Women in Leadership Breakfast 2025

A few weeks ago, we hosted our second annual Women in Leadership Breakfast! We started this series last year, with support from Graham Board member Joan Haffenreffer and the New York Women’s Forum, to inspire young adults as they navigate their career paths. We are also recognizing the legacy of women leadership at Graham started by the four forward-thinking women who founded the organization in 1806.  

On March 27, 2025, more than 100 guests gathered at John Jay College to hear inspiring career stories from our distinguished panelists and special guests. Titled “How’d I Get Here?”, speakers shared stories about how they found success in their respective fields and offered words of wisdom to current professionals and aspiring leaders.

The event opened with remarks from Graham Board member and event co-sponsor, Joan Haffenreffer, followed by a keynote address from Dr. Karol Mason, President of John Jay College. While sharing how her own career has shifted throughout time, Dr. Mason reminded attendees that life is not linear: “No matter how our journey twists and turns, truly interesting journeys never follow a straight path. The transformative moments will come with hard work, courage, and persistence.” 

Graham’s President and CEO, Kimberly Watson, moderated a lively panel discussion that featured questions from young adults in our Graham SLAM initiative. Panelist Tina Davis, Head of Enterprise Marketing & Brand Engagement at Citi, shared how her passions have shaped her career journey in ways she didn’t initially think were possible. She encouraged young professionals to follow their heart, saying, “If you have a passion and a desire, don’t be afraid you can’t do it… Have the confidence that you can do it. You’re going to have to start somewhere, so just start and pursue what will make you most happy.” 

Lynne Sawyer, Chief Operating Officer for Wealth Management at BNY Wealth, shared insightful words about building professional connections. She encouraged folks who are starting their careers to build relationships with colleagues and look for mentorship opportunities with senior-level staff. Her advice simplified what may otherwise feel like an intimidating experience: “Go ask somebody a question and ask them for their advice. If you click, they can become your mentor.” 

Tata Traore-Rogers, Deputy Director, Affiliate Support & Nationwide Initiatives at the ACLU, spoke passionately about how she chose to align her career path with her personal values. She encouraged attendees to do the same, even if that means pursuing several areas you care about: “We have to remember the initial values that we have… and pursue them. You don’t have to pick one path; it’s okay to meander and be nomadic in one’s career.”

We were also honored to be joined by elected officials who believe in Graham’s life-changing work with children, families, and communities. Manhattan Deputy Borough President Keisha Sutton-James shared words of wisdom about her journey toward becoming an influential NYC leader, reminding attendees to keep pushing through obstacles: “Your life will throw you many curveballs, whether they be personal or professional… but if you move with integrity, treat people well, maintain relationships, move in faith… you will get there.” 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson spoke in celebration of Women’s History Month and acknowledged the meaningful strides women have made professionally over recent decades. She shared meaningful advice for leaders of color, stating the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation: “It’s great to say, ‘I’m a first,’ but it’s more important to make sure that you’re not the last.”

When we began planning the first Women in Leadership panel for 2024, we knew that the youth in our Graham SLAM initiative would be inspired by listening to and learning from impressive leaders. We were eager to bring professionals and aspiring leaders together and thought the “How’d I Get Here” stories would resonate with people at any stage of their careers. Still, we had no idea how impactful and energizing these conversations would be. We can’t wait to host another inspiring panel next year! 

The stories shared at this event will become part of our digital Career Journey Library. The Career Journey Library is an online resource that provides insights and inspiration for members of the Graham community as they navigate their own career paths. We aim to have a robust and diverse collection of career insights that will speak not only to our high school and college-aged students but also to our staff, our community members, and our broad network of supporters. 

Do you want to share your career story? We can arrange in-person or fully remote recording sessions, with or without a Graham SLAM student interviewer. Sign up to get involved here! 

Watch a full recording of the Women in Leadership Breakfast: