2024 Career Symposium

FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH, 2024

In 2024, part of the WOW celebration was a full-day, in-person career symposium on Friday, March 8th at Sophia Academy. Our goal was to create an experience for our students and young graduates, by inviting a diverse group of women to show by example that they, too, have the inherent talent and wisdom to follow any pathway they choose. 

In small discussion groups, our guests answered students and young graduates questions. There were also panelists who participated in hosting workshops to create an interactive and engaging learning opportunity for our students and young graduates.

Symposium Panelists

Aleksandra Azbel

Founder/Director/Educator

Founder and creative director of Sashoonya, a sustainable textile company in Providence, Aleksandra Azbel (Sasha), extracts dyes from plants to color fibers and fabric for art and fashion. Sasha grows dye plants like indigo and marigolds at a local farm, forages for seaweed along Narragansett Bay, and collects food waste from local businesses, to create naturally dyed textile art. A background in architecture informs her design and construction of textiles to create environments that immerse her audience in visual imagery derived from our local landscapes. Sasha immigrated to the United States from Kazakhstan when she was a child. Growing up as an outsider, she found solace and a sense of belonging in the natural world wherever she could find it. She fell in love with Rhode Island’s breathtaking coastline when she moved to Providence in 2011 for a master's degree in architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design. Her encounters with natural dye practices in communities around the world, as well as Rhode Island’s history with the toxic textile industry, inspired her to teach herself the art of natural dyeing and explore our sense of identity and belonging through our connection to nature. Her work is a reflection of the beauty and joy we feel in the ecosystems we occupy, the places Sashoonya works to nurture and protect through her practice.

Asia Bourget

Owner/EntrepReneur

Asia Bourget, a mother, a wife and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Newport RI, a tiny island in the smallest state. Asia is the owner and operator of Sil Studio, a luxury eyelash extension studio where she specializes in Individual eyelash extensions, and LED Teeth Whitening. She also offers trainings for people looking to become a certified eyelash technician. We have been in business for 5 years and counting. I also have a background in fashion design, that being my first passion and business. My brand, Bourget Collections. Where I designed resort style swimwear collections. Everything was sourced and made here in the US. Particularly NYC and LA. I graduated high school with a cosmetology license but never attended college. Over the years I've invested in many different educational programs and trainings to sharpen my mind and improve my craft, in both fashion, business and the cosmetic industry. Being open minded and staying curious has really molded me and help me become the business women I am today. I've always known that I wanted to do my own thing and work for myself at a very young age. In my spare time I am a stay at home mom to my two daughters. Being an entrepreneur allows me to have a flexible work schedule to be able to be home with them for as long as i possibly can. This is my most important roll in life and I am extremely grateful to my children for giving me such meaning. All that I do is for them.

Shawndell Burney-Speaks

Owner/Consultant

Shawndell Burney-Speaks was born a Native of Providence, RI. She’s a wife & mother of 2 children. Shawndell served as the first Black female Sr. Advisor to former Mayor Jorge O. Elorza in the City of Providence from 2020-2022. She also served as the ED of the African American Ambassador group that brings about social justice reform and change. Shawndell was recently appointed as the Chair of Religious Affairs for the NAACP Providence Branch. Shawndell is a Certified Relationship Coach, mentor and creator of S.Burney-Speaks LLC., where she provides coaching services for individuals and groups. Shawndell understands the daily struggles of those in her community, through her life experiences. Shawndell is passionate about Coaching & Public Speaking and has been invited to speak on large and intimate platforms. She was a featured speaker at TEDx Prov 2017. As a Coach, She specializes in various relationships, Love, Family, & Spiritually faith based. She facilitates workshops throughout the New England area, and New York. She has collaborated with other women in the community, co-hosting workshops and events because as women of Color “We do Stick Together”. Shawndell is committed to taking back her community and will not stop even with the most significant possible adversity and loss in her and her family’s lives. In December 2017, she became the Founder of Corporate Prayer New England, (CPNE) due to the tragic loss of her only son Devin who passed away due to gun-violence at 22 on July 1, 2017. Her daughter Daveena was extremely close with her brother and her grief due to the loss has pushed Shawndell even more towards mental health and grief advocacy. She has prayed over the city of Providence on the 1st Monday of every month with members and the Faith community. Their efforts have changed murder rates in Providence drastically. Shawndell has obtained her B.A in Organizational Leadership and Change from College Unbound class of 2022 where she was also honored with the Fighting for Justice award in honor of the late Honorable Judge William C. Clifton. Shawndell is a recent graduate of Institute for nonprofit practice's Black Leadership Institute's inaugural co-hort 2023. Shawndell has received 2-lifetime achievement awards, The NAACP Rosa Parks Award, and has been inducted into the City of Providence’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame. You can follow Shawndell on FaceBook @sburneyspeakslife and IG @shawniespeaks1121 email: shawnie@sbspeaks.com website: www.sburneyspeaks.com

Rachel Gomes

Director of Emergency Management

Rachel Gomes has been appointed as the new Director of Emergency Management at Johnson & Wales University. She oversees emergency management for both the Providence and Charlotte campuses. With extensive experience in COVID-19 response and managing natural disasters nationwide, Rachel brings valuable expertise to her role. In addition to completing several Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) training programs, Rachel is a certified Associate Emergency Manager, certified EMT, and Active Threat Response and Stop the Bleed trainer. She also currently serves as a Lieutenant with the Rhode Island National Guard 861st Engineers and as a volunteer firefighter with the Kingston Fire Department. Whether through her full-time career, military service, or volunteer work, Rachel is passionate about helping others and showing how we can all be better prepared for local emergencies.

Fallon Jean-Gilles Davis

Clinician/Group Facilitator

Fallon is originally from Rhode Island but is currently living in Connecticut. She obtained a Master Degree in Social work, has over ten years of experience working with individuals in various settings. Fallon is passionate about mental health because she hopes to help bridge the bicultural and generational mental health gap in individual and families. She specializes in empowering individuals to break free from limiting beliefs and patterns, and to embrace positive change. Fallon's approach is rooted in compassion, empathy, and a firm belief in each individual's capacity for resilience and growth. She brings to the table her expertise in bilingual therapy, with fluency in Haitian Creole. This allows her to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds and tailor her support to meet their specific needs. Fallon's areas of focus include addressing a wide range of mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, work/life balance, and self-esteem. Fallon currently works at Perception Programs facilitating Domestic Violence groups and telehealth for individual sessions. Fallon draws her strength through her strong faith, her family and the practice of self-care.

Bailey Jenkins

Project Engineer

Bailey has had a passion for marine life since childhood, despite growing up in Rochester, New York, about six hours from the Atlantic Ocean. She followed her passion to the University of Rhode Island where she double majored in Marine Biology and Ocean Engineering. After graduating in 2022, she started working as a Project Engineer for JASCO Applied Sciences in Narragansett, Rhode Island. At JASCO, Bailey models the impact of offshore wind farm construction on marine life, to ensure construction activities are compliant with environmental permits and regulations. She also works in the field, travelling to wind farm development areas to deploy equipment that monitors whale activity during construction. In her free time, Bailey coaches lacrosse at URI, plays soccer, powerlifts, and likes to go hiking and camping. She currently lives in Wakefield, Rhode Island with her two cats, Frank and Beans.

Remi Jones

CEO

Dr. Remi Jones, an accomplished American television personality, businesswoman, and journalist from Providence, Rhode Island, has left an indelible mark on the media landscape. Beginning her career as a television show correspondent in New York City, Remi has since risen to become the CEO, executive producer, and host of her own talk show, Remi TV. Based in Rhode Island, Remi TV is the culmination of her passion and expertise, delivering compelling content that resonates with audiences locally and beyond. Remi TV serves as an independent media platform with a clear mission: to promote positive narratives through engaging conversations with celebrities and entrepreneurs across various domains, including music, art, lifestyle, business, relationships, and inspiration. With a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and offering a platform free of discrimination, Remi TV seeks to inspire and effect change within communities. In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Remi Jones has received numerous accolades, including the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from Joe Biden and commendations from the Governor of Rhode Island, The City of Providence, The City of Pawtucket, and more. With 15 prestigious awards to her name, Remi's dedication to the media industry is evident. Through her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership, she has cultivated a show that reflects her values and resonates with viewers, earning Remi TV the distinction of being the premier television and talk show in Rhode Island. Notably, Remi Jones made history as the first female, black-owned television show in the state, pioneering positive celebrity interviews and setting a new standard in the industry.

Kerri Kottman

Pilot - second in command

Kerri earned a bachelor of science degree with a concentration in flight training and management from Bridgewater State University. Kerri also earned a Masters Degree in Management, specializing in human resources from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. During her undergraduate schooling, she was employed as a dispatcher and was promoted to flight and stage check instructor for the university. During Kerri's senior year, she participated in an internship with Textron Inc. located at TF Green Airport. The internship led to a position as a Second in Command pilot for the company’s corporate flight department. Kerri works as the flight department's SMS (Safety Management System) Manager, working closely with a third-party provider to capture and analyze both Flight Risk Assessment Tool statistics and Safety Reports, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement. This helps ensure that Textron’s Operations Manual meets and maintains aviation standards set forth by State, Federal and International Authorities.

Dr. Ashley Lakin

Family Medicine Physician

Dr. Ashley Lakin is a Family Medicine Physician who completed her medical training in Philadelphia and Rhode Island. She specializes in medical care for all people throughout the life stages. In addition to practicing full-spectrum family medicine, she is fellowship-trained in Maternal and Child Health, holds a Masters degree in Sociology, and practices Breastfeeding Medicine. Dr. Lakin is particularly passionate about providing evidence-based, inclusive, and trauma-informed care to all of the patients she serves.

Melissa A. Long

Justice

Melissa A. Long was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court on January 11, 2021. Before her elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Long served for over three years as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court, where she was assigned to be in charge of, or to assist on, various calendars in Providence County. Immediately prior to joining the bench, she was Deputy Secretary of State at the Rhode Island Department of State from 2015-2017. Justice Long currently chairs the Rhode Island Committee on Racial & Ethnic Fairness in the Courts and is an advisory board member of the National Consortium on Racial & Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. Justice Long received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia and earned her law degree at the George Mason University School of Law. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Marcus D. Williams of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia and thereafter devoted her legal career to public service and public interest law. A Washington, D.C., native, Justice Long is the daughter of two U.S. Army veterans who married six months before the Supreme Court decided Loving v. Virginia. Justice Long grew up on and near military bases in El Paso, Texas; Alexandria, Virginia; Schweinfurt, Germany; and Seoul, South Korea. She and her family have resided in Providence since 1999.

Cathy Lund

veterinarian

Cathy Lund, DVM, is the founder of City Kitty Veterinary Care for Cats, a cat practice located in Providence, RI. She is a board member of the AAFP, and is a past president of the Companion Animal Parasite Council. She was awarded the 2007 AVMA Meritorious Service Award for her work as board president and founder of the Companion Animal Foundation, a statewide, veterinary-based nonprofit organization that helps low-income pet owners afford essential veterinary care. She was veterinarian of the year in RI in 2010. She currently serves on several architectural and preservation commissions in the city of Providence, and was the mayor’s transition team co-chair, but her favorite activity is to promote the countless virtues of the purr-fect pet, the cat!

