LaunchPad to Host 2026 Annual Women’s History Month Roundtable and Student Showcase
Syracuse University Libraries’ LaunchPad is hosting its annual Women’s History Month Roundtable and Student Showcase on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 12 to 2:30 pm in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons in Bird Library. The event is open to all members of the Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF community to attend. The panel discussion featuring women CEOs will take place at 1 pm and includes:
- ana gil, founder of ana gil studios, specializing in video production, event planning consultation, corporate and personal branding headshots, high school senior portraits and event photography.
- Janice Harvey ’73, G’85, owner of JJR Strategies, a consulting firm for private businesses in the healthcare industry.
- Jacquie Kaden, President of RL Kelly Insurance Agency, providing auto, home, small business, commercial and life insurance.
- Karen Kaplan G’97, principal of Karen Lynn Kaplan, business consulting services including training and workshops in public speaking, facilitation, coaching and leadership.
- Melissa Richards-Person ’89, Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Third Arm Consulting, driving growth for restaurants, retail and consumer brands. She also serves on the advisory board for Syracuse University’s Newhouse School and was selected for Bingham Fellows Class of 2024.
- Nicole Samolis, president of SKY Armory, a modern event venue in the heart of downtown Syracuse.
- Dana Scherzi, CEO of Scherzi Systems, an IT consulting firm specializing in custom software development, IT services and project management consulting. She also serves as a mentor at The Tech Garden.
- Stacy Small ’91, founder of Elite Travel International, an invite-only luxury travel planning service for high-profile clients worldwide. Small is a sought-after speaker on entrepreneurship, innovation and the travel industry, serves on the Los Angeles Regional Alumni Council and is the author of "Why Not Me?!?”
- Ebony Unique, founder and CEO of Unique Consults LLC, provides facilitation, documentation development, process implementation and business operations services.
Female student entrepreneurs are invited to apply to showcase their business idea by emailing launchpad@syr.edu.