The Path to Civic Involvement – Learn how to get involved in the political process by serving on public and private boards, positioning yourself for visibility, supporting local candidates and making your vote count.  Panelists will discuss how to nominate, support and vote for candidates that bring attention to issues important to New Jersey women.  Or, position yourself to one day run for office. 

Moderator:

Sharon Harrington - Chief Administrator, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

Panelists:

• Mildred Crump - Newark Council Member-at-Large, Newark City
• Jen Godoski - Director, New Jersey Office of Appointments
• Barbara Sussman Goldberg - President, New Jersey Women's Political Caucus
• Debbie Walsh - Director, Center for American Women in Politics

Legislating Women’s Issues – Hear from women legislators who have made a difference in New Jersey by sponsoring bills that impact women’s issues.

Moderator:

Kent Manahan - Senior Anchor, NJN News

Panelists:

• Diane Allen - State Senator, District 7
• Linda Greenstein - Assemblywoman, District 14
• Allison McHose - Assemblywoman, District 24
• Bonnie Watson Coleman - Assemblywoman, District 15

From Silence to Speech: Advocating for Change – Advocacy is critical to achieving economic and social equity, particularly for women and minorities.  Experts will explain how to lobby for change and raise public awareness about issues that affect women.

Moderator:

Patti McGuire - Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor

Panelists:

• Danzey Burnham - Executive Director, League of Women Voters of New Jersey
• Sherryl Gordon - International Vice President, Eastern Region of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
• Melanie Willoughby - Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, New Jersey Business & Industry Association
• Cecilia Zalkind - Executive Director, Association for Children of New Jersey

Women With Global Voices: International Women’s Issues – Women are out there on the front lines, making a difference next door and around the world.  Hear from leading experts on international women’s issues.

Moderator:

Marcia Karrow - Assemblywoman, District 23

Panelists:

• Charlotte Bunch - Founder and Executive Director, Center for Women’s Global Leadership
• Dr. Shamita Das Dasgupta - Co-Founder, Manavi & Adjunct Professor, NYU Law School
• Sarah Elshazly – Chief, Bureau of Prevention and Community Relations, New Jersey Division of Civil Rights
• Dr. Maria Teresa Feliciano - President of the Conference on Dominican Affairs
• Mora McLean - CEO and President, Africa-America Institute

Community Service: Women in Philanthropy – Learn how to get more involved in your community by volunteering and mentoring with local nonprofits and community organizations that work to serve the diverse people in your town.

Moderator:

Molly Slingerland - Princeton Public Affairs Group, Inc.

Panelists:

• Patricia Bell - Senior Vice President of Investments, Merrill Lynch
• Helene Pierson - Executive Director , Heart of Camden
• Myra Terry - Founder and CEO, Women’s Fund of New Jersey
• Nina Mitchell Wells - Secretary of State, New Jersey Department of State

Immigration: What are the Issues and Why Do We Care? – Panelists will give an overview of the local implications of immigration on education, housing and social services, including the link to human trafficking and violence against women.

Dr. Joan Voss - Assemblywoman, District 38

Panelists:

• Shereen C. Chen - Counsel, Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
• Amy Gottlieb - Program Director, American Friends Service Committee Immigrant Rights Program
• Maria Juega - Treasurer of the Board of Trustees , Latin American Legal Defense & Education Fund, INC.
• Marlene Lao-Collins - Associate Director for Social Concerns, New Jersey Catholic Conference