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Women come together for inspiration, advice on Mentoring Monday - SILive.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island Technical High School student Liz Yakusheua attended the Advance/SILive’s “Mentoring Monday” with the hope of obtaining some advice about a career in medicine.

But she left with much more than that. A local doctor offered her the opportunity to shadow at her practice.

“There are very few opportunities for high school students to shadow a doctor at a private practice. ... Dr. Noreen Mostafavi told me to e-mail her about this opportunity. ... I’m very happy I came here,” said Yakusheua.

She was one of the more than 200 women who attended the event at the Vanderbilt in South Beach. The event, open to women only, provided females the opportunity to jump-start career ambitions with guidance from Staten Island women who’ve been there.

More than 60 mentors were on hand for both one-on-one and group discussions during a packed morning of information-sharing and networking.

“After being in this business for more than 30 years, I look back and think about the support I’ve received from women -- women in business -- and it has really made a difference,” said Caroline Harrison, Advance publisher and CEO of Advance Local.

“We’ve wrestled with the same issues. We share the same professional development strategies throughout our careers. Then we applaud each other. We pick each other up when we are down and need a little help. And I’ve been very grateful for that. ... And that’s what we are about today,” she added.

She advised the mentees assembled to “talk to as many mentors as you can.”

“If you think you want to be a lawyer, talk to a lawyer. But you should also talk to someone who is in theater because they need lawyers too. ...Take advantage and speak to as many people as you possibly can,” said Harrison.

The Advance’s event was part of an effort that was expected to draw 8,600 women and 1,700 mentors in different cities across the country, as part of a program offered by Advance Local network and its sister company, American City Business Journals.

The event unfolded with two different opportunities for mentees to gain advice from mentors. For the first 45 minutes of the morning, half the group engaged in “speed mentoring,” which entailed spending seven minutes with a mentor of choice, before moving to the next one.

Meanwhile, the second group participated in roundtable discussions led by a mentor.

For the second 45 minutes, the groups switched between the speed mentoring and roundtable discussions.

“Today we connect. ...We inspire each other. We are real, honest, and at times, brutal,” said Teresa Rampulla, CEO of She Media NY LLC, advertising sales manager for FerryAds, and keynote speaker for the event. “Convince me today of why you should succeed. Not because of what you want to do, but what you need to do.”

Mentees at the event included everyone from students to moms looking to return to the workforce -- and those already in the workforce looking to continue their climb up the corporate ladder.

“There are so many ideas out there; I need someone to navigate and help me make a plan to conquer all the things I want to conquer,” said Caida Davis, 20, a Wagner College student from Los Angeles.

Ruda Lugo, 30, of Rossville is a speech pathologist who attended the event hoping to gain insight about launching a private practice.

“I came here looking for marketing advice. ...I love the fact that it’s all women here,” she said.

Heather Tarantino, 44, is a nurse practitioner who also came to the event seeking advice about opening her own business.

“I want to branch out, and start my own private practice in holistic wellness and stress management. I wanted to get some advice from women who have done this,” she explained.

STUDENTS BENEFIT

The event drew a wide range of students, including 18 who are part of a program called “My Sister’s Keeper,” said Vincenza Gallassio, school superintendent of District 31.

“I am here with students from Dreyfus Intermediate School, Staten Island Tech and McKee high schools,” she said. “We are asking our young people to stretch themselves today. We say, ‘shine.’ ...They are all here today making connections.”

And the mentees weren’t the only ones inspired at the event. Mentors also said they gained knowledge as well.

“I thought this was a great opportunity for strong women to get together and empower each other,” said Dr. Nancy DiTunnariello, assistant professor and director of the Communication Arts Program at St. John’s University. “I met some really fun and interesting people today. ... Even though I was one of the mentors, they [the mentees] inspired me as well.”

WIDE ARRAY OF MENTORS

Mentors included women in a wide array of positions, from lawyers and doctors, to educators, health-care administrators and cultural leaders.

“It’s a great opportunity, especially for younger women. ...It gives them the opportunity to connect with women who are doing it on Staten Island. ...I also want to help women who are trying to find a work-life balance,” said Holly Bonner, Staten Island borough coordinator of Visions.

Said Dr. Carolyn Raia, a radiologist affiliated with Staten Island University Hospital: “I am happy to have the opportunity to pass on knowledge to young women ... especially as they enter the workforce in a male-dominated world.”

Said Doreen Cugno, co-founder of the St. George Theatre: “My question to everyone today is, ‘What is your dream job and how can we help you get there? We were here to mentor, give advice and connect.”

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS OFFER ADVICE

Several small business owners were also on hand to offer advice to women looking to upstart their own venture.

“Small business owners wear many hats,” said Emily Rassias, owner for 38 years of Emily’s of New York, a high-end boutique in Dongan Hills. “I’m here to explain to women what goes into running a business. It’s not just getting dressed up nice and going into work every day. ... Plus, with the internet you have to maintain stability, loyalty and a steady clientele. ...It’s difficult.”

Said MaryLee Montalvo, founder/president of MLM Public Relations: “When you’re asked for advice, it makes you think of where you were, and think of things you have done. This allows people to learn from others.”

Sponsors of the event included: Staten Island University Hospital, Northwell Health; Bizwomen The Business Journals; Richmond University Medical Center; Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Safari Realty.

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