Quinnipiac University
Commonly Searched Terms
Popular Resources
Quinnipiac University

School of Business M&T Bank Center for Women and Business

The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business is dedicated to bringing together a community of women and their allies who are focused on achieving their professional goals and sharing their wisdom and experiences with each other through skill-building workshops, motivational events and networking opportunities.
Apply Request Info Visit

What We Do

The center brings together women at all stages of work and life, and with varied backgrounds to learn from and support each other. In recent months, the center has offered virtual events focused on topics such as hope, resilience and healing during adversity. These events focused on ways to increase skills, improve self-awareness and build resilience while preparing for the future. As the pandemic stretched into the fall semester, the center conducted events centered on mindfulness, networking and inclusion.

Read our Spring 2024 Newsletter

Read our Fall 2023 Newsletter

Mission

To provide opportunities for women to achieve their professional goals as well as to build a community focused on achieving those goals consistent with their personal values. This community of women and their allies is committed to lifelong learning, is eager to share, and includes the external community, students, alumni, faculty and staff. Our center is devoted to preparing our community for enlightened and engaged citizenship.

Vision

The center, as part of a thriving, 3-campus university, provides programs designed to educate and inspire women focused on achieving their personal and professional best through lifelong learning. The center also facilitates connections and thereby builds and develops an engaged community, where wisdom and experience are shared with each other to educate, inspire and foster growth.

Target Audience

Ambitious women and their allies, coming together to engage in learning to empower themselves and others.

Value Proposition

The center is part of a dynamic and growing university with a commitment to academic excellence and to building a strong sense of community enlightenment and engagement. It serves the needs of women professionals by providing opportunities for lifelong learning, professional development and community-building and citizenship.

Colors of CT Festival

A business owner smiles at a table selling books.

Quinnipiac University hosted the first “Colors of CT Festival,” which celebrates inclusivity and belonging in the entrepreneurial space.

Sponsored by Quinnipiac University’s M&T Bank Centers for Women & Business and Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the festival featured a “Sip & Shop” for business owners to feature and sell their products and market their services.

Business owners who identify as people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, immigrants and refugees, persons with a disability (seen or unseen) or neurodivergent also enjoyed networking opportunities with other business owners and potential mentors from organizations like M&T Bank, Small Business Administration (SBA), Community Investment Corporation, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Hamden Chamber of Commerce, Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Chamber, Disability IN: Connecticut, IRIS, ConnCORP, CitySeed, QPlus and many others.

In addition, the festival featured a fashion show, panel discussions, live music, a DJ and food trucks.

 

Events

  • Vendor & Resource Group Networking Session

  • Keynote Speaker & Fashion Show

  • Tranquil Room

  • Sip & Shop

  • DJ Kahlucah

  • Lake Kyle and the Skulls

  • St Luke's Steel Band

  • Panel Discussion for Entrepreneurs

  • Panel Discussion for Employees

News, Stories and Events

This year's Eileen Peters Farley ’68 Endowed Speaker Series for Women in Business featured Eileen's daughter, Jessica Geis, who presented the 2023 Impact Award to Susan L. Johnson, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at The Hartford.

The welcome address and award presentation were followed by a fireside chat with Susan L. Johnson and Associate Dean Poonam Arora. The conversation focused on turning obstacles into opportunities and the importance of leveraging your differences to turn them into strengths.

“Take the time to understand your diversity story,” Johnson emphasized in her message. “Everyone at the table has an equal seat.” She closed with a message to the student attendees, encouraging them to always prioritize their professional growth, as one of the most valuable assets is their network.

