Before a standing-room-only crowd of 150-plus students, a panel of distinguished women kicked off the university's inaugural Women’s Empowerment Summit on March 26 and discussed their professional paths as well as how they overcame obstacles on their way to success.

The Women of Impact panel got the ball rolling for a series of events in the Marano Campus Center, which also included three breakout sessions and a catered networking reception. Conceived and organized by Career Services, the summit celebrated Women’s History Month and provided useful advice and strategies on forging a professional path for women entering the workforce or advancing in their careers. Many presenters were SUNY Oswego alumnae providing their perspectives for current students.

Panel moderator Robin Curtis ’78, who gained fame as an actor in" Star Trek," asked the five Women of Impact panelists how they stayed inspired in their current positions.

“If you’re not going to advocate for yourself, who will?” asked panelist Adriana Loh '21, a multimedia journalist at Spectrum News. “I am trying to break the chain for my family. I was a first-generation college graduate. I stay focused on what I can do to inspire myself.”

Panelist Chelsea Giovo ’13, an inspector with the Oswego City Police Department, said she feels fortunate to have had female officers lay the path before her, including a former female city police chief.

“I want to inspire others,” said Giovo, who explained how she helped write the department’s policy for maternity leave that included equipment and uniform regulations during and after pregnancy. “I want to set the example for the next person in line.”

Micron process integration manager Arika Fritz said she empowers herself through continuous learning.

“Knowledge is everywhere,” she said, pointing out that professionals can learn from supervisors, peers and other team members as well as those whom they supervise. “It doesn’t have to come from a senior person. Learn as much as you can from whomever you can.”

Deputy Director of the Everson Museum of Art Jennifer Neuner encouraged attendees to seek out professional conferences and trainings within their organizations or their particular field of interest.


Kristine Whiting, a group rental manager at Enterprise Mobility, said she remains true to herself and to her goals.

“I put my own seat at the table,” Whiting said. “I didn’t wait for the invite. I try to be my authentic self.”


Following the panel, students could select to attend two of the three, 25-minute sessions, which featured the following:

Women in Entertainment Panel, moderated by SUNY Oswego’s Women In Entertainment Club's co-founder and president Madison Gordon ’25:

  • Robin Curtis '78 (professional actor; "Star Trek")
  • Juliet Giglio (creative writing instructor, screenwriter and novelist)
  • Kayla Skipper '14 (writer, PBS and Moonbug Entertainment)

Know Your Worth: Salary Negotiation Workshop:

  • Jackie Campbell Wallace '02 M'04 (associate director for career education; Career Services)

Becoming a PowHERhouse Networking Workshop:

  • Kristine Whiting (group rental manager at Enterprise Mobility)

The evening concluded with a catered networking hour that welcomed the 13 panelists, 25 campus partners and 160 student attendees. Career Services career coach Megan McGarvey Mazzoccone ’07 developed the idea for the event and organized the evening's activities.

“I am very happy with how our first summit went,” said Mazzoccone. “Our attendance exceeded my expectations. We have been getting fantastic feedback from our students and panelists, who are already looking forward to the next one. I am already brainstorming on ways to make this event bigger and better for next year.”

As students lined up to enter the Compass in the Marano Campus Center, they could review the dozens of posters featuring “Power Women,” who represented historic females throughout history as well as current SUNY Oswego women leaders who each shared inspirational quotes.

The first 75 students received a custom swag bag, which included Brene Brown’s "Dare to Lead" book.

“I loved the Women's Summit,” said journalism major Lauren Royce ’24. “The variety of women at the panel provided a really great conversation on how women can thrive in the professional world through sisterhood and the power of community.”

Royce said the timing of the event aligned nicely for her, as she looks to begin her professional future after graduating in May.

“I attended the panel discussions on women in entertainment and salary negotiation, and I found those conversations very engaging and informative,” she said. “As women preparing to enter the workforce, it's important for us to learn from those with more experience. It was so awesome to see so many women –- so many of my friends and peers at the event – eager to hear what the panelists had to say.”

Josiee Taylor ’24 enjoyed the catered reception and the ambiance of the networking portion, complete with mocktails and a swag bag.

“It was nice to meet and connect with people who have been in our shoes and understand the ins and outs of it all,” Taylor said. “While I learned many things during this event, the most important thing I took away was the value of networking and the importance of utilizing the resources available to you. One conversation can change your life!”

The event was held in celebration of Women’s History Month, with funding provided by the Feinberg Family Fund. Originally created in 2003 by Robert Feinberg ’78 and his wife, Robbi, the fund has grown to support SUNY Oswego students seeking professional and academic experiences to further their co-curricular career goals including internships, co-ops and various professional development opportunities, such as the Women’s Empowerment Summit.

-- Submitted by University Advancement