Women's Leadership Summit

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Discover inspiration and empowerment at the inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit. Join us for an inclusive and transformative experience celebrating leadership and community.


*This program is open to all eligible individuals regardless of sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, and/or national origin. 
 

Friday, March 7, 2025 | 12- 4:15 p.m. | Stranczek Commons

Canisius University
Science Hall
2001 Main St.
Buffalo, NY 14208

Relationship Building Reception to follow: 4:30-6:00 PM

$50 per person includes a light lunch, access to all programming, and a networking reception with light hors d'oeuvres and beer/wine. 

Graduates of the Last Decade (Classes 2014-2024) can enjoy 50% off admission rate.

Purchase tickets here!


Schedule

12:00 – 1:00 PM – Check-In and Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 PM - Welcome & Keynote address by Keia Clarke ‘03
2:00 - 3:00 PM - Moderated Panel Discussion - Junctures on the Journey
3:15 - 4:15 PM - Breakout Sessions
4:30 - 6:00 PM - Relationship Building Reception (optional)
 

2025 Keynote Speaker:

Keia Clarke

Keia Clarke '03
CEO of the New York Liberty


Keia Clarke is Chief Executive Officer of the New York Liberty (WNBA), where she leads all business aspects of the Liberty organization including oversight of the P&L, business operations, and strategic planning.

Clarke is in her 14th season with New York, having previously served as the Liberty’s Chief Operating Officer, Vice President for Team Business Development, Director of Marketing, and Marketing Manager. Keia began her career at the NBA/WNBA League Office, prior to joining the New York franchise.

Among her many awards, Keia was named to Adweek’s Most Powerful Women in Sports list, Sports Business Journal's Game Changers Class of 2023, and most recently, CNBC’s Changemakers Inaugural Class of 2024.

Clarke attended Canisius University where she was a four-year member of the women’s basketball team, graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor’s in Marketing. She went on to earn a Master’s in Sports Business from New York University in 2006. In 2022, Keia graduated from Harvard Business School upon completion of the Advanced Management Program (AMP).

Additionally, Clarke serves on the boards of Sports Innovation Lab and The Ladies of Hope Ministries.

Keia resides in Fanwood, NJ with her husband Brian, daughter Avery, and son Gavin.

Panel Discussion:

Junctures on the Journey

During this panel discussion, we will unpack the unique challenges and triumphs women experience in their career journeys. From breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings to navigating societal expectations and balancing personal and professional demands, this discussion will offer insights into the complexities of being a woman in the workforce. Our panelists will share their personal stories and  practical strategies for how women can overcome obstacles while also celebrating the victories that come with resilience, leadership, and empowerment.


Moderator: 
Debbie DiMatteo MBA ‘88, Senior Vice President, M&T Bank
Presenters:
Jill Bond '82, Retired Senior Vice President, Rich Products Corp.
Caroline Croen '85, Chief Financial Officer, WNET Group
Zeneta Everhart '11, Masten District Council Women, City of Buffalo
Bridget Niland, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Canisius University

Breakout Sessions:

Taking Charge of Your Physical and Mental Health: 
Cultivating Wellness and Building Resilience

Presenters:
Eileen Niland MS '96, LMHC, Director, Canisius University Counseling Center
Dr. Margaret Paroski '76, Chief Medical Officer, Catholic Medical Partners
Dr. Sarah Spillman '02, Family medical Physician, Catholic Health

The Progress Principle: 
Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work

Presenter:
Dr. Teresa Amabile ‘72, Professor Emerita, Harvard Business School

Women and Philanthropy:
Maximizing Your Impact

Presenters: 
Cindy Odom '90, President & CEO, New City Kids
Diane Tiveron '86, Managing Partner, Tiveron Law

Leveraging Your Canisius Network to Ignite Your Potential
(especially for students and Graduates of the Last Decade)

Presenters:
Lenora Foote-Beavers ‘92, Acting Family Court Judge, Erie County
Elle Musialowski ‘08, Chief Financial Officer, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Marya Propis ‘91, Executive Vice President of Retail Distribution, RT Speciality 

 

A special thank you to our sponsors!


Bond, Schoeneck, and King

 

Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC
https://www.ajg.com/ 

 

RT Specialty
https://rtspecialty.com/ 

 

Lawley Service Inc.

 

The Perna-Greenwald Group at Morgan Stanley

 

Canal Bank, A Division of Chemung Canal Trust Company

 

Kenney Shelton Liptak Nowak LLP

 

Caroline Croen '85

 

Ms. Dianna Civello

 

Horizon Health Services

 

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please see the additional information below. For questions, please reach out to the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement at @email or call 716-888-2700.

Letter from the Women's Leadership Council

Available Sponsorship Levels and Benefits

Women's Leadership Summit Fact Sheet
 

Thank you to our 2025 Women's Leadership Summit Committee Members!

Marya Propis ‘90
Lenora Foote-Beavers ‘92
Teresa Amabile ‘72, HON ‘97, PhD
Elle Musialowski ‘08
Liz Benkovich ‘83
Debbie Di Matteo MBA ‘88
Terri Ann Howard MS ‘03 
Cathy Bolz ‘88, MBA ‘90
Julie Anna Golebiewski ‘04, PhD
Allyson Backstrom, PhD
Audrey Browka
AnneMarie Block ‘75, PhD
Mary Greenwald ‘84, MBA ‘96
Jackie Matheny MS ‘02
Ann Woloszynski ‘90, MBA ‘94
Julie Urban ‘94
Molly Bakewell Chamberlin ‘98
Susan Marchione ‘85, MS ‘99
Eileen Crotty Sendor ‘78
Eileen Abbatoy
Annette Kajtoch ‘88, MBA ‘90
Shana Richardson ‘06, MS ‘19
Marianne Caswell ‘00