Jessica Geis and Susan L. Johnson holding the award
Susan L. Johnson, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at The Hartford, recieved the 2023 Impact Award, presented by Jessica Geis.
Jessica Geis speaking at a podium
The endowed fund was generously established in 2018 by Eileen’s late husband, Stephen Farley, and Jessica Geis. Its purpose is to bring a distinguished businesswoman to campus each year to share expertise with students, faculty and the community at large.
2 women speaking on a raised stage
The annual event serves as a meaningful tribute to the memory and legacy of Eileen Peters Farley ’68, an accomplished entrepreneur and long-term president of the Southern California QU Alumni Chapter. 
Speaker at the Peoples United Center for Women and Business luncheon on the York Hill campus
The 2022 Impact Award was presented to Hang Black, VP of Revenue Enablement & Sales Tech Evangelist at ZoomInfo, in recognition of her passionate advocacy for women in the workplace.
Attendees at the People's United Center for Women and Business listen to various speakers in the University Club
Hang Black, the recipient of the 2022 Impact Award, is the best-selling author of "Embrace Your Edge" and a frequent speaker at global conferences on sales leadership. 
Susan Johnson and other event attendees pose for a group photo.
The Eileen Peters Farley '68 Speaker Series for Women in Business invites female entrepreneurs to network and empower one another.
McKenna Haz speaks about the success of her woman-owned small business.
McKenna Haz '21, CEO & Founder of SEAAV Athletics, shares her entrepreneurial journey with a business class in the Innovation Hub at Quinnipiac’s Lender School of Business Center.
School of Business faculty members speak at the event.
Tuvana Rua, Associate Professor of Management and Co-Director of M&T Bank Center for Women & Business, shares her remarks at the Eileen Peters Farley '68 Speaker Series for Women in Business.
A student shops at the SEAAV pop up shop in the piazza.
Sarah Dusse '24 shops at the SEAAV Athletics pop-up shop in the Mount Carmel Campus Piazza.
Attendees listen to McKenna Haz speak about the success of her woman-owned small business.
Students had the opportunity to engage in insightful Q&A sessions and network with accomplished businesswomen.
Susan Johnson, 2023 Impact Award recipient speaks on a panel discussion.
Susan Johnson, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at The Hartford, shares her insights on fostering diversity and inclusion at the Eileen Peters Farley '68 Speaker Series.

Past Events and Our Community in Action

The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business, along with partners from the community, regularly host events that guide women to further their careers, improve personally and professionally and hear from leaders in the industry about their journeys and experiences. Below is a sampling of our most recent events.

  • Women of Color Professional Development Series: Among the most significant and impactful series of events we've ever hosted, the Women of Color Professional Development Series aimed to create a safe and comfortable environment for women of color to engage in professional development in affinity together. The first event, a virtual salary negotiations training workshop, was presented in partnership with the Department of Cultural & Global Engagement with support from the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Center and the Collaborative for Interdisciplinary/Integrative Studies. The second event, a virtual authenticity in the workplace workshop, invited attendees to explore, reflect and discuss the three selves of the authenticity principle. The workshop was hosted alongside the Department of Cultural & Global Engagement. The series concluded with its third and final event, a webinar on leadership with Dr. Anne Taylor. This event was presented in collaboration with the Association of Women in Surgery, the American Medical Women’s Association, the Inclusion and Diversity Council, the Student National Medical Association and the Latino Medical Student Association.

  • AI and the Future of Work: During this panel discussion, experts from the fields of marketing, insurance, consulting, career development, creative arts and artificial intelligence explored how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape and creating new career opportunities. This discussion gave insights into the evolving skills demand in the job market, the role of continuous learning and how to adapt to the changes.
    Read More about the Panel Discussion

  • Salary Negotiation Workshops: These free virtual training sessions are designed for students and professionals of all ages and career stages.
    Watch WORK Smart: Best Practices Virtual Training for Professionals

  • Sip and Shop: These events highlight small businesses owned and operated by Women of Color in the QU and Greater New Haven community. All are welcome to shop, network and socialize.

  • Student Leaders Network with Advisory Council Members: During these networking events, undergraduate students capitalize on the opportunity to speak with professionals, faculty and staff and ask career-centric questions.

  • Coffee Chats: During these casual meetings, attendees discuss ideas, network with other professionals and share resources that benefit themselves and their organizations.

