I rarely write about local events. But the Inaugural Annual Central Mass Conference for Women 2022, which was attended by 300 women in-person and those who participated virtually May 5 at the AC Hotel by Marriott in Worcester, Massachusetts, was so affirming and inspiring that it has the possibility to change the world, literally.
This conference was a joint effort lead by the powerhouse of positively electric energy of Jen Maseda, CEO of She’s Local, Inc.
This Inaugural Annual Conference For Women 2022 was the most inspirational, professional, and holistic meeting of women I have attended in a long time. I was very happy to have participated in networking and building up women in business. The amazing thing is, that it not only edified women in business. A bright light of recognition, ability, and aspirations sparked the positive possibilities igniting the hearts, minds, and souls of all who attended, illuminating the pathway forward by fostering peace, love, and support. If the leaders of every city and town, state and country in the world could adopt a new paradigm for building up, rather than the competition of tearing down, this world would be a better place in which to live.
“Our Time Is Now” was the theme of the conference. Now is the time for unity, harmony, inclusion, and celebration of all the gifts, loving care, and genuine smiles of the women who attended. Now is the time to build bridges, connections, and support women by sharing learned experiences, helping humanity in families, neighborhoods, and bringing inspiration to overcome barriers women face in the working world.
Women were empowered to move past obstacles, live amazing lives, and leave a positive mark on the world. All of the women speakers and attendees were shining examples of the inspirational goals they set.
The resilience of all attending was so inspirational it was contagious and tangible. The 25 businesswomen vendor booths were visited by all, including the men who were present to support the women they knew and loved, helping them to continue their struggle to break through the glass ceiling women still face in some technological, medical, scientific, legal, media, and astronomical circles, to name a few.
Certified holistic health counselors, licensed social workers, therapists, lawyers, presidents, and vice-presidents of major banking and other business ventures affirmed the work of each person in attendance for this first-of-its-kind Conference For Women in Central Massachusetts. It was a message of unity and harmony over competition and climbing the corporate ladder, and unbounded greed at all costs by registering success through the narrow lens of money being the bottom line. Simultaneously, women were empowered to not shy away from money conversations, investing, saving, planning for the future financially, and finally dealing with wealth management with intelligent strategies. Mutual respect was shown with loving care and concern for each person present. This was a refreshing experience.
This conference was complete with two 45-minute breakout sessions both in the morning and afternoon, giving attendees opportunity to learn more about women in finance, presenting their brand online, promoting diverse cultures, fostering diversity of mind, body, and spirit, and creating sustainable change through holistic self-care for a balanced life.
Kate McEvoy served as Emcee for the 2022 Central Mass Conference For Women.
Kate McEvoy serves as Vice-President for Corporate Relations at UMass Memorial Health Care. In this role she serves as the primary liaison between the health care system and the business community, with a focus on growing UMass Memorial Health Care’s commercial market share. Additionally, Kate provides support for the system’s Anchor Mission initiative, which aligns institutional resources and corporate social responsibility to address social determinants of health challenges in central Massachusetts. Prior to joining UMass Memorial, Kate served as the Vice-President for Central & Western Massachusetts at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, where she managed the organization’s growth strategies and Profit/Loss for the region. Kate formerly served as the Senior Director for Government & Community Relations at Fallon Community Health Plan, a role that included oversight of FCHP’s legislative affairs, issues related to public policy, as well as FCHP’s philanthropic activity. There, Kate also served as Sales & Marketing Director for Summit ElderCare, FCHP’s P.A.C.E. program, where she created and implemented a multiyear sales and marketing plan and led the entity’s rebranding effort. An active volunteer in central Massachusetts’ political and non-profit communities, Kate is well-known for her success in the arenas of fundraising, strategy development, marketing, and business planning. Kate has received several awards for her professional achievement and community involvement, including the: YWCA’s Katherine Erskine Award, and Worcester State University’s Distinguished Alumni Award, which is the highest non-degree honor bestowed by the institution. Additionally, Kate has received the Mohegan Council / Boy Scouts of America’s 12 Points Award, the Worcester Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2002 and has also been named among Worcester Magazine’s “Most Powerful People in Worcester”, “Hometown Heroes” and “Worcester’s Leading Ladies”, as well as Worcester Business Journal’s” Power Players” in both 2016 and 2018. Kate is viewed as a key resource in community and business circles and has served as member of the Baker/Polito Administration Transition Team for Economic Development, as well as several other regional Task Force projects and other key initiatives to support municipal, regional, and state-wide needs. Kate currently serves on Boards of Directors for the Worcester State University Foundation, as well as serving the Regional Board for Berkshire Bank. She serves as a Corporator for the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Worcester Art Museum, YWCA of Central Massachusetts and the Ecotarium, and sits on the Executive Committee for the Worcester Homecoming initiative where she co-chairs that project’s Finance Committee. In addition, Kate is serving as Committee/Event Chair for the City of Worcester’s 300th Anniversary Celebration, a role in which she will oversee the planning, fundraising and execution of a series of high-profile events to commemorate this historic occasion. In addition, Kate is currently involved with many other non-profit organizations. Past volunteer affiliations include service as a Board member for many central Massachusetts agencies including the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Discover Central MA, Destination Worcester, Girls Inc, the March of Dimes, the Montachusett Girl Scout Council, the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, the Worcester Education Collaborative, the American Red Cross, the AdClub of Greater Worcester, and Worcester State University’s Alumni Advisory Board. Kate received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Worcester State University. She resides in her hometown of Worcester, MA with her husband, Michael Hickey and their two dogs, Hope and Holly.
Yesenia Arroyo is the recipient of the 2022 Goddess Award
Yesenia Arroyo is an LCSW who has dedicated her life to serving her community which started with her family. Yesenia had a dream to create central hub for community resources to help serve our local community in Southbridge. Yesenia is dedicated to providing culturally competent resources to assist the most vulnerable populations in our community. The Wellstorm, Inc is focused on bridging the gap of poverty experience, mental health resources, and food insecurity in the community. Yesenia is currently a telehealth therapist at Attunement Counseling and Wellness Collective serving individuals and couples in MA and RI.
This first-of-its-kind yearly conference demonstrates today’s movement of women using positive affirmation to consciously build a strong foundation upon which to flourish while working in a global society.
Speakers sharing their wealth of knowledge during the morning and afternoon breakout sessions included: Marie Paturzo, Sabrina Webb, Marian Theberge, Adriana Vaccaro, Shawna Curran, Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham, Carla Delacruz Davila, Jenna Knight, Ashley Nardello, Janet Conroy-Quirk, Jasmine Ortiz, Marienelly Yazquez, Nikki Bell-Pena, Amy Mosher Berry, Rosa Maria Salas, Ashley Harwood, Monica Adwani, Diane Langford James, Carolyn Wynn, Julia Becker Collins, Marcie Giannattasio, Cierra Brownell, Kristin Mayotte, Julie Bowditch, Victoria Waterman, Armida Abreau Martinez, Tina Potenti LaCroix, Bethany Mercer, Meagan Ryan, Tess Waresmith, Margie Breault, and Jessica McGarry.
Signature sponsors for this conference include: Bank of America, Country Bank, Workers Credit Union, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester State University, Clark University, Fidelity Bank, and Cornerstone Bank.
Media sponsor was Worcester Business Journal.
Small business sponsors included: Wing Press, Prestige Adult Foster Care, Dream Big Wealth Strategies, Pathways for Change, Wolf Dog Marketing, Leone Marketing Solutions, Worcester Family Partnership, EforAll, The Heartwell Institute, and CHE!EMPANADA.
HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!