2026 Career Symposium

Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Douglass Student Center, 100 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ

Schedule at a Glance

8:30 am  Registration: Douglass Student Center Lobby

9:00 am Continental Breakfast: Trayes Hall

9:20 am Welcome: AADC President Lisa Dorio Ruch ’89 and VDS Chair Fabiola Paul ’09

9:30 am Community Connects Mentoring Committee

9:40 am Keynote Address Caprice Jenerson '90, Esq. Executive, Author, Advocate, Strategist in Culture Transformation

10:00 am Break and Headshot Sessions: Tamara Fleming Photography, NJC Lounge             

10:10 am  Morning Workshops Session One (1 of 4 Options)

• Money TALK$™: Rewriting Your Money Story in a Changing World
• How to Make Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile Stand Out
• From Passion to Profession: Thriving Beyond Retirement 
• The Art of Personal Branding 

11:10 am Break

11:20 am Session Two Workshops (1 of 4 Options)

• Writing Your Next Chapter with Intention: Finding Clarity, Purpose, and Possibility at Every Stage of Life 
• The STAR Method: Showcase Your Value with Confidence and Clarity
• Embracing Messy Leadership
• Panel: Thriving at Every Stage: Confidence, Career Growth and Self-Care

12:20 pm  Break

12:30 pm Lunch and Symposium Panel, Trayes Hall, The Ups and Downs of Artificial Intelligence

1:45 pm Break

1:55 pm    Session Three Workshops (1 of 4 Options) 

• Minding the Mess: Clearing the Clutter, Calming the Mind Through Life’s Transitions
• Your First Five Years: Building an Unshakeable Financial Foundation
• Cultivating the Woman Behind the Work
• Empowering Career Growth

1:55 pm DRC Student Workshop: Your Personal Brand, Your Legacy

3:00 pm Networking Session, NJC Lounge

3:30 pm Symposium Concludes

Content subject to change: Updated August 20, 2026

Keynote: From Survival to Thriving

Presenter: Caprice Jenerson '90

Learning, Unlearning, and Reclaiming Who You Are

In a world that demands constant reinvention, many professionals focus on acquiring new skills but overlook the deeper work required to truly thrive: unlearning limiting beliefs, reconnecting with identity, and aligning with purpose. In this powerful and personal keynote or workshop, our presenter shares her journey from survival to intentional living, offering a transformative framework for navigating change at every stage of life and career. Through storytelling and practical insight, participants will explore how to release outdated narratives, rebuild self-trust, and step into a more aligned and impactful version of themselves.

Panel: The Ups and Downs of Artificial Intelligence

Presenters: Shilpa Mudiganti, Felecia Ward, Alison Maloney '10

Moderator: Fabiola Paul '09

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the workplace, creating new opportunities while also challenging professionals to adapt, learn, and rethink how they work. In this engaging panel discussion, industry leaders will explore the evolving expectations around AI skills, the balance between technology and authentic leadership, and the mindset needed to thrive amid constant change. Attendees will gain practical insights on leveraging AI to enhance productivity, visibility, and career growth while staying true to their values, strengthening human-centered skills, and intentionally shaping their professional future. Whether you're AI-curious or already integrating AI into your work, this conversation will help you navigate both the opportunities and uncertainties of the AI-driven workplace.

SESSION ONE

Money TALK$™: Rewriting Your Money Story in a Changing World

Because financial confidence shapes how you live, lead, and earn

Presenter: Dr. Constance Craig-Mason, MRFC®, NSSA®

Money decisions don’t begin with numbers. They begin with beliefs. Whether someone is starting their first job, changing careers, building a business, preparing for retirement, or navigating life’s unexpected transitions, the stories they believe about money influence every financial and career decision they make. In this engaging and interactive workshop, participants will identify limiting money beliefs, learn how those beliefs impact confidence, career choices, earning potential, and financial well-being, and leave with practical strategies to begin rewriting their money story. Through real-life examples, guided reflection, and actionable tools, attendees will discover how financial confidence can become a catalyst for personal growth, career advancement, and long-term wealth building. Participants will leave empowered to make more intentional financial decisions, advocate for their value, navigate career transitions with greater confidence, and build a future aligned with their goals and purpose.  

