JUNE 2026 | GOVERNMENT BREAKFAST
WEDLI members and guests enjoyed a fantastic Government Breakfast this morning hearing from New York State Senators Monica Martinez and Siela Bynoe! This powerhouse duo shared their legislative priorities, accomplishments, and insights into the world of state government. During a lively Q&A, the Senators discussed how they work with stakeholders to identify and prioritize issues affecting Long Islanders. Thank you to Senator Martinez and Senator Bynoe for spending the morning with us.
WEDLI was also honored to present scholarship awards to two extraordinary recipients: Alyssa Doria, who recently graduated from Stony Brook University with her Master’s in Social Work, and Jessica Moylan, a graduate student in Operations Research at Stony Brook. Alyssa’s mentors describe her as “exceptionally professional” and someone who “consistently contributes to women’s empowerment.” Jessica’s mentors say that her efforts help inspire an early interest in STEM fields and support the development of a future workforce that will contribute to Long Island’s economic growth. We were delighted to recognize these impressive women as they pursue their goals on Long Island.
Thank you Empire Government Strategies for your generous support of this event. We’d also like to highlight our media sponsor, the Herald; our Gold Corporate Sponsor, LIPA; and our Bronze Corporate Sponsor, EisnerAmper.
MAY 2026 | INSTALLATION DINNER
WEDLI enjoyed a beautiful event as we installed our new board and inducted four new members on a lovely Long Island evening at Captain Bill’s!
In what has become a special WEDLI tradition, the Honorable Andrea Phoenix gave a heartfelt presentation as she installed our new officers and board of directors. Congratulations to our new President, Yolanda Robano-Gross. We can’t wait to see where your leadership and boundless energy take WEDLI! Best of luck and congrats to our officers and board of directors: Kathleen Deegan Dickson, Julia Lee, Jane Reed, Michelle McQueen, Kennetha Pettus, Heather Simek, Jodi Bloom-Piccione, Lauren Kanter-Lawrence, Debra Thompson, Randi Shubin Dresner, Catherine Fee, Martha Stansbury, and Jaclyn Peranteau.
We were also thrilled to induct four new members who embody the goals and values of WEDLI: Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, Heidi Goldstein of Tom James Company, Michelle Zarifis of National Grid, and Jennifer Lewis of P.W. Grosser. Thank you P.W. Grosser for your generous sponsorship of the event. Thank you to our media sponsor, the Herald; our Gold Corporate Sponsor, LIPA; and our Bronze Corporate Sponsor, EisnerAmper.
Lots of laughs and new connections made for a memorable evening. Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate!
APRIL 2026 | PLUGGING INTO POWER: UNDERSTANDING ENERGY AT WORK
The energy (pun intended) in the room was palpable as Carrie Meek Gallagher, CEO of Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), led a fantastic discussion about the connection of all the utilities on Long Island and how that relationship impacts the economic development of our community. Topics included the creation of strong partnerships, record investments in reliability, advancing New York State energy goals, and more. We were also happy to welcome Veronica Isaac, Manager, Customer & Community Partnerships at PSEG-LI, who shared information about a variety of programs geared toward supporting the business community. Thank you also to the Honorable Elaine Phillips, Nassau County Comptroller, for attending the event.
We were delighted to present one of our three scholarship winners with her award today. Congratulations to Alessandra Amaya-Reyes, Accounting major at Adelphi, on your accomplishments. We look forward to welcoming you as a future WEDLI member!
Thank you to our event sponsor, Key Civil Engineering; our media sponsor, the Herald; our Gold Corporate Sponsor, LIPA; and our Bronze Corporate Sponsor, EisnerAmper.
MARCH 2026 | WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: NONPROFIT LEADERS
Channeling passion, mission, and bringing people together were some of the themes explored during WEDLI’s breakfast meeting spotlighting Women’s History Month and the nonprofit sector.
WEDLI members Randi Shubin Dresner, President & CEO of Island Harvest, Yolanda Robano-Gross, LMSW, MHA, CEO of Options for Community Living, Inc., and Tammy Severino, President & CEO of Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, shared their insights, their stories, and what drives them during this spirited panel discussion moderated by Debra Thompson, Executive Vice President and Chief Underwriting Counsel at Advantage Title. It was fascinating to hear about the different paths to leadership, as well as the critical role of nonprofits in driving the Long Island economy. Thank you to Cerini and Associates, LLP for sponsoring this event, and the Herald, our Media Sponsor!
