The movers and shakers of the Bronx donned glittering robes and their best fits Wednesday to have a good time 50 iconic ladies being honored by Schneps Media because the Power Women of the Bronx.
In a high-energy, packed awards ceremony, extraordinary ladies from varied industries had been honored for his or her inspiring management, their contributions to Bronx enterprise, and their constructive affect on the group.
“Bringing collectively an inspirational group of ladies with numerous backgrounds and highly effective tales is what the Schneps final networking occasions are all about,” mentioned Elizabeth Schneps Aloni, SVP Occasions, Schneps Media.
Schneps Media, publishers of Bronx Instances, amnyMetro, Caribbean Life and Noticia, marked the thirtieth Anniversary of celebrating highly effective ladies throughout the 5 boroughs by commemorating beforehand acknowledged Energy Girls as ICONS.
Franchesca Diaz, Director of Regional and Group Affairs for the Bronx at Con Edison, was honored for her work retaining the borough linked and the lights on throughout a interval of financial enlargement.
“Schneps Media is honoring ladies who’re Energy Girls and leaders within the Bronx,” Diaz mentioned. “Collectively, all of those ladies, who’re ladies that I meet with recurrently, are change makers within the Bronx and push the group ahead. One thing that’s an honor for me to be part of!”
The night started with a VIP reception for all of the honorees. The Energy Girls linked with each other, celebrating their achievements and having a little bit of enjoyable selecting flowered and feathered hats for the event.
Then the ladies joined their colleagues, household and supporters for a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres and music. A silent public sale and raffle with Jet Blue Tickets, an East 27 Inventive picture shoot and a basket of cheer of prizes served to boost cash with all proceeds going to the native trigger Not On My Watch Inc., a nonprofit that seeks to empower younger ladies and fight human trafficking and home violence. The raffle tickets had been even bought by tiara toting Bronx women milling concerning the swanky crowd who take part in a Not On My Watch program.
Pamela Damon, CEO of Not On My Watch Inc., was honored as a Energy Girl of the Bronx in 2022 and was inducted into the Energy Girl of the Bronx Corridor of Fame in 2023. Wednesday, she was honored as an ICON.
“That is my function to work with ladies and women,” Damon mentioned. “So, to obtain an award for doing what you’re purported to do is past perception. I’m so grateful to Schneps and everyone else for giving us the chance to strut our stuff and have a beautiful time and to be celebrated for the work that we’re known as to do.”
Damon mentioned that the night was about celebrating the ladies’ success too, and famous {that a} portion of the cash raised for Not On My Watch Inc. would go towards exhibiting appreciation to the younger ladies who labored onerous on the occasion – the aspiring future Energy Girls of the Bronx.
As dinner and the awards ceremony started, County Clerk/Commissioner of Jurors of Bronx County the Honorable Ischia Bravo mentioned just a few phrases concerning the significance of ladies supporting different ladies.
“Collectively, we will construct a system that’s not solely accessible, however is trusted,” Bravo mentioned. “As I navigate this position as the primary – and I hope to not be the final – Latina to serve on this capability, I acknowledge the significance of paving the way in which for future leaders. I’m dedicated to mentoring and empowering ladies who’re impressed to develop inside authorities.”
Bravo, like many Bronx ladies, persevered within the face of adversity. After rising up in NYCHA public housing and getting a GED, she earned a number of levels and entered a subject dominated by males. She mentioned the phrase “No” isn’t in her vocabulary.
“I’ve been in authorities for 22 years and one of many issues that I do know was lackluster after I was rising up had been ladies of colour in positions of management,” Bravo mentioned. “So, I by no means had these aspirations up to now, however I wish to guarantee that little women like me have these aspirations now.”
One of many night’s sponsors, The Carmelite System, a community of Catholic therapeutic ministries that gives care and companies to seniors, celebrated a few of its personal Energy Girls of the Bronx.
President and Chief Government Officer of the Carmelite System Tish Gathers has a legacy of faith-based service for seniors.
“I believe this can be a great alternative for ladies to help each other,” Gathers mentioned. “In my position as a Carmelite System CEO, I’m right here representing 95 years of Energy Girls as a result of our congregation of sisters was based within the Bronx in 1929 and throughout the Nice Melancholy these sisters pulled collectively to guarantee that the aged had been correctly housed and cared for.”
Simone Faulkner-Smith, Vice President of Human Assets, Volunteers, Reception & Safety for Cabrini of Westchester, has been a pacesetter in worker relations and human sources since becoming a member of Cabrini of Westchester in 2011.
“I used to be born and raised within the Bronx – lived right here all of my early life,” mentioned Faulkner-Smith. “I went to Catholic Excessive College (Holy Cross). I work with the Cabrini affiliation; Mom Cabrini was a Catholic nun. I additionally work with the Carmelite system and the missionary system. I’m very captivated with these organizations and retaining the Catholic religion alive within the Bronx.”
Because the celebration continued, Mistress of Ceremonies, Emmy-winning reporter for Information 12 The Bronx, Noëlle Lilley, welcomed honorees one after the other to bop down the crimson carpet and obtain their Energy Girls of the Bronx award – a formidable and substantial gold trophy with their names engraved on a placard.
Jaqueline Santos, Vice President & Info Expertise Techniques Officer of Ponce Financial institution, mentioned that being a Energy Girl of the Bronx isn’t about only one a part of her life. She values dedication and excellence each at work and at dwelling.
“It’s an enormous accomplishment that symbolizes onerous work and dedication,” Santos mentioned. “Additionally, being a profitable single dad or mum in addition to having a superb profession.”
Dr. Diane Recinos, President of Berkeley School, is a revered chief in schooling with over 30 years of expertise. She serves as a task mannequin and an inspiration to college students, particularly younger ladies.
“It’s been completely superb to satisfy so many Girls of Energy, and to be included as one in every of them is actually an honor,” mentioned Recinos.
Chief Monetary Officer of the Bronx Financial Improvement Company (BXEDC), Angely Orbe helps and serves the small companies of the Bronx. She hopes that the visibility of being a Energy Girl of the Bronx will in the end encourage the group to make use of the sources that BXEDC can present Bronx small enterprise homeowners.
Yesenia Quiones, Group Supervisor for Group & Enterprise Improvement at Chase, has been serving her group via monetary well being workshops, facilitating non-profit partnerships and providing group programming to financially empower Bronxites.
“We’ve a variety of energy at JP Morgan Chase!” mentioned Quiones. “So, for me, I can say that that is such an honor contributing a lot to the group and being acknowledged. Energy is all the pieces! Like Surprise Girl!”
“This occasion helps me and my enterprise as a result of I’m able to converse to place us on the map,” mentioned Orbe. “We offer capital entry to Bronx companies, and I believe a variety of the folks listed below are linked to the group. So, it’s going to permit them to find out about group.”
April Cardena, Founding Accomplice at Premiere Methods Inc. and Chief of Workers to Bronx Metropolis Council Member Kristy Marmorato (R), was joined on the crimson carpet by the council member and her colleagues. She mentioned that ladies have to look out for one another, particularly in politics.
“There’s a saying, ‘behind each man there’s a lady,’” Cardena mentioned. “Behind each girl, no less than within the Bronx, there’s 5 others that she’s pulling alongside together with her.”
Energy Girls of the Bronx is sponsored by the Carmelite System, Con Edison, Ponce Financial institution, Bronx, Wholesome Begin Partnership-Montefiore, Berkeley School, Bronx Financial Improvement Corp., Nos Quedamos, GSM Auctions, Bronx Chamber of Commerce, BronxNet and Miss Jessie’s.
Energy Girls of the Bronx Honorees:
Julissa Alvarez, MSW, MSB, Founder & CEO, Brimela Routes Corp
Hon. Ischia Bravo, Commissioner of Jurors/Bronx County Clerk
Miguelina Camilo, Esq., Counsel, Speaker Carl E. Heastie’s Workplace
April Cardena, Founding Accomplice, Premier Methods Inc.
ICON, Vincenza Carovillano, Emmy-Nominated Make-up Artist, BE[YOU]TIFUL
Deborah Charlemagne, Market Director of Banking, Chase
ICON, Hon. Darcel Denise Clark, Bronx District Lawyer
ICON, Jessica Clemente, Chief Government Officer, Nos Quedamos
Ariana Collado, Government Director, Bronx Democratic County Committee
Nancy Conde, Senior Advisor & Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Workplace
Ambassador Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook dinner, U.S. Ambassador for Worldwide Spiritual Freedom
ICON, Yasmin Cruz, Government Director, Westchester Sq. BID
ICON, Pamela Damon, Chief Government Officer, Not On My Watch, Inc.
ICON, Carjah Dawkins-Hamilton, Government Program Director, NYC Well being + Hospitals/Jacobi
Franchesca Diaz, Director, Regional and Group Affairs, Con Edison
Darcel Dillard-Suite, M.S., Co-Founder & President, Full Circle Enterprises
ICON, Audrey Duncan, Director of Group Affairs, BronxNet Tv
Thekra El-Rowmeim, Director of Household & Youth, Yemeni American Service provider Affiliation (YAMA)
Hon. Amanda Farías, Majority Chief, Metropolis Council
Simone Faulkner-Smith, Vice President of Human Assets, Volunteers, Reception & Safety for Cabrini of Westchester, The Carmelite System
ICON, Hon. Nathalia Fernandez, NYS State Senator, District 34
ICON, Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., President, Hostos Group School
ICON, Debbian Fletcher-Blake, APRN, FNP, President & CEO, VIP Group Companies
Trish Gathers, President & Chief Government Officer, The Carmelite System
ICON, Hon. Vanessa Gibson, Bronx Borough President
ICON, Geydi Guerrero, Proprietor, Magnificence Spa
Alma Idehen, Co-Director, Bronx Wholesome Begin Partnership-Albert Einstein School of Medication
Pamela Johnson, Government Director, City Neighborhood Inc.
Karen Vanderburg Johnson, Proprietor & Hairstylist, Everlasting Great thing about NY
Laura Levine-Pinedo, Government Director, Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Improvement Corp.
Mistress of Ceremonies, Noëlle Lilley, Reporter, Information 12
ICON, Christina De Luca, Proprietor & Dealer, De Luca Realty
ICON, Sandy Manessis-Clacken, Principal, New Imaginative and prescient Constitution Superior Math & College II
ICON, Royal Mickens, Chief Government Officer, Royal Hustler Promotions Co.
Angely Orbe, Chief Monetary Officer, Bronx Financial Improvement Corp
Sasha Y. Ortiz, Government Director, Citadel Hill BID
ICON, Aileen Padilla, Proprietor & Licensed Actual Property Dealer, RE/MAX Boutique Realty
ICON, Hon. Janet Peguero, Bronx Deputy Borough President
Rommy Pennella, Vice President, NY Hispanic Cosmetology & Magnificence Chamber of Commer
Silvia Posada, SVP of Community Improvement, Essen Well being Care
Renee Pruzansky, Proprietor & Chief Government Officer, ChoiceCare Administration
Yesenia Quinones, Group Supervisor, Group & Enterprise Improvement, Chase
Dr. Diane Recinos, President, Berkeley School
Joyce Rivera, Founder & CEO, St. Ann’s Nook of Hurt Discount (SACHR)
Desiree Sanchez, Co-Proprietor, The Residing Room
Jacqueline Santos, Vice President & Info Expertise Techniques Officer, Ponce Financial institution
ICON, Lisa Sorin, President, Bronx Chamber of Commerce
Estela Starr, Founder, Therapeutic Via Unity
Elder Millicent Stone, Vice President, Fort Schuyler Presbyterian Church
ICON, Angela Torres, Founder & Government Director, Throggs Neck Group Alliance
Deborah Wong, Co-Proprietor, The Residing Room