How to Make Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile Stand Out

Highlight Your Top Achievements and Wins

Presenters: Ankita Patel '06 and Lily Juhasz '22

Building a strong LinkedIn profile from your resume means turning a formal document into an engaging personal story. Our presenters will share strategies for focusing on using a conversational first-person tone, highlighting key achievements with numbers, and optimizing the top lines of your text so readers click to see more.

From Passion to Profession: Thriving Beyond Retirement

Retirement isn’t the finish line, it’s an invitation to reinvent, rediscover, and thrive.

Presenter: Wonda Williams

Career transitions, whether by choice or circumstance, require more than new skills; they require a new mindset. In this engaging and interactive workshop, participants will explore how to transform their passions, experiences, and transferable skills into meaningful professional opportunities at every stage of life. Participants will learn how to identify their unique strengths, build a personal brand, embrace lifelong learning, leverage technology and social media, and confidently pivot into new opportunities. Our presenter will draw from journey of retiring after an 18-year career and reinventing herself as the founder of a thriving business that grew from a single mall kiosk into two boutique locations.

Cultivating the Woman Behind the Work

Cultivating confident women who lead with purpose.

Presenter: Kaila Boulware Figueroa '15

In a world that celebrates constant productivity, many women have mastered the art of showing up for everyone except themselves. Through compelling storytelling, practical insight, and meaningful reflection our speaker invites women to examine the expectations, responsibilities, and limiting beliefs that keep them in survival mode. Rather than encouraging audiences to simply do more, find our about a powerful framework for becoming more—more intentional, more confident, more fulfilled, and more aligned with their purpose.

The Art of Personal Branding

Standing Out in the AI Era

Presenter: Felecia Ward

Artificial Intelligence is changing how we work—but it cannot replace what makes each of us uniquely valuable. In this engaging, interactive workshop, attendees will learn how to build an authentic personal brand that enhances their visibility, credibility, and career opportunities while using AI strategically and responsibly. Participants will discover how to articulate their unique value proposition, strengthen their executive presence, increase their influence on LinkedIn and beyond, and leverage AI to amplify, not replace, their authentic voice. Drawing upon more than 35 years of experience in marketing communications, executive coaching, and leadership development, our presenter shares practical strategies that empower professionals to thrive in an evolving workplace.

SESSION TWO

Writing Your Next Chapter with Intention: Finding Clarity, Purpose, and Possibility at Every Stage of Life

When one chapter ends, a new one begins: Discover how to move forward with purpose, clarity, and confidence.

Presenter: Katherine Clark '84

Participants will be guided through the Intentional Next Chapter Framework™, a wellness-centered approach designed to help women navigate life and career transitions with clarity, confidence, and purpose. This interactive workshop introduces participants to the Intentional Next Chapter Framework™, a practical approach for navigating change and career transitions with clarity, confidence and purpose. Through guided reflection, mindfulness practice, storytelling, journaling, participants will identify where they are today, reconnect with their strengths, and develop a realistic action plan for moving forward. In small-group conversation, participants will identify where they are today, reconnect with their strengths, and develop a realistic action plan for moving forward. Using the five-step framework—Reflect, Release, Restore, Reimagine, and Reclaim—participants will explore how to honor past experiences while creating meaningful goals for the future. Whether beginning a career, pursuing a new opportunity, considering retirement, or redefining purpose after retirement, attendees will leave with practical tools that support personal well-being, resilience, and lifelong growth.

The STAR Method: Showcase Your Value with Confidence and Clarity

Presenter: Fabiola Paul '09 and Eno Totoh '15

Ready to face your next interview with confidence? Whether you're entering the workforce for the first time or pursuing a new career path, this interactive workshop will teach you how to use the S.T.A.R. (Situation, Task, Action, Result) interviewing method to answer even the toughest interview questions with confidence and clarity. Attendees will learn how to organize their experiences into clear, compelling responses that highlight transferable skills, accomplishments, and problem-solving abilities. Through guided instruction, practical examples, and interview practice, attendees will leave with practical strategies, increased confidence, and a proven framework to help you make a lasting impression and land the job you deserve.

Workshop: Embracing Messy Leadership

Messy leadership is the courage to lead when the path isn't clear and the answers aren't in a handbook.

