Farrell Fritz P.C.

Leadership Is What We Do. Legacy Is What We Leave Behind.

terrialessimiceliLeave a comment
News 12 Lead Anchor Erin Colton will be the keynote speaker at the November 20 HIA-LI Women’s Leadership Conference.

When we hear the word “legacy,” we often think about what we’ll be remembered for someday. But I believe a legacy is built long before the final chapter of a career. It takes shape in the people we mentor, the doors we open, the values we stand by, and the confidence we help others discover.

Passion matters just as much. It’s what keeps us curious, gives purpose to our work, and reminds us that success should be about more than a title or a résumé.

Those ideas are at the heart of HIA-LI’s 16th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference, “Lead with Legacy, Live with Passion,” on Friday, November 20, at the Hilton Long Island in Melville. I hope you’ll join us for a morning of candid conversation, practical insights, and meaningful connections among women at every stage of their professional journeys.

Over the years, this conference has become something more than an opportunity to hear from successful executives. It’s a place where women can share experiences, learn from one another, and consider not only where they want to go, but whom they can help along the way.

Our keynote speaker, Erin Colton, lead anchor at News 12 Long Island, brings an impressive story of professional growth. A Long Island native and Emmy Award-winning journalist, Erin began at News 12 as a production assistant and advanced through roles in writing, producing, sports anchoring, and reporting. Her journey is a reminder that careers are built through persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to take on new challenges.

I’m also looking forward to participating in our featured executive panel alongside three accomplished leaders whose experiences span very different industries. Carol Allen, President and CEO of People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union, has spent decades in financial services. Carol Gomes, CEO and COO of Stony Brook University Hospital, leads in a field where decisions affect patients, professionals, and entire communities. Anne Shybunko-Moore, CEO and Owner of GSE Dynamics, has built a distinguished career in manufacturing while advocating for workforce development and the next generation of talent.

As President and CEO of HIA-LI, I’ll bring my perspective on building relationships and strengthening Long Island’s business community. Guiding our discussion will be moderator Domenique Camacho Moran, a partner at Farrell Fritz P.C. and a dedicated advocate for women’s professional advancement.

Our breakout sessions will bring the conference theme down to a personal, practical level. Consider “The Only Woman in the Room: Turning Visibility into Influence” and “The Career I Never Planned: How I Went from Proving Myself to Leading with Confidence.” Both speak to finding your voice and owning your path. “She’s Next: Women in the Nonprofit CEO Pipeline” addresses the importance of preparing future leaders, while “The Relationship Recession: Why Human Connection Is Your Greatest Competitive Advantage” reminds us that lasting success depends on relationships. And “Forget Balance: Creating Boundaries and a Life That Actually Works” asks us to think about what a fulfilling life truly looks like.

The morning will also offer opportunities for networking and connecting with vendors. My hope is that everyone leaves with at least one new idea, one valuable connection, and renewed energy for what comes next.

Because the most meaningful legacy isn’t simply what we accomplish. It’s what becomes possible for others because we led.

The conference takes place Friday, November 20, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Long Island in Melville.

To purchase tickets, visit www.hia-li.org. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Anthony Forgione at aforgione@hia-li.org or (631) 708-9005.

CAN WOMEN LEAD THE WAY?

terrialessimiceliLeave a comment

Women's Panel 2019
Joining me in this photo are, from left: Joanna Austin, Publisher and Executive Vice President, Long Island Press/Schneps Media; Domenique Camacho-Moran, Partner, Farrel Fritz, PC; Rebecca O’Connell, Managing Director and Region Head, Chase Bank; Carolyn Mazzenga, Office Managing Partner, Marcum, LLP; and, Kristen Jarnagin, President and CEO, Discover Long Island.

In 2010, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand recommended that HIA-LI create a regular forum where female business leaders could mentor one another – and explore strategies for success.

In response, we inaugurated our annual “Women Leading the Way” Executive Breakfast. And on November 22 – with some 200 guests present – HIA-LI held our Ninth Annual Executive Breakfast at Hauppauge’s Stonebridge Country Club. Our panel was skillfully moderated by Domenique Camacho-Moran, partner at the Farrell Fritz law firm.

