Womxn's Empowerment Conference

Details

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, March 14, 2025

Join the Department of Student Life and Department of Residential Life as we host FIT's first ever Womxn's Empowerment Conference in celebration of Women's History Month!  This event will be a full day conference style event open to FIT students, with guest speakers, alumni and networking, panels, hands-on activities and more. 

Our goal is to inspire women to be confident in their careers, their bodies and their lives.

You must register in advance for this event.  Click here for full schedule.

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Keynote Speakers

With over three decades of experience in entertainment, music, and fashion, Claudine Joseph stands as one of the most respected professionals in the industry. As the Chief Operating Officer of LL COOL J Inc., she has guided the diversification of the LL COOL J brand for over 20 years, expanding it from musical and acting roots to literature, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy, ultimately becoming one of the most successful and beloved brands in entertainment. Joseph played an important role in the development of Paramount Network’s Emmy-nominated television series "Lip Sync Battle" where she served as producer alongside LL COOL J. She also worked side-by-side with LL on his five-year tenure as GRAMMYs host, as well as executive producing the CBS television special “A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop”, which was nominated for a NAACP Image Award. Joseph was also instrumental in launching LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio on SiriusXM and contributing to its branding into a global platform. She also played a key role in the publication of multiple New York Times best selling LL COOL J books, including the recent Rizzoli book "LL COOL J Presents The Streets Win: 50 Years of Hip-Hop Greatness” dedicated to the history of Hip-Hop.

Before her tenure at LL COOL J Inc., Joseph honed her skills at Violator Management/Records, where she rose through the ranks to Vice President while managing the day-to-day careers of iconic artists such as Missy Elliott, LL COOL J, and 50 Cent, among others. Beyond her corporate achievements, Joseph is deeply committed to empowering women through her work with Femme It Forward, a women-led entertainment company dedicated to mentoring future female leaders in the fields of entertainment and media. As an alum of the Fashion Institute of Technology and Harvard Business School (BEMS), Joseph also serves as a Fashion Advisory Board Member for the Black in Fashion Council, further underscoring her commitment to diversity and inclusion within the fashion industry.

Melissa C. Potter, the Executive Director of Content for Change at Paramount, will interview Claudine Joseph in a fireside chat.

No one understands fast-moving pop culture and its potential ability to do good, better than Melissa C. Potter.  Concerned, connected, and committed, Potter’s priority has always been to utilize entertainment (television, film, and music) to shift hearts and minds.  Potter is a forerunner in creating meaningful social change through her expertise in spearheading social impact strategies and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. She has a proven track record with national non-profit organizations, as well as some of the world’s largest and most influential brands. Throughout her prestigious career, Potter has established herself as a respected, nationally known thought leader developing
innovative ideas and creative solutions.  Her current role as Executive Director, Content for Change at Paramount enables Potter to supervise each brand’s commitment to the long-term social impact of cultural shifts in society. With expertise including the issues of Race, Identity, Culture, Equity, and Social Justice, she is known for masterfully managing moments of crisis with her unflappable style.  Additionally, she is responsible for spearheading the revolutionary MTV Entertainment Group Culture Orientation program in collaboration with the country’s leading racial and social justice organizations. This groundbreaking initiative unites shared values, increases understanding, and amplifies learning to empower the entire creative community to tell stories that reflect the diversity of Paramount viewers.  A native of New York, Potter received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northeastern University and Masters in Corporation Communication and Public Relations from New York University. She serves as Chair of the Board for the National Job Corps Association and is Chair of the Board of Directors of Fostering Change for
Children. She was awarded "Change Agent of the Year” in 2018 from the Digital Diversity Network, is a Webby Anthem Awards juror and a Diversity Committee Member for Transform Films. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Fallon and Ava King are sisters and co-founders of the brand Fallon & Ava, the destination for the perfect turtleneck. Before starting Fallon & Ava, we each carved our own paths at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Fallon majored in Fashion Design, becoming the Senior Fashion Designer at Sachin & Babi and an Embroidery Designer for Carolina Herrera. Ava majored in Advertising and Marketing Communications and built a successful career as a Senior Event Coordinator in the wedding and events industry. 

Though we pursued different dreams, we always knew we were meant to create something together. Our journey began with a simple idea: the perfect turtleneck. Frustrated by the lack of options, we decided to design it ourselves. We believe a well-fitted turtleneck is more than just a wardrobe staple—it’s a piece that radiates confidence and effortless style.

Fallon & Ava was born out of this belief, combining our expertise and passion to create something truly special.  Fallon & Ava is the first and only brand that specializes exclusively in sustainable, Italian-made, luxury turtlenecks.

