The New Jersey School Boards Association’s sold-out 2nd Annual Women’s Leadership Conference welcomed a crowd of nearly 200 education leaders on Friday, March 21 at the Conference Center at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor.
Dr. Timothy Purnell, executive director and CEO of the New Jersey School Boards Association, welcomed attendees to the event.
“The New Jersey School Boards Association has had a long and proud history of effective women leaders and continues to champion the empowerment of women and gender equity. Events like the Women’s Leadership Conference help cultivate skills, foster networking opportunities, and provide unique support for leaders, which ultimately benefits the districts they serve,” said Purnell.
Karen Cortellino, M.D., president of NJSBA, also greeted attendees.
“Whether it is cultivating a leadership mindset,” she said, “conquering challenges we face as women, serving as a mentor to up-and-coming female leaders, re-engaging in the workforce, leading with courage, avoiding burnout or finding your voice, the insights and strategies you learn today will make a difference when you go back to your districts, schools and communities and put them into action.”
The conference began with an inspiring keynote address given by Melissa McEntee, public sector education strategist team lead for SHI International. Titled “Empowerment Through Transformation: The Struggle Is Real and Worth It!,” McEntee shared her evolution from educator to edtech leader. She emphasized the importance of building confidence and stepping out of comfort zones to embark on a transformative personal and professional journey.
Breakout sessions featured a wide variety of topics. In the morning, attendees learned about building consensus on their boards of education and fostering student success, as well as leading like a woman and finding their voice in male-dominated industries. After a networking lunch, afternoon sessions shared valuable insights on topics such as leading with courage, re-engaging in the workface, and making their voices count.
The day closed with a diverse panel of women leaders for a conversation on women’s leadership. Panelists included Kim Gatti, NJSBA; Judith Rattner, NJASA; Sharon Roseboro, NJPTA; Luanne Peterpaul, Assemblywoman (D-11); and Denise M. Lowe, Women of Color Education Collaborative – National. Together, they discussed their journeys and triumphs as well as the strategies they use to address unique challenges impacting women in leadership positions.
Lauren Cuervo, senior director of connection at NJSBA, added, “This year, the conference took a deep dive into navigating the challenges and opportunities for women in leadership. I was blown away by the honesty and vulnerability of our presenters, and by the willingness of our audience to fully engage in the experience.”
The Women’s Leadership Conference has proven to be one of the New Jersey School Boards Association’s most popular conferences, selling out both its inaugural year in 2024 and again this year. The NJSBA plans to offer this conference in the future.
Watch a recap of the conference here:
