1999. She holds graduate degrees in public health and sociology.

Rhonie Lester
Rhonie Lester is communications associate for the Spence-Chapin Adoption Agency, one of the oldest nonprofit adoption resources in the country. In her role, Rhonie is an adoption advocate working to educate reporters, editors and producers and the public-at-large on best practices. She specializes in issues concerning birth parents and was involved in the creation of the "Birth Parents Bill of Rights," and its translation into Spanish and Chinese.

Rhonie earned her BS in public relations in 1997 from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. During her time there she developed an interest in Nonprofit PR, which led to her first job as a communications coordinator for New York City's largest crime victim assistance organization. There she was involved in public education-working with the media in developing stories pertaining to issues such as domestic violence and sexual assault. She also did media training for staff and former clients.

 

Corporate Communications

Julie Livingston – Moderator
Julie Livingston has just been appointed director, marketing communications at Toy Industry Association. She was previously director of corporate communications at Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. Before joining Scholastic, Ms. Livingston was president and owner of the Luxury Marketing Group, a public relations and consulting practice specializing in brand positioning for the luxury sector.

A national media spokesperson, Ms. Livingston has made regular appearances on QVC, CNN and Main Floor. Before founding her own business, she launched the Liz Claiborne fashion jewelry division in major department stores. In addition to serving as a member of the board of directors of New York Women in Communications, Ms. Livingston has taught marketing and public relations at Fashion Institute of Technology and Pace University.

Christine Fanelle
Christine Fanelle is the director of corporate communications for Merck. The focus of her work is to create and implement communications platforms/programs in support of Merck’s philanthropic activities in the developed and developing world. Prior to that, Ms. Fanelle was director, global product communications and served as a team leader for global communications for Vioxx® and Arcoxia™. Ms. Fanelle has held positions in public affairs where she developed communications and consumer education for numerous Merck products.

Prior to joining Merck, Ms. Fanelle served as editor for the American Society for Testing and Materials and a news and feature reporter for newspapers in Eastern Pennsylvania. Ms. Fanelle holds a masters degree in journalism from Temple University and B.A. in communications from University of Scranton.

Sandra Genelius
Sandy Genelius, a veteran of television, radio and sports, has been vice president of CBS News Communications since 1998. As such, she is responsible for media relations and crisis management, and serves as a spokesperson for her division. She joined CBS in 1988 as an associate director of publicity for CBS Sports and was promoted in 1991 to director of Olympic publicity for the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France and the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway. She went on to serve as associate director, communications, CBS News.

Prior to joining CBS, Ms. Genelius was director of media relations for Ohlmeyer Communications, assistant director of media relations for the Men’s Tennis Council and an account executive for International Management Group. Ms. Genelius also worked at WWWM/WBBG radio in Cleveland. She has a B.A. in communications from New York University.

Sue Geramian
Sue R.E. Geramian is vice president of corporate communications for Gruner + Jahr USA Publishing. She leads a department responsible for developing and communicating the image and reputation of the G+J USA brand. Prior to joining G+J USA she was vice president and director in the marketing practice Burson-Marsteller. Prior to her tenure at Burson-Marsteller, she was director of marketing and public relations for the strategic brand identity consultancy, Lister Butler. Previously, she managed public relations for Advertising Age, overseeing all publicity efforts, conference planning, publisher support and special events.

Ms. Geramian is an active member of Women Executives In Public Relations, NYWICI and the Business Marketing Association. She is a member of the Magazine Publishers of America and has served on the planning committee for the American Magazine Conference.

 

Covering the News

Diana Williams – Moderator
Diana Williams, the award-winning reporter and anchor for Eyewitness News, joined the WABC-TV news team in 1991, as a general assignment reporter. Since then, she has traveled the globe covering stories ranging from conflict in Ireland, presidential inaugurations and national political conventions to Papal visits in the U.S., Mexico and Israel. Ms. Williams also hosts a weekly political talk show called “Eyewitness News Close Up” which brings she and her viewers face-to-face with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Hillary Clinton and a host of other political figures.

Ms. Williams is the recipient of the Headliner Award and a New York Associated Press first place award. She has a B.A. in economics from Duke University where she serves as a member of the Duke Library Advisory Board and she is also a trustee for the National Academy for Television Arts and Sciences.

