Chamber Celebrates the Inaugural Leading Ladies Collective

Nov 21

On November 19, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce hosted its Leading Ladies Collective closing celebration at Pavilion on the Terrace, where over 80 women business leaders gathered to celebrate the Chamber’s inaugural cohort. The Leading Ladies Collective, made possible by the Amplify Her Foundation and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, is a first-of-its-kind initiative that brought together 12 female business owners for a 6 -month duration. The cohort participated in a series of leadership development programming, which included access to financial counseling, technology tools, negotiation techniques, networking opportunities, marketing resources, and so much more. In addition to undergoing leadership development, these female business owners have also formed a strong community within themselves, creating a space to discuss issues and challenges that underrepresented women business owners face every day.

“I’m so happy to have played a role in supporting this collective through the funding we were able to allocate alongside the generous contributions of the Amplify Her Foundation,” says State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. “This collective is a testament to the power of investing in women and the meaningful and impactful returns we see as a result. When we lift women up, we strengthen entire communities. Supporting women entrepreneurs isn’t just about inclusion, its about opening up doors to opportunities many never imagined were possible. By supporting programs like this, we unlock so much potential to pave the way for so many other women to reach new heights in their careers.”

Quote from Laura Risimini, Director of Grants, Amplify Her Foundation

The Chamber was honored to be joined by many woman who play significant roles in our Borough, including NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania I. Kinsella; NYPD Borough Commander Assistant Chief Melissa Eger; NYC Department of Parks SI Borough Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone; NYC Department of Transportation SI Borough Commissioner Roseann Caruana; Assistant District Attorney Victoria Levin, Chief of our Domestic Violence Bureau; Lisa Thompson, Director of Neighborhood Initiatives, Community Partnership Unit, Office of the Richmond County District Attorney –Michael E. McMahon; Ann Thompson, Supreme Court Judge, New York State, and Hanane Dbajat, representing Assemblyman Michael Tannousis.

Thank you to all of the incredible and powerful women who were able to attend the Leading Ladies Collective closing celebration, and special thanks to State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and the Amplify Her Foundation for the opportunity to put together this cohort.

To keep track of updates regarding the 2025 Leading Ladies Cohort, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, or email info@sichamber.com to join our mailing list.

Photos courtesy of the New York City Police Department