2018 Events

Montclair State University held two WEW events in 2018: an all-day conference and an evening event. Both events were free and open to the public.

Events

October 15, 2018
Focus on Fashion Entrepreneurs

Nearly 300 people attended this evening event focused on what it takes to succeed in the world of fashion. A panel of women who have started fashion companies shared their stories, including tips, advice, lessons learned and more. Speakers included Fabiola Arias, owner and designer at Fabiola Arias LLC; Susan Hess, owner/designer of Golftini, Suuchi Ramesh, founder and CEO of Suuchi, Inc.; and Eleanor Turner, co-founder and chief creative officer of Argent. The moderator was Meg Fry, business reporter at ROI-NJ. The event was a partnership with Montclair State’s Fashion Studies and Department of Art and Design.

Read news coverage of the fashion entrepreneurs event in ROI-NJ and The Montclarion.

Watch the recap video of the event.

View photos of the event.

October 17, 2018
WEW Conference

Nearly 500 people (mostly women) came to the fifth annual WEW Conference, a day of inspiration and motivation for female founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, corporate women, millennials, students and anyone who wants to take a risk and launch a new venture. Known for its top-notch networking, the conference featured 20 female speakers. A new feature, which drew high praise from attendees, was a series of short TED-style talks from female founders including: Michelle Bajwa, co-founder, Domain Computer Services; Hakika DuBose, founder, Kika Stretch Studios; Sarah Hill, former co-founder and CEO, Bookstr; Sejal Lakhani, CEO, TechWerxe; Ozi Okaro, founder, Ikuzi Dolls; Kristine-Ellis Petrik, owner and head roaster, Java Love Coffee Roasting Co.; Nicki Radzely, co-founder, Doddle & Co.; and Liz Vilchis, CEO, latinoTech. A panel of funders shared advice for securing cash for a venture, with special tips for women entrepreneurs, and included panelists Karen Cahn, founder & CEO, iFundWomen; Ita Ekpoudom, partner, GingerBread Capital; and Kelly Ford, partner, Edison Partners with moderating by Kathleen Coviello, VP, New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Innovation in the corporate world was the focus of a panel featuring Emma Aer, former CEO, Finlandia Cheese; Carley Graham Garcia, Head of External Affairs, Google; Kim Hanemann, senior VP of Electric Transmission and Distribution, PSE&G; and Pearl Pugh, VP, Global Commercial Leader, for Rheumatology and Dermatology, Johnson & Johnson and the moderator was Kelley Holland, business journalist and coach.

Read coverage of the WEW Conference from NJBIZ and on Montclair State’s website. ROI-NJ featured stories about the TED-style talks, funders panel and corporate panel.