On Thursday, Sept. 19, the Power Women of Brooklyn event at El Caribe marked a significant milestone in recognizing 30 years of celebrating the borough’s most influential women. The event, hosted by Schneps Media, publishers of local titles including Brooklyn Paper, Bay Ridge Courier and amNewYork Metro, brought together leaders from across industries for an evening of networking, celebration and community-building.
The night kicked off with a VIP Power Hour, where honorees mingled and connected before a high-energy cocktail hour filled with networking opportunities. The evening culminated in a lively awards ceremony recognizing the incredible contributions of women who have made strides in business, healthcare, technology and beyond.
Zhané Caldwell of PIX 11 News served as the Master of Ceremonies for the night, guiding the event through its various moments of inspiration and recognition. Honorees, sponsors and guests alike contributed to a vibrant atmosphere, where the theme of women supporting women was front and center.
“This event gives us an opportunity to shine a light on a diverse group of women all over the borough doing so much for their local neighborhood in many different fields,” said Josh Schneps, CEO of Schneps Media, adding that he hopes that awardees benefited from the networking portion of the evening.
Debbie Roman, managing director at Per Scholas, shared her excitement at being recognized alongside her peers.
“It’s an indescribable feeling. This event gives us an opportunity to celebrate and highlights the sense of community where women support women,” Roman said.
A Puerto Rican-born professional who has lived in New York since 2006, Roman emphasized how the event created opportunities for women, particularly in technology, to connect and uplift one another.
“[Power Women] brings bridges to other women and organizations that have the same mission,” she said.
Awardee Christine Colvert of Shuman & Hill also expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am very honored and happy to be one of the honorees among these amazing women who have accomplished very much in their career,” she said. “I get the opportunity to meet other women who have been working hard and still excelling in their careers to do good. I also get to network with other individuals.”
For Reverend Kim Council, deputy borough president of Brooklyn, the evening symbolized something larger.
“Today is wonderful! I feel like 2024 is definitely the year of women,” Council said, calling her award an “honor.”
“It motivates me to do more for the community and for the borough of Brooklyn. It’s an opportunity to meet people who are doing fantastic things,” she added. “[Events like these are] important because women are often underappreciated. When you think about all the things we’ve had to fight for, it was only a little over 100 years ago that women were allowed to vote. It’s important to remind women how valuable they are.”
Awardee Kassandra Perez-Desir, Head of Government Affairs, NY/NJ & PR, DoorDash, brought a personal touch to the evening.
“We don’t often get the opportunity to come together, recognize each other, and see all the faces behind the incredible work being done across industries. So, I’m really excited to be a part of that,” she said. “One of the things I’m proud of in my career is serving as a board member of New Majority NYC, an organization that helps get women elected to office in the city — especially women of color, but women across the board. I’m particularly proud of this as a mother of two young daughters who will be here tonight to hear these inspiring stories.
Randy Peers, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the transformative power of women in Brooklyn.
“Brooklyn is one of the most dynamic places on Earth, and it’s our amazing women leaders who have helped transform it into the powerful place it is today,” he said. “We have women from healthcare, non-profits, small businesses, journalism and news media, elected officials — across all sectors. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the diversity and talent of women not only in Brooklyn but around the world.”
The evening’s raffle proceeds were donated to The Sato Project, an organization dedicated to rescuing abused and abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico, further emphasizing the event’s mission of giving back and fostering community connections.
This year’s sponsors included One Brooklyn Health, Episcopal Health Services, Community Health Center of Richmond, Inc., NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, Event Strategies for Success, Ponce Bank, BSE Global, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Faith Deliverance Pentecostal COG, CABS Health Network, The Sato Project, Best Realty Professionals and Miss Jessie’s.