We were also delighted to induct our newest WEDLI member, Jaime Franchi, Director of Communications and Government Relations at Long Island Contractors’ Association, Inc. and founder of FOREWomen. Congratulations!
FEBRUARY 2026 | THE ART OF NEGOTIATION
WEDLI members and guests added new skills to their negotiation toolkits at this morning’s breakfast meeting. Jenny Roberts, Dean and Professor of Law at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and Frank Gallucci, Senior Managing Director at Whitestone Analytics and Adjunct Professor at Adelphi University, covered a range of negotiation topics including timing, tone, preparation, and self-reflection. WEDLI board member Randi Shubin Dresner moderated a lively panel discussion that explored the difference between the art and skill of negotiation, made even better by the insightful Q&A session that followed.
Thank you to our event sponsor, Farrell Fritz, P.C. and our media sponsor, the Herald, for your support of this standing room only event.
JANUARY 2026 | MULTI-ORGANIZATION WOMEN’S NETWORKING BREAKFAST
Such an incredible morning! We loved the energy in the room as multiple women’s networking and professional organizations gathered to kick off 2026. WEDLI was thrilled to welcome leaders from CIBS W, LIREG W, Moxxie, Ellevate, Forewomen, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, Women United, and The Women of Melville Empowerment Network – so many new connections were made as we learned about all these groups have to offer and how we can work together.
We then heard an engaging presentation from Kim Ross MS, RD, CDN, who provided evidence-based strategies to maximize productivity and professional impact. Kim’s talk, followed by a lively Q&A, covered essential topics such as sustainable work eating habits and really got people thinking. Thank you to our sponsor, Armanino, for your generous support of this special event, and our media sponsor, the Herald, for helping to spread the word.
DECEMBER 2025 | HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
Another fun and festive WEDLI Holiday Luncheon in the books! WEDLI members and guests enjoyed great conversation, delicious food, and fabulous raffles at the event, while also collecting a carload of toiletry donations for Options for Community Living. Thank you to our sponsors, EisnerAmper and Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP, for your generous support. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holiday season with the Long Island business community!
NOVEMBER 2025 | THE POWER OF A.I. IN THE WORKPLACE
At our November breakfast meeting, Bryan Lozano, Director of Tech:NYC Foundation, helped demystify artificial intelligence in the workplace. He led a lively discussion for WEDLI members and guests about real-world applications solving business challenges and how to maximize the value of AI. We also learned about Empire AI, a partnership of New York’s public and private universities that is facilitating statewide innovation, research, and development of AI technologies. Thank you to our sponsor, Pure Mammography, and to Joseph Ramirez, Nassau County Regional Representative for Governor Kathy Hochul, for joining us! We were also delighted to induct two new members, Gia Vigliotti-Barone and Kris Amato-Aliani.
OCTOBER 2025 | COCKTAIL SOCIAL & FUNDRAISER
Energy filled the air at WEDLI’s Cocktail Social as members and guests mixed and mingled at the fabulous Blackstone Steakhouse in Melville to raise critical funds for WEDLI scholarships. Delicious food and drinks complemented the great networking, conversation, and fun raffles at this buzzy event!
SEPTEMBER 2025 | NEW YORK BIOGENESIS PARK
WEDLI kicked off our new programming year with an inside look at plans for New York BioGenesis Park, a groundbreaking $430 million Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Innovation Hub in Nassau County. Our speaker was Cara Longworth, a VP and Long Island Regional Director for Empire State Development, the state’s economic development agency. The project marks the largest investment in a CGT hub by any state. New York BioGenesis Park will have more than 300,000 square feet for CGT companies and services, and 700 new CGT jobs are expected after completion. Thank you to our event sponsor, Stony Brook Research and Innovation.
