For three decades, the Power Women award has been a beacon of recognition for countless impactful women while fostering meaningful connections among them.
Co-owner and founder Victoria Schneps embarked on this journey in 1994 with just a single newspaper, The Queens Courier, launched from her own living room. Today, her visionary leadership has blossomed into the ownership of over 80 acclaimed publications within the Schneps Media network.
Surprised by the prevalence of male-dominated awards ceremonies decades ago, she took action: Power Women of Queens emerged as a platform to celebrate and unite female trailblazers across diverse industries.
On Feb. 29, 2024, the Power Women of Queens, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, will celebrate its 30th anniversary with “The Ultimate Networking Event” at Terrace on the Park. Honorees will dance down the red carpet with their colleagues, teams and families in attendance, to proudly rejoice in their well-deserved accolades.
“Power Women is an opportunity to not only honor women for the extraordinary things they’re doing at work and in their community, but it is also a powerful ‘Ultimate Networking Event’. In one evening, women are able to meet like-minded women to do business and build community,” said Elizabeth Schneps Aloni, Senior Vice President of Events at Schneps Media. “When women support women, amazing things happen.”
In honor of the milestone this year, some honorees are returning to be honored as Power Women ICONs after being recognized in the past. Many of these women will sponsor a Power Woman RISING as a way of paying it forward to those on their way up.
As the number of communities covered by local papers grew, so did the Power Women events – now celebrated in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island and the East End. The 30th Anniversary Power Women events this year will culminate with a Power Women summit at the end of 2024.
Past honorees have told Aloni, who has been running events at Schneps Media for over a decade, that honorees and guests alike leave the evening with a renewed sense of their own mission after being uplifted by those honored.
“The leaders are at the helm of their respective organizations. These events give them an opportunity to not only soak in the joy of their own success, but also celebrate the success of their team and company at large,” added Aloni.
All proceeds from the evening’s raffle will go towards the Tiegerman School, which serves students with disabilities across five schools located in Queens and Long Island.
Power Women ICONS:
Clorinda Antonucci, Executive Directoe at JFK Rotary Club
Stacy Bliagos, Esq. Executive Director at HANAC
Lois Christie, Owner of Christie & Company Salon & Spa
Georgette Dennis, Site Program Manager at Crescent Consulting
Yvette Dennis, Executive VP of Program Management at Crescent Consulting
Luchia Dragosh, Supervising Producer at Queens Public Television
Madeline Johnson, Community Relations Coordinator at Queens Public Television (QPTV)
Roze Kolaj, Project Compliance Manager at Holt Construction
Michelle Stoddart, Senior Vice President of Community Development at Resorts World New York City
Dr. Christine Mangino, President at Queensborough Community College
Roslyn Nieves, Community Development Manager at Queens Public Television (QPTV)
Kathleen Pettit, Regional Director at HHM Hotels
Miriam Vega, Ph.D. CEO at Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center, Inc.
Power Woman RISING:
Gina Battagliola, Director of Terminal Redevelopment at JFKIAT
Shamise Harvin, Career Readiness Specialist at SCO Family of Services
Ayesha Ma, Vice President of Asian Marketing at Resorts World New York City
Power Women 2024:
Nancy Adzemovic, AVP and Branch Manager at Ridgewood Savings Bank
Sherry Algredo, Chair of Queens Community Board 9
Jenny Antony, Chief Financial Officer at Life’s WORC
Dr.Abbi-Gail Baboolal, DNP, FNP, MSN, APRN, BSN, Chief Nursing Officer at NYCHHC/Queens Hospital Center
Stephanie Baldwin, Vice President of Airport Customer Service, JFK at Delta Airlines
Winnie M. Benjamin, BPA, Business Performance Advisor, Legacy Development & Sustainability Consultant at Stewardship Masters International, Inc. (SMI)
Julissa Bisono, Co-Director of Organizing at Make the Road New York
Lelina Chang, President at GAMCO Corporation
Lauren Dascalopoulos, General Manager JFK at Hawaiian Airlines
Chelsea De Leon, Business Development Relationship Manager- New Relationships at Bethpage Federal Credit Union
Susana Desa, Vice President of Operations at JFKIAT
Monique Edwards, Senior Customer Service and PMO Manager at Alstom
Rita Gambino, Director of Administration at St. Michael’s Cemetery
Stacey Gilbert, Senior External Relations Client Manager at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Jamila N. Glean, Esq., Project Director, R.F. Wilkin Consultants
Suzette Gordon, President and Chief Executive Officer at SCO Family of Services
Jessica Han, Financial Consultant at Flushing Financial Services
Deborah Johnson, Founder of A Walk For It All
Nancy C. Leghart, Executive Director at Episcopal Health Services
Lauren Leonardi, High School Principal at Tiegerman School
Neela Mukherjee Lockel, President and Chief Executive Officer at EAC Network
Annarrisa Nathoo, Executive Director at Caribbean American Restaurant Association
Suzette Noble, Chief Executive Officer at LaGuardia Gateway Partners
Sade Olanipekun-Lewis, Vice President, Operating & Community Partnerships at JFK Millennium Partners
Ivelisse Paniagua, Banking Operations Manager at Ponce Bank- Forest Hills Branch
Anila Pantazi, Sales Field Operations Supervisor at MetroPlus Health
Diana Rachnaev, CEO & Co-Founder at Yesodot, Inc.
Geraldine Ramos, R.N., Director of Patient Care Services, Parker Jewish Institute
Patricia Robinson, Chief Administrative Officer at Greater Jamaica Development Corporation
Jodi Lynn Romano, LCSW-R, Director of Social Work at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
Dianna Rose, Principal at Dianna Rose & Associates
Palmina Whelan, Capital Program Director at New Terminal One at JFK
Megan Yuan, Queens Borough Director at The Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit
