AADC Women’s Conference 2025: Taking Up Space

8:00 am

Registration & Breakfast

9:00 am

Welcome

Caprice R. Jenerson '90, Chair, Women's Conference Committee

Eileen M. Cotter, AADC Executive Director

9:05 am

Honoring the Legacy of the Late Joyce Kovatch Albers-Schonberg ’65

Valerie Anderson '81, Former AADC Executive Director

Alice Herman ‘70, Past AADC Co-Chair, Campaign for Douglass

JoAnn Kovatch Kuser '73

Georg Albers-Schonberg, Premier Platinum Sponsor

9:20 am

The Importance of Women’s Education & Women’s Leadership in Higher Education (General Session)

Moderator: Dr. Debra Joy Perez ’84, Chief Equity Officer, United States Pharmacopeia

Featuring: Professor Barbara A. Shailor, former Dean of Douglass College

Dr. Sasha Taner, Program Director and Research Coordinator, the Rutgers’ Institute
for Women’s Leadership

Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, President of Simmons University

10:20 am

Break

10:30 am

Workshops Session 1 (Select 1 of 6 Options)

Taking Up Space: The Unapologetic Power of DEIB, Dr. Debra Joy Perez ’84
Women’s Wealth Matters: Grow Your Wealth, Judith Lee, CFP, CRPC, SE-AWMA, Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill
Disparities in Women’s Health Caused by Social Determinants, Damali Campbell-Oparaji, MD, Judy C. Washington, MD
Celebrate Your Style, Karen A. Chambers, Senior Editor, Sisters From AARP
The New Generations Perspective on Women’s+ Advancement, Channél Jordan '19, Marketer and Content Creator;  Cassandra Vega ’24, Coro Fellow in Public Affairs, Coro NY Leadership Center; Dominique S. Little ’19,  Policy Associate; Board Member, Blockchain Foundation

Exercising Your Voice in the Political Sphere, Debbie Walsh, Director of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University

11:30 am

Break

11:45 am

Workshops Session 2 (Select 1 of 6 Options)

Empower Her: Radical Resilience, Tyreese R. McAllister, Transformational Therapist

Discover Your Life & Leadership Purpose, Patrice Tanaka, Founder Joyful Planet

Is Your House in Order?: Estate Planning and Administration, Anne Marie Mazzu ’85 , Esq., Shareholdler, Davison Eastman Munoz Paone, P.A.

Justice & Leadership: A BIPOC Woman Claiming a Seat at the Table, Abja Midha, Executive Director of Volunteers for Legal Service

Breaking Barriers While Protecting Your Mental Health, Dr. Karima Forbes, Psychologist, Consultant and Coach

Taking Up Space: Embracing Authenticity Through Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation, Sharon Stroye, Inaugural Director of the Truth, Racial  Healing & Transformation Initiative, Emory University

12:50 pm

Lunch (Remarks from Dr. Jonathan Holloway, President of Rutgers University)

2:15 pm

Break: Easy Wellness & Networking

Amanda A. Hugelmeyer ’04, Sr. Analyst in Health, Safety & Well-Being, PSEG. Past Chair, 2023 AADC Women’s Conference 

2:35 pm

Keynote: A Conversation with Stacey Abrams

Moderated by Ashley C. Sawyer ’10, Esq.

3:20 pm

Closing Remarks

3:30 pm

Book Signing (limited to the first 150 registrants)

Note, schedule at a glance as of February 4, 2025, subject to change.

AADC Women’s Conference 2025: Taking Up Space  

The Importance of Women’s Education & Women’s Leadership in Higher Education Panel - General Session

Moderator: Dr. Debra Joy Perez ’84, Chief Equity Officer, United States Pharmacopeia
Panelists: Barbara A. Shailor, former Dean of Douglass College
Lynn Perry Wooten, Simmons University President

In the dynamic world of higher education, the voices of our panel of women leaders resonate with purpose, as they share invaluable insights and experiences that pave the way for empowering women leaders. Find out how they help illuminate paths for future women leaders and cultivate a brighter future for women in higher education leadership.

Workshops Session 1 (Select one to attend from options)  

Taking Up Space: The Unapologetic Power of DEIB 

Presented by Dr. Debra Perez ’84, in an era where inclusivity and equity are imperatives for sustainable success, this workshop draws the journey of embedding DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) as a strategic driver of innovation, collaboration, and organizational excellence. Participants will learn actionable strategies to integrate DEIB principles across workplace culture, recruitment, and community engagement.    