Presenters: Sheila Cooper '89 and Kim Feltre

We’ll explore why messy is the natural state of innovation because great teams aren't built in the calm; they are forged in the mess. This interactive session explores how leaders build team resilience to lead a team that doesn't just survive the mess of modern education but leverages it to drive student success and professional growth. Delve into why the most effective leaders aren't the ones with the fewest mistakes, but the ones who learn out loud. Those who maintain a clear North Star even when the map is being redrawn in real-time. It’s time to stop managing the mess and start leading through it with confidence and strategic grit.

Panel: Thriving at Every Stage: Confidence, Career Growth and Self-Care

Panelists: Krystal Reddick-Pollard, Alexandria E. Latimer, Tosin Oladipo '22, Khairah Walker-Grayson

Moderator: Jennie Vila '07

No matter where you are in your career journey, navigating change, overcoming setbacks, and investing in your well-being are essential for long-term success. This panel brings together experts to explore how confidence, resilience, and self-care can help you grow through every career stage. From healing after professional challenges to embracing new opportunities and career pivots, attendees will gain practical strategies for staying authentic, building career confidence, and thriving both personally and professionally.

SESSION THREE

Minding the Mess: Clearing the Clutter, Calming the Mind Through Life’s Transitions

Clear the Clutter, Calm the Mind

Presenter: Zaira Gonzalez

In an ever-changing world, transitions are inevitable. Whether stepping into a new career, becoming a parent, experiencing loss, navigating divorce, or entering a new season of life, change often brings uncertainty, overwhelm, and emotional weight. Yet, one of the most overlooked ways these transitions show up is in our physical and mental spaces. This session introduces a framework that explores the connection between clutter, emotional well-being, and life transitions. Rooted in both professional experience and personal transformation, this approach recognizes that when life shifts, our spaces often reflect the internal “mess” we are carrying. Leave this workshop with simple, sustainable practices to create clarity, reduce overwhelm, and build supportive systems that evolve with them through every stage of life. Find out the importance of learning, unlearning, and relearning as essential tools for growth.

Your First Five Years: Building an Unshakeable Financial Foundation

A practical, judgment-free roadmap for turning your first real paychecks into lasting peace of mind.

Presenter: Valeria Mentor

The years right after graduation shape a lifetime of financial habits, yet almost no one is taught how to manage a first real income. This interactive workshop gives recent grads and first-time professionals a clear, confidence-building foundation for their most financially formative years. Participants will walk through three practical modules: Breathing Room, a plain-language budgeting approach that starts with what’s left after essentials and debts; the First Paycheck Playbook, covering the first moves to make when income actually hits an account; and Debt & Credit Confidence, demystifying student loans, credit scores, and the choices that quietly compound over time. Rather than abstract theory, attendees leave with a repeatable framework, better language for concepts that usually feel intimidating, and one concrete action to take that week. No prior financial knowledge is assumed. The goal is this: to replace money anxiety with a sense of agency, so early-career professionals can thrive financially from their very first paycheck forward.

Student Only Workshop: Your Personal Brand, Your Legacy

Your Greatest Asset: You  

Presenter: Lily Juhasz '22

This interactive workshop will help you define your unique professional identity, craft a powerful personal brand, and build a lasting career legacy. You will learn how to align your core values with your public image and share your authentic story with confidence.

Empowering Career Growth

Strategies for Every Stage

Presenter: Madison Malloy

In today's rapidly changing job market, professionals at all stages face unique challenges. This workshop will focus on empowering individuals to embrace their identities and unlock their potential through actionable strategies. By sharing insights from her own journey and proven frameworks, our presenter will inspire participants to take charge of their career paths.

Please note content subject to change: Updated August 17, 2026.

Keynote

Caprice R. Jenerson, Esq., is a recognized leader in the intersecting spaces of law, leadership, transformation, and equity. She has spent her career advocating for the most vulnerable while advancing human-centered leadership in every space she enters. Caprice’s professional journey spans the courtroom, the boardroom, and the community, where she has become a sought-after Consultant, Author, and Speaker. She works with individuals, small groups, and to help them not only manage change by stepping into the truth of who they are and leading from a place of authenticity and courage. A compelling voice in leadership development, Caprice is known for her deep empathy, bold clarity, and transformational storytelling. Her message resonates across industries: You don’t need permission to lead—you are the permission. She empowers leaders at every level to take up space unapologetically, to use their voice as a tool for influence, and to turn life’s pivots into power moves.

