Manhattanville University Hosts Women in Power 2026, Spotlighting Authentic Leadership and Community Impact

PURCHASE, NY — January 31, 2026 — Manhattanville University proudly hosted Women in Power 2026 on Thursday, welcoming business, nonprofit, and civic leaders from across the region for a morning of conversation, connection, and inspiration. The event was presented by Citrin Cooperman in partnership with Westfair Business Journal and held inside Manhattanville’s iconic Reid Castle.

Jessica Binns-Dickinson, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategy, opened the program by welcoming guests to campus and underscoring Manhattanville’s commitment to serving as a convening space for meaningful dialogue.

“We were honored to welcome this community of leaders to Reid Castle for a special morning of conversation, connection, and shared purpose,” said Binns-Dickinson.

Moderated by Chelsea Blancato, the panel featured accomplished women leaders whose work spans entrepreneurship, community health, and business growth. Panelists included Fran Pastore, Founder and CEO of the Women’s Business Development Council; Lola Gazivoda, Founder and CEO of Bota Consulting Group; and Maria Trusa, Founder of Yo Digo No Más and CEO of Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care.

Throughout the conversation, panelists shared personal stories that illustrated how leadership is shaped not only by professional achievement, but by lived experience, resilience, and purpose. Key themes included confidence and knowing one’s value, reinvention at pivotal moments, and the importance of surrounding oneself with trusted networks of support.

Leadership Beyond the Résumé

Throughout the discussion, panelists shared personal journeys that underscored a central message: leadership is not about perfection, but about authenticity, confidence, and resilience. Panelists reflected on reinvention, imposter syndrome, and the importance of surrounding oneself with trusted networks—what one speaker described as a “kitchen-table board of directors.”

Panelist Highlights:

• Confidence and knowing your value, particularly for women navigating entrepreneurship and leadership
• Reinvention, including the leap from corporate careers to founding mission-driven organizations
• Vulnerability as strength, and how lived experience shapes effective leadership
• Community and mentorship as essential tools for long-term success

“Empowered women empower women,” one panelist shared, capturing a refrain echoed throughout the morning.

An engaged audience Q&A extended the discussion, with questions focused on funding, networking, scaling organizations, and navigating imposter syndrome. Panelists encouraged attendees to remain connected through regional resources and professional communities, reinforcing the power of women supporting women.

By hosting Women in Power 2026, Manhattanville University reaffirmed its role as a hub for leadership, learning, and community engagement—bringing together voices and perspectives that reflect the University’s mission and liberal arts foundation.

About Manhattanville University

Manhattanville University (formerly Manhattanville College) is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social responsibility. “U.S. News and World Report” ranks Manhattanville among the Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. The university has been recognized among the best colleges in The Princeton Review for close to 20 years. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,400 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from over 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities, and 23 NCAA Division III teams. For more information, visit mville.edu