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/ 09.21.23 /

Panel Discussion October 4: How Helping Women Helps the Economy

Register Today!

Join this panel discussion and networking event exploring how women in business can help economically marginalized women enter and stay in the workforce—and, in turn, strengthen the broader economy.

Just being a woman can increase the likelihood of experiencing poverty. One in 8 women in the US live in poverty—more so among women of color—and 1 in 3 female-headed families with children live below the poverty line.

By investing in pathways to financial independence for economically marginalized women, we invest in a more equitable and prosperous society, which leads to a stronger economy for all.

Women-owned businesses alone represent at least $1.9 trillion in revenue; if each invested 1% of their revenue in organizations that support women on their economic journey, we could transform the lives of thousands of women.

This panel discussion is for you if any of these apply:

  1. You want to be part of strengthening the economy.
  2. You want to help women overcome the barriers that keep them from earning a steady income.
  3. You want to learn about innovative charitable models designed to drive social change.
  4. You want to spark engagement and excitement within your company and community

Meet the Panelists:

S. Mona Sinha is the Global Executive Director of Equality Now, an organization that campaigns for legal and systemic change around the world to address violence and discrimination against women and girls.

For 25 years, Mona has leveraged her corporate experience to launch, lead or advise over 90 mission-aligned organizations to create a gender-equal world. She is the Board Chair of Women Moving Millions and serves on the Executive Council of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, as well as the Advisory Board of Gucci CHIME. Creating inclusive communities is at the center of her strategic approach, which she believes is the key to unlocking sustainable organizational growth.

Mona has received wide recognition for her work to advance equality. In 2023, she was listed in Forbes’ 50 Over 50 for her work as a leader impacting change for a better future. She has also received awards from Columbia Business School, Smith College, Children’s Hope India, CARE USA, Modern High School (Kolkata), Women’s eNews, Breakthrough, Gloria Steinem, and Apne Aap. In 2015, she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, an award presented annually to US citizens whose accomplishments and service in their field are cause for celebration.

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships (McGraw-Hill). Susan has 30+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Massachusetts Conference for Women, BSR, DLD, Worth Women and Techonomy, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

Susan is the recipient of Forbes magazine’s 50 over 50—Impact 2021 award and Worth Media’s Worthy100 award. She has also won numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. Currently, Susan invests in and advises women-led start-ups, including: iFundWomen,Inc., Messy.fm, Our Place, The Riveter, Park Place Payments, Hint Water, Apolitical and The Muse. She serves on the boards of USA for UNHCR, The 19th News, and serves on the advisory boards of The List, Apolitical Foundation, Just Capital and Alltruists. Additionally, she is a member of the MIT Solve Women and Technology Leadership Group and serves as an adviser to several nonprofits including She’s The First and The OpEd Project. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and a member of the New York Women’s Forum and Extraordinary Women on Boards. She resides in Brooklyn.

Beth Bengtson, Founder and CEO of Working for Women, has over two decades of experience in marketing and corporate social responsibility. A visionary leader, she combines her business acumen with a deep commitment to social impact, focusing on empowering women from marginalized communities to enter and sustain employment. Her unique approach involves connecting businesses and nonprofits to create mutually beneficial employment opportunities, thereby striving to build an inclusive economy. Previously, Beth co-founded a digital marketing firm serving Fortune 500 companies and pioneered corporate social responsibility in the marketing sector.

Driven by a lifelong dedication to community service and women’s empowerment, Beth has a diverse history of impactful initiatives. She was a mentor for Raising HOPE in Kingston, NY, participated in a mission trip to Guatemala, and currently serves on advisory boards aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting education for women. Her efforts extend into academia and thought leadership, having taught marketing focused on social responsibility and authored articles in prominent publications like the Harvard Business Review.

Beth holds an MBA from Schiller International University in Paris and a BS in Management from Penn State University. She is certified in empowerment design and facilitation, credentials that enrich her work in making significant social contributions. Outside of her professional life, Beth enjoys outdoor activities like biking and kayaking, and cherishes quality time with her family, which includes two teenage sons, her husband, and two dogs.

Cate Luzio (panel moderator) is the Founder and CEO of Luminary, a global membership-based professional education and networking platform created to uplift, upskill, and propel women forward through all phases of their professional journey.

Cate launched Luminary in 2018 with the mission to create an ecosystem of high-touch engagement to address and impact the systemic challenges faced by women across all industries and sectors. Members are comprised of a multigenerational and intersectional community of individuals, intrapreneurs, entrepreneurs, corporations, and organizations including American Express, Verizon, Paramount, UBS, Spotify JPMorgan Chase, Unilever, Indeed, Mastercard, CAPCO, LVMH, ADP, and many more.

Before starting Luminary, Cate spent two decades in financial services leading global multibillion-dollar businesses. Previously, she was Global Head of Multinational Corporate Banking for HSBC, managing more than 2,000 employees worldwide and prior to that, she served as Head of Multinational Corporate Banking at J.P. Morgan EMEA based in London. She spent her early years in Latin America with Bank of America across both consumer and wholesale banking. She started her career working in tech in China.

Cate is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where she was named its Entrepreneur of the Year in 2021 and joined its Board of Governors that same year. She also has a master’s degree in International Relations from Georgetown University. A long-time advocate for empowering women and girls, she served on the National Board for Girls Inc. from 2016-2022, is a mentor for WE.NYC and The NORTH, and sits on the Boards of Girls Inc. New York City and Pomp & Whimsy. Cate is an active investor in several women-founded companies. She is a member of DealmakeHERS, Women’s Forum of NY, Careforce, and the TIME’s UP Care Economy Business Council.

Cate was recognized as one of Forbes’ Next 1000 Entrepreneurs in 2021 and a Top 100 Female Founder by Inc. in 2019 and 2021. She has been featured as an expert in top-tier financial, business, and lifestyle media. She is a sought-after keynote speaker for organizations such as Verizon, Hudson Bay Corporation, JPMorgan Chase, Fidelity, BlackRock, ADP, and UBS, as well as high-profile events including several Conferences for Women, ADP Women’s Summit, Verizon 100 Women Leaders, Fidelity Women Talk Money, Yelp Women in Business and Black in Business Summits.