This highly interactive session will empower participants to challenge traditional norms, advocate for equity, and foster environments where everyone is empowered to contribute and thrive. Through real-world case studies, data-driven insights, and collaborative discussions, attendees will leave equipped to champion DEIB in their organizations. This is a call to action for leaders, innovators, and changemakers to harness the unapologetic power of equity for a better, more inclusive future.   

Celebrate Your Style 

Join us for this personal empowerment session with Karen A. Chambers, designed to spark your creativity and embrace your individuality and personal style as a superpower. Through discussion and discovery, we’ll uncover and celebrate the essence of what makes you uniquely you. It’s our time to shine with radiance and confidence and our own brand of beauty — from the inside out!   

The New Generations Perspective on Women’s+ Advancement 

Find out what the advancement of women in today’s professional landscape means to the newest generations. Women today are fostering inclusive networking and looking at mentorship opportunities in the workplace in new ways. They are dismantling barriers and paving the way with keen, new perspectives towards their career growth and development.  Cassandra Vega '24, Channel Jordan '19 and Dominique S. Little '19 team up as presenters.

Women’s Wealth Matters: Grow Your Wealth 

Judith Lee CFP®, CRPC™, SE-AWMA™, a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor for Merrill, presents this informative and inspiring workshop. Learn ways to transform your aspirations into reality in your journey to financial independence and wealth. Women can thrive and succeed in reaching their goals through empowering steps and financial advice throughout their lives. Understanding financial literacy and wealth-building strategies is essential for women in today’s world.  

Disparities in Women’s Health Caused by Social Determinants 

Disparities in women’s health are often influenced by social determinants such as socioeconomic status, education, diversity and access to healthcare. We can empower one another to advocate for change and improve care for ourselves and loved ones. Gain guidance on approaches and solutions to getting the healthcare you need throughout life.  Damali Campbell-Oparaji, MD, and Judy C. Washington, MD, team up as presenters.

Exercising Your Voice in the Political Sphere

There are many ways to use your political voice – as a candidate for office, as an elected or appointed official, as a voter, or as a political donor. Learn more about how women are using their voice in politics and how you can have a greater impact on the politics of your community. Join the conversation led by Debbie Walsh, Director of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics.

Workshops Session 2 (Select one to attend from options) 

Empower Her: Radical Resilience 

Transformational Therapist Tyreese R. McAllister shares her personal journey of resilience. Through a heart-wrenching experience, Tyreese reclaimed her strength and emerged not just as a survivor, but as a beacon of empowerment and wisdom. Radical resilience is about more than just bouncing back from adversity, it's about thriving in the face of challenges and using them as a springboard for growth. It's the ability to not only endure hardships but to emerge stronger, wiser, and more empowered.  

In this comprehensive workshop, participants will delve into the core principles of radical resilience, including, Embrace and Harness Pain; Cultivate Unshakeable Belief; Transform Adversity into Opportunity; Interactive Exercise; Group Discussions; and Practical Techniques.  

By the end of this workshop, participants will have a robust toolkit and a call to action, to help them navigate life's challenges with confidence and grace. They will leave with a renewed sense of strength and the ability to turn adversity into opportunities for profound growth and empowerment.  

Discover Your Life & Leadership Purpose 

Patrice Tanaka, co-founder of three award-winning PR agencies, and the consultancy, Joyful Planet LLC, focuses on building “purpose-driven” individuals and organizations, will conduct a “Discover Your Life & Leadership Purpose” presentation at the 2025 AADC Women’s Conference:  Taking Up Space.  Patrice’s work is designed to equip emerging leaders with the “competitive advantage” of CLARITY about their life and leadership purpose so they can begin to actively live it and unleash greater SUCCESS, FULFILLMENT, and JOY in their personal lives, workplaces, and communities.   She says, “The most valuable support I can offer emerging leaders is to help them articulate a ‘heroic’ and ‘aspirational’ vision of themselves and what they seek to accomplish in life so they can be focused, driven and galvanized by their own inspiring life and leadership purpose.”    

A life purpose, Patrice explains, is about “leveraging our talents, expertise and passion in service of other people and our planet.” Having clarity about your life purpose, she says, will inform every decision you make going forward in your career and life to help you efficiently achieve what is most important in your one very brief and precious life.   

Justice & Leadership: A BIPOC Woman Claiming a Seat at the Table 

Abja Midha, Executive Director of Volunteers of Legal Service, will share lessons learned from her leadership journey in the nonprofit sector. She will share the opportunities and obstacles she has encountered as a BIPOC woman leader in legal services and share steps she has taken to live up to her personal commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in professional settings.   

