GIRL UP{STATE}
SUMMIT
SATURDAY APRIL 1ST / 10 AM - 3:30 PM
UNITING GIRLS TO CHANGE THE WORLD
REGISTER /
Registration has CLOSED. Thanks for registering and we will see you Saturday!
WHEN /
APRIL 1, 2017
10 AM-3:30 PM
WHERE /
PITTSFORD MENDON HS
472 MENDON ROAD,
PITTSFORD, NY 14534
ABOUT THE EVENT /
The Girl Up{state} Summit will be a gathering of existing and future club leaders around the upstate New York area to energize members and show examples of strong women leaders in our community.
BASICS /
OPEN TO HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE STUDENTS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
WHO /
WHAT /
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, SNACKS ALL PROVIDED.
TSHIRT AND SWAG BAG TO FIRST 150 SIGNED UP.
COST /
THANKS TO GENEROUS SPONSORS THE EVENT IS FREE. A DONATION OF $5 TO THE GIRL UP FOUNDATION ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT IS SUGGESTED.
SCHEDULE /
10:00 AM
REGISTRATION BEGINS.
10:30 AM
OPENING REMARKS. SARINA DIVAN, ELIZA SHERMAN, AND MORGAN WOOD - EVENT ORGANIZERS.
10:45 AM
KEYNOTE SPEAKER. CATHERINE CERULLI, PhD. TOPIC: GENDER SCHEMA THEORY.
11:30 AM
"WHAT IT TAKES" PANEL. MICHELLE BULAN, GINNY RYAN, PAM SHERMAN, LASHUNDA LESLIE-SMITH.
12:30 PM
LUNCH. PROVIDED.
1:20 PM
UNDERSTANDING GLOBAL ISSUES. CHOOSE ONE WORKSHOP: CHILD MARRIAGE, REFUGEE EDUCATION, HOW TO START A GIRL UP CLUB.
1:55 PM
EXPRESS YOURSELF SESSION ONE. CHOOSE ONE WORKSHOP: EMPOWERMENT THROUGH YOGA (HEIDI RASMUSSEN), FUELING YOUR PASSION THROUGH PHILANTHROPY (ALYSSA BELASCO), ART & ACTIVISM (CHELSEA WILLIAMS-DIGGS), BECOMING A STEMINISTA (NITA DIVAN)
2:30 PM
EXPRESS YOURSELF SESSION TWO.CHOOSE ONE WORKSHOP: EMPOWERMENT THROUGH YOGA (HEIDI RASMUSSEN), FUELING YOUR PASSION THROUGH PHILANTHROPY (ALYSSA BELASCO), ART & ACTIVISM (CHELSEA WILLIAMS-DIGGS), BECOMING A STEMINISTA (NITA DIVAN)
3:00 PM
CLOSING SESSION. CLOSING REMARKS, GROUP PHOTO, TREATS FROM LANOVARA.
3:30 PM
EVENT ENDS. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!
11:20 AM
BREAK.
ABOUT GIRL UP /
Girl Up is an organization of the United Nations Foundation. It is a grassroots group that supports five critical areas to empower girls around the world: education, health, safety, leadership, and documentation. For more information please see www.girlup.org.
SPEAKERS /
GINNY RYAN
CATHERINE CERULLI, PhD
MICHELLE BULAN
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PAM SHERMAN
ALYSSA BELASCO
PANELIST.
"FUELING YOUR PASSION THROUGH PHILANTHROPY" LEADER.
KEY NOTE SPEAKER.
PANELIST.
Ginny Ryan is doing what she always wanted to do where she wanted to do it - at 13WHAM ABC. She anchors 13WHAM News at 5:00, 13WHAM News at 10 on FOX Rochester, and 13WHAM News at 11:00 and is an award winning reporter.
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A native of Rochester, Ginny grew up in Gates and graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School and Buffalo State College. Two days after graduation, her career began as a reporter at WENY-TV in Elmira, New York. She was hired as a reporter by 13WHAM ABC in 1987. She anchored the morning and noon newscasts before doing the five, ten and eleven o'clock news.
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Ginny currently serves on the board of directors of CMAC, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester. She's honored to take part and emcee several community events throughout the year.
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Ginny and her husband Jeff have two children, Jeffrey and Caroline.
