Nov. 5: Women’s Leadership Summit gathers all students to meet successful professionals for mentorship, networking and dinner – SUNY New Paltz

Report on the SUNY New Paltz Women’s Leadership Summit 2025

Introduction: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Women’s Empowerment

On November 5, 2025, SUNY New Paltz will host its annual Women’s Leadership Summit. This event is strategically designed to advance several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on Gender Equality (SDG 5), Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). The summit will provide a platform for current students and recent graduates to engage with established leaders, fostering skills and networks essential for achieving these global objectives.

Program Details and Alignment with SDGs

Keynote Address: Promoting Inclusive Leadership (SDG 5 & SDG 10)

The summit will feature a keynote address by Amber Greene ’03, Chief Equity Officer for Baltimore City. Her presentation, “Finding Your Voice, Leading with Purpose,” directly supports SDG 5 by promoting women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership. By drawing on her experience to discuss aligning personal values with professional actions, the address will also highlight the importance of equitable practices, contributing to the goal of Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10).

Mentorship and Skill Development Sessions (SDG 4 & SDG 8)

Following the keynote, the agenda includes breakout sessions designed to facilitate peer mentorship and career exploration. These sessions contribute directly to SDG 4 by providing participants with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship. By connecting students with accomplished alumnae, the summit fosters pathways to full and productive employment and decent work for all, a core target of SDG 8. The diverse panel of mentors ensures exposure to a wide range of industries, enhancing career readiness.

Featured Mentors and Industry Leaders:

• Heather DaSilva ’03 (Accounting) – NextGen Technology, Global Innovation at EY Global
• Nicole Bowen ’96 (Communications) – Vice President, Group Account Director at Active International
• Marjorie Shelley (Art History) – Conservator Emerita at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Tracy Soren ’08 (Journalism) – Director of Strategy at Good Rebellion
• Dr. Karriem Rahaman-Bunce ’94 ’06g (English Educational Administration) – Principal at Newburgh Enlarged City School District
• Alvina Ahmed ’19 (English Language & Literature) – Readiness Analyst at United States Department of the Navy
• Kelly Cassano DO ’86 (Communication Studies) – Executive Vice President and Chief of Ambulatory Care at Mount Sinai Health System

Networking and Partnerships (SDG 17)

The event will conclude with a networking dinner, providing a structured opportunity for attendees to build professional relationships. This component of the summit embodies the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), creating a collaborative environment where knowledge and opportunities can be shared between current students, recent graduates, and established professionals to support sustainable economic and social development.

Summit Objectives and Contribution to Global Goals

The primary objectives of the Women’s Leadership Summit are directly linked to achieving measurable progress on the Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Enhance Career Readiness and Skills (SDG 4 & SDG 8): To provide students with practical career guidance and insights into diverse professional paths, thereby increasing the number of young adults with relevant skills for decent employment.
2. Promote Gender Equality in Leadership (SDG 5): To connect aspiring young professionals with women leaders, providing the mentorship and support necessary to overcome barriers and achieve equal opportunities in leadership roles.
3. Foster Inclusive Economic Opportunities (SDG 8 & SDG 10): To equip attendees with the tools and networks to succeed in a challenging job market, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth and reducing inequalities in professional access and advancement.
4. Build a Collaborative Support Network (SDG 17): To create lasting connections between alumnae and students, fostering a partnership that supports long-term career development and contributes to the broader goals of gender equality and economic empowerment.

Event Logistics

Date and Time:

Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Location:

Student Union Ballroom, SUNY New Paltz

Audience:

The event is open and free of charge to all current SUNY New Paltz students and recent graduates.

Registration:

Further information and registration are available at newpaltz.edu/summit.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article about the SUNY New Paltz Women’s Leadership Summit connects to several Sustainable Development Goals by focusing on empowerment, education, equality, and career development for women.

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The event is hosted by a university for students and recent graduates, providing valuable learning, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities that supplement formal education.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The core theme of the event is a “Women’s Leadership Summit,” which directly aims to empower women, promote their leadership roles, and address gender-specific challenges in the professional world.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The summit focuses on providing “candid career guidance and tips for launching your career,” which contributes to preparing students and graduates for productive employment and decent work.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By specifically targeting the empowerment of women in leadership and professional fields, the event works to reduce gender-based inequalities. The keynote by a “chief equity officer” further emphasizes this goal.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The summit is a collaborative effort between university departments (Office of Development & Alumni Relations, Career Resource Center) and over 30 alumnae and women leaders, demonstrating a partnership to achieve educational and empowerment goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The content of the article points to several specific SDG targets:

• Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.” The summit is designed to equip students and recent graduates with practical skills through “peer mentorship,” “career guidance,” and “small-group Q&A conversations” with professionals.
• Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.” The event’s title, “Women’s Leadership Summit,” and its objective to connect students with “accomplished alumnae and women thought leaders” directly support the goal of fostering female leadership.
• Target 8.6: “By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.” The summit is open to “current students and recent graduates” and aims to help them succeed in a “challenging and changed job market,” directly addressing the transition from education to employment.
• Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The event empowers women for greater economic inclusion by providing them with networks and guidance to advance in their careers and take on leadership roles.
• Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The collaboration between SUNY New Paltz departments and the involvement of over 30 alumnae from various sectors (business, education, arts) exemplifies a partnership aimed at student development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not state explicit metrics, several indicators are implied and can be used to measure the event’s impact:

• Indicator for Target 4.4 & 8.6: The number of “current students and recent graduates” who attend the event. This serves as a direct measure of the number of young people receiving career development support.
• Indicator for Target 5.5: The number of “accomplished alumnae and women thought leaders” participating as speakers and mentors (stated as “over 30”). This indicates the scale of the network and role models available to inspire future women leaders.
• Indicator for Target 5.5: The diversity of professional fields represented by the panelists (“business, education, engineering and the arts”). This shows the breadth of leadership opportunities being promoted for women.
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The number of sponsoring and co-sponsoring organizations (“Office of Development & Alumni Relations” and “Career Resource Center”) and the number of external partners (the 30+ alumnae). This measures the strength of the partnership.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: sites.newpaltz.edu