Is Your House in Order?: Estate Planning and Administration 

Join attorney Anne Marie Mazzu '85 as she shares over three decades of insights on estate planning, estate administration, taxation of same along with best practices, and more. Additionally, Ms. Mazzu specializes in developing estate plans for families with developmentally disabled family members including preparation of special needs trusts and guardianships. 

This workshop empowers women to take control of their financial futures by understanding the essentials of estate planning and administration. Learn how to protect your assets, ensure your wishes are honored, and provide security for your loved ones. Through expert guidance, you’ll explore strategies to navigate the complexities of estate management with confidence and clarity.  

Breaking Barriers While Protecting Your Mental Health 

While celebrating the achievements of the last century, we will also examine the systemic barriers that persist and the disproportionate emotional labor women shoulder in both personal and professional spheres. Psychologist Dr. Karmina Forbes will engage participants in meaningful discussions and reflective exercises to address these challenges. This session will provide practical tools for managing invisible labor, fostering resilience, and prioritizing mental health, enabling women to thrive while driving progress.  

As women continue to lead transformative change across industries and communities, the interplay between advancement and mental health becomes increasingly critical—particularly for those navigating intersecting identities, such as the unique challenges faced by Black women and other women of color. This workshop will explore the toll that progress can take, unpacking the complexities of integrating personal well-being with the demands of professional and societal expectations. 

Taking Up Space: Embracing Authenticity Through Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation

Explore the power of authenticity in fostering connection, inclusion, and shared humanity. Too often, societal expectations and historical narratives have dictated how women should show up in the world, creating divisions that limit our collective growth. This session challenges those constraints by centering truth-telling, racial healing, and community dialogue—creating a space where every woman is seen, heard, and empowered to take up space unapologetically. Through engaging discussions and interactive activities, participants will: Recognize how authenticity strengthens our shared humanity and drives transformative change; Examine how racial and gender narratives shape identity, belonging, and relationships; Engage in a racial healing circle to foster deeper connections, understanding, and mutual support. Together, we can move beyond division toward collective healing, honoring the power of our individual stories and shared experiences to create a more just and inclusive world.

Descriptions listed as of February 4, 2025 

About Our Conference Keynote Speaker

Stacey Abrams is a political leader, business owner and bestselling author. A tax attorney by training, she served as Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives and was the Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia in 2018 and 2022. She has launched multiple nonprofit organizations devoted to democracy protection, national and local voter engagement, tackling social issues, and building a more equitable future in the South.

Abrams is the CEO of Sage Works Production, Inc, a production company for television and film projects. A voting rights advocate, she served as a producer on the Academy Awards-shortlisted documentary All In: The Fight for Democracy and wrote the New York Times bestselling books Our Time is Now and Lead from the Outside. She is also the author of two children’s books, the political thrillers While Justice Sleeps and Rogue Justice, and several romantic suspense novels. She has been nominated for an Emmy and received the NAACP Image Award in 2021 and 2022.

Abrams sits on both nonprofit and corporate boards, and she is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Abrams holds degrees from Spelman College, the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas and Yale Law School. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, she and her five siblings grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi, and were raised in Georgia, where she currently resides.

About Our Keynote Moderator

Ashley C. Sawyer, Esq. (she/her), Class of 2010, is a Senior Policy Counsel at Pregnancy Justice and previously a Senior Attorney at Advancement Project, a next-generation, racial justice law office. Ashley is an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School. She was previously the Senior Director of Campaigns at Girls for Gender Equity (GGE) in Brooklyn, NY. Ashley is committed to improving the opportunities and well-being of young people, especially Black girls, and non-binary youth, through organizing, policy advocacy, and legislative advocacy. Ashley was previously a staff attorney at Youth Represent, where she led the representation of youth facing school suspension hearings, and supported the organization’s School Justice Project. She also represented young people in misdemeanor criminal court, licensing hearings, housing court, and other civil legal issues. She led the reentry legal representation for girls and female identified youth on Rikers. Ashley’s life work is situated where education justice and the criminal legal system collide, she is committed to dismantling prisons and other forms of state violence, to build communities that invest in youth rather than harming them.

Ashley was previously a Stoneleigh Emerging Leader Fellow/Attorney at the Education Law Center-PA, where she did special education litigation on behalf of incarcerated youth, and policy projects focused on dismantling school pushout. She earned a B.A. in Political Science from Douglass College at Rutgers University. Ashley is an alumna of the Howard University School of Law.