  • Financial Know-How: A Workshop for Your Personal and Business Success with Tracey San Angelo of North Business Banking and Amanda Moore and Michael Hawes of M&T Bank.
    Watch Financial Literacy for Students
    Watch Financial Know-How for Small Business Owners

  • Social Media Marketing Workshop for Women Entrepreneurs: This workshop introduced attendees to the strategies behind reaching social goals and objectives on social media and provided helpful resources.
    Watch the Social Media Marketing Workshop

  • Women and Ally of Influence Awards: In celebration of Women’s History Month, the M&T Bank Center for Women & Business honored five women and allies across Quinnipiac for their impact and influence on students and our campus community. Out of the nominees, one full-time faculty, one part-time faculty, one staff member, one student and one ally were chosen and honored on social media.

  • Brunch & Write: Use this time for writing, work or even self-care — whatever you want to give focused attention to.

  • Talking to Your Doctor: Become a Successful Patient: Learn simple, smart healthcare communication to talk with your doctors to maximize the time of your medical visits.

  • Mindfulness Session on the Quad: Enjoy an opportunity to destress, emphasize personal well-being and find peace and stability within yourself.

  • Authenticity in the Workplace Workshop: Explore, reflect and discuss the three selves of the authenticity principle during this interactive workshop for students and professionals who self-identify as women of color.

  • New Minds Open Forum: Share your experiences as women/womxn on campus and reflect on the ways in which being a woman, in all of their/our expressions, occurs at Quinnipiac and what those experiences are like.

  • Leadership with Dr. Anne Taylor: Dr. Taylor shared insights into the transition from entering a field of study to becoming an accomplished professional as she continues to forge a path for women of color who aspire to create their own legacy.
    Watch the webinar

  • Women in Technology Panel: The panel highlighted women in technology and focused on their career paths, struggles and successes.

  • Fireside Chat: Lauren Garrett, the newly-elected mayor of Hamden, Judy Olian, President of Quinnipiac University, and Holly Raider, dean of the School of Business, discussed evolving leadership challenges and opportunities.
    Read the recap

  • Research Progress Presentation on Occupational Therapy Role in Chronic Disease Health Management and Maintenance with Tracy Van Oss, a clinical professor of Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac.

  • Supporting Women in Times of Crisis and Calm: Simone Morris '90 and Djuana Beamon discussed the year in review and shared practical insights for better supporting women in the workplace in 2021 and beyond.
    Watch the Supporting Women presentation

  • Strategies to Maximize Your Impact at Work with Meredith Reuben, CEO of EBP Supply Solutions.
    Watch Strategies to Maximize Your Impact

  • Growing Younger...with Age: Ania Jakubowski shared experiences from over 25 years of working across developed and emerging markets in Europe, North America and Africa.
    Watch Growing Younger...With Age

  • Women Entrepreneurship Week Panel Discussion with female student entrepreneurs.
    Watch the Panel Discussion with Female Student Entrepreneurs

  • Women in Sports: Life Post College Athletics: Four former Quinnipiac student-athletes described their journeys after college, how sports have impacted their professional careers, and how the transition has influenced where they are now.
    Watch the Women in Sports Panel

  • After Hours Community Building: The Center is dedicated to creating and growing a community of women and their allies. These events are a relationship-building experience held in a relaxed setting to discuss and share ideas that benefit you and your organization through added contacts and resources.

  • Meet and Greet: The Center hosts networking events for our School of Business student leaders to meet our Advisory Council, Steering Committee, and Faculty Fellows.

