CPS presents: Changing the Game: A Panel on Women Entrepreneurship

The main suggestion that I would give to students who are dreaming about managing their own business one day is to be “intentional” about the choices they face each and every day in their career, said Wendy Garcia, Chief Diversity Officer, New York City Comptroller’s Office. On the occasion of the Women’s Entrepreneurship week, on Tuesday, October 17, the College of Professional Studies (CPS) hosted an entrepreneurship industry panel entitled, “Changing the Game: Women Who Play to WIN” in the recently renovated CPS Multipurpose Room.  This event, which was part of the Young Entrepreneur Series (YES) and moderated by Melissa Sanchez, Esq. ‘07CPS (Vice President – Bank of Tokyo), served to provide undergraduate students, graduate students, and members of the St. John’s University community with the advice and feedback necessary to develop their own ventures.

Wendy Garcia joined the panel to represent the Office of the New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. Ms. Garcia is primarily responsible for increasing contracting opportunities for Women and Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and managing the Comptroller’s Offices various initiatives. She was joined by best-selling author, speaker, coach, and strategist Paulina Lopez (Co-founder – Business of WE (Women Entrepreneurs), as well as Denequa Williams (Founder – LIT Brooklyn) who has recently been featured in numerous publications and has built an internationally recognized brand. Also present was Kelli M. Coleman (Founder – She Who Dares/KMColeman Group). Ms. Coleman is best known as an award-winning marketer, advertising executive, investor, advisor, and speaker who supports female driven ventures. These successful women shared their informational resources to empower individual entrepreneurs and support both personal and economic development. In listening to the panel, it is pretty clear that success must be grounded on solid personal, academic and social foundations. CPS alumna, Melissa Sanchez, and the professionals she selected for the panel, clearly exemplified this solid foundation .

This, and other recent events including information sessions and Entrepreneurship Society meetings, have served as precursors to the upcoming the Pitch Johnny competition which is scheduled for November 11. Come see our students pitch their big idea!