Rebecca McGrath

Manager, Strategic Sourcing

Rebecca is a Strategic Sourcing Manager at a RI luxury jewelry manufacturer. In her role, Rebecca manages and executes the metal sourcing strategy, conducts cost analysis and negotiations, and supports supplier risk analysis to ensure stability in the supply chain. Since 2021, Rebecca has led a company-wide metal transparency program to elevate sustainability efforts. Rebecca leads a Sourcing team and serves on the leadership committee for her firm's women-centric and LGBTQIA+ employee resources groups.

Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University Rhode Island. Rebecca is a dedicated volunteer for Save The Bay and Last Hope K9 which supports her passion for environmental stewardship and compassion for animals. A lifelong Rhode-Islander, Rebecca resides in Providence, RI with her partner and pets, and loves spending time with her family, working on garden projects, and enjoying the outdoors.

Sara Monteiro

Owner

Sara Monteiro is an African/Cape Verdean/African American entrepreneur, a proud Providence Native, her focus and talents have been utilized to provide quality service to under-represented communities by way of education and community organization. She is a business owner, consultant and artist. As a mother of two, she is passionate about creating and supporting fruitful programs for inner city youth. She is a URI alum with a background in African American Studies & Human Development, who currently serves as Co-Chair to URI’s Alumni of Color Network. She specializes in managing community partnerships and directing special projects. She is passionate about serving and collaborating with community partners to create spaces for equal/diverse representation. Sara’s goal is to preserve culture and history through community. As a resident artist at CIC she produces art as a form of storytelling about her rich ethnic background as a 1st generation Cape Verdean. She teaches social emotional learning through poetry. As a consultant her areas of expertise include afterschool space, programming and auditing.

Diana Murton

Owner/Mentor

Diana Masi Murton first and foremost, is a mother of three … Diana is a artist and entrepreneur. She has worked professionally as as actor in film, television and commercials. She graduated from the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York City and attended the British American Drama Academy in Oxford England. She’s also studied at The Studio with Brad Calcaterra and HB Studios in their working actors classes. She has a strong background in improv and was a member at the Peoples Improv Theatre in NYC. Films she has been a part of, have screened at Sundance; Tribeca; South By Southwest; and The African Academy Film festivals. She has acted along side Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy award winning actresses and actors. She developed a passion for casting when she interned at Susan Shopmaker Casting in her early years in NYC. Working right alongside casting directors Susan Shopmaker and Randi Glass on independent films, commercials and tv shows while still working as an actor. Many lives later, Diana reconnected with Susan and due to the rise in self taping, she now assists both Susan’s office as well as other casting offices on a contract basis right from her home in Providence Rhode Island.

Nicolette Naya

Senior MES Engineer

Nicolette is a Senior Manufacturing Execution System Engineer, leading digital transformation efforts at a prestigious local luxury jewelry manufacturer. In her role, she spearheads cross-functional initiatives and collaborates with diverse teams to drive innovation in global internal manufacturing processes. Her focus ensures efficiency and excellence throughout the production cycle. Nicolette began her professional journey in 2021 as a process engineer, improving processes in the casting, hollowware, and mass finishing departments. Implementing new approaches to old solutions, she optimized efficiency and quality, driving tangible improvements across the manufacturing spectrum. She graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Material Science and Engineering from the University of Connecticut in June 2021. Currently, Nicolette is pursuing her Masters in Business Administration at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business while working full-time. Originally from Rhode Island and now residing in Boston, Nicolette finds joy in outdoor activities and traveling to new places. An avid food enthusiast, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes and discovering new local restaurants.

Genifer O’Kane

Detective

Genifer O’Kane was born and raised in the city of Providence. She is a graduate of Juanita Sanchez high school class of 2007. She went on the receive a Bachelors degree in Justice Studies from Rhode Island College in 2013, and a Masters Degree from Boston University in 2019. Genifer was appointed to the Providence Police Department in 2014 and was promoted to the rank of Detectives in 2023. Genifer is currently assigned to the Special Victims Unit where she handles cases involving Domestic Violence and sex crimes.