Women already own more than ten million companies nationwide employing more than 13 million people – generating more than $1.9 trillion in sales.

In 2018, 24 Fortune 500 firms had female CEOs. In 2019 that figure had reached 33. So while things are trending in the right direction, there’s still a long way to go.

What guidance did our blue-ribbon panel of female Long Island executives provide?

Rebecca O’Connell, managing director at JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking’s Long Island headquarters in Melville, described her bottom-up approach to leadership.

“I like to define success as building leaders, not gaining followers,” O’Connell said. “And driving forward in a team capacity.”

Long Island Press publisher Joanna Austin urged audience members to act as energizers and motivators.

“Aim to bring in energy and a positive vibe,” she said. “Try to infuse energy into every single task, no matter how mundane.”

Carolyn Mazzenga, office managing partner at the Marcum accounting firm in Melville, told attendees that advancement comes by taking action.  Not by simply “hoping” for recognition and promotions.

“We have a saying,” she said. “Hope is not a strategy.”

The CEO of our region’s tourism promotion agency, Kristen Jarnagin of Discover Long Island, also stressed action over words.

“People love to talk about things,” she told event guests. “So what are we going to do about it? That’s how you execute.”

As I offer HIA-LI’s huge “thank you” to Domenique and our terrific panelists, I’d like to close with some business advice that cuts across both genders.

As I’ve mentioned before, a businessman told me something early in my career. He said that race, age, and gender shouldn’t be a primary driver of hiring and promoting decisions.

He said to look for “strength of character and conviction – and how big your heart is.”

I’d like to wish you and yours best wishes for the holiday season and health and happiness in the new year.

Mentorship is Essential

terrialessimiceliLeave a comment

From left: Domenique Camacho-Moran, Farrell Fritz P.C.; Terri Alessi-Miceli, C.E.O., HIA-LI; Karen Frank, Omnicon, an HBM Prenscia subsidiary; Theresa Ferraro, East/West Industries; Gwen O’Shea, Community Development Corporation of Long Island; and, Anne Shybunko-Moore, GSE Dynamics.

In 2010 I was invited to participate in a roundtable hosted by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on elevating women’s status in business with other esteemed women business leaders. She emphasized the importance of mentoring, equality and life/work balance and much more.

At the roundtable, I shared a personal story from many years prior about advice I had received from a male mentor.

His counsel?

Practice the profession of being a superior businessperson, whether I was male or female. Comprehend profit and loss statements and balance sheets, and learn how to develop revenue streams. His simple advice was lucid and relevant, and I never forgot it.

As I listened around the room all of us had mentors that were helping to lift us up and guide us along our journey.

At that roundtable Senator Gillibrand encouraged all of us to take an active role in helping generate more female business leaders and devise new platforms for ongoing discussion. Our ultimate goal would be to propel more women into executive suites.

HIA-LI accepted the challenge. We heeded the Senator’s call by instituting a panel series highlighting the challenges women face in the workplace.

It didn’t surprise me that at HIA-LI’s highly successful, Eighth Annual “Women Leading the Way” panel and networking breakfast held November 29, with many executive suite and young females in the room, the value of mentor support was a recurring theme.

HIA-LI is grateful to our moderator Domenique Camacho-Moran, a partner at Farrell Fritz P.C., as well as panelists Karen Frank of Omnicon, a HBM Prenscia subsidiary; Theresa Ferraro of East/West Industries; Gwen O’Shea of the Community Development Corporation of Long Island; and Anne Shybunko-Moore of GSE Dynamics.

Panelists agreed that life/work blending and support is essential for building women’s already impressive status in today’s business world: some ten million women-owned firms employ more than 13 million workers and generate more than $1.9 trillion in sales.

Panelist Karen Frank urged women to build their own strong networks. Through mentoring and network building, Karen said, “we can navigate this landscape better than in the past.”

This forum isn’t just a place to sip coffee and discuss women in business once a year: it’s a real-life mentoring event and a vibrant networking marketplace.

Moreover, it’s become a proud and valuable HIA-LI tradition. Thanks to all for making it a success!