About Our Women's Conference Committee Chair

Caprice R. Jenerson, Esq., Class of 1990, is serving as Chair of the AADC 2025 Women's Conference Committee. She has dedicated her career to advocating for the elimination of racial disparities, fighting for the underserved, and shedding light on some of the most critical issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. She has also been a leader within the AADC, serving as President of the AADC Black Alumnae Network (BAN) and presenting lectures and virtual workshops. Caprice earned her law degree from Georgia State University and has more than 20 years in senior management and leadership and as a thought leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. She is President and Attorney in Charge at the Office of the Appellate Defender in New York. Throughout her career, Caprice has challenged racial disparities in sentencing, over policing and over criminalization of black communities, and the systemic mass incarceration of black bodies. She spent two years in Washington, D.C., as the Senior Resource Counsel of the Clemency Project, led by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, to train lawyers to prepare clemency petitions.

As past president of AADC BAN, Caprice helped establish the Evelyn Sermons Field '49 Literary Society and plan the 2016 AADC BAN Sisters Conference "Telling Our Truth” commemorating BAN’s 35th anniversary. In 2020, Caprice delivered the AADC Zagoren Lecture, “Access Justice for Those Experiencing Poverty: Historical View and Perspective for the Future.” During the pandemic, she presented virtual AADC Excellence in Inclusion and Equity Initiative workshops, “Removing the Veil of Racism,” about the phenomena of double consciousness and code switching, health disparities, and social injustices. Caprice shares a deep sense of purpose in serving others, along with her daughter, Raven Jenerson ‘17. Caprice is a member of several advisory boards. In 2019, she was named to the Top 100 Lawyers by the National Black Lawyers. In 2022, she was honored by her hometown when she was inducted into the East Orange, NJ, Hall of Fame. In 2023, she was inducted into the AADC Society of Excellence.

About Our Workshop Presenters

Please note additional presenters and photos may be added.*

Damali Campbell-Oparaji, MD, is a board-certified physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Addiction Medicine, with over two decades of experience dedicated to improving healthcare for women in underserved communities. She has worked in various urban areas of New Jersey, with a focus on enhancing health education and addressing health disparities. Examples of her work include leading initiatives aimed at improving cancer screenings, pregnancy outcomes, and human milk feeding rates. As a faculty member at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Campbell Oparaji teaches medical students and residents to prioritize the social determinants of health in order to promote health equity for the women. She practices at University Hospital in Newark, where she also provides care for pregnant women with substance use disorders, and manages pregnancy and medical needs. She has been an active member of the NJ Maternal Mortality Review Committee since 2007, where she participates in reviewing maternal deaths within a year of pregnancy. From May 2020 to September 2024, she served as the Medical Director for the NJ Maternal Care Quality Collaborative, a CDC-funded initiative through the NJ Department of Health. She is currently a special officer of the 2019 legislated NJ Maternal Mortality Review Committee, and a public board member of the newly established Maternal Infant Health Innovation Authority.

Karen A. Chambers is a senior business and communications strategist, writer, editor, and brand advisor. She is coauthor of the anthology, Beauty Stories from Around the World, and a former senior executive with Iman, Posner and Dark & Lovely Cosmetics brands. Chambers has been a contributing writer and editor for Sisters From AARP, Black Enterprise and Black Elegance magazines and has guest lectured on multicultural inclusion at FIT and the United Nations. She earned her BA in Communication from Rutgers University's Douglass College and holds professional certifications in Corporate Communications from Cornell and Inclusion & Diversity from Yale School of Management. Her greatest passion is advancing the impact of women’s leadership and fostering multicultural diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Dr. Karima Forbes is a licensed psychologist, organizational consultant, and professional coach dedicated to fostering inclusive, resilient workplaces and supporting individuals through transformative personal growth. She is the owner of Bloom Psychological & Wellness Consulting, a private practice where she actively provides individual and couples therapy. Her clinical expertise includes emerging adulthood, reproductive mental health, trauma (including race-based trauma), and identity-related work.

In her role as Chief Operating Officer at WorkHaven, Dr. Forbes leverages her extensive experience in hospitals, healthcare systems, legal nonprofits, and corporate organizations to integrate psychological insights with practical leadership strategies. She supports individuals and teams in navigating challenges such as conflict resolution, managing high-stress environments, and organizational transitions.