Claudia Ramirez

Realtor/Investor

Claudia Ramirez (Pawtucket RI) graduated in 2012 with a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Rhode Island. She quickly worked her way up the corporate ladder and landed herself job roles at big companies such as FGX International and CVS Health. With over 8 years of experience in sales, she realized in 2020 that it was time for a career change. She left her corporate role and got into Real Estate full time. In 2021 she closed on her first deal and the rest has been history. With over 16 million in sales in just 3 1/2 years, she has become part of the top 10 realtors in her office and top leading realtor on her team. In 2023, she served on the board of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals as the events director. As the events director she held various events across Rhode Island to educate not only realtors, but community members on the importance of becoming a homeowner as well as creating inventory in Rhode Island. In 2023 she also became an investor and started to flip homes across the state to generate more inventory. Claudia now lives in Providence, and enjoys spending time with her Labrador retriever Ace. 

Courtney Rebensdorf

Veterinarian

Dr. Courtney Rebensdorf received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1984. She was the owner of two veterinary hospitals in Cranston, RI - Oaklawn Animal Hospital and Cranston Animal Hospital. Past President of the RI Veterinary Medical Association, she currently serves on their board as Director Emerita. She has also served as the delegate from RI to the American Veterinary Medical Association. In 2016 Dr. Rebensdorf was appointed by Governor Gina Raimondo to serve on the RI Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine and is the current representative from RI to the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. She was RI Veterinarian of the Year in 2014. During the pandemic, in response to urgent need, she gave her time providing COVID vaccinations to underserved communities across the state as part of the RI Disaster Medical Assistance Team’s Medical Reserve Corps and at present volunteers with the Samaritans of RI - a confidential, non-judgmental crisis hotline to help address today’s mental health issues.

Anaridis Rodriguez

Journalist / Public Relations Executive

Anaridis Rodriguez is a highly skilled media professional with a demonstrated history of working as a journalist. Anaridis offers extensive experience in researching, writing, producing, and presenting communication services for various mediums. She focuses on being an effective communicator by working collaboratively with clients to create clear, concise, and impactful messaging that is accessible, effective, and memorable. An award-winning bilingual journalist, Anaridis’ experience spans more than a decade. Most recently, she spent five years in Boston anchoring and reporting for WBZ-TV, a CBS Owned & Operated station. In her role at CBS News Boston, she contributed daily to live programming of developing news and digital storytelling. She covered the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 presidential election, and was part of the team that helped launch the region’s first free streaming news service. She was also a trusted leader within the community, with much of her reporting focusing on exposing systematic inequalities in education and criminal justice. Before moving back to New England, Anaridis traveled the country as a network correspondent for The Weather Channel/NBC, chronicling a range of stories from the impact of natural disasters across the United States to the Obama Administration’s focus on STEM education. Anaridis was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated with her family to Providence at the age of 12. She’s a proud graduate of Classical High School, Rhode Island College, and Emerson College.

Christine West

Architect / Principal / Co-Owner

Christine is deeply committed to architecture that helps individuals and our communities thrive. This drives her work at KITE and informs her approach to every project. After working as an architect for nearly a decade in the Washington, DC region, Christine completed graduate work at Harvard University where she focused on effective firm management and sustainable development. Christine’s appreciation for KITE’s design sensibility and creative legacy brought her to Providence in 2003 to join the firm. She has co-owned KITE with Albert Garcia since 2008. In addition to serving as Chair of the Providence City Plan Commission since 2012, she is on the Providence Building Board of Review, has served as President of the Providence Revolving Fund, and a past trustee of the Providence Preservation Society. Nationally, she has served as a Chair for over a dozen visiting teams for the accreditation of professional schools of architecture in the United States and abroad. Her current service on the Board of Directors of the Providence Foundation continues her efforts toward civic improvement.

*Last updated March 5 at 12:00pm