Catherine Cerulli, PhD, is currently Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). Dr. Cerulli is the Director of Susan B. Anthony Center and the Laboratory of Interpersonal Violence and Victimization. She received a PhD in criminal justice from SUNY at Albany, NY in 2004 and her Master's Degree in criminal justice from SUNY at Albany, NY in 1998. She holds a JD from the University at Buffalo law school. Dr. Cerulli received the Excellence in Public Service award from the SUNY Albany Alumni Association in 2014 and the National Institute of Mental Health New Investigator Award in 2005. The National Institute of Mental Health awarded Dr. Cerulli a five-year grant to conduct a randomized control trial in Family Court to assess whether enhanced mental health enables intimate partner violence (IPV) victims to better navigate safety. She was also to the Co-Principal Investigator on a National Institute of Justice award to assess whether victim participation in prosecution impacts their subsequent safety. She was formerly an Assistant District Attorney in Monroe County, New York, where she created a special misdemeanor domestic violence unit in 1995. She has been working on issues surrounding domestic violence and child abuse for over three decades, in a variety of capacities. Dr. Cerulli had funding from the Center for Disease Control to work with a national IPV hotline to help address the intersection of violence and mental health. She works internationally to ameliorate violence against women and currently is assisting with a project addressing the health and welfare of individuals living in the Sub Mekong region. She is a founding Board Member for the Crisis Nursery of Greater Rochester, Inc., a grass roots organization providing emergency respite care for greater Rochester area families with young children.
Ms. Bulan, a Western New York native, has over 25 years of frozen food manufacturing experience. Michelle attended the University of Buffalo where she received her Bachelors and MBA in corporate finance. She often likens her career path from “Finance to Fun”.
Michelle started her career in corporate finance at Rich Products, a global frozen food manufacturing leader, and went on to take increased responsibilities in broader areas of the company. She spent 23 years at Rich’s, working in finance, internal audit, category management in the in-store bakery division, leading strategic sourcing initiatives and indirect procurement and lastly, as the director of governance over new product development and a process improvement expert.
In her current role as Executive Director Marketing & Corporate Communications for Perry’s Ice Cream, a family-owned, 4th generation ice cream manufacturer of Upstate NY’s #1 ice cream, Michelle’s primary focus is the “passionate marketing of the Perry’s brand”.
She leads the execution of the Perry’s brand marketing strategy and is responsible for new product development and packaging, corporate communications, public relations and social media (and yes, she has to sample the ice cream as part of her job!). Her role also oversees corporate sponsorships with several well-known local organizations including the Buffalo Zoo, UB, Darien Lake and the Buffalo Bills and Sabres. She can often be heard on local radio stations promoting Perry’s new flavors, such as One Buffalo or Bad Breakup.
In addition, Michelle gives back by volunteering for Jr. Achievement of WNY, where she works with second graders from Meadowview Elementary in Tonawanda.
Michelle is known for her energy and passion for her job, and that spills over into her personal life as well. She is a certified group fitness instructor and teaches a dance fitness class every Sunday.
Michelle resides with her husband Stuart in Amherst, New York and has 2 children, Emily and David. Her favorite Perry’s flavor is One Buffalo.
Pam Sherman, is a nationally-syndicated columnist (The Suburban Outlaw), actor, recovering lawyer and leadership consultant who was profiled in People Magazine about her career transition from attorney to actor. Today Sherman conducts programs and coaches leaders all over the world in leadership communications and how to present themselves and their mission with passion.
Sherman is a keynote speaker about finding your EDGE™ in the best possible way, to: Explore, Dream, Grow, and Excite. She has consulted with Fortune 500 companies, law firms, advertising agencies, and is a highly-rated global resource for a variety of leadership groups, including, EO, Vistage Worldwide and the Young Presidents’ Organization in places as diverse as Morocco and Milwaukee, Saudi Arabia and Cincinnati, and most recently, Nigeria and South Africa.
