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School of Business M&T Bank Center for Women and Business

The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business is dedicated to bringing together a community of women and their allies who are focused on achieving their professional goals and sharing their wisdom and experiences with each other through skill-building workshops, motivational events and networking opportunities.
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What We Do

The center brings together women at all stages of work and life, and with varied backgrounds to learn from and support each other. In recent months, the center has offered virtual events focused on topics such as hope, resilience and healing during adversity. These events focused on ways to increase skills, improve self-awareness and build resilience while preparing for the future. As the pandemic stretched into the fall semester, the center conducted events centered on mindfulness, networking and inclusion.

Mission

To provide opportunities for women to achieve their professional goals as well as to build a community focused on achieving those goals consistent with their personal values. This community of women and their allies is committed to lifelong learning, is eager to share, and includes the external community, students, alumni, faculty and staff. Our center is devoted to preparing our community for enlightened and engaged citizenship.

Vision

The center, as part of a thriving, 3-campus university, provides programs designed to educate and inspire women focused on achieving their personal and professional best through lifelong learning. The center also facilitates connections and thereby builds and develops an engaged community, where wisdom and experience are shared with each other to educate, inspire and foster growth.

Target Audience

Ambitious women and their allies, coming together to engage in learning to empower themselves and others.

Value Proposition

The center is part of a dynamic and growing university with a commitment to academic excellence and to building a strong sense of community enlightenment and engagement. It serves the needs of women professionals by providing opportunities for lifelong learning, professional development and community-building and citizenship.

Women of Influence Awards

Quinnipiac Lender School of Business.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, March 1-31, 2022, the M&T Bank Center for Women & Business honored four women across Quinnipiac for their impact and influence on students and our campus community. Out of the forty-two nominations, one full-time faculty, one part-time faculty, one staff member, and one student were chosen and honored on social media.

2022 Women of Influence Award Honorees:
Student: Gabriella Colello
Staff: Rita Rodrigues
PT Faculty: Virginia Kulig
FT Faculty: Kim DiGiovanni

Accepting Nominations for 2023 Awards

The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Women of Influence Award and the inaugural Ally of Influence Award.

The goal of these awards is to celebrate the achievements of women, inspire others to follow in their footsteps and create a more inclusive and equitable environment. This year we are inaugurating the Ally of Influence Award to recognize a student, staff member or faculty member, regardless of their gender identity, for advancing equity and advocating for women in the Quinnipiac community.

Submit your nomination by Monday, February 20

The inaugural Eileen Peters Farley ’68 Endowed Speaker Series for Women in Business featured Eileen's daughter, Jessica Geis, who presented the 2022 Impact Award to Hang Black in recognition of her passionate advocacy of women in the workplace.

Black, a Vietnamese immigrant, began her career as a process engineer at AMD where she earned multiple patents in semiconductor manufacturing. After adding product management, marketing and sales to her skill set, Hang started her own company where she developed cutting-edge frameworks across field marketing, operations, and sales enablement. Black then led worldwide sales enablement programs at Gigamon, a cybersecurity company, and unified the communications provider 8x8. She now serves as the VP of Revenue Enablement at Juniper Networks.

In addition to her expertise in engineering, marketing, sales leadership, and entrepreneurship, Hang Black is the best-selling author of "Embrace Your Edge" and a frequent speaker at global conferences on sales leadership.

Speaker at the Peoples United Center for Women and Business luncheon on the York Hill campus
Jessica Geis, CEO of Blue Chip Tek and daughter of Eileen Peters Farley, presented the 2022 Impact Award during the Eileen Peters Farley ’68 Endowed Speaker Series for Women in Business.
Attendees at the People's United Center for Women and Business listen to various speakers in the University Club
The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business’ inaugural Eileen Peters Farley Speakers Series Luncheon and Award ceremony is held in the University Club on Quinnipiac’s York Hill Campus.
Attendees at the People's United Center for Women and Business listen to various speakers in the University Club
This event provides a platform for an accomplished speaker to deliver a talk in memory of Eileen Peters Farley.
Attendees at the People's United Center for Women and Business listen to various speakers in the University Club
Hang Black, the recipient of the 2022 Impact Award, is the best-selling author of "Embrace Your Edge" and a frequent speaker at global conferences on sales leadership. 
Speaker at the Peoples United Center for Women and Business luncheon on the York Hill campus
Hang Black, who now serves as the VP of Revenue Enablement at Juniper Networks, was recognized for of her passionate advocacy of women in the workplace.

