It’s time for the women of Long Island to fulfill our untapped potential as business leaders – and we have an event coming up on February 8 that will provide insights into how women can get ahead in business.

HIA-LI is committed to the advancement of female executives in Long Island. We launched a Women’s Initiative in 2010 to help us focus our energies on this goal.

The numbers are encouraging. The census bureau had calculated that the number of women-owned businesses nationwide increased 21 percent between 2014 and 2019, while the number of all businesses overall increased by only nine percent.

And it can’t be denied that women in business are a major economic engine. According to a  2019 report from American Express, more than ten million women-owned firms in America were generating $1.9 trillion in sales, while employing 13 million people.

But females often confront hurdles in striking the right work-life balance. We often need to look harder to obtain the right kind of mentoring. And the pandemic further complicated women’s pathways to business success.

OK, so what’s coming up on February 8?

That’s the day we’ll have a chance to hear from one of New York State’s most influential woman business leaders, Clare Cusack.

On Tuesday, February 8 at 3 pm, we’ll be hosting Clare Cusack, President and CEO of the New York Bankers Association (NYBA), as our featured guest at an “Executive Insight – Fireside Chat” event at the Hilton Long Island at 598 Broadhollow Road in Melville.

Ms. Cusack’s presentation will be moderated by Kevin O’Connor, CEO of Dime Community Bank and a member of HIA-LI’s board of directors.

Clare Cusack is the first female to lead the NYBA, the premier trade association for the banking industry in New York.   

Clare Cusack and Kevin O’Connor will discuss one of the most challenging and transformative periods in the banking industry. We expect them to tackle such topics as the interest rate outlook, fintech, the remote workplace, and the economic development impact of the financial services sector.

But in addition to banking topics, we’ll be asking Ms. Cusack about her status as one the Empire State’s most prominent female business executives. Did she face challenges because of her gender? Can she offer advice to up-and-coming businesswomen?

Founded in 1894, the NYBA is the state’s preeminent provider of legislative and regulatory services to a unified banking industry. It also provides educational programs, public relations, political action, and member services geared to enhance the profitability and stature of New York’s banking industry. NYBA members together employ nearly 200,000 New Yorkers, hold $2 trillion in deposits, and extend nearly $70 billion in home and small business loans.

HIA-LI members and non-members may click here to register for the event. Companies wishing to sponsor the event can contact Anthony Forgione at aforgione@hia-li.org or call 631-543-5355.

Come and hear a true business luminary – and one of our state’s most accomplished female executives!