“Building Community and Cultivating Change”
Thank you for attending the Women’s Empowerment Conference on January 14th!
On behalf of BW NICE, we thank those who attended and made this inaugural event a success! We hope you found the conference informative, educational, and inspiring, and you had an opportunity to make new friends and business connections.
A special thank you to our event sponsors, speakers, moderators, and volunteers. Without their contributions and support this event would not be possible.
Congratulations to the Grand Prize Winner – Anju Jessani, Owner of Divorce with Dignity Mediation Services.
Stay tuned for more information regarding the date and location for next year’s event!
Highlights of the Conference
- Welcome from the Founder & Presenting Sponsor
- Keynote Speaker Nicole Middendorf, CDFA
- Educational Breakout Sessions (Scroll down to learn more about the session topics and speakers.)
- Happy Hour with Chaddsford Winery
- Dance Party with DJ
For our Happy Hour, Audrey from Chaddsford Winery, made three cocktails using these wines: Sangria, Niagara, and Sunset Blush. You can order yours at www.chaddsford.com. Ingredients and recipes for each of the cocktails follow.
Sangria Spritzer
In a wine glass, pour Sangria over ice. Top with club soda and preferred fruit. |
Chester Country Cooler
Add muddled mint, Niagara, Juniperus Gin, lime juice and syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into glass. Top with club soda and garnish with mint. |
Sunset Blush Cosmopolitan
In a shaker, combine ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with fruit. |
Dance Party music was provided by DJ Flavya, an independent DJ, music producer and ethnomusicologist with Brazilian-American nationality. She is now connecting the alternative music scenes of New York City and São Paulo, Brazil, more than ever, fueled by her family roots in both countries. In 2009, she started her journey as a DJ. Flavya’s eclectic style is based on grooves of music from traditional cultures around the world, with a special focus on Brazilian and Latin music: born in Europe, raised in both the United States and Brazil, Flavya is no stranger to cultural experiences, being exposed to many different music communities. To connect with Flavya, click https://flavya.carrd.co/.
Live Life to the Fullest
presented by Keynote Speaker Nicole Middendorf
Living your best life seems obvious but let’s talk about confidence, success, goals and living your fullest, happiest and most authentic life. What is it that makes you truly happy? What does success mean to you? What motivates you? Nicole N. Middendorf, CDFA, is going to tackle all of these topics during the keynote session of our first annual Women’s Empowerment Conference. You will leave this impactful presentation with strategies on how you can take control of your life, career and finances to truly live your best life.
Nicole is a money maven, a knowledge junkie, and a born coach. She is an entrepreneur who left Morgan Stanley in 2003 to run her own wealth management firm. Nicole is the author of five books, a world traveler, philanthropist, and an accomplished public speaker.
As a Wealth Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with Prosperwell Financial, Nicole shares financial advice and a real-life perspective on saving, planning, and investing with audiences across the country. Her primary goal is to take complicated subjects and make them easy to understand. She works hard to empower her audience to make crucial and positive changes in their own lives. Nicole’s books have received local and national press coverage, where she has become known for her thoughtful concise quotes, relaxed on-air presence, and articulate delivery.
Reflecting Back & Moving Forward
presented by Keynote Speaker Jill Zinckgraf
Jill will discuss the foundation of the violence against women movement and examine how interpersonal violence is portrayed and responded to in our contemporary society.
She will describe the historical perspective of the interpersonal violence movement and its importance today. Hear how misogyny is institutionalized in our culture and learn to identify ways to help combat interpersonal violence by reflecting on each of our respective roles and the importance of those roles.
Jill Zinckgraf, EdD, MPA is the Executive Director of the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County and she is currently serving on the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault as the Treasurer. She has been working and/or volunteering in the field of violence against women since she was a teenager. Over the past 35 years Jill has focused on the cultural impact of domestic violence and sexual assault as institutional violence and the consumption and production of inequality. Over the last 20 years, she has presented the concept of sexual terrorism throughout New Jersey, including police departments, Administrative Offices of the Court, conferences, etc. Her focus has been on the empowerment model of moving those impacted by interpersonal violence forward, as well as advocating and inspiring the future generation to reduce the violence against all people.
Breakout Session Speakers

Liz Summers, President
Advancing Leadership Consulting, Inc.
Agility Thinking in a Chaotic World

Jill Scott, Owner
Get It Write
Choose Your Words Wisely

Nadia Quraishi, Owner
Nourished By Nadia
Food is Your Best Medicine

Catherine Cuddy, Owner
CC Nutrition and Wellness LLC
It’s Not What You Eat, But What’s Eating You!
Tips to Tackle Emotional Eating

Dr. Ranelli Williams, CPA/Co-owner
ERJ Services
Mastering Your Money Begins with a Mindset Change

Kat Verdi, Owner
Verdi Consulting LLC
Cultural Denial: Acceptance & Decisions Caregivers Are Facing Today

Dr. Carol-Anne Minski
Success Coach
CMA Leadership Consultants
I’ve Got The Power

Dr. Lisa Sheppard
Medical Director
PINK Breast Center
New Horizons of Women’s Health
A HUGE Thank You to our Event Sponsors