Women of Color Professional Development Series

Several students laugh during a Quinnipiac women and business event

Among the most significant and impactful series of events we've ever hosted, the M&T Bank Center for Women and Business Women of Color Professional Development Series aimed to create a safe and comfortable environment for women of color to engage in professional development in affinity together.

The first event, a virtual salary negotiations training workshop, was presented in partnership with the Department of Cultural & Global Engagement with support from the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Center and the Collaborative for Interdisciplinary/Integrative Studies.

The second event, a virtual authenticity in the workplace workshop, invited attendees to explore, reflect and discuss the three selves of the authenticity principle. The workshop was hosted alongside the Department of Cultural & Global Engagement.

The series concluded with its third and final event, a webinar on leadership with Dr. Anne Taylor. This event was presented in collaboration with the Association of Women in Surgery, the American Medical Women’s Association, the Inclusion and Diversity Council, the Student National Medical Association and the Latino Medical Student Association.

Read more about the M&T Bank Center for Women and Business Women of Color Professional Development Series and explore additional events we've hosted below.

Upcoming Events

Sip & Shop

March 21, 2023

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (ET)

Medicine, Nursing, Health Sci MNH 100 Lobby

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Sip & Shop

March 21, 2023

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (ET)

Medicine, Nursing, Health Sci MNH 105 Multipurpose Room

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Past Events and Our Community in Action

The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business, along with partners from the community, regularly host events that guide women to further their careers, improve personally and professionally and hear from leaders in the industry about their journeys and experiences. Below is a sampling of our most recent events.

  • Salary Negotiation Workshops: These free virtual training sessions are designed for students and professionals of all ages and career stages.
    Watch WORK Smart: Best Practices Virtual Training for Professionals

  • Sip and Shop: These events highlight small businesses owned and operated by Women of Color in the QU and Greater New Haven community. All are welcome to shop, network and socialize.

  • Student Leaders Network with Advisory Council Members: During these networking events, undergraduate students capitalize on the opportunity to speak with professionals, faculty and staff and ask career-centric questions.

  • Coffee Chats: During these casual meetings, attendees discuss ideas, network with other professionals and share resources that benefit themselves and their organizations.

  • Financial Know-How: A Workshop for Your Personal and Business Success with Tracey San Angelo of North Business Banking and Amanda Moore and Michael Hawes of M&T Bank.
    Watch Financial Literacy for Students
    Watch Financial Know-How for Small Business Owners

  • Social Media Marketing Workshop for Women Entrepreneurs: This workshop introduced attendees to the strategies behind reaching social goals and objectives on social media and provided helpful resources.
    Watch the Social Media Marketing Workshop

  • Brunch & Write: Use this time for writing, work or even self-care — whatever you want to give focused attention to.

  • Talking to Your Doctor: Become a Successful Patient: Learn simple, smart healthcare communication to talk with your doctors to maximize the time of your medical visits.

  • Mindfulness Session on the Quad: Enjoy an opportunity to destress, emphasize personal well-being and find peace and stability within yourself.

  • Authenticity in the Workplace Workshop: Explore, reflect and discuss the three selves of the authenticity principle during this interactive workshop for students and professionals who self-identify as women of color.

  • New Minds Open Forum: Share your experiences as women/womxn on campus and reflect on the ways in which being a woman, in all of their/our expressions, occurs at Quinnipiac and what those experiences are like.

  • Leadership with Dr. Anne Taylor: Dr. Taylor shared insights into the transition from entering a field of study to becoming an accomplished professional as she continues to forge a path for women of color who aspire to create their own legacy.
    Watch the webinar

  • Women in Technology Panel: The panel highlighted women in technology and focused on their career paths, struggles and successes.