Lisa Daniels
Lisa Daniels joined CBS 2 as a general assignment reporter in January 2003, and she currently anchors CBS 2 News Saturday and Sunday Morning. Before joining WCBS, Ms. Daniels was the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. anchor and the “On Your Side” reporter at WGGB-TV in Springfield, MA. She was previously a weekend anchor/producer and weekday reporter for WNEY-TV in Elmira, NY.

Before becoming a broadcast journalist, Ms. Daniels was an attorney for Davis Polk & Wardell. She is a current member of the New York State Bar Association, was graduated from Harvard Law School and received undergraduate degrees in math and history from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY.

Marla Diamond
Marla Diamond, reporter and anchor, WCBS News Radio AM Station 880 is a familiar name to New York radio listeners who have heard her reports on the all-news radio station for seven years. As both a reporter and news anchor, Ms. Diamond covers everything from human interest stories such as “what it’s like to ride the Cyclone roller coaster in Coney Island,” to breaking news including a tragic shooting at New York City Hall this summer.

Prior to joining WCBS-AM, Ms. Diamond was morning news anchor on WMGQ-FM, she was previously at WCTC-AM, first as a field reporter and then later, as assistant news director. She traces her love of radio back to her first broadcast position on the college station at Rutgers University where she majored in journalism and English.

Sidney Zion
Sidney Zion is a columnist for the New York Daily News. An award-winning journalist and author Mr. Zion has also held positions at New York Magazine, New York Post, Scanlon’s Magazine and The New York Times during his career in addition to working as a freelance journalist during the seventies. He has also appeared on numerous television programs “60 Minutes,” “CNBC’s John McLaughlin Show,” Court TV, “The Late Show with David Letterman,” A& E “Biography” and “The Charlie Rose Show,” to name a few.

Mr. Zion is the author of four books including two compilations of his columns, a novel called Markers and The Autobiography of Roy Cohn: Loyalty and Betrayal, the Story of the American Mob. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and earned a law degree from Yale Law School. He has worked as a trial lawyer and assistant U.S. attorney for New Jersey.

 

Entertainment

Beth-Ellen Keyes – Moderator
Beth-Ellen Keyes is director of industry development at Mindshare Ventures. Her professional experience spans the areas of corporate communications, publishing, financial services, entertainment, telecommunications, Internet and new media. She has worked both on-and off -Broadway as a stage manager, and also as a marketing strategist specializing in conference development and corporate event management. She has also worked as a consultant of media outreach and corporate sponsorship solicitation.

At Mindshare Ventures, Ms. Keyes produces conference programs for ShowBiz Expo, an entertainment industry trade even held inn Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Ms. Keyes is also a board member of New York Women in Communications and New York Women’s Agenda.

Barbara Brennan
Barbara Brennan, vice president real estate, facilities planning and corporate initiatives for Lifetime Television, counts among her accomplishments the planning of the facilities expansion for this growing network at sites in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. She has 15 years of experience in operations, marketing and design and also partners with Lifetime’s human resources department, to develop employee programs that support their major corporate initiatives. Among these have been Stand Up Against Violence, Stop Breast Cancer for Life and The Lifetime Volunteer Corps.

Ms. Brennan is a vice president on the NYWICI Foundation Board and past president of the organization. She is a member of the advisory board for Dress for Success New York and Encore’s outreach program to the elderly. Ms. Brennan has a B.S. from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in urban planning and design from M.I.T.

Diane Clehane
Diane Clehane is a journalist and a New York Times best selling author who has richly detailed the lives of some of the world’s most intriguing people in magazines, newspapers books and on television. With over ten years experience reporting on celebrities and fashion for TV Guide, People, Variety, Biography and many other national publications, Ms. Clehane’s ability to elicit deeply personal revelations from her subjects has resulted in many headline-making interviews.

She wrote I Love You, Mom! chronicling the relationships between celebrities and their mothers (Hyperion) and the internationally acclaimed Diana: The Secrets of Her Style which examined the late Princess Diana’ role as a style icon.

Katherine Oliver
Katherine Oliver, commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting since August 2002, has worked in every aspect of the radio and television broadcast media business for more than 10 years. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Oliver served as general manager of Bloomberg Radio and Television International where she managed a staff of over 400 people working at broadcast operations in 25 cities worldwide

In addition to the prestigious managerial positions she has held at Bloomberg enterprises, she has also held several on-air positions as a radio and television reporter for CNBC, Financial News Network, WABC Radio, 1010 WINS and WBCG, a National Public Radio station member. Ms. Oliver earned a B.A. in journalism and economics at New York University and was a professor at the New York University School of Journalism from 1994-1996.