Whether she's leading high-impact workshops, mentoring women stepping into leadership roles, or delivering keynote addresses that move audiences to action, Caprice’s mission remains the same: to inspire, equip, and elevate others to lead from exactly where they are. She believes in the power of every individual to create lasting impact—not by becoming someone else, but by becoming more of themselves. Caprice frequently speaks on topics such as: Leading with Authenticity and Authority; Taking Up Space in Rooms Not Built for You; The Power of the Pivot: Navigating Change with Intention; Equity, Justice, and the Future of Inclusive Leadership; From Advocate to Architect: Designing Leadership on Your Terms

Presenters

Kaila Boulware-Figueroa ’15 is an award-winning storyteller, TEDx speaker, media producer, educator, author, and community leader dedicated to using the power of storytelling to inspire change and transform lives. Her work bridges education, public health, leadership, media, and community engagement. As the Executive Producer of X-Ray Visions Studio, she creates compelling visual narratives and strategic communications for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and mission-driven leaders. She also serves as the Program Supervisor for the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, leading two internships of a year-long documentary series that highlights the Foundation's impact and commitment to advancing equity and opportunity. Kaila is the Co-Founder of Hidden Gems Literary Emporium, a nonprofit committed to advancing literacy, educational equity, and access to books through community programming. Kaila's signature presentation, U Bloom, challenges women to move beyond survival and intentionally cultivate lives rooted in purpose, resilience, and flourishing. 

Katherine Taylor Clark ‘84 is an educator, wellness facilitator, and founder of Focus Now Consulting. With more than 30 years of experience as a speech teacher, guidance counselor, principal, higher education administrator, and educational consultant, she has dedicated her career to helping others learn, grow, and lead with purpose. Katherine integrates reflective practices, storytelling, journaling, and intentional action to help individuals navigate life's transitions with confidence. She is the creator of the Next Chapter Framework™, a holistic approach that empowers participants to move from uncertainty to clarity through reflection, restoration, and purposeful action. She inspires audiences to embrace change, rediscover their strengths, and write their next chapter with intention.

Sheila J. Cooper ‘89 is the K-6 ELA Supervisor for the Hillsborough Township Public Schools, where she has worked as the ELA Supervisor since September 2011. Prior to this, she worked for the Franklin Township Board of Education in various roles spanning 21 years. She began her career in education as an elementary teacher (grades 4-6), then became an Instructional Coach after receiving her Masters in Reading from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her certification as a Reading Specialist. Sheila is also a Teacher Consultant with the Drew Writing Project.

Dr. Constance Craig-Mason, MRFC®, NSSA® is the CEO of Concierge Financial Advisory and Founder of Money TALK$™ Movement Inc. As a Financial Planner, Social Security Advisor, Investment Advisor, and Insurance Broker, she empowers clients to live the life they want—without worrying about money. Honored with numerous awards for her leadership in financial literacy, she was named one of Association of African American Financial Advisor’s 50 Under 50 and holds an Honorary Doctorate in Entrepreneurship. A 3x Million-Dollar Round Table member, Dr. Constance has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, Black Enterprise, and more for her commitment to financial empowerment and client success.

Kim Feltre Highlights from our presenter’s experience and career will be coming soon.

Zaira Gonzalez is a seasoned social worker, educator, and leader with over 16 years of experience in the non-profit and education sectors, where she has led various support service programs and designed professional development opportunities. A first-generation Dominican American and graduate of Columbia University, Zaira is deeply committed to ending the stigma around mental health and advancing workplace practices that prioritize emotional well-being, cultural responsiveness, and sustainable support systems. As the founder of Minding the Mess, LLC, a mental health-based professional organizing business, Zaira helps individuals align their environments with their emotional wellness goals through intentional living. Her work goes beyond decluttering; it’s about walking alongside people through life’s most transformative moments, from navigating grief to redefining identity, and reclaiming peace in the spaces they inhabit. Drawing from her expertise in mental health, equity-driven leadership, and wellness, Zaira bridges the connection between order and emotion, creating environments that nurture calm and hope.

Lily Juhasz ’22 is the Co-Chair of the Young Alumnae Network at the AADC and currently works at Citigroup, where she leads business process improvement initiatives within the Information Security organization. She also manages the Cybersecurity Apprentice Program, helping develop the next generation of cybersecurity talent. Prior to Citigroup, Lily worked at The Walt Disney Company on the Employer Branding team, where she helped position Disney as a leading technology employer through recruitment marketing initiatives designed to attract top technical talent. Lily earned her bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and Douglass Residential College in 2022 and is currently pursuing her MBA at Montclair State University.

