STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its Leading Ladies Collective closing celebration at San Jeronimo Restaurant & Bakery in Port Richmond, welcoming more than 50 women from Staten Island’s business, nonprofit, and civic communities for an evening of connection and celebration.
“Seeing this group come together again tonight is incredibly meaningful,” said Linda Baran, president and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. “The Leading Ladies Collective is about connection, support, and making sure women in business know they are not doing this alone.”
The event marked the completion of the Chamber’s second Leading Ladies Collective cohort, an initiative designed to support women business owners and nonprofit professionals through leadership development, practical skill-building, and peer connection. The program was made possible through funding secured by New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.
“Grateful for a night celebrating some of Staten Island’s incredible female business owners and entrepreneurs at the Staten Island Chamber Leading Ladies Ceremony,” said Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who served as the evening’s keynote speaker. “Congratulations to the incredible honorees whose work continues to inspire and uplift our community.”
The 2025–2026 Leading Ladies Collective graduates included: Andrea Brognano, Therapy Connection; Dorothea Martin, BDEM Services LLC; Sophia Lu, Hema Designs; Canny Rojas, Mole Poblano Asuncion Corp; Angie Russo, The Shoppe; Christine Jackson, Sunny Side Up Birth Co; Danielle Raleigh, Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor; Leilani Bernadskiy, With a Touch of Aloha; and Vivan Zhang, Sweetie House Playground.