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

To provide opportunities for women and their allies 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.

The center, as part of a thriving, 3-campus university, provides programs designed to educate and inspire women and their allies who are 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.

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

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 and their allies professionally by providing opportunities for lifelong learning, professional development and community-building and citizenship.

Meet & Greet – Welcome Spring Start International Students
January 30, 2025 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Innovation Hub

The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business collaborated with M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and School of Business to host a warm and engaging “Meet & Greet – Welcome Spring Start International Students” event to celebrate and support new international students beginning their journey this semester. This inclusive gathering was designed to foster community, cultural exchange, and a sense of belonging. To help students kick off the cold spring semester, the Center provided a delicious lunch and thoughtful swag, including T-shirts and cozy fleece blankets. The event also served as a valuable networking opportunity, connecting students with faculty members from the School of Business—including the Dean of Students—and team members from the Center, helping build early relationships and support systems within the university community.

Healthy Eating Nutrition Workshop
February 14, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | RWA Kitchen
Led by: Brianne Brathwaite, MS, RDN, CDN, CD-N, CEO and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, EAT for Success LLC

The Healthy Eating Nutrition Cooking Workshop gave the college students a healthy and engaging start to the spring semester. This hands-on event focused on teaching participants how to prepare nutritious, easy and budget-friendly meals. The workshop welcomed students of all cooking skill levels and offered practical tips, delicious recipe ideas, and interactive cooking activities designed to support well-being throughout the semester. In addition to learning valuable kitchen skills, students connected with peers who shared an interest in healthy living, making the event both educational and community-building.
 
Eileen Peters Farley '68 Speakers Series: Fireside Chat with President Judy Olian and Former CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi
March 6, 2025 | 11 a.m. - noon | Mount Carmel Auditorium

The annual Eileen Peters Farley ’68 Speaker Series Luncheon honored Women’s History Month, paying tribute to the legacy of Eileen Peters Farley ’68, an accomplished entrepreneur and former president of the Southern California Quinnipiac University Alumni Chapter. The event featured the presentation of the Impact Award to Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, in recognition of her outstanding leadership and advocacy for women in the workplace. A fireside chat with President Judy Olian and Ms. Nooyi provided attendees with valuable insights into her professional journey, emphasizing themes of resilience, inclusive leadership and purposeful innovation. The luncheon brought together students, faculty, alumni and community members, offering a meaningful opportunity to celebrate women's achievements in business and reinforce the Center’s mission of empowerment and equity.

Student Salary Negotiation Workshop
March 20, 2025 | Noon - 1 p.m. | Innovation Hub

The Student Salary Negotiation Workshop focused on addressing the gender pay gap by providing students with essential negotiation skills and tools to advocate for fair compensation. Through interactive exercises and expert guidance, participants learned how to assess their market value, navigate salary discussions, and build confidence in self-advocacy. The workshop supported the Center’s mission to promote equity, empowerment and career readiness for all students entering the workforce.

American Council of Education (ACE) Women's Network CT Conference
March 28, 2025 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | North Haven Campus

The M&T Bank Center for Women and Business co-sponsored the ACE Women’s Network CT Conference held at Quinnipiac University: a full-day event focused on empowering professionals to shift from survival mode to a mindset of growth and purpose. Highlights included a fireside chat with President Judy Olian and Danielle Wilken, president of the University of Bridgeport, moderated by Tuesday L. Cooper. The discussion centered on their professional journeys and how they have managed to balance their professional and personal lives. The event also featured awards presentations, interactive lunch discussions, concurrent sessions on personal and professional thriving, and concluded with a leadership development workshop led by Dr. Tuvana Rua, reinforcing the Center's commitment to leadership advancement for women in the workplace.

Leveling the Playing Field: Women's Experience in Sport 
April 8, 2025 | 12:30 - 2 p.m. | Mount Carmel Auditorium

An inspiring interdisciplinary panel discussion featured four accomplished women leaders in sport: Batouly Camara, Nicole Gartner, Dr. Ajhanai “AJ” Keaton and Nicole Matuska. The event explored the evolving role of sport through the lens of gender, highlighting themes such as athlete empowerment, humanitarian efforts, media representation and equity in the industry. Panelists shared personal experiences, professional insights and challenges faced throughout their careers, offering attendees a powerful conversation on leadership, inclusion and the transformative impact of sport on society. Among those in attendance were 117 students from nearby Hamden High, Wilbur Cross High and Hillhouse High.
         