A recognized leader in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), Dr. Forbes has spearheaded local and national initiatives to create more inclusive and supportive environments. She has designed and facilitated interactive learning experiences on topics such as unconscious bias, microaggressions, inclusive leadership, navigating difficult conversations about race, building allyship, understanding the psychological effects of racism, and fostering psychological safety in the workplace.

Channél Jordan '19 (she/they) is a seasoned marketing professional and content creator based in Brooklyn, NY. With experience spanning the art, media, and legal industries, they are passionate about using social media to democratize access to cultural history and decipher its impact on the zeitgeist. Channél currently serves as the Communications Manager at Cave Canem, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the artistic and professional growth of Black poets.

Previously, they worked as the Operations Director at Strada, an art ecosystem supporting BIPOC, Gen-Z, and Queer artists, where they developed infrastructure to scale the organization's operations and programming. Channél also has extensive legal industry experience, having served as Volunteer & Program Coordinator at a legal services nonprofit and later supporting business development initiatives on the marketing team at an AmLaw 100 law firm.

In addition to their professional roles, Channél freelances for agencies, artists, and podcasts, with clients including Black Fashion Fair, Dayna’s House, Diana Sinclair, and Tea with Queen & J.. Her fashion history content has earned recognition from i-D Italia, FUBU, and ANTM judge Miss J Alexander. Channél holds a dual B.A. in Political Science and Psychology from Rutgers University–New Brunswick.

Judith Lee CFP®, CRPC™, SE-AWMA™ is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor for Merrill and has served as a financial advisor for over two decades.  In 2019, she was named Chair of the Merrill Women’s Exchange, a firm initiative committed to the success of women in the organization.  She was named to Forbes “Best-State Wealth Advisors” list in February 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 (published annually Jan - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of the prior year.)  She began her career in financial services in 1997 as a branch manager with Summit Bank, after transitioning from a successful career in retail merchandising.  

While she leads a practice focused on comprehensive wealth management, her team has a special interest in women in transition:  retirement, divorce, care-giving, widowhood and inheritance all present unique lifestyle challenges faced by women, and as a Certified Financial Planner™ professional Judith is committed to empowering women to strive for financial success.  Whether utilizing strategies to pursue a retirement income stream, coordinating cash flow needs or creating investment portfolios to assist in the growth and protection of wealth, she is your resource to help you build a plan to enhance your financial well-being.

Judith obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Hofstra University with a concentration in marketing and continued her education to receive the certification. She holds the series 7 and 66 FINRA registrations as well as life and health insurance licenses. Judith was a panelist at the 2008 New Jersey Governor’s Conference for Women presenting at the “Making It All Add Up” session, educating women on the fundamentals and benefits of saving in an employer retirement plan to build a nest egg.  She is passionate about educating, inspiring and empowering others to take charge of their financial health.  She promotes financial literacy speaking at local community forums. She resides in NJ and enjoys traveling, especially to her favorite happy place - Jamaica. 

Dominique S. Little '19 is a Policy Associate at Paradigm, research-driven crypto investment firm. Prior to joining Paradigm, Dominique was a Legislative Correspondent working in the technology and telecommunications portfolio for U.S. Senator Cory Booker. In this role, she focused on issues relating to digital assets, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic biases. Dominique also served as Assistant to the Chief Staff in Sen. Booker’s office. Prior to working in Congress, Dominique was a Finance Assistant for Sen. Booker’s presidential campaign in 2019. She earned a B.A. in Political Science.

Anne Marie Mazzu ’85, Esq., Shareholder, Davison·Eastman·Muñoz·Paone, P.A., focuses her practice in estate planning, estate administration, federal and state taxation, and related matters. Anne Marie’s estate and trust administration services include, but are not limited to, probate matters, preparation of federal and state estate tax returns, post-mortem planning techniques, estate and gift tax examinations, asset transfers, preparation of accountings, representation of fiduciaries, and fiduciary income tax planning.

Anne Marie assists clients with developing estate plans which includes Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Living Wills, and more complex estate planning tools such as irrevocable trusts, and various grantor trusts. Anne Marie advises clients, who seek to create, coordinate, and develop gift plans and charitable gift plans including the preparation of gift tax returns. She also handles tax controversy matters on both the state and federal level including, but not limited to, income, employment and sales tax matters for businesses, closely held businesses, not-for-profits and individuals. She handles guardianships for the developmentally disabled and develops special needs estate plans for families as needed, including trusts preparation.

