CNN's April Ryan & NYS Attorney General Letitia James Keynote Summit

April Ryan, CNN Political Analyst, and the longest serving African American female White House correspondent in history, will be the breakfast keynote speaker at the Third Annual Westchester Women’s Summit (WWS) on Friday, March 10, 2023, 8 am to 4 pm, at the Sonesta White Plains Downtown hotel. Ms. Ryan has covered the past five administrations and conducted one-on-one interviews with such movers and shakers as Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, and many others.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James will speak the Summit’s Afternoon Reception. Ms. James is the 67th Attorney General for the State of New York. With decades of experience and a long record of achievements, she became the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected Attorney General in 2018.

A powerhouse of inspiring, innovative women will participate in the summit’s 12 workshop sessions and a special Trailblazer Luncheon Panel to share their wisdom, tools, knowledge and community. The Trailblazer Luncheon Panel will be moderated by CBS-TV New York anchor Dana Tyler. Among those featured throughout the day are: Westfair Communications publisher Dee DelBello; News 12 anchor Tara Rosenblum; United States Magistrate Court Judge Kim Berg; radio host Kacey Morabito Grean; Northwell Health Executive Director Eileen Egan; Wilson Elser Partner Jacqueline Hattar, Esq.; IIN health coach Jenon Wong, and many others.

The WWS is organized by The Event Department in cooperation with the Westchester/Fairfield region’s top businesswomen and corporations and is expected to attract close to 300 attendees.

“The idea is to learn from experts, network with changemakers, and feel empowered to create positive change in yourself and your community,” notes Rose Cappa-Rotunno, Founder of The Event Department. “It’s always an electric, happy event – a unique and challenging conference and a place for self-discovery, growth, and where women can support each other in a judgement-free zone.” Cappa-Rotunno originated the first WWS in 2020, which featured Susan Rice, currently director of the U.S. Domestic Policy Council and former US ambassador, and Gretchen Carlson, best-selling author and American broadcaster. The 2021 keynoters were activist Tamika Mallory and actress Chita Rivera.

She said that this year’s summit will focus on timely topics impacting women and society, such as:

• How to be paid for what you are worth
• How to raise girls to face challenges and be strong leaders
• How to cope with burnout and stress
• Dealing with the work/life imbalance
• Overcoming gender pay gaps
• Advocating for women's health
• Promoting mentorship.

Girls Inc. Westchester will be the beneficiary of proceeds from this year’s event. Girls Inc. is dedicated to creating girls-only programs that equip young women with essential knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life and work. Founded in 2007, Girls Inc. Westchester is a non-profit organization, affiliated with the larger 150-year old national organization which maintains more than 85 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Tickets are priced as follows: VIP Admission $300 which includes a private Meet & Greet with the keynote speaker and sponsors, Continental Breakfast, the Trailblazer Luncheon, all workshops, and the Wine Women & Chocolate reception at 3 pm; General Admission $200 which includes Continental Breakfast, Trailblazer Luncheon, all workshops, and the Wine Women & Chocolate reception at 3 pm.

Tickets, sponsorship opportunities which are still available, and more information are found at: https://wws.virtualmeetinghub.com/

The WWS event is sponsored by: (DIAMOND) Harrison Edwards Inc. and Corporate AV; (GOLD) Wartburg; White Plains Hospital; NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester; (SILVER) Lawley Insurance; Girls Inc. Westchester; Mack Teck Solutions; Veekast; George P. Johnson; Sonesta; Reisman, Rubeo & Altman, LLP; and Events to Remember; (BRONZE) GMG PR; Buzz Creators; Hospitality Resources Group; Co-Communications; and Sisters of the Divine Compassion; Jacqueline Hattar; NHL; Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson; Apple Bank; The LOFT; Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. Discovery Village ‘Sponsor: Westchester Library System. MEDIA SPONSORS are: Westfair Communications Inc., Westchester Magazine, and News12 Westchester. PARTNERS are Nonprofit Westchester, Sharc Creative, Women’s Enterprise Development Center, Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers, Volunteer NY, Support Connection, Professional Women of Westchester, Krav Maga NY, Oasis Day Spa, Pace Women’s Justic e Center, Girls on the Run Hudson Valley, Westchester Women’s Agenda, League of Women Voters of Westchester, Hope’s Door, MHA Westchester, Sister to sister International, Inc., Cancer Support Team, NY Mirror Photo Booth.

8:00 AM

REGISTRATION

Continental Breakfast Followed by Keynote Address

10:00 AM

WORKSHOP BREAK OUT (pick one of 4)

45-minute session

11:00 AM

WORKSHOP BREAK OUT (pick one of 4)

45-minute session

12:30 PM

TRAILBLAZER PANEL AND LUNCH

4-5 leaders in their fields who broke the glass ceiling

2:00 PM

WORKSHOP BREAK OUT (pick one of 4)

45-minute session

3:00 PM

WINE WOMEN & CHOCOLATE preceded by NYS Attorney General James’s remarks

Reception and Pop-Up Market