JUNE 2025 | SUMMER SOCIAL
WEDLI members and friends enjoyed a fantastic Summer Social at AG Steakhouse in Westbury. We were delighted to induct four new members: Rose Ward, Claudia Rodriguez, Carmela Zino, and Giovana Bracchi, and present the Madelyn Orsini Scholarship Award to one of our incredible recipients, Rachel Halpert. Thank you to our event sponsor, Herald Community Newspapers. What an enjoyable way to conclude our programming year!
MARCH 2025 | WOMEN LAW SCHOOL DEANS
WEDLI celebrated Women’s History Month by welcoming three prominent legal scholars who are leading our local law schools. WEDLI Board Member Randi Shubin Dresner led a discussion with a distinguished and powerhouse panel that included Jelani Jefferson Exum, Dean & Rose DiMartino and Karen Sue Smith Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law; Elena Langan, Dean & Professor of Law at Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center; and Jenny Roberts, Dean & Professor of Law at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. These dedicated deans and professors participated in a wide-ranging discussion with depth that touched on so many fields and occupations. We were also delighted to induct three new members, Jael Ferguson, Anissa Moore, and Robyn Fellrath. Thank you to our event sponsor, Farrell Fritz, and our 40th anniversary ruby sponsor, PSEG-LI.
JANUARY 2025 | MULTI-ORGANIZATION WOMEN’S NETWORKING BREAKFAST: MENOPAUSE AT THE WORKPLACE
WEDLI kicked off 2025 with a packed house, welcoming various women’s networking organizations to learn about “Menopause at the Workplace: It Doesn’t Need to Be a Secret.” Northwell Health physicians Rosemarie L. Conigliaro, MD, FACP, MSCP and Sneha Shrivastava, MD, discussed the biology of menopause and shared actionable strategies to shed the stigma and open a dialogue around menopause accommodations in the workplace. They also discussed the economic cost to employers of failing to address these issues, including lost productivity and losing valuable employees. Workshop-style, multi-generational discussions at each table rounded out a fantastic event. We were also thrilled to induct two new members, Erin O’Brien and Liz Elsesser. Thank you to our sponsor, Pure Mammography, and our partnering organizations for this event: Moxxie, LIREG-W, CIBS W, and Ellevate.
DECEMBER 2024 | WEDLI HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
Another fantastic WEDLI Holiday Luncheon in the books! We enjoyed our traditional holiday gathering with a new twist: delicious Brazilian cuisine at AG Steakhouse in Westbury paired with fun getting-to-know-you questions to help build new connections. Our festive gathering was a delightful way to celebrate the holidays, WEDLI-style and raise money for our scholarship fund. Thank you to EisnerAmper for sponsoring and AG Steakhouse for impeccable service and food. We look forward to seeing everyone in January.
NOVEMBER 2024 | CANNABIS UPDATE
WEDLI welcomed a distinguished panel of speakers to discuss the economic impact and growth of the cannabis industry on Long Island. Panelists included Tremaine S. Wright, Chairperson, Cannabis Control Board; Lisa M. Casa, Esq., Partner, Forchelli Deegan Terrana and member of the cannabis practice group; and Jonathan M. Lehrer, Associate Professor and Chairperson, Department of Urban Horticulture and Design, Head of Certificate Program in Cannabis Production/Management, Farmingdale State College. Randi Shubin Dresner, WEDLI board member and President and CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank, moderated the discussion. Topics included licensing, regulations, workplace issues, challenges for the industry, and more.
OCTOBER 2024 | COCKTAIL SOCIAL
WEDLI members and guests mixed and mingled at this strictly social event. We enjoyed delicious food, drinks, and great conversation at AG Steakhouse in Westbury while supporting WEDLI’s annual scholarship fund. Thank you to our event sponsor, Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP; our Dessert Sponsor, UBS; and our Cocktail Sponsor, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP.
SEPTEMBER 2024 | THE EVOLUTION OF FILM AND TELEVISION ON LONG ISLAND
Have you ever caught a glimpse of a familiar location in a TV show or movie and asked yourself, “Is that…?” It probably is! Long Island is a popular location for filming for a host of reasons, including location, economics, and the area’s natural beauty. The economic impact of this activity on our region is staggering, from major studio productions to smaller projects. Debra Markowitz, who created and served as the Director of the Nassau County Film Commission for 33 years, shared impressive numbers and fascinating stories about “Hollywood East.” She also serves as President of the Long Island Film-TV Foundation, which runs the Long Island International Film Expo. WEDLI Programs Co-Chair Debra Thompson moderated this unique event. Thank you to Empire Government Strategies for sponsoring!
