Nearly 40 of Brooklyn’s most influential women came together on Sept. 24 for an evening of recognition, connection and celebration at Schneps Media’s Power Women of Brooklyn event at El Caribe Country Club.
The annual event honored an accomplished group of professionals, healthcare executives, entrepreneurs, educators, attorneys, nonprofit leaders and community advocates whose work continues to make an impact throughout Brooklyn and beyond.
Part of a Schneps Media tradition spanning more than 30 years, Power Women is designed not only to recognize the achievements of its honorees, but to bring together women from across industries and communities to build new relationships, share their experiences and celebrate one another’s successes.
The evening also supported The Opportunity Hub, a multi-service social services organization providing programs and resources to community members of all ages.
Schneps Media CEO Joshua Schneps welcomed the honorees and guests, recognizing the women for the mark they have made on their borough and their respective industries.
Emmy Award-winning anchor Annika Pergament of Spectrum NY1’s “Rush Hour” also spoke about the importance of recognizing New Yorkers making a difference in their communities.
Throughout the evening, honorees had the opportunity to connect with fellow leaders, celebrate their accomplishments and reflect on the people and experiences that shaped their careers.
For Natalie Rios, Esq., founder and principal attorney of the Law Office of Natalie Rios PLLC, the thoughtfulness behind the celebration made the recognition especially meaningful.
“I was truly impressed by how thoughtfully everything was put together. The venue was beautiful, every detail felt incredibly personal, and it was a privilege to spend the evening among so many accomplished women,” Rios said. “I was very touched by the recognition and grateful to have been included.”
A room full of inspiration
That sense of connection carried throughout the evening as honorees shared stories about the people who inspired them, the challenges they have overcome and the lessons they have learned along the way.
Sandra Sneed, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, reflected on the influence of her mother, who recently passed away at age 98.
“My mother left me a legacy of achievement and excellence,” Sneed said. “She inspired me. She came from the deep South and grew up in the Jim Crow era.”
Sneed said her mother came from a family of 12 children and earned a bachelor’s degree despite significant social and financial obstacles.
“She came from a poor sharecropping family and went to college,” Sneed said. “She is my inspiration.”
Manjinder Kaur, who trained as a nurse and now serves as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, said one of the most rewarding parts of leadership is knowing she can inspire others.
“I feel so fulfilled when nurses come in and tell me, ‘You motivate us. You inspire us,’” Kaur said.
Dr. Kayane Hanna-Hindy, director of the Women’s Digestive Health Center for Gastroenterology Associates of Brooklyn, encouraged the women in the room to recognize the inspiration they can find in one another.
“We as women should inspire ourselves,” Hanna-Hindy said. “We do so much. Whether we’re mothers or partners or run our own businesses, we should take time for our mental health.”
Celebrating Brooklyn connections
The event also highlighted the deep connection many honorees have to Brooklyn — whether they were born in the borough, built their careers there or found their way back home.
Hazel Fraser, a licensed associate broker at Hot Homes Realty, recently returned to Brooklyn after living in Florida and is now expanding her family’s real estate business.
“People love Brooklyn. Brooklyn has its own cachet. The reputation is phenomenal,” Fraser said.
After a career that also took her to Southeast Asia and into the fashion industry, Fraser said returning to Brooklyn has felt like coming home.
“I lived in Florida for many years. I just moved back,” she said. “I’m loving Brooklyn, re-acclimating. I grew up here.”
Leadership, wellness and giving back
Conversations throughout the event extended beyond professional achievements. Honorees spoke candidly about mental health, balance, faith, financial wellness and the responsibility that comes with leadership.
“Despite how long a day I have, no matter what my obligations are, I try to make room for my mental health,” Hanna-Hindy said. “I think everybody should.”
Amanda Small, an associate at Abrams Fensterman, said organization helps her maintain balance between her professional and personal responsibilities.
“I like to make a to-do list so I make sure I stay organized in my personal and work life,” Small said, “so I can accomplish what I want for myself and my job.”
For Ty’East Alleyne-Bobb, Caribbean Impact Award winner and first vice district governor of the Lions of Brooklyn and Queens, prayer provides that grounding.
“Every morning before I begin my day, I take my husband’s hand. We start the day with the Lord’s Prayer,” she said. “That helps the day start in a positive way.”
Yolanda Lezama-Clark, CEO of the Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center, similarly emphasized the importance of beginning each day with intention.
“Prayer and meditation always work to start the day,” she said. “It does help you to stay grounded and gives you that inner peace that’s so needed to continue the day.”
Empowering communities
Many of the women recognized have built careers around helping others navigate challenges and creating greater access to resources.
ReyJane Gaudin, branch manager at Spring Bank, discussed the bank’s focus on financial wellness and education in underserved communities.
“There is a need for financial wellness,” Gaudin said. “Spring Bank is about providing banking and education to underserved communities.”
The bank offers financial workshops covering topics including checking and savings accounts, banking and building credit.
Education was another recurring theme of the evening.
Lesley Esters Redwine, CEO of Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School, spoke about the responsibility educators have to prepare students for their futures.
