COMMITTEES

Economic Empowerment

Through the Economic Security committee, NYWA works to increase women’s economic clout in the city through initiatives that strengthen the financial base of women. Programs provide educational opportunities to improve the financial literacy of women and children. This group also works with women-owned businesses to increase awareness about the importance of fairness when seeking procurement opportunities with the public and private sectors.

Because women are becoming increasingly responsible for their families’ economic well being, it is essential for women and girls to learn the basics of money management. NYWA and sponsor Manhattan Chamber of Commerce recognize this need and want to encourage women to take advantage of the many resources about finance in New York City. The result is Guide and corresponding website which brings all of this information together in one place to aid women, girls and women business owners.

Financial Literacy Guide (free):  Online version

Co-Chairs: Carolyn Sevos (email: carolyn@intracommunities.org)

Kathrine Gregory (email: mkitchen1866@aol.com

Suzanne Matthews (email: smatthewsnyc@aol.com)

Breaking the Silence to End Domestic Violence

The Breaking the Silence to End Domestic Violence Committee is dedicated to promoting greater awareness of issues related to domestic violence. The committee advocates on behalf of policies and provides resources to address these issues. The committee works collaboratively to integrate and promote programs of NYWA member organizations on this topic. Sign up for DV Newsletter/Join committee.

Sign up for our DV Newsletter!

Co-chairs: Deborah Moore (email: drdebicounseling@yahoo.com)

Susan Bartlestone (email: solutions@fightsafe.com)

Melissa Wahl (email: melissa@womenpresidentsorg.com)

Pay Equity

Under the coordination of NYWA’s Government Affairs Committee, the Equal Pay Coalition NYC (EPCNYC) has grown from an idea into a powerful collaboration of over 40 organizations. This consortium of civic organizations, advocates and experts is working together for Pay Equity through policy reform and legislative action on a local, state and federal level. EPCNYC was created in 2007 by NYWA's Government Affairs Committee in response to growing concern and mounting evidence of the continuing economic discrimination suffered by New York’s women, minorities and their families. Sign up for EPCNYC alerts!

For information on Equal Pay go to the Equal Pay Toolkit and www.equalpaynewyork.org

Director: Beverly Neufeld (email: bcneufeld@gmail.com)

New York Reads Together

Education for women and children is a primary issue in New York and the nation. With literacy programs on the forefront in the educational agenda, NYWA created New York Reads Together (NYRT), a citywide book discussion project. The program is designed to encourage the enjoyment of reading, build communication within the family, community, as well as encourage New Yorkers to share the experience of reading in their own unique ways. NYRT is a means of encouraging intergenerational and multicultural discussions among New Yorkers and fosters literacy, academic endeavor and independence. In a collaborative effort NY Reads Together joined with NY Sees Together and VISIONS, which provides services for the blind and visually impaired.

Contact: Karen Karpowich (email: info@nywa.org)

NYU Women’s Leadership Program

This leadership certificate program was designed with the help of NYWA leaders and former STARS for mid to senior-level professional women looking to improve their leadership skills and organizational effectiveness. This program focuses on developing potential and growing skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive business environment by allowing students to take on a real organization as a client, explore its business issues and apply the skills and techniques learned through the program.

Chair: Stephanie Bonadio (email: info@nywa.org)

Government Affairs

NYWA’s Government Affairs Committee provides access to elected officials at the city, state and federal levels to familiarize them with the work and goals of all committees and to take action on our agendas whenever appropriate. Having created the Equal Pay Coalition NYC, Pay Equity is currently a major focus, but the committee responds to many citywide issues and foster relatinoships with NYC leaders.

Co-Chairs: Linda Hartley (email: lhartley@hartleyconsulting.com)

Joyce S. Johnson (email: dut4chi@aol.com)

VP Quality of Life: Marilyn Abalos (email: maeclips@aol.com)

Internet

NYWA has created a new online social media hub - NYWA Connect www.nywaconnect.org - for the New York women's community to come together to share, collaborate, learn, and promote change. Individuals can set-up pages and member organizations can set up special groups, post their events, blog about issues, and more. Help grow our online community! Visit and sign up for NYWA Connect

Co-Chairs: Lena Feygin (email: lenafeygin@gmail.com)

Laurin Paige (email: laurin.paige@gmail.com) 

Communications

Through our communications efforts we keep our member organizations informed on issues and aware of member activities. The work of NYWA is shared with the public through our growing media outreach efforts. 

VP Communications: Lori Schwab (email: lori.schwab@gmail.com)

Social Media Manager: Pat Lewis (email: plewis021@gmail.com)

Development

All of NYWA's efforts are supported by funds raised throughout the year. The STAR Breakfast is the main source of financial support, but NYWA is creating important corporate sponsorship relationships and working to build foundation grant support. All are invited to join this dynamic committee and help ensure that NYWA has the resoruces it needs to create a strong coalition and affect change in our community.

For STAR Breakfast information:

VP Development: Beth-Ellen Keyes (email: bekeyes@gmail.com)

Membership 

Works to recruit, engage and retain member organizations and individuals through outreach and programming.

VP Membership: Natatia Griffith (email: curacaostlucia@msn.com)

Chair Individual Member: Lena Feygin (email: lena.feygin@gmail.com)

Governance

Oversees the by-laws, recommends changes as needed, and ensures that NYWA is in full compliance with nonprofit regulations.

First VP: Liz Schroeder (email: liz@awny.org)

Attorney: Meryl Lynn Unger

Nominating

Oversees the process by which NYWA's officers and board of directors are nominated and elected.

Chair: Sandra Eberhard (email: seberhard@nyc.rr.com)