Work Culture Shift Panelists sit in CCE 101 presenting to students
The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business hosted panel examining work-culture shift. The panelists discussed how gender roles, diversity, equity and inclusion, and parenting can impact work-life balance and how work culture has shifted since the pandemic. Learn more about the discussion
Faculty members participate in a panel in an auditorium.
The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business hosted panel focused on AI and the future of work. This discussion gave insights into the evolving skills demand in the job market, the role of continuous learning and how to adapt to the changes. Learn more about the discussion
Jessica Geis offers advice to students at a country club.
The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business hosted an addition to the Eileen Peters Farley Endowed Speakers series at the New Haven Country Club. Susan Johnson was presented the 2023 Impact Award by Jessica Geis to honor her achievements as Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at The Hartford.
Students chat and network during a pop-up shop event.
M&T Bank Center for Women and Business hosts a pop-up shop event celebrating Black History Month and People of Color-owned small businesses, featuring live music to enhance the festive atmosphere. Embrace the rich tapestry of culture and entrepreneurship while supporting local talent.
Quinnipiac University’s M&T Bank Center for Women & Business directors, Tamilla Triantoro, Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems, and Tuvana Rua, associate professor of management are photographed with Holly Raider, Dean of the School of Business and Poonam Arora, Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs.
Quinnipiac University’s M&T Bank Center for Women & Business directors, Tamilla Triantoro, associate professor of computer information systems, and Tuvana Rua, associate professor of management are photographed with Holly Raider, dean of the School of Business, and Poonam Arora, associate dean of faculty affairs.

Leadership Team

Advisory Council and Steering Committee Members

  • Djuana Beamon, Chief Diversity & Social Responsibility Officer at Empower

  • Lauren Castagnola, Director of Communications at the University of New Haven

  • Nancy Dudchik, President, Hamden Chamber of Commerce

  • Denise Fiore, Former Chief Operating Officer of Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, Senior Vice President of L+M Healthcare and Senior Vice President for Yale New Haven Health (Retired)

  • Isaiah Lee, Associate, King & Spalding

  • Karmela Malone, Senior Vice President, Claim Solutions, The Hartford

  • Henry Rondon, Assistant Executive Director of Unified Sports and Student Activities for the Connecticut Association of Schools - Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference

  • Amy Rosen, Former Regional Development Officer, Development & Alumni Affairs (Retired)

  • Sal Strazza, Vice President, HR Business Partner, Goldman Sachs

  • Kristy Berner, M&T Bank, Deputy General Counsel

  • Danisha Collins, Administrative Assistant, Global Public Health and Service Learning

  • Maura Cox, Assistant Director of Advancement Services for Gift Administration, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

  • Mohammad Elahee, Professor of International Business

  • Stefano Fasulo, Associate Director of Graduate Student Affairs

  • Alyssa Hyatt, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business and Administration

  • Patricia Kelly, Senior Instructor of Management

  • Maja Laska, Grants Accountant, MBA ‘17

  • Erin Sabato, Director of Global Learning, Department of Cultural and Global Engagement

  • Jen Sacco, Professor of Political Science and Women’s & Gender Studies

  • Becky Spalthoff, Senior Director, Integrated Marketing Communications

2022–2023 Year in Review

Our School of Business M&T Bank Center for Women and Business completed another productive year with initiatives that had a measurable impact on the various people and communities they serve, despite the uncertainty and heaviness of the pandemic. Consistent with their missions, each provided exciting, engaging and provocative activities and opportunities for students, faculty, alumni and friends of Quinnipiac University.

View the Center for Women in Business Report (PDF)

Learn More

Centers and Institutes at Quinnipiac

We believe education doesn’t begin and end inside the classroom. We live in an increasingly diverse and complex world that demands the knowledge, collaboration and empathy required to deliver meaningful impact. 

Whether it’s turning ideas into viable business applications or digging through human history by analyzing ancient artifacts, each of our centers and institutes pairs our students and faculty to transform academic theory into real-world solutions.

Learn More About Our Centers and Institutes

Academics

Our broad liberal arts core complements deep expertise across more than 100 degree programs to provide an education that equips you for an extraordinary career. Whether you are in high school and ready to pursue your undergraduate degree, currently in the workforce and looking to advance your career through one of our graduate programs or have ambitions of becoming a lawyer or doctor, we have the schools, programs and faculty that will help unlock your potential.

Learn More About Our Schools and College Explore Our Programs
Apply Request Info Visit

Contact the School of Business

We’re always here to help provide additional information and answer any questions you may have.

203-582-8600
sbdeans@qu.edu

275 Mount Carmel Ave.
Hamden, CT 06518

Keep up to date with the latest information about the School of Business.

Quinnipiac Today Events Calendar