This year’s awardees were:
- Amber Adler, Award-Winning Activist & Best-Selling Author
- Ty’East Alleyne-Bobb, Chief Executive Officer, Typostrophe 360 LLC
- Chrissy Beckles, Founder & President, The Sato Project
- Katia Belony, Licensed Real Estate Broker, Best Realty Professionals
- Monique Brizz-Walker, Principal & Fundraiser, Event Strategies for Success
- Leonora Bulychova, President, Club A-Elita
- Kelly Carroll, Executive Director, Atlantic Avenue BID
- Christine Colvert, Partner, Shulman & Hill
- Angela Cooper, Assistant Director of Communications, Public Affairs & Volunteering Services, NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney
- Rev. Kimberly Council, Brooklyn Deputy Borough President
- Dr. Anika Daniels-Osaze, Ed.D., MPH, Associate Dean for Education, School of Public Health, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
- Hon. Maritza Davila, Assemblymember, 53rd District
- Sherly Demosthenes-Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer, CABS Health Network
- Dr. Seanna-Kaye Denham Wilks, Chief Experience Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
- Kamila Dottin, Director of Projects, Independent Drivers Guild
- Cynthia Felix-Jeffers, President, Brooklyn Sunset Park Lions Club
- Michelle Figueroa, Chief Financial Officer, One Brooklyn Health
- Rose Graham, Director of Community Affairs, Educator & Community Advocate, Community School District 17/Community Board 17
- Renee Hastick Motes, MPA, Senior Vice President & Chief External Affairs Officer, Episcopal Health Services
- Williar Hodges, Senior Director, Finance and Benefits Administration, Community Health Center of Richmond
- Laurie Jacoby, Chief Entertainment Officer, BSE Global
- Anastasia Koshik, Director of Marketing & Communications, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
- Myrdith Leon-McCormack, Founder, World Bride Magazine & MLM Represents
- Francisca Leopold, Chair, Kings County Hospital Community Advisory Board
- Chaplain Dr. Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin, Chief Advisor, Office of the Mayor
- Elizabeth Lovejoy, Executive Director, Bay Ridge 5th Avenue BID
- Taina Martinez-Laing, MSW, NYCPS, Chief Executive Officer, Baltic Street Wellness Solutions
- Kamla Millwood, Founder/CEO & President, Palatial Publishing LLC
- Shannon O’Rourke, Director of Radiology, Optum
- Leslieann Peers-Roman, Rising Star Award
- Kassandra Perez-Desir, Head of Government Relations NY/NJ & Puerto Rico, DoorDash
- Jeanine Ramirez, Founder, Jeanine Ramirez Media Consulting
- Patricia Riggio-Strong, First Vice President, Director of CRA and Fair Lending, Dime Community Bank
- Dr. Gracie-Ann Roberts, Chief Quality Officer, Community Health Center of Richmond
- Debbie Roman, Managing Director, New York, Per Scholas
- Gloria Sandiford, Broker, Co-Owner & Vice President, Flateau Realty Corp
- Dr. Sandra Scott, Chief Executive Officer, One Brooklyn Health
- Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie, Chief Operating Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull
- Emerald Snipes-Garner, Founder & Executive Director, We Can’t Breathe Inc
- Rev. Dr. Neithe Soleyn, Founder & Senior Pastor, Faith Deliverance Pentecostal Church of God
- Hon. Phara Souffrant Forrest, Assemblywoman, 57th District
- Sara Steinweiss, Founder, Conflict Resolution Systems, LLC
- Natalia Travilina, Founder, TraNa Relief Association
- Dr. Monique T. Welbeck, Chief Nursing Officer, Community Health Center of Richmond
- Dimple Willabus, President & CEO, Rhythm Nation Entertainment
- Barbara Williams, Citywide Director of Outreach, NYC Civic Engagement Commission
- Hon. Jaime R. Williams, Assemblymember, 59th District
- Lakeasha Williams, Founder & Entrepreneur, Brickhouse Unlimited Inc.
To learn more about the 2024 Power Women of Brooklyn, visit PowerWomemBklyn.com.
Nominations are now open for Brooklyn Power List to be held on Thursday, Nov. 14. Please reach out to Demetra at Demetra@SchnepsMedia.com for nominations, tickets and sponsorships.
Additional reporting by Ramy Mahmoud