Alexandria E. Latimer is a global research and insights leader with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations better understand people, workplace culture, leadership effectiveness, employee experience, and brand effectiveness. Throughout her career, she has led large-scale audience, employee, and organizational research initiatives across media, government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. As the founder of Intra-FACE Consulting, Alexandria specializes in transforming data into actionable strategies that improve decision-making, strengthen workplace cultures, and drive meaningful change. Her work sits at the intersection of human behavior, professional development, and organizational growth. Drawing from both professional research and lived experience, Alexandria speaks on career resilience, leadership, workplace culture, and personal growth, helping professionals identify the lessons that move them forward—and the beliefs that may be holding them back.

Madison Malloy is an accomplished author, podcast host, mindset coach, and keynote speaker. With a diverse background that spans from Wall Street to the comedy stage, Madison brings a unique perspective to personal development. She empowers audiences to break free from limiting beliefs and embrace their true potential through her engaging storytelling and humor. Having transitioned from a successful career in finance to the world of comedy and personal development, she understands the challenges individuals face when navigating their careers. Her signature framework, Reveal, Release, and Recode, equips attendees with the tools they need to shift their self-concept and achieve lasting change. Madison's work has been featured in various media outlets, and she has spoken at numerous conferences and events. Her ability to connect with audiences on a personal level makes her a sought-after speaker for organizations focused on growth and empowerment. Through her dynamic presentations, Madison inspires individuals to recognize the subconscious patterns that hold them back and take actionable steps toward their goals. She believes that everyone has the potential to thrive, and her mission is to help others unlock that potential.

Alison Maloney ’10 is the founder of Bloom Life Coaching with more than a decade of experience supporting children, families, and educators in the special education field. As a Trauma-Informed Advanced Certified Life Coach, Certified Transformational Parent Coach, and ACEs Interface Master Trainer, she is passionate about helping individuals navigate change with greater self-awareness, resilience, and purpose. Drawing on both her professional experience and personal journey, Alison creates interactive workshops that blend practical strategies, guided reflection, and meaningful conversation to inspire lasting personal and professional growth. Her approach encourages participants to embrace lifelong learning, challenge limiting beliefs, and intentionally grow into the people they want to become. Alison believes that meaningful career success begins with the person behind the profession, and that our greatest growth comes not only from what we learn, but from what we choose to unlearn along the way.

Valeria Mentor is the founder of The Wealth Anchor, a financial education platform built to close the foundational money-knowledge gap that most people are never taught. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Business Administration from Montclair State University, and brings ten years of experience in corporate operations, currently helping manage the Arhaus Design Studio location in Princeton, NJ. Over the past five years, Valeria has immersed herself in the mechanics of wealth building and discovered a startling lack of clear, accessible information on foundational finance. She created The Wealth Anchor to change that, translating intimidating money concepts into plain-language tools and frameworks through her newsletter, workbooks, and educational resources. Her mission is simple: help people build financial stability early, before bad habits — or good intentions with no plan — set the tone for the decades that follow.

Shilpa Mudiganti has more than two decades of experience helping enterprises move from ambition to execution—turning data, automation, and artificial intelligence into measurable business outcomes. Her work sits at the intersection of AI strategy, operations, and economics: deciding where AI is worth investing, securing executive alignment, and leading disciplined delivery at scale. She is the founder of “Her Lead Story” focused on elevating mid and senior-career women’s leadership journey in this AI-enabled world.

Olutosin (Tosin) Oladipo is the Assistant Director of Development for the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, where she partners with alumni, donors, and corporate leaders to advance student success and educational initiatives. A proud Rutgers and Douglass alumna, Tosin has built her career across public health, career services, and higher education advancement, embracing each transition as an opportunity for growth. Outside of her professional role, she is the founder of Unitee, a community organization dedicated to fostering connection, wellness, and belonging for young professionals. She is passionate about helping others navigate career pivots with confidence, build meaningful relationships, and create fulfilling careers rooted in purpose.

Ankita Patel ’06 is an experienced product management leader with 10+ years of experience in financial services, specializing in wealth management, banking, and digital customer experience transformation, most recently at J.P. Morgan Chase. She has experience delivering and productionizing generative AI products for customers, clients and internal users, along with deep expertise in competitive intelligence and market strategy. Ankita earned her bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Journalism from Rutgers University and Douglass Residential College.