Following Douglass, she earned her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in1989, and L.L.M. from New York University School of Law in1993. She is admitted in New Jersey, United States District Court – District of New Jersey and United States Tax Court. Memberships and affiliations include the American Bar Association and New Jersey State Bar Association. She serves on the AADC Planned Giving Committee

Tyreese R. McAllister is a therapist, helping people through tough times, but what she really does is disrupt negative, maladaptive patterns of behaviors and thoughts that disrupt people’s lives. She teaches individuals to live radically resilient lifestyles despite life challenges. She does this through her career, her ministry, her books, and her life. She has over 25 years’ experience in the field of emergency mental health helping individuals experiencing both crisis and traumatic events. Tyreese is a doctoral candidate at the University Arizona pursuing a Psy.D. with a concentration in Criminology and Justice, with an anticipated completion date of 2025. As the Founder and Chief Clinical Officer, Mrs. McAllister is committed to helping people overcome tragedy and crisis and transition to become “Radically Resilient Overcomers” who live their best life, fulfilling their life purpose.

While serving her community and developing her career, McAllister balanced her professional life with her beloved family. She has been the wife of Anthony McAllister for 30 years. Together they had two beautiful daughters, N’Daja Lyndze and Ayana Jazmyn. In March of 2017 18-year-old Ayana was killed by gun violence while home on spring break from college. Having lived a life of public service the McAllister’s triumphed over their tragic loss and founded The Ayana J. McAllister Legacy Foundation. This non-profit’s mission is to deliberately engage communities of color disproportionately impacted by gun violence through advocacy and education strategies. It is their intention to significantly reduce incidents of homicide, suicide, domestic violence, and other acts of violence resulting from irresponsible use of firearms by high-risk individuals. Combining her strong faith with her profession, she has turned her pain into a passion to help others. Immediately, after the death of her daughter, she declared that she forgives the person who killed Ayana, explaining that being angry will not bring Ayana back and it will impede the important work that needs to do in the community. She believes that no mother should have to bury their child and feels just as strongly that no mother should have to visit their child in prison. She explained that both sides of the street must be cleaned for everyone to enjoy a safe and beautiful community. We need to save children from being murdered and we need to save children before they become murderers. Tyreese McAllister has enjoyed the work engaged at the community level and on the front lines of public health disparities the most. Despite the tragic and untimely loss of her daughter, she continues to serve the community. Tyreese is a Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Trainer, and Transformational Therapist. She was voted 2021 Mental Health Advocate of the Year by Glambitious Magazine and received an honorary doctorate and a Humanitarian Award for her advocacy work in the Gun Violence arena.

Abja Midha is the Executive Director of Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) and is passionate about partnering with the bar and community-based organizations to close the access to justice gap for New Yorkers. An experienced litigator, Abja has represented immigrant families seeking English Language Learner and special education services for their children, as well as immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. She was a litigation associate at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler and clerked for the Honorable Charles P. Sifton in United States District Court, Eastern District of New York. 

Abja is the Co-Chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Legal Aid and a member of the New York City Bar Association’s Pro Bono and Legal Services Committee and the New York County Lawyers Association’s Pro Bono Committee.  Abja serves as the Secretary of the Board of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families which advocates for equity and opportunity for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) children and families across New York State.

Prior to joining VOLS, Abja was a Vice President at HERE to HERE, leading efforts to integrate work-based learning into curriculum and school design in the Bronx and across New York City. She previously was the Deputy Director at The Education Trust – New York, where she partnered with organizations across New York State to advocate for the elimination of gaps in equity and opportunity that prevent students from succeeding. Abja has served as a Project Director at Advocates for Children of New York, where she led the Immigrant Students’ Rights Project and coordinated a statewide coalition that successfully advocated for changes to New York high school graduation requirements. Abja graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Brown University and earned her J.D. from Yale Law School. 

Dr. Debra Joy Perez ’84, Ph.D., MPA, is the Chief Equity Officer and Senior Advisor to CEO at USP (United States Pharmacopeia). Debra joined USP in 2021 when she launched USP’s inaugural Equity Office. There she guides a 1,300-member organization in implementing their Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging strategy. As CEqO, Dr. Perez is responsible for the execution of an inclusive organizational culture and developmental DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) strategies across the organization. Her primary duties include centering equity in existing and newly developed operational strategies and serving as a resource for advancing DEIB in relationship and people management. As CEqO, she provides input into strategic plans for the broader organization, including identifying individual, group, and organizational development opportunities by defining, developing, implementing, and evaluating strategies and programs to drive diversity, equity and inclusive excellence practices in business goals and priorities.

