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Adelphi University Defines Women's Leadership at 6th Annual Conference

More than $100,000 raised in support of women's leadership programs

Garden City, NY (03/30/2023) — Adelphi had record-breaking attendance of more than 360 students, alumni and top industry leaders at its sixth annual Women's Leadership Conference on Saturday, March 25.

Since its launch in 2018, the conference has grown exponentially and expanded to a hybrid format, hosting participants at Adelphi's award-winning main campus in Garden City and online.

Additionally, more than $100,000 was raised for Adelphi's annual and endowed funds for women's leadership to support the expansion of the conference, offer robust programming and underwrite the cost of attendance for Adelphi students.

"I am extremely proud of this year's conference, the quality of programming, and its impact on our community," said Thomas A. Kline, EdD, Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations. "Our donors and sponsors provided critical support in advancing our mission of women's empowerment and helped us continue our goals to expand our reach in the community."

This year's conference, themed Defining Leadership for Our Lives, Our Careers and Our Communities, featured seven panels and breakout sessions, which covered topics on self-advocacy, brand building, leadership styles, ethics, parenting and accessibility. Attendees networked, took professional LinkedIn headshots and made use of the TypeFocus Assessment-a professional tool for pinpointing individual areas of strength, personal values and unique leadership profiles.

The opening session set the day's tone with "Shift Happens: Navigating Change," a conversation moderated by Adelphi's first female president, Christine M. Riordan, PhD. The powerhouse panel included LeeAnn Black '83, chief operating officer of Latham & Watkins, Humera Qazi '93, managing director of Morgan Stanley, and Lois Schlissel, JD, former managing partner of Meyer Suozzi English & Klein P.C.

"The ability to adapt is going to be the number one competency for career success in the coming era," said Riordan, who is authoring a book on how to thrive in the ever-changing world of work. "Research indicates that our students will have as many as 15 different jobs over the span of their careers."

Highlighting professional enrichment opportunities such as this conference, Qazi, an Adelphi University Trustee, said professionals must continually keep working to expand and develop their skill sets. "Change is constant, and embracing it will help you grow," Qazi said.

According to Black, who is also a member of Adelphi's President's Advisory Council, "Successful leaders also surround themselves with adaptable individuals. A leader's responsibility is to find and tap into the strengths in each of our team members."

More than 160 current Adelphi students attended the conference and the University's Student Government Association was one of several sponsors of the event.

"Our students are fortunate to have access to the extraordinary wisdom, talent, experience and advice all gathered in one place for our annual Women's Leadership Conference," said Anna Zinko, Adelphi's assistant vice president for student affairs. "This is an inspiring event for anyone who wants to be empowered in their career and life, so I was pleased to see so many of our students taking advantage of this opportunity."

The day-long event concluded with dinner, awards, and a keynote conversation with acclaimed actress, author and immigration activist Diane Guerrero, best known for her roles in Disney's Encanto, the Netflix series Orange is the New Black and television's Jane the Virgin.

This year's conference was made possible through the generous support of sponsors and supporters, including corporations, organizations, and individuals.

"Our alumni, community members, friends and partners bring their resources, time, talent and commitment to this amazing event," Kline shared. "I'm grateful for our shared commitment to advancing women in leadership; we have already started planning to make next year's event even bigger and more impactful!"

About Adelphi: A modern metropolitan university with a personalized approach to higher learning

Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students' lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. Adelphi offers exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training at the undergraduate and graduate level with particular strength in our Core Four-Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, the Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness.

Recognized as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi is Long Island's oldest private coeducational university. It serves more than 7,250 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, New York-just 23 miles from New York City's cultural and internship opportunities-and at dynamic learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, as well as online.

More than 119,000 Adelphi graduates have gained the skills to thrive professionally as active, engaged citizens, making their mark on the University, their communities, and the world.

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This year's conference, themed Defining Leadership for Our Lives, Our Careers and Our Communities, featured seven panels and breakout sessions. (Erica Burns)

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