  • Fireside Chat: Lauren Garrett, the newly-elected mayor of Hamden, Judy Olian, President of Quinnipiac University, and Holly Raider, dean of the School of Business, discussed evolving leadership challenges and opportunities.
    Read the recap

  • Research Progress Presentation on Occupational Therapy Role in Chronic Disease Health Management and Maintenance with Tracy Van Oss, a clinical professor of Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac.

  • Supporting Women in Times of Crisis and Calm: Simone Morris '90 and Djuana Beamon discussed the year in review and shared practical insights for better supporting women in the workplace in 2021 and beyond.
    Watch the Supporting Women presentation

  • Strategies to Maximize Your Impact at Work with Meredith Reuben, CEO of EBP Supply Solutions.
    Watch Strategies to Maximize Your Impact

  • Growing Younger...with Age: Ania Jakubowski shared experiences from over 25 years of working across developed and emerging markets in Europe, North America and Africa.
    Watch Growing Younger...With Age

  • Women Entrepreneurship Week Panel Discussion with female student entrepreneurs.
    Watch the Panel Discussion with Female Student Entrepreneurs

  • Women in Sports: Life Post College Athletics: Four former Quinnipiac student-athletes described their journeys after college, how sports have impacted their professional careers, and how the transition has influenced where they are now.
    Watch the Women in Sports Panel

  • After Hours Community Building: The Center is dedicated to creating and growing a community of women and their allies. These events are a relationship-building experience held in a relaxed setting to discuss and share ideas that benefit you and your organization through added contacts and resources.

  • Meet and Greet: The Center hosts networking events for our School of Business student leaders to meet our Advisory Council, Steering Committee, and Faculty Fellows.

Dozens of women stretch on yoga mats on the quad lawn
The “Mindfulness Session” on the Mount Carmel Campus quad provided students, faculty and staff the opportunity to destress and focus on personal wellbeing (November 9, 2021).
A dozen people sit and talk in the On the Rocks Pub & Grille
Advisory Council members of the M&T Bank Center for Women & Business and the M&T Bank Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and other fellows had the opportunity to discuss innovation, entrepreneurship, business and career-focused topics with local business professionals at this networking event at On The Rocks pub on the York Hill Campus (October 21, 2021).
A student talks to someone across the table during a speed mentoring event
The M&T Bank Center for Women & Business and M&T Bank hosted a networking luncheon for students like Olamide Gbotosho ’21 to have the opportunity to discuss a variety of career-focused topics and gain valuable advice from local business professionals on a variety of topics (March 4, 2020).
Three student campus leaders sit at a table in front of participants
The School of Business and M&T Bank Center for Women & Business hosted a panel discussion about leadership on a 21st-century campus, featuring student leaders from Greek life, student government association, athletics and various other on-campus organizations (February 19, 2020).
Two participants at the Quinnipiac Women and Entrepreneurship event talk
To celebrate Women Entrepreneurship Week (WEW), the M&T Bank Center for Women & Business and the Women Presidents' Educational Organization hosted a panel of three successful Connecticut women business owners from different industries (October 22, 2019).
Kathy McAfee speaks at the front of a room
Kathy McAfee, America’s Marketing Motivator, speaks to attending students and faculty during the M&T Bank Center for Women & Business event, “Defining You” (April 8, 2019).
Four panelists sit at a long table
From left: Eliza Kaplan ’18, MBA ’19, Kathleen Simione, Kiku Jones and Julia Fullick-Jagiela introduce the event “Defining You” with author and speaker Kathy McAfee (April 8, 2019).
Judy Olian and Sara Longobardi speak at a table during a women in leadership event
Judy Olian, Quinnipiac's president, and Sara Longobardi, senior executive vice president of retail banking, shared inspiring stories and tips from their distinguished careers to inspire more than 300 professionals and students at the inaugural event sponsored by the M&T Bank Center for Women & Business (November 6, 2018).
Emilie Aries speaks to a room full of people at Quinnipiac
Emilie Aries, Bossed Up's Founder & CEO, presented an interactive workshop "Beat Burnout: Women & Sustainable Success." Bossed Up is a personal and professional training organization that helps women craft sustainable careers (November 16, 2017).
Cheryl Jones sits in a chair with her eyes closed leading a mindfulness exercise
Cheryl L. Jones, chief mindfulness officer at The Mindful Path, LLC, lead an interactive workshop on mindfulness in the workplace. The Mindful Path is focused on lowering stress, managing distractions, cultivating emotional intelligence and improving relationships in the workplace (April 20, 2017).
Kathy McAfee shakes hands with a participant
Motivational speaker Kathy McAfee gives introduction tips to a graduate student during a speed networking session at the Connecting Women Breakfast Forum. The free professional development sessions shared strategies for making connections to grow both at work and at home (April 15, 2016).
Cindy Ruso speaks into a microphone during a leadership panel
Cindy Russo speaks during the leadership breakfast panel hosted by the Center for Women & Business (October 2, 2015).