Career Readiness Series: Career Chat Over Coffee
April 9, 2025 | 11 a.m. - noon | Innovation Hub

In partnership with the School of Business career development office, the inaugural Career Chat Over Coffee series launched with its first session focused on Career Readiness. Designed to support students in their professional development, the workshop provided practical guidance on how to prepare for obtaining internships and job opportunities, enhancing resumes, and building confidence for interviews and networking. Each attendee had the opportunity to submit questions, which led to an engaging discussion covering topics such as CV writing, interview preparation and professional communication strategies, offering students personalized advice to strengthen their career readiness.

Easy Meals for Young Professionals: Cooking Workshop 
April 11, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | RWA Kitchen

The "Easy Meals for Young Professionals" cooking workshop offered in mid-semester provided attendees a valuable opportunity to learn about preparing nutritious, easy and budget-conscious meals. This hands-on event fostered a sense of community among college students interested in healthy living, providing practical advice, inspiring recipes and interactive cooking experiences to support their well-being during the semester. Attendees prepared dishes such as one-pan sausage and veggie rice, lemony chickpea feta salad, chocolate and vanilla frozen yogurt, homemade whipped cream, chocolate bark and an apple cider vinegar green tea spritz.

Welcome Back Networking Event
September 10, 2024 | 6:30 - 8 p.m. | On The Rocks Pub

The Center hosted its kick-off event, bringing together the business community, QU, industry leaders and students. This gathering celebrated past successes and introduced upcoming events and initiatives focusing on thought leadership. These conversations were deeply rooted in the Center's mission —to advance the educational and professional development of women in business through lifelong learning and actionable insights.

Film Screening and Forum on Women's Empowerment and Economic Development
September 13, 2024 | 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | CCE 101

This event was co-sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences, the Albert Schweitzer Institute and the M&T Bank Center for Women and Business. Melissa Berton, Oakwood English teacher, Academy Award-winning producer and executive director of the Pad Project, discussed the connection between women’s rights and access to sanitary pads, followed by a screening of the Academy Award-winning documentary “Period: End of Sentence” and a discussion with the producer. After, there was a panel discussion featuring Quinnipiac professors and local community organizations, which addressed each group’s own advocacy for women’s empowerment in local, national and global communities.
 
Colors of CT Festival
October 5, 2024 | 2 - 7 p.m. | Recreation Center & Burt Khan

The M&T Bank Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the M&T Bank Center for Women & Business co-hosted our first festival of inclusivity and belonging in the entrepreneurial space. This was a free, family-friendly event to support local businesses owned and operated by small business owners who identify as members of underrepresented and underserved communities. This community event offered many festivities: live music, a DJ, food trucks, a Sip & Shop featuring local vendors, a fashion show, panel discussions and much more!

Home Buying 101: A Comprehensive Guide for College Students
October 10, 2024 | 11 a.m. - noon | SB 109

As college students approach graduation, many begin to think about their future beyond academia, including the prospect of purchasing their first home. Understanding the complexities of the real estate market and the home-buying process can be daunting. To bridge this gap, this event was designed to equip students with essential knowledge and practical tips for making informed decisions in the real estate market. Three local experts, Corinne Abbott, an attorney and part-time QU faculty member, Sara Tufano, a real estate agent with REAL Brokerage, and Yvonne Trode, a loan officer with Northeast Financial, LLC, provided insightful tips and information on this topic.

Women of Innovation Event - CT Technology Council Award Ceremony
October 22, 2024

The 19th annual Women of Innovation event, hosted by the Connecticut Technology Council, celebrates trailblazing women and girls inspiring visionary leadership in scientific research, education, manufacturing and entrepreneurship. Tamilla Triantoro, former co-director of the Center, was one of 45 Connecticut Inspiring STEM Leaders Selected as 2024 Women of Innovation Finalists in the Research Innovation and Leadership category. These leaders represent the best in science, technology, engineering and mathematics across Connecticut and drive scientific advancement and business growth throughout the state.

Bobcat Weekend: Salary Negotiations Lunch & Learn Workshop for Students and Alumni 
October 26, 2024 | noon -1:30 p.m. | SB 109

During the celebration of Bobcat Weekend, the Center partnered with the Department of Lifelong Learning to host a free in-person salary negotiations workshop for students and alumni. The workshop addressed the gender pay gap by providing critical negotiation skills and the tools needed to thrive in the ever-growing and developing workforce. These informative workshops empower everyone to have conversations for self-empowerment.
         
Panel Discussion on The Future of Work 
November 6, 2024 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Mount Carmel Auditorium CCE 101

This discussion, tailored for QU students, featured five alumni within 5 years of graduation who shared their journey after graduation with a key focus on their job search, interview process and current careers as well as what is expected of them in the workplace with changing technologies. Attendees took away insights into building meaningful connections, developing professional skills, creating value and solutions and leveraging networks to navigate evolving workplaces.