The planning committee: Jenna Ostrander, Mary Branham, Marci Riddell, Gina Goldman. Back row, Jen Telesky, Julia Miller, Melissa Stagnaro, Martha Ryan. (Submitted photo)

by Sophia Root,

Commerce Chenango

NORWICH – Last week, Commerce Chenango hosted the inaugural Chenango Women’s Leadership Conference at the Canasawacta Country Club.

Commerce Chenango would like to thank the Community Foundation for South Central New York for awarding their Women’s Fund Grant for this event, the first of its kind in Chenango County.

The purpose of the event was to highlight and inspire the hard-working women in Chenango County, and to foster connections between them. Local dedication and talent were presented to all 185 attendees.

Many women from Chenango County, from all ages and stages of career were in attendance. Panelists facilitated discussion about the roles of women in leadership, entrepreneurship, and wealth. There were also presentations given by local leaders on motivation, work/life balance, and empowerment.

Cheryl Robinson, President & CEO of NYCM and Jen Gregory, Executive Director of Southern Tier 8 both gave presentations on their leadership journeys and styles. All 185 attendees sat for these presentations and more.

Amber McCumber, Clinical Coordinator of Outpatient Surgical Services and UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital said, “The conference was beneficial to someone like me who is an up-and-coming leader. I only started this role in 2022 so leadership is still new to me, and it was nice to hear from Women leaders with 10-plus years of experience discuss how they became successful. It was also important to hear perspectives on what it is like to be a woman in a man’s world, I found the panels on wealth and entrepreneurship to be especially helpful.”

The event was organized over the course of the year by a planning committee consisting of local leaders and Commerce Chenango Members. The committee is as follows: Mary Branham of Pivotel, Gina Goldman of Alvogen, Julia Miller of Blueox, Jenna Ostrander of Commerce Chenango, Marci Riddell of Norwich Wealth Management, Martha Ryan of DCMO Boces, Melissa Stagnaro of UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, and Jen Telesky of NBT Bank.

The event was made possible by Norwich Wealth Management, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, and Preferred Mutual. Commerce Chenango thanks everyone involved in planning and executing this event and hopes it will become a tradition for years to come.