Business owner Celeste Beatty of Harlem Brewing Company was honored as one of the most powerful women in Queens business gathered in Flushing on Thursday night to meet, greet, celebrate and network.
Organized by the Star Network, the Queens Power Women in Business Awards & Networking Event on May 18, 2017, at Terrace on the Park paid tribute to influential women in business whose major achievements and participation in the community have helped make a difference in the borough.
The dynamic group of honorees first gathered for a special VIP hour to get to know one another and network. Honorees then joined their guests for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and further networking with the standout business sponsors at the event.
Honorees spoke of how it felt to be recognized and the opportunities being a part of the Star Network afforded them.
“It’s amazing to be around so many amazing women,” said Michelle Pascal, Project Manager at Vista Skywall Systems. “I’m humbled by the entire experience so far.”
“I’m a lifelong resident of the borough of Queens, so it’s really nice to be among such phenomenal women that impact the community that we live in,” said Ling Xu, Vice President and Branch Manager at the Flushing Bank branch on Springfield Boulevard.
“It’s wonderful to see a room full of so many women in leadership roles,” said Gráinne Vis, Director of Residential Services Innovative Resources for Independence. “It reinforces that the hard work is worth it.”
In the grand event, honorees and guests gathered in the grand ballroom to dine and accept their awards. Award presentations were emceed by Vicki Schneps, co-publisher of Schneps Communications, and Cheryl Wills, award-winning reporter and anchor on Spectrum News NY1, who was also honored as “Star of Stars.”
Matilda Cuomo, who is described as the most active First Lady in New York State’s history, was honored as Mentor of the Year. The influential public figure founded and continues to work with Mentoring USA — a nonprofit founded to foster and change the lives of young people. Cuomo explained that she has brought her experience as a teacher, mother and public figure to her role in the active organization. Today, her greatest focus is making sure that kids today get the education they need and deserve.
“We must get our children to stay in school,” Cuomo said. “The mentoring program has a training that is unique … And we’ve reached so many kids.”
Dr. Marcia Keizs, President of CUNY York College, was inducted into the Star Network Power Women Hall of Fame. Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton, President of the When in Need Foundation, was awarded the Global Giving Award.
Raffles to support two local nonprofit organizations, the Queens Centers for Progress and the When In Need Foundation, were also sold at the event. All proceeds went to these two outreach organizations.
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