Nearly 40 of Brooklyn\u2019s most influential women came together on Sept. 24 for an evening of recognition, connection and celebration at Schneps Media\u2019s Power Women of Brooklyn event at El Caribe Country Club.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s successes.<\/p>\n
The evening also supported The Opportunity Hub, a multi-service social services organization providing programs and resources to community members of all ages.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Emmy Award-winning anchor Annika Pergament of Spectrum NY1\u2019s \u201cRush Hour\u201d also spoke about the importance of recognizing New Yorkers making a difference in their communities.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Rios said. \u201cI was very touched by the recognition and grateful to have been included.\u201d<\/p>\n
A room full of inspiration<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sandra Sneed, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals\/Woodhull, reflected on the influence of her mother, who recently passed away at age 98.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mother left me a legacy of achievement and excellence,\u201d Sneed said. \u201cShe inspired me. She came from the deep South and grew up in the Jim Crow era.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sneed said her mother came from a family of 12 children and earned a bachelor\u2019s degree despite significant social and financial obstacles.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe came from a poor sharecropping family and went to college,\u201d Sneed said. \u201cShe is my inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel so fulfilled when nurses come in and tell me, \u2018You motivate us. You inspire us,\u2019\u201d Kaur said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Kayane Hanna-Hindy, director of the Women\u2019s Digestive Health Center for Gastroenterology Associates of Brooklyn, encouraged the women in the room to recognize the inspiration they can find in one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe as women should inspire ourselves,\u201d Hanna-Hindy said. \u201cWe do so much. Whether we\u2019re mothers or partners or run our own businesses, we should take time for our mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celebrating Brooklyn connections<\/p>\n
The event also highlighted the deep connection many honorees have to Brooklyn \u2014 whether they were born in the borough, built their careers there or found their way back home.<\/p>\n
Hazel Fraser, a licensed associate broker at Hot Homes Realty, recently returned to Brooklyn after living in Florida and is now expanding her family\u2019s real estate business.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople love Brooklyn. Brooklyn has its own cachet. The reputation is phenomenal,\u201d Fraser said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI lived in Florida for many years. I just moved back,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m loving Brooklyn, re-acclimating. I grew up here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leadership, wellness and giving back<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite how long a day I have, no matter what my obligations are, I try to make room for my mental health,\u201d Hanna-Hindy said. \u201cI think everybody should.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda Small, an associate at Abrams Fensterman, said organization helps her maintain balance between her professional and personal responsibilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to make a to-do list so I make sure I stay organized in my personal and work life,\u201d Small said, \u201cso I can accomplish what I want for myself and my job.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Ty\u2019East Alleyne-Bobb, Caribbean Impact Award winner and first vice district governor of the Lions of Brooklyn and Queens, prayer provides that grounding.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery morning before I begin my day, I take my husband\u2019s hand. We start the day with the Lord\u2019s Prayer,\u201d she said. \u201cThat helps the day start in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yolanda Lezama-Clark, CEO of the Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center, similarly emphasized the importance of beginning each day with intention.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrayer and meditation always work to start the day,\u201d she said. \u201cIt does help you to stay grounded and gives you that inner peace that\u2019s so needed to continue the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Empowering communities<\/p>\n
Many of the women recognized have built careers around helping others navigate challenges and creating greater access to resources.<\/p>\n
ReyJane Gaudin, branch manager at Spring Bank, discussed the bank\u2019s focus on financial wellness and education in underserved communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a need for financial wellness,\u201d Gaudin said. \u201cSpring Bank is about providing banking and education to underserved communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bank offers financial workshops covering topics including checking and savings accounts, banking and building credit.<\/p>\n
Education was another recurring theme of the evening.<\/p>\n
Lesley Esters Redwine, CEO of Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School, spoke about the responsibility educators have to prepare students for their futures.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is to make sure they have a great education so they can succeed in careers,\u201d Redwine said.<\/p>\n
She also emphasized the importance of preparing students for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there are positive ways to use AI,\u201d Redwine said. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always about professional learning for our leaders and our assistant principals, so they can lead highly effective schools,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
An evening with an impact<\/p>\n
The celebration also gave back to the community through its support of The Opportunity Hub.<\/p>\n
CEO Nanda Prabhakar described the organization as a multi-service social services organization serving people ranging from young children to senior citizens.<\/p>\n
Its work includes after-school and evening programming, workforce development, job placement, financial empowerment and counseling, among other community services.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the work. I love the community that I\u2019m in,\u201d Prabhakar said. \u201cIt\u2019s such an amazing experience to understand that community.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the evening celebrated what each honoree has already accomplished, many of the women also reflected on the legacies they are continuing to build.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy biggest motivator is my family,\u201d said Amy Grindeland, co-founder and manager of Fort Hamilton Distillery. \u201cTo give them a legacy and something to carry on.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever be afraid to ask for help, to reach out,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s individual journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cI treasure a pen given to me by my late father,\u201d Ulysse said. \u201cHe gave it to me and told me you must write your own story. Every day what I do is write my story.\u201d<\/p>\n
Power Women of Brooklyn is part of Schneps Media\u2019s ongoing series of events recognizing influential women and leaders across New York\u2019s communities and industries.<\/p>\n
To nominate an outstanding leader for recognition at a future Schneps Media event, visit SchnepsMedia.com<\/a> or email Events@SchnepsMedia.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Brooklyn Power Women 2026:\u00a0<\/p>\n CARIBBEAN IMPACT AWARD Ty\u2019East Alleyne-Bobb, First Vice District Governor; Lions of Brooklyn and Queens, NY (District 20-K1)
\nICON Inez Barron, Council Member; 42nd Council District
\nICON Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Assembly Member; 42nd Assembly District
\nICON Yvette D. Clarke, U.S. Representative; 9th Congressional District
\nICON Angela Cooper, Singer
\nMichele de Milly, Co-Founder\/Principal; Geto & de Milly, Inc.