Fabiola Paul ’09 is the Founder/psychotherapist of Enlightening Counseling & Educational Services, which is a premier provider of online mental health counseling specializing in trauma among women and teen girls. Fabiola Paul is Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her master’s in social work from Rutgers University and has been in the field for over a decade. Fabiola is trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, CBT, is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Certified Clinical Supervisor, and had her SIFI. She also provides holistic wellness coaching and mental health related workshops for companies, schools, and churches.

Krystal Reddick-Pollard is an educator, licensed social worker, and self-care coach. Through Total Life Care Coaching, she supports heart-centered professionals with prioritizing their well-being and making their self-care non-negotiable. Krystal believes that self-care is a way to intentionally center ourselves in our own lives and to take up the space we deserve. As someone who lives with bipolar disorder, she knows this to be true; self-care sustains her and allows her to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Additionally, she holds degrees from Duke University (BA), Rutgers University (M.Ed.), and Fordham University (MSW).

Eno Totoh ’15 Highlights from our presenter’s experience and career will be coming soon.

Jennie Vila '07 Highlights from our presenter’s experience and career will be coming soon.

Khairah L. Walker-Grayson endeavors are led by an eloquent relationship as a writer and through oral expression, amplifying voices through dismantling false narratives and curating sustainable, liberating content. As Founder and Executive Director of tiLTFEST, a festival celebrating creative professional women and watershed moments in their careers, the co-founder of The WellNesst Village, Inc, a 501(c)3 digital collective affirming wellness practices for an online community, and founding board member and inaugural Comms Director and Submissions Chair for the Newark International Film Festival, she is at the forefront of change, upending the status quo and stamping initiatives for how we are seen, defined and lauded. Scripting, producing, moderating, organizing and scaffolding events as platforms for change is some of the work she is engaged in, along with copywriting and editing social campaigns, scripts, talking points and stage narratives for clients like the Essence Festival of Culture. An accomplished social advocate, Khairah’s passion for equity and justice work has allowed her to contribute meaningfully to sustainable change in underserved communities of color and her professional reputation is anchored by her unique ability to scale shared visions to successful fruition. As a certified Yoga teacher and wellness practitioner, she empowers, strengthens, and inspires corporate, non-profit, and private clients when facilitating workshops, healing sessions and teaching.

Felecia Ward is an award-winning Marketing Communications Strategist, Certified Executive Coach, Leadership Development Consultant, keynote speaker, and Amazon Best-Selling Author with more than 35 years of experience helping leaders amplify their visibility, influence, and impact. She is the Founder of Felecia Ward Marketing, where she partners with executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations to strengthen leadership effectiveness through strategic communications, executive coaching, personal branding, and AI-powered business strategies. A three-time LinkedIn Top Voice, Thinkers360, ForbesBLK member, Advisory Board Member and former Board President of HR-4U.org, Felecia has advised leaders across healthcare, education, finance, retail, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. Her proprietary Strategic Leadership Visibility Framework™ equips professionals to communicate with clarity, build credibility, and position themselves as trusted thought leaders in an evolving workplace.

Wonda Williams is an entrepreneur, retired educator, public speaker, and founder of Shimmer & Co., a thriving custom fashion boutique with two New Jersey locations. After retiring from an 18-year career with the New York City Board of Education, she transformed her passion for creativity into a full-time business, building a recognizable brand through innovation, experiential retail, and the power of social media. Wonda has grown Shimmer & Co. from a single mall kiosk into two boutique locations, created employment opportunities, mentored aspiring entrepreneurs, and demonstrated that retirement can be the beginning of a person’s most impactful season. A minister, faith builder, and Kingdompreneur, Wonda believes purpose is lived with conviction, integrity, and courage. With years of leadership in education, ministry, and entrepreneurship, she is passionate about helping individuals navigate career transitions, embrace reinvention, and discover that their greatest impact may still be ahead of them. Known for her authentic storytelling and practical strategies, Wonda equips audiences to recognize transferable skills, build confidence, and turn passion into profession. Whether speaking in educational, corporate, ministry, or entrepreneurial settings, her mission is to inspire others to embrace change, pursue purpose, and thrive in every season of life. 

Please note content subject to change: Updated August 24, 2026