Dr. Perez leads equity and inclusion initiatives to improve leadership capabilities across an organization to usefully shifts organizational culture to meet business goals through DEIB tools. The work of Office includes working intersectionally and advancing DEIB in an international context engaging in difficult conversations, deeply listening and learning, building collective awareness, examining biases, and striving to ensure that all employees feel respected. Dr Perez ensures that the Office of Organizational Culture and Inclusive Excellence utilizes data for analysis and employing accountability mechanisms to monitor DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). She is an influencer, a thought leader, and an agent of change, and will have a passion for the mission of the USP.

Prior to USP, Dr. Debra Joy Pérez (she, her, hers) was Senior Philanthropic Advisor and Independent Executive Consultant to national foundations and federal grant making entities. In her practice she has facilitated the development of organization-wide equity and inclusion principles for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), an independent nonprofit, nongovernmental organization in Washington, DC, was authorized by Congress in 2010 to close that gap and reauthorized in 2020 for another ten years. Dr. Pérez also developed a DEI Use Statement to help operationalize the E&I Principles. In her work in philanthropy, Dr. Pérez assessed existing national public health leadership programming for the development of a new emergent leader program. In her role as consultant, Debra approaches her work as a partner with internal teams to turn DEI strategies to advance equity into results. This includes building staff capacity and skills in having the necessary yet difficult conversations on racism, ableism and homophobia and other forms of oppression. Here education following Douglass where she earned a BA in Communications, includes: PhD, Health Policy, Harvard University, Boston, MA; Master's in Public Administration, City University New York; Master's in social science/ Women’s Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury, England.

Professor Barbara A. Shailor is a former Dean of Douglass College (1995-2001). While Dean, she was active in (and President of) the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) in Washington DC. The emphasis at PLEN is on preparing college women for leadership roles in the public policy and nonprofit sectors. She was also a strong supporter of the Douglass STEM program that received in 1999 a White House Prescience Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

Shailor graduated in 1969 from Wilson College — then a women’s college — where she majored in Latin and minored in Greek. Her research areas of specialization are paleography, codicology, and the history of the book before printing. After receiving a doctoral degree in Classics in 1975, she taught at Bucknell University (1975-1996) where she chaired the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee (EEOC) for many years. After Bucknell and Douglass, she moved to Yale University (2001-2020) where she served as a faculty member and senior administrator for the university’s arts area.

In recent years, Shailor was elected President of the Bibliographical Society of America (BSA) and is now serving as President of the American Trust for the British Library (ATBL). She also was a Trustee of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation for fourteen years.

Sharon Stroye is the inaugural Director of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Initiative at Emory University, a role she has held since July 2023. Emory’s TRHT Campus Center is one of 72 hosted by post-secondary institutions nationwide as part of a program established by the American Association of Colleges and Universities in 2017. These centers are dedicated to dismantling the belief in a racial hierarchy of human value and advancing equity through innovative programming that cultivates the next generation of strategic leaders with a shared humanity perspective.

A visionary and transformative leader, Sharon has a remarkable ability to create inclusive and empowering environments. As a trained Racial Healing Circle Practitioner, she has facilitated more than 250 racial healing circles, workshops, and trainings, engaging over 2,500 participants across multiple sectors. Her work embeds the TRHT framework into institutional cultures and climates, fostering environments where equity and belonging thrive.

Recognized as a sought-after keynote and plenary speaker, Sharon captivates audiences with her dynamic presentations, which combine compelling storytelling, research-based insights, and actionable strategies. She inspires individuals and organizations to challenge systemic inequities and take steps toward inclusive transformation, emphasizing equity and human-centered leadership. As the founder of CTW Consulting Services, LLC, Sharon has established a platform dedicated to transforming cultural environments to reflect inclusivity and empower future leaders. Her leadership continues to influence institutions, organizations, and communities seeking pathways to equity and excellence. Originally from Newark, NJ, Sharon now resides in Georgia. She brings over three decades of experience in higher education and holds dual master’s degrees in business and public administration (MBA and MPA) along with an undergraduate degree in accounting. A proud mother of three adult children, grandmother of two, and mentor to countless emerging leaders, Sharon is committed to changing the world, one relationship at a time.

Patrice Tanaka is a best-selling author, public speaker on business and life purpose, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of three award-winning, PR & Marketing agencies and the consultancy, Joyful Planet LLC, focused on building purpose-driven individuals and organizations. Life and organizational purpose are the subjects of Patrice’s best-selling books, Beat the Curve and Performance360. 