“Our goal is to make sure they have a great education so they can succeed in careers,” Redwine said.
She also emphasized the importance of preparing students for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
“I think there are positive ways to use AI,” Redwine said. “We support that and want to make sure our kids are ready for the technology and everything they need to do to compete in the world.”
Mabel Muniz-Sarduy, director of political and external affairs for the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, similarly highlighted the importance of supporting the leaders responsible for educating the next generation.
“It’s always about professional learning for our leaders and our assistant principals, so they can lead highly effective schools,” she said.
An evening with an impact
The celebration also gave back to the community through its support of The Opportunity Hub.
CEO Nanda Prabhakar described the organization as a multi-service social services organization serving people ranging from young children to senior citizens.
Its work includes after-school and evening programming, workforce development, job placement, financial empowerment and counseling, among other community services.
“I love the work. I love the community that I’m in,” Prabhakar said. “It’s such an amazing experience to understand that community.”
As the evening celebrated what each honoree has already accomplished, many of the women also reflected on the legacies they are continuing to build.
“My biggest motivator is my family,” said Amy Grindeland, co-founder and manager of Fort Hamilton Distillery. “To give them a legacy and something to carry on.”
Dr. Maggie D. Tetrokalashvili, chairwoman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital, encouraged others to remember they do not have to build those legacies alone.
“Never be afraid to ask for help, to reach out,” she said.
Dr. Fabienne Gaillard Ulysse, assistant vice president of nursing education and research/academic affiliations coordinator at Maimonides Health, shared a lesson from her late father that captured the spirit of an evening centered on recognizing each woman’s individual journey.
“I treasure a pen given to me by my late father,” Ulysse said. “He gave it to me and told me you must write your own story. Every day what I do is write my story.”
Power Women of Brooklyn is part of Schneps Media’s ongoing series of events recognizing influential women and leaders across New York’s communities and industries.
To nominate an outstanding leader for recognition at a future Schneps Media event, visit SchnepsMedia.com or email Events@SchnepsMedia.com.
Brooklyn Power Women 2026:
CARIBBEAN IMPACT AWARD Ty’East Alleyne-Bobb, First Vice District Governor; Lions of Brooklyn and Queens, NY (District 20-K1)
ICON Inez Barron, Council Member; 42nd Council District
ICON Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Assembly Member; 42nd Assembly District
ICON Yvette D. Clarke, U.S. Representative; 9th Congressional District
ICON Angela Cooper, Singer
Michele de Milly, Co-Founder/Principal; Geto & de Milly, Inc.
CARIBBEAN IMPACT AWARD Elsie Delbrune, Owner; PASHU & Judy Ent LLC.
Lesley Esters Redwine, CEO/General Counsel; Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School
Hazel Fraser, Licensed Associate Broker; Hot Homes Realty LLC
ICON Dr. Fabienne Gaillard Ulysse, DNP, AOCNP, MSN, ANP-BC, FAAN, Assistant Vice President of Nursing Education and Research/Academic Affiliations Coordinator; Maimonides Health
ReyJane Gaudin, Branch Manager; Spring Bank
Amy Grindeland, Cofounder/Manager; Fort Hamilton Distillery
ICON Kayane Hanna-Hindy, MD, FACG, Director of Women’s Digestive Division; Gastroenterology Associates of Brooklyn
ICON Hon. Letitia James, Attorney General; State of New York
VANGUARD AWARD Manjinder Kaur, DNP, FACHE, NEA-BC, Chief Executive Officer; NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health
CARIBBEAN IMPACT AWARD Yolanda Lezama-Clark, CEO, and Leah Clark Brisard, Head of Digital Marketing; The Carlos Lezama Archives & Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C)
ICON Farah Louis, Council Member; 45th Council District
ICON Nicole Malliotakis, U.S. Representative; 11th Congressional District
Mabel Muñiz-Sarduy, Director of Political & External Affairs; Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA)
ICON Mercedes Narcisse, Council Member; 46th Council District
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES Annika Pergament, Emmy Award-winning Anchor; Spectrum News NY1’s “Rush Hour”
ICON Roxanne J. Persaud, State Senator; 19th Senatorial District
ICON Nanda Prabhakar, Executive Director; The Opportunity Hub
Natalie Rios, Esq., Founder/Principal Attorney; Law Office of Natalie Rios PLLC
Erica Roseman, President; Concrete Communications
ICON Kayla Santosuosso, Council Member; 47th Council District
ICON Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, State Senator; 23rd Senatorial District
Carrie Schechter, Founder/Owner; JukeBox NYC
Amanda Small, Associate; Abrams Fensterman Law
Sandra Sneed, MBA, FACHE, CEO; NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull
Dr. Maggie D. Tetrokalashvili, Chairwoman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital
Christina Tettonis, Executive Academic Officer/Co-Executive Leader; Hellenic Classical Charter Schools (HCCS)
ICON Inna Vernikov, Council Member; 48th Council District
ICON Helene Weinstein, Assembly Member; 41st Assembly District
ICON Jaime Williams, Assembly Member; 59th Assembly District
ICON Susan Zhuang, Council Member; 43rd Council District