Women in Media Alumni Panel

Marielle Bobo

VP of content
Shoptalk

Tonya Blazio-Licorish

Author, Curator
Fairchild Fashion Museum

Lara Eurdolian King

Founder of accessories line
Pretty Connected

Karin Tracy

Head of industry: fashion, luxury, and retail
Meta

The Art of Salary Negotiation:
Timing, Tactics, and Confidence

Ashley Adams, PhD, Career Development Mentor & Strategist

Conversation on Leadership with Dr. Joyce Brown

Dr. Joyce Brown, President, Fashion Institute of Technology

From Campus to Career:
How FIT Leadership Transforms Your Path

Tara Levy

Account Director
VaynerMedia (AMC, 2018)

Jordyn DeCosta

Merchandise Assistant
TJX Companies, Inc. (FBM, 2024)

Rach Brosman

Alumni SRA
Founder of Support Woman DJs

Samantha Barnes

President
FIT Student Government Association

Thursday Abad

Senator for Gender Equity
FIT Student Government Association

Rachel Schleider

Senior Resident Assistant
FIT Residence Hall

CAEG Presents: Financial Wellness

Pendleton Bogache joined Morgan Stanley as a Private Wealth Advisor in 2022. In 2024, she was named a member of the Morgan Stanley Pacesetter's Club, a global recognition program for Next-Gen Financial Advisors. Due to her work with clients who own & operate family businesses, Pendleton was selected to be a part of Morgan Stanley's Family Governance & Dynamics Working Group with the goal of driving more meaningful conversations with clients around family matters.

Social Justice Center Presents:
Finding Your Voice, Charting Your Path

Frances Solá-Santiago, Fahion Editor at InStyle

Itaysha Jordan, Visual Artist

June Ambrose, Creative Director, Costume Designer & Entrepreneur

Mimi Plange is a lifestyle brand and design studio

Shawuan Johnson, Senior VP, Victoria's Secret & Co.

Shelcy Joseph, Brand Consultant & Content Creator, Founder of NYCxClothes

Planning Committee

Angela Brown is the Director of Residential Life at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and has over 15 years experience working in higher education. Angela received both her B.S. in Fashion and Textile Technology, and M.S. in Student Affairs Administration from Buffalo State College. She has a passion for personal and professional development, as well as using intentional restorative practices to support the growth of students and professionals. Angela also develops customized workshops for higher education institutions, companies and organizations in addition to being a facilitator for Trill or Not Trill, a institute specializing in culturally responsive leadership.

Christie Graziano is Director of Student Life, providing vision and direction in the following areas:  Leadership Development, Service Learning, Civic Engagement, New Student Orientation, Weeks of Welcome, the Student Government Association, Phi Theta Kappa, Clubs & Organizations and strategic planning for the Department. She received her BA in Communications and Marketing from Loyola University Maryland and her MSEd in Higher Education Administration from CUNY Baruch College. Christie has focused her career in higher education on college readiness, first year experience, and developing students into globally minded leaders through student leadership development.

Denise Delgado Pesante is a Program Coordinator in the Department of Student Life. Denise provides supervision for FIT's brand new Student Activities Board (formerly the Student Government Association Programming Committee). Along with the SAB, Denise provides advisement in producing fun and engaging large scale campus programming such as Annual FIT Drag Pageant.

Denise received her master’s degree from the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, and her bachelor’s degree from C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville, New York. She has worked in higher education for more than a decade serving institutions such as The College of New Rochelle and Baruch College in a Student Affairs capacity.  Denise currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband.

Kahley Macleod is the FIT Student Life Department Coordinator, managing finances for 60+ student clubs and organizations. Kahley has a dual background in higher education and film production spanning the last decade; she received her B.A. in English and Theater from the University of New Hampshire. She is so excited to be a part of the planning team for the inaugural Womxn's Empowerment Conference at FIT!

 

Lauren Bell is a second-year graduate student in the Fashion and Textile Studies Master's program at the Fashion Institute of Technology, specializing in decolonial theory within museums and fashion history. With two years of experience in higher education, Lauren has focused on event planning, social media management, DEI initiatives, and leadership development. She also serves as the Social Media Assistant for The Fashion and Race Database, where she creates content and publishes articles aimed at making decolonial history more accessible. Lauren’s primary professional goal is to democratize education and scholarship, ensuring they are accessible to a broader public.

Maria Ochoa is a Fashion Business Management student originally from Honduras. Her passion for Latin American fashion and equity stems from her experiences growing up, where she saw firsthand the challenges faced by Latinx individuals, particularly women, in accessing opportunities. Maria is dedicated to empowering womxn, advocating for their representation, and ensuring they have leadership roles in industries that often overlook them.