Pam has also been an adjunct professor and guest lecturer at RIT and American University among others. Her nationally-syndicated column, The Suburban Outlaw can be read in Gannett publications, including bi-weekly in the Democrat + Chronicle newspaper and monthly in Rochester Magazine. Pam’s Tedx talk can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-ZgPS1uStk
Alyssa Belasco is the Development and Program Manager for the Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley as well as Freelance Writer for Rochester Magazine's column "The (Doing) Good Life". She is the Co-Founder of Flower City Philanthropy, a website devoted to nonprofit and charitable happenings in Rochester, and has been referred to as a serial volunteer, enjoying giving back whenever possible. Alyssa serves on the Associate Board of Directors for Gilda’s Club Rochester, Board of Directors for the Rochester Women’s Council and Co-Chair of their Communications Committee, Board of Directors for Farley’s Friends, Member of Young Executives for Success (Y.E.S!), and volunteers regularly with Causewave Community Partners. In 2016, she was an ATHENA Young Professional finalist and Forty Under 40 recipient. She’s also part of the Leadership Rochester Class of 2017. Alyssa lives in the North Winton Village neighborhood of Rochester with her husband Bill Kalish and dogs Biggins and Ollie. She is a lover of karaoke, vegetarian feasts, viral puppy videos, and taking advantage of all things local in Rochester. She's also a self-proclaimed stationery supply hoarder.
LASHUNDA LESLIE-SMITH
PANELIST.
LaShunda Leslie-Smith, LMSW, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Services from St. John Fisher College, a Master's in Social Work from the Greater Rochester Collaborative Master of Social Work Program, and a Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College.
LaShunda most recently served as the President and CEO of Young Women’s College Prep Foundation, Inc., and is now the Executive Director of Connected Communities, a nonprofit whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty and revitalize the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods.
LaShunda enjoys serving as a motivational speaker, workshop presenter, and conference keynote. She shares her story of overcoming being a mom at the young age of 14, all over the country. LaShunda has been nominated and selected as the recipient for numerous awards and accolades. The Democrat and Chronicle named LaShunda one of Rochester, New York’s “Emerging African American Leaders.” She has been featured in Rochester Insider magazine, and was named the “Woman in the Spotlight” by the Women’s Council of Rochester, NY. Rochester Insider magazine named Ms. Leslie-Smith, “Most Likely to Succeed,” and HerRochester named LaShunda “A Woman to Watch”. The City of Rochester awarded LaShunda the “Pioneer Award” for her work in the Rochester community. LaShunda has also been featured in local magazines including on the cover of Breakthru Magazine where LaShunda was named one of the “Most Influential Women in Upstate New York” and Rochester Women’s Magazine in the “Inspire Section.” Most recently, LaShunda was named one of the Rochester Business Journal’s 40 under 40 honorees. LaShunda is blessed to share her life’s journey with her husband Moses and their two children, Branden and Myanna.
PANELIST.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Director of the Susan B. Anthony Center
Executive Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications for Perry's Ice Cream
Anchor, 13WHAM News
Suburban Outlaw, nationally-syndicated columnist and the EDGE leadership consultant
Executive Director of Connected Communities
Development and Program Manager for the Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley and Co-Founder of Flower City Philanthropy
HEIDI RASMUSSEN
"EMPOWERMENT THROUGH YOGA" WORKSHOP LEADER
Certified Yoga Instructor and Mendon High School Physical Education Teacher
CHELSEA WILLIAMS-DIGGS
"ACTIVISM IN ART " WORKSHOP LEADER
Campaign Associate, Girl Up at the United Nations Foundation
After earning her B.A. in Kinesiology from Penn State University and M.S. In Physical Education from SUNY Brockport, Heidi began teaching and coaching in the Pittsford Central School District in 2002. She coached the girls varsity lacrosse team from 2002 to 2013 and led the Panthers to 2 sectional titles and 2 trips to the State Quarterfinals in her time as the head coach. She was inducted into the Penfield Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 and the US Lacrosse Rochester Chapter Hall of Fame in 2016.
After stepping down from her coaching position in 2013 to spend more time with her husband, Bill and daughters Jordan (6) and Taylor (2), Heidi began coaching her own youth lacrosse programs as well as the Penfield youth k-2 teams. She earned her yoga instructor certification in 2014 with the intention of helping young female athletes reach their full potential, however, over the last three years she has found it very rewarding to branch out and offer yoga classes to a broad spectrum of teens and adults.
Chelsea Williams-Diggs currently serves as the Campaign Associate for Girl Up, the adolescent girl campaign of the United Nations Foundation. In her role, she manages the Teen Advisor program, supports Girl Up’s other grassroots initiatives, and leads in the planning and oversight of all events – most notably the annual Girl Up Leadership Summit.
Originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, Chelsea graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor's Degree in Government and Women's and Gender Studies in 2014. She is currently pursuing a M.A. in Public Policy with a concentration in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies from The George Washington University. Chelsea is passionate about empowering youth, celebrating diversity, and bridging the gap between feminist theory and feminist activism.
NITA DIVAN
BECOMING A STEMINISTA WORKSHOP LEADER
Chemical Engineer and Physician, Premier Family Physician
Nita Divan is the owner and lead physician at Premier Family Physicians in Buffalo, NY. The first woman in her family to achieve beyond a primary school education, she started out as a chemical engineer before going to medical school. She practices family medicine and has owned her own practice for over 17 years.
CONTACT US /
Please feel free to email us if you have any questions or concerns. We would love to have you attend the summit.
SPONSORS /
Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible.
FOR PARENTS /
To parents: Thank you so much for supporting your child in coming to this event. If you are driving from outside the Rochester area, we have compiled a few restaurants and things to do while you are in town.
RESTAURANTS:
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Label 7 (a nicer meal)
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Village Bakery (cutest brunch/lunch place)
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Aladdin's (great Mediterranean food)
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Pittsford Dairy (amazing ice cream)
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Monroe Avenue Wegman's (Flagship store)
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Finger Lakes Coffee (a great coffee shop and place to do work)
THINGS TO DO:
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Susan B. Anthony House
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George Eastman House
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Memorial Art Gallery
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Little Theatre (for a great movie)
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Pittsford Library (a quiet place to do some work)
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Eastview Mall (great place for shopping)
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Color Me Mine (paint some pottery!)
WORKSHOPS /
UNDERSTANDING GLOBAL ISSUES. Choose one workshop to attend. Session starts at 1:20 PM.
Child Marriage – Room 100
More than 1 in 3 – or some 250 million – women alive today were married before the age of 15. Learn about the prevalence and impact of child marriage among adolescent girls around the world, and hear how Girl Up is approaching the issue.
Morgan Wood, Teen Advisor, Girl Up
Refugee Education – Room 122
The global refugee crisis has seen more than 65 million people displaced, and girls who leave their homes are often the most vulnerable and least likely to be in school. In this workshop, you will hear how girls are disproportionately affected by the refugee crisis and what Girl Up is doing to help,
Sarina Divan, Upstate New York Coalition Leader and Teen Advisor, Girl Up
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How to Start a Girl Up Club – Lecture Hall
New to Girl Up? Attend this workshop to learn how you can take your involvement to the next level and become a club leader.
Hannah Butler, President, Jamesville-DeWitt Girl Up Club
EXPRESS YOURSELF. Choose two workshops to attend. Sessions start at 1:55 PM and 2:30 PM.
Arts & Activism: Using Creativity to Inspire Intersectional Feminist Action – Room 100
In this workshop, you will discover how visual art, music, theater, poetry, dance, mass media and other art forms have been a critical component of social change and movement building throughout history, particularly within the feminist movement. Brainstorm and reflect on ways that you can use your creative passions to understand intersectionality and spark change.
Chelsea Williams Diggs, B.A., Campaign Associate, Girl Up
Becoming a STEMinista – Room 122
Women have historically been underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Products are created for the whole world to use, but design teams rarely reflect the diverse population that will use the products If most technology is designed by half of our population, society is missing out on the innovations, solutions, and creations from the other 50%. Learn more about the foundation of this problem and talk about possible solutions.
Nita Divan, B.S., M.D., Chemical Engineer and Physician, Premier Family Physicians
Fueling Your Passion through Philanthropy – Lecture Hall
Discuss ways to hone in on what you’re passionate about, and how you can apply that passion to being charitable in your community. We will discuss how to focus your efforts toward meaningful causes, personalizing and playing to your strengths with your charitable efforts, and how to most effectively make a difference.
Alyssa Belasco, B.A., Development and Program Manager, Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley; Co-Founder, Flower City Philanthropy
Empowering Yoga – Gym
Come to this workshop to channel your energy into yoga. Feel strong and empowered through a fun, beginner’s level yoga session. Limited mats available. Please bring towel or mat.
Heidi Rasmussen, B.A., Certified Yoga Instructor; Physical Education Teacher, Pittsford Mendon High School