 

Public Relations

Joannie C. Danielides – Moderator
Joannie C. Danielides founded Danielides Communications Inc., a public relations firm, in 1986. A veteran public relations executive, she is recognized for her savvy handling of pressured situations in high-level meetings, special events and the political scene. Ms. Danielides is the current president of New York Women in Communications. She has always worked to promote dynamic women in a variety of industry from entertainment to the corporate worked including Donna Hanover, actress Susan Lucci, broadcast journalist Deborah Roberts and Columbia University healthcare expert Mary Mundinger.

Ms. Danielides’ clients include the Boys Choir of Harlem, Girls Choir of Harlem, Columbia University School of Nursing and AOL Time Warner, among others. Her forte in image-making has been a decisive tool as she has designed public image campaigns for launching and branding new business in a variety of industries from healthcare to finance. An honors student from Finch College, Ms. Danielides received a M.A. from Queens College.

Linda Buckley
Linda Buckley has more than 15 years experience in public relations, much of it in the fashion, jewelry and lifestyle sectors. As vice president of publicity for Tiffany & Co., Ms. Buckley is responsible for all consumer media relations, product placements and press activities across all of the company’s product categories. She also serves as a Tiffany spokesperson to the media.

Ms. Buckley previously held management positions at the Diamond Information Center, the communications agency for DeBeers, and at Fleischman-Hillard and other marketing and public relations firms. She has a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and serves on the boards of directors of New York Women in Communications and the Jewelry Information Center.

Amy Jackson Rind
Amy Jackson Rind, executive vice president at Euro RSCG Middleberg, has developed global communications plans for clients such as Reuters, Gartner Group, Towers Perrin, IBM and Dun & Bradstreet. She specializes in helping clients build competitive public relations strategies that develop credibility and increase category leadership.

Ms. Rind is the principal designer and author of the Middleberg/Ross Survey of Media with Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and has advised numerous Fortune 500 companies including American Express and Walt Disney World on the best practices of online communications and reputation management. She has a master’s degree in integrated marketing management from Emerson College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Holy Cross.

Deborah Scruby Marquardt
Deborah S. Marquardt is an award-winning marketing communications executive and specialist in the entertainment, media and technology industries. For the past five years, she has been global marketing and public relations director for PricewaterhouseCoopers Entertainment & Media practice. At PwC, Ms. Marquardt’s responsibilities range from overseeing public relations surrounding the firm’s role as official ballot counters for the Academy Awards® to editing the “Global Outlook,” PwC’s annual entertainment industry forecast.

While working for sister public relations agencies Rogers & Cowan and Shandwick International, Ms. Marquardt managed accounts for Fortune 500 companies including Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson and Digital Equipment Corporation. She began her career as a reporter and editor in Washington D.C. Ms. Marquardt holds a master’s degree in international relations from American University and is a published writer and editor.
Marketing

Ellen Sonet – Moderator
Ellen Sonet is the vice president, marketing for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. There she directs and manages the marketing and advertising of the Center, network affiliates, International Center and Guttman Diagnostic Center. Prior to joining Memorial Sloan Kettering, Ms. Sonet was a marketing director for Schering Plough Healthcare products where she directed management of Afrin, Drixoral, Chlor-Trimeton and Coricidin and others.

Other professional experiences include product director and category manager for other well- known pharmaceutical products. She began her advertising her career at J. Walter Thompson in New York. Ms. Sonet holds and M.B.A and D.D from Boston University and is a member of the New York Bar Association. She holds a B.S. in political science from Brown University.

Dana Beth Hagendorf
Dana Beth Hagendorf joined BMW of Manhattan in November 2001 as director of marketing and communications. She is responsible for all marketing and communications-related activities for BMW of Manhattan, including advertising strategy and placement, corporate partnerships, customer events and new product introductions. Prior to this assignment, Ms. Hagendorf received an M.B.A. in marketing and finance from the Kellogg School of Management and holds a B.S in communications from Cornell University. She has worked in consulting and global communications with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she contributed to the international launch of the firm’s brand and corporate identity. She also spent time as a marketing manager at Amazon.com.