News, Stories and Events

Leadership Team

Advisory Council and Steering Committee Members

  • Djuana Beamon, Chief Diversity & Social Responsibility Officer at Empower

  • Keisha Blake Harp, Vice President, Finance at Morgan Stanley

  • Lauren Castagnola, Director of Communications at the University of New Haven

  • Nancy Dudchik, President, Hamden Chamber of Commerce

  • Denise Fiore, Former Chief Operating Officer of Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, Senior Vice President of L+M Healthcare and Senior Vice President for Yale New Haven Health (Retired)

  • Isaiah Lee, Associate, King & Spalding

  • Karmela Malone, Senior Vice President, Claim Solutions, The Hartford

  • Henry Rondon, Assistant Executive Director of Unified Sports and Student Activities for the Connecticut Association of Schools - Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference

  • Amy Rosen, Former Regional Development Officer, Development & Alumni Affairs (Retired)

  • Sal Strazza, Vice President, HR Business Partner, Goldman Sachs

  • Danisha Collins, Administrative Assistant, Global Public Health and Service Learning

  • Maura Cox, Assistant Director of Advancement Services for Gift Administration, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

  • Mohammad Elahee, Professor of International Business

  • Stefano Fasulo, Associate Director of Graduate Student Affairs

  • Alyssa Hyatt, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business and Administration

  • Patricia Kelly, Senior Instructor of Management

  • Maja Laska, Grants Accountant, MBA ‘17

  • Erin Sabato, Director of Global Learning, Department of Cultural and Global Engagement

  • Jen Sacco, Professor of Political Science and Women’s & Gender Studies

  • Becky Spalthoff, Senior Director, Integrated Marketing Communications

  • Tamilla Triantoro, Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems

2021–2022 Year in Review

Our School of Business M&T Bank Centers completed another productive year with initiatives that had a measurable impact on the various people and communities they serve, despite the uncertainty and heaviness of the pandemic. Consistent with their missions, each provided exciting, engaging and provocative activities and opportunities for students, faculty, alumni and friends of Quinnipiac University.

View the Center for Women in Business Report (PDF)

View the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Report (PDF) 

Learn More

Centers and Institutes at Quinnipiac

We believe education doesn’t begin and end inside the classroom. We live in an increasingly diverse and complex world that demands the knowledge, collaboration and empathy required to deliver meaningful impact. 

Whether it’s turning ideas into viable business applications or digging through human history by analyzing ancient artifacts, each of our centers and institutes pairs our students and faculty to transform academic theory into real-world solutions.

Learn more about our Centers and Institutes

Academics

Our broad liberal arts core complements deep expertise across more than 100 degree programs to provide an education that equips you for an extraordinary career. Whether you are in high school and ready to pursue your undergraduate degree, currently in the workforce and looking to advance your career through one of our graduate programs or have ambitions of becoming a lawyer or doctor, we have the schools, programs and faculty that will help unlock your potential.

Learn more about our schools and college Explore our programs
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Contact the School of Business

We’re always here to help provide additional information and answer any questions you may have.

203-582-8600
sbdeans@qu.edu

275 Mount Carmel Ave.
Hamden, CT 06518

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