Moving Forward Together: Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders

Google’s Chelsea Market office transformed into a hub of inspiration and connection on Tuesday, March 19, as Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) students, faculty, and industry leaders gathered for “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” Timed perfectly with Women’s History Month, the afternoon event, envisioned as a Career Connected Learning Fieldtrip, shone a spotlight on the profound influence of women in education, leadership, and the broader professional landscape.

The energy in the room was palpable from the outset, and Erika Bressan, Google Cloud Account Executive & Host initiated the event with a powerful opening. She set the tone, reflecting on the significance of March as a time to celebrate women’s achievements and their vital, ongoing contributions. Sharing glimpses into her own journey, she underscored Google’s deep commitment to fostering education and community, emphasizing the power of women supporting each other across industries. The intellectual feast continued with a keynote address from Chiqui Cartagena, Executive Director of CUNY TV, offering attendees a wealth of experience to draw from her remarkable personal story and career journey.

This paved the way for a lively panel discussion, moderated by Bressan, featuring a diverse array of accomplished women. Ana Ceppi, Co-Founder of Multicultural Growth Partners and Executive Producer; Gloria Vargas, AI Sales Specialist at Google Cloud; Tejal Sughrue, Senior Industry Demand Manager; and BMCC Alumni Mentors Becky Lamming and Carlene Nelson. Each panelist candidly shared their career journeys, openly discussed challenges and lessons learned, and offered practical advice for students pursuing internships and entry-level roles.

The learning continued with an interactive ‘Workshopping Together’ session, breaking down barriers between speakers and students. This format facilitated intimate table discussions and Question and Answer opportunities with faculty from BMCC’s Media, Arts and Technology department and leading figures in the tech innovation space.

Susan Stratton, MEA CIE Industry Specialist at BMCC, prompted students to consider their mentor needs, search strategies, and the value of mentorship. Throughout the event, a spirit of collaboration and empowerment permeated Google’s space, perfectly reflecting the ‘Moving Forward Together!’ theme. A vibrant display of unity, honoring Women’s History Month, was evident as many attendees donned purple, green, and white, the colors representing the movement.

“We are incredibly grateful to our host Erika Bressan of Google Cloud NY who encouraged our Career Connected Learning interns, MEA faculty and professional women in media to wear the symbolic colors of Women’s History month for today’s event: green for hope, purple for loyalty and white for equality,” said Stratton. “These colors were initially adopted by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), a British suffragette organization formed in 1903.