Patrice has been honored by many organizations for creativity, top PR & Marketing campaigns of the year and decade, best workplace, corporate social responsibility, public service, entrepreneurship, mentoring and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

She serves/ed as a trustee and volunteer for many organizations committed to serving youth, girl- and women’s leadership development, economic empowerment, gender equity, DEI, and social justice. Patrice was born and raised in Hawaii but has lived in New York City for most of her adult life.  She calls Hawaii “home” and is committed to living her life with the “Aloha Spirit.”

Cassandra Vega (SAS & DRC '24) graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University last May with her B.A. in Political Science and minors in Latino & Caribbean Studies and Women's & Gender Studies. A current Fellow in the Coro New York Fellows Program in Public Affairs, she has had placements at the NYC Economic Development Corporation, the United Federation of Teachers, and the Times Square Alliance. Outside of her fellowship, she remains committed to women's intellectual and political advancement as the 2024 AADC Class President and Co-Chair of the NJ Young Democrats Women's Caucus. Before Coro, she worked on deferred action policy for the state as the Policy Coordinator for the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

As an undergraduate, she was an Eagleton Associate, a Lloyd C. Gardner Fellow, an Institute for Women's Leadership Scholar, and a member of the Cap & Skull, Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Triota honor societies. Vega co-created the Fellows in Racial Justice Learning Community, the university's first tri-campus academic program for developing student activists, and the annual Racial Justice Summit, the first tri-campus, student-run event. She has been a prominent young voice in the Rutgers community, serving as the student speaker at the 103rd Douglass Spring Convocation, the 32nd Rites of Passage Ceremony, the 2nd annual Stakeholder Address, and as a panelist for a range of events. Other notable experiences include interning with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, serving as a NJ Governor's Hispanic Fellow, working at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and representing New Jersey at the Henry Clay Center's College Student Congress.

Debbie Walsh is Director of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. CAWP is nationally recognized as the leading source of scholarly research and current data about American women's political participation. Its mission is to promote greater knowledge and understanding about women's participation in politics and government and to enhance women's influence and leadership in public life. Walsh joined the staff in 1981 and became the director in 2001.

She oversees CAWP's multi-faceted programs in leadership campaign training, research illuminating women's distinctive contributions in politics and government and up-to-the-minute information and historical perspectives about women as candidates, public officials and voters. She is a member of the Circle of Advisors to Rachel's Network and was named one of the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century by Women’s eNews.

She earned her bachelor's degree in political science from SUNY Binghamton and her M.A. in political science from Rutgers, where she was an Eagleton Fellow.

Judy C. Washington, MD, is a distinguished family medicine physician and associate chief medical officer at Atlantic Medical Group, with over three decades of experience in medical education, women’s health and leadership development. Dr. Washington has held various academic and clinical roles, including associate program director at Overlook Family Medicine Residency and clinical associate professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. She has led initiatives in value-based care, workforce development and health equity, including work on Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and safe prescribing of opioids. Her leadership roles include chairing the AMG Safe Use of Opioid Work Group, serving as president of the STFM Foundation Board of Trustees, and vice president of the New Jersey Medical Association and delegate to the National Medical Association. Her contributions to community health and medical education have been recognized through numerous awards, including the Humanitarian Award from the Union County Human Relations Commission.

Lynn Perry Wooten, a seasoned academic and an expert on organizational development and transformation, is the ninth president of Simmons University. She is the first African American to lead the University. Specializing in crisis leadership, diversity and inclusion, and positive leadership, Dr. Wooten is an innovative leader and prolific author and presenter. She came to Simmons from Cornell University, where she was the David J. Nolan Dean and Professor of Management and Organizations at the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. Prior to that, she served on the faculty of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business for nearly 20 years. Dr. Wooten is the author of nearly 30 journal articles, more than 15 book chapters and four books. This includes The Prepared Leader and the Wall Street Journal best-selling book Arrive and Thrive. A resident of Brookline, Dr. Wooten is actively involved in the Boston philanthropic and civic community. She currently serves on the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Trustee Advisory Board, the JFK Library Foundation Board of Advisors, the Fenway Alliance Board of Directors, The George School Board of Trustees, the MASCO Board of Directors, and the GBH Board of Trustees. In addition, Dr. Wooten is an active member of several national volunteer leadership organizations, and she serves on the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan Board of Directors and the North Carolina A&T University Board of Trustees. Dr. Wooten holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University, where she was valedictorian; an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business; and a doctorate from the University of Michigan. In addition, she received a Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

*Presenter listing as of February 4, 2025