Ms. Hagendorf is active in the Alumni Association of Cornell University where she held the position of alumni vice-president. She also contributes time to the Kellogg community in New York as well as to Generation Harvest, City Harvest's Junior Committee. She also serves on the New York Women in Communication’s board of directors.

Michele Nikolis
Michele Nikolis joined FORTUNE and FSB magazines in 1999. In her role as marketing development director, she develops, researches and implements custom sales and marketing programs for a large client base.

Before her tenure at FORTUNE, Ms. Nikolis held marketing, promotion and brand management positions at BusinessWeek and USA Weekend. Ms. Nikolis recently received an Achievement Award for outstanding contribution to FORTUNE and is a member of Time Inc.’s Mentor Program and the Financial Communications Society.

Vanessa Reggiardo
Vanessa Reggiardo is vice president of product marketing for Avon’s newest venture for young women, Mark. She is about to celebrate her 10th anniversary at Avon Products where she has also served as director of global skincare marketing, executive director of U.S. color/skincare, and vice president of U.S. beauty marketing.

Ms. Reggiardo began her beauty industry career 15 years ago at L’Oreal in the cosmetics retail division. A native New Yorker, Ms. Reggiardo earned both her B.S. in international business and finance and her M.B.A. in marketing and international business from New York University.

 

Skill Building Workshops

Resume Writing

Laurie Joseph
Laurie Joseph is an instructor and job placement counselor at Nassau Community College in Garden City, NY. She currently counsels, advises and teaches students and alumni regarding job search issues and places them in appropriate positions. Some of her previous positions include career counselor at Pace University’s lower Manhattan campus and job placement counselor for The Center for the Media Arts.

Ms. Joseph has also taught communications arts classes for 10 years, both at Nassau Community College and Pace University. She holds a M.S. in mass communications from Boston University and a B.A. in speech/communications/theatre education from Monmouth University.

 

Job Interviewing I

Linda Smith
Linda Smith is a global management consultant with more than 20 years experience in the financial services, information technology and consumer product sectors. Ms. Smith has worked with Fortune 100 corporations in the needs assessment, design, development and facilitation of global merger and acquisition, joint venture, global leadership and team building programs. She has extensive experience working with companies from around the world.

Prior to joining Manchester, Ms. Smith was the manager of global diversity for Colgate-Palmolive Company and an assistant vice president for the Private Bank at Bankers Trust Company. She was also a human resource executive with Crocker Bank and a manager in information technology for Fritz Companies, an international transportation firm in San Francisco. Ms. Smith earned her MA in speech communication from San Francisco State University. She spent several years working in Thailand for European, Thai and U.S. corporations and organizations.

 

Job Interviewing II

Connie Passarella
Connie Passarella is the director of career services office at the Fashion Institute of Technology. With the knowledge and experience gained from over 20 years as a successful career counselor, specializing in the fashion industry, plus a background in teaching and business, Ms. Passarella is designing and presenting workshops, seminars and lectures on all components of job search strategies. Each program focuses on personal enhancement, self –assessment and total image presentation.

Ms. Passarella holds a degree in psychology from St. John’s University and continued graduates studies for an advanced degree in counseling. She has also served as the director of a training skills program for the City University and placement director for the Katherine Gibbs School. In each of these areas she has conducted seminars on interviewing techniques and worked with individuals on their resume writing, presentation skills and total image.

 

Finding Your Career Path

Eileen Sharaga
Eileen Sharaga is president of Career Resources and a recognized authority on career development and employment trends. As a career counselor, coach and educator, Ms. Sharaga works with business people, college students and professionals in all aspects of career development and career management. She conducts workshops focusing on a wide variety of career issues for numerous organizations.

With a master’s degree in counseling and career development, Ms. Sharaga has had multiple careers spanning six industries. These include executive recruiter in the advertising and marketing industry, product manager for Revlon, executive director of a national trade association, national marketing director of a telecommunications company and manager of career development at a major metropolitan university. She is currently a career counselor/coach where she helps people identify their strengths and passions and then designs careers to match.

Thank you for attending the 2003 NYWICI Foundation Career Conference.
We hope to see you again next year!

The Student Affairs Conference Committee wishes to thank all panelists and moderators who participated in today’s event, along with the following companies who donated sample products.

Avon Future and Avon Products, Inc.
The Emme Collection
Job Postings
Pepsi Co., Inc.
Madison Square Garden
Merck & Co., Inc.
Yum! Brands, Inc.