\nCARIBBEAN IMPACT AWARD Elsie Delbrune, Owner; PASHU & Judy Ent LLC.
\nLesley Esters Redwine, CEO\/General Counsel; Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School
\nHazel Fraser, Licensed Associate Broker; Hot Homes Realty LLC
\nICON Dr. Fabienne Gaillard Ulysse, DNP, AOCNP, MSN, ANP-BC, FAAN, Assistant Vice President of Nursing Education and Research\/Academic Affiliations Coordinator; Maimonides Health
\nReyJane Gaudin, Branch Manager; Spring Bank
\nAmy Grindeland, Cofounder\/Manager; Fort Hamilton Distillery
\nICON Kayane Hanna-Hindy, MD, FACG, Director of Women\u2019s Digestive Division; Gastroenterology Associates of Brooklyn
\nICON Hon. Letitia James, Attorney General; State of New York
\nVANGUARD AWARD Manjinder Kaur, DNP, FACHE, NEA-BC, Chief Executive Officer; NYC Health + Hospitals\/South Brooklyn Health
\nCARIBBEAN IMPACT AWARD Yolanda Lezama-Clark, CEO, and Leah Clark Brisard, Head of Digital Marketing; The Carlos Lezama Archives & Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C)
\nICON Farah Louis, Council Member; 45th Council District
\nICON Nicole Malliotakis, U.S. Representative; 11th Congressional District
\nMabel Mu\u00f1iz-Sarduy, Director of Political & External Affairs; Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA)
\nICON Mercedes Narcisse, Council Member; 46th Council District
\nMISTRESS OF CEREMONIES Annika Pergament, Emmy Award-winning Anchor; Spectrum News NY1\u2019s \u201cRush Hour\u201d
\nICON Roxanne J. Persaud, State Senator; 19th Senatorial District
\nICON Nanda Prabhakar, Executive Director; The Opportunity Hub
\nNatalie Rios, Esq., Founder\/Principal Attorney; Law Office of Natalie Rios PLLC
\nErica Roseman, President; Concrete Communications
\nICON Kayla Santosuosso, Council Member; 47th Council District
\nICON Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, State Senator; 23rd Senatorial District
\nCarrie Schechter, Founder\/Owner; JukeBox NYC
\nAmanda Small, Associate; Abrams Fensterman Law
\nSandra Sneed, MBA, FACHE, CEO; NYC Health + Hospitals\/Woodhull
\nDr. Maggie D. Tetrokalashvili, Chairwoman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; NYC Health + Hospitals\/South Brooklyn Health, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital
\nChristina Tettonis, Executive Academic Officer\/Co-Executive Leader; Hellenic Classical Charter Schools (HCCS)
\nICON Inna Vernikov, Council Member; 48th Council District
\nICON Helene Weinstein, Assembly Member; 41st Assembly District
\nICON Jaime Williams, Assembly Member; 59th Assembly District
\nICON Susan Zhuang, Council Member; 43rd Council District<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nearly 40 of Brooklyn\u2019s most influential women came together on Sept. 24 for an evening of recognition, connection…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":359244,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[98,100,99,133691,33722,17959,9,24,12,370,63,13683,5221],"class_list":["post-359243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-brooklyn","tag-brooklyn","tag-brooklyn-headlines","tag-brooklyn-news","tag-el-caribe","tag-el-caribe-country-club","tag-networking","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-news","tag-newsletter","tag-nyc","tag-power-women","tag-schneps-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=359243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359243\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/359244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=359243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=359243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=359243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}