Boston Women in Media and Entertainment launch new mission

BOSTON │ In the summer of 2012, legendary Boston broadcaster Candy O’Terry and media strategist Dayla Arabella Santurri formed Boston Women in Media and Entertainment. The mission of the organization, to educate, connect and inspire women working in these fields, has been delivered through more than a dozen events and programs each year since then. The critically acclaimed Story Behind Her Success series — a live interview series hosted by O’Terry — BWME’s Road Trip series, professional development scholarship fund BWME Cares, and partnerships with Innovation Women’s Speakers Bureau and the Boston College Club helped grow the organization’s membership to over 250 members within the first two years. Now as BWME prepares for its sixth anniversary this summer, the organization has refocused its mission, hired a new managing director, Valerie McSorley, and launched two new programs: an Elite Mentor Network and the series Wisdom Workshops.

“With five years behind us and with the feedback of hundreds of members who have come through our door, we’ve learned a great deal of what women in our field need to stack the deck in their favor,” said Santurri. “Access to the top professionals and decision-makers in our industry is vital to get where you want to go. Our new Elite Mentor Network and Wisdom Workshops will do just that” added O’Terry.

Effective programs, valuable connections

BWME’s new Elite Mentor Network is made up of members at the top of their professions who will provide priceless career guidance by hosting one Wisdom Workshop per year in their specialties. At these Wisdom Workshops each woman will share her career story, offer practical advice and present the latest news on cutting-edge strategies to get and stay ahead of the pack. The workshops will be held at various locations, including the Arts & Business Council of Boston, Emerson College and frequently at the offices/venues of our elite mentors.

Strong leadership

Santurri and O’Terry agreed that for BWME to become a more powerful tool for its members, the organization needed a strong leader who would lay the foundation for and manage strategic partnerships that benefit its members.

“Valerie McSorley has been on our board for the last two years, and her guidance has been vital to us. This is what she has been doing successfully for clients for nearly 20 years, building strong brands and strong partnerships. Aligning an organization to best serve the needs of its constituents. We are delighted that she has agreed to lead BWME into our new chapter,” said O’Terry.

McSorley is an event producer and with over 20 years of industry experience. She developed a patent-pending formula which leverages new connections into meaningful, measurable results. Her program delivers new clients, sales opportunities, strategic partnerships and media coverage to the brands she represents.

“Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of working with many professional associations and member-based organizations. These groups operate best with a combination of member engagement, strategic partners and corporate sponsors that all support the core mission. I look forward to harnessing all of these critical pieces and successfully catapulting BWME to the next level.”

With a board of directors that consists of Brunner, WICN-FM General Manager and acclaimed vocalist Amanda Carr, legendary Arts and Entertainment critic Joyce Kulhawik, Nickerson PR CEO Lisa Nickerson, and Entertainment Attorney Sally Gaglini, BWME is poised for its next chapter.

BWME memberships are open to women employed in all aspects of media and entertainment. Membership applications are reviewed and approved by its board of directors. and can be found at http://bwme.org/join/member-benefits.

For more information, please visit www.BWME.org

Dayla Arabella Santurri 781.479.6951 Dayla@BWME.org