We were also delighted to induct two new members, Gina Coletti and Catherine Fee.
JUNE 2024 | SUMMER SOCIAL & INSTALLATION DINNER
We celebrated the installation of WEDLI’s new officers and board members on a beautiful June evening at our Summer Social. Hon. Andrea Phoenix led a heartfelt and moving ceremony celebrating WEDLI’s past and future and 40 years of women’s leadership. Thank you, Judge Phoenix, for being an incredible part of such a special evening. Thank you to Brookhaven National Laboratory for sponsoring the event, and congratulations to the newly installed officers and directors!
MAY 2024 | NEW YORK CLIMATE EXCHANGE
Such a busy and wonderful morning at WEDLI! We were honored that Anissa Moore, Deputy County Executive of Nassau County, joined us to recognize 40 years of women’s leadership by presenting WEDLI with a citation on behalf of County Executive Bruce Blakeman. We were then delighted to induct Meaghan Coughlan Treat of TRITEC as a member of WEDLI, followed by presentation of the board slate for 2024-2026. We also presented two deserving master’s students, Emma Laskowski of H2M architects + engineers and Tara Philippou of Oceanside School District, with Madelyn Orsini scholarships to further their studies. Judith Greiman of Stony Brook University then spoke about the New York Climate Exchange in a “fireside chat” with WEDLI board members Martha Stansbury and Jaclyn Peranteau. Thank you to EisnerAmper for sponsoring this morning’s breakfast meeting!
APRIL 2024 | WASTE MANAGEMENT
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Dawn Harmon, Director, East Region Market Area for Covanta, and Charles Vigliotti, President & CEO of American Organic Energy and Long Island Compost Corporation, shared their knowledge and expertise of the waste management problems on Long Island. We also explored some solutions in a wide-ranging panel discussion moderated by Debra Thompson, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Advantage Title and WEDLI board member. Thank you to our sponsor, Harris Beach.
MARCH 2024 | 40th ANNIVERSARY COCKTAIL RECEPTION
WEDLI celebrated 40 years of women’s leadership with a spectacular cocktail reception at Blackstone Steakhouse. Members and guests enjoyed connecting with old friends and new as well as hear from one of WEDLI’s founders, Ilene Kogen! We were also thrilled to welcome some past scholarship recipients. Thank you to our Ruby Sponsor, PSEG-LI; our Platinum Sponsor, Forchelli Deegan Terrana; our Gold Sponsor, EisnerAmper; our Silver Sponsors, Key Civil Engineering, First Central Savings Bank, Bank of America, Adelphi University, and Visionary Marketing; our Cocktail & Drink Sponsor, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick; our Dessert Sponsor, Island Harvest; and our Hors D’oeuvres Sponsor, the Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook University. Board members Randi Shubin Dresner and Kathleen Deegan Dickson co-chaired the 40th Anniversary Committee.
FEBRUARY 2024 | MARDI GRAS COOKING DEMONSTRATION & TASTING
WEDLI enjoyed a special members-only event hosted by Forchelli Deegan Terrana. “Chef Charlie” gave a Mardi Gras cooking demonstration with traditional New Orleans fare: Gumbo, Mr. B’s BBQ Shrimp, and Bananas Foster. We were excited to learn some tips and tricks from a pro, followed by a delicious tasting! We also enjoyed specialty cocktails and great conversation.
JANUARY 2024 | SANDS NEW YORK FEATURING TRACEY A. EDWARDS
WEDLI hosted a standing-room-only crowd for our January meeting featuring Tracey A. Edwards, Corporate Social Responsibility Officer for Las Vegas Sands Corporation. She led a lively discussion about the economic impact of the proposed Sands New York project and their involvement in the surrounding community. We were also thrilled to induct our newest member, Kristyn Noren. Thanks to our sponsor, Marcum LLP! We were pleased to welcome Alicia Williams from the Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs, Anissa D. Moore, Deputy County Executive of Nassau County, and Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth to the meeting.
