Mentors - WE NYC

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About Me

Julia Akinyooye the Founder of Emmanuel Consulting Agency, a distinguished minority women-owned NYC and NYS healthcare and business consulting and coaching firm based in New York and established in 2015.

Julia is a masters prepared nurse with over 16 years of nursing experience and over 10 years as an entrepreneur. She has successfully owned and operated businesses in retail, real estate, hospitality, home care, and health care space.

Julia’s unwavering dedication to healthcare and entrepreneurship has enabled her to develop a unique skill set that combines clinical expertise with strategic business acumen.

With a proven track record of success in both clinical consulting and business realms, she has been featured on platforms like Entrepreneur.com, BRAINZ Magazine, and her company was shortlisted as the best healthcare consulting firm in 2023 by Healthcare Business Review Magazine.

She has expertise in helping entrepreneurs start businesses such as consulting firms, home care agencies, nurse businesses, and others from the ground up, and transforming their ideas and concepts into successful ventures within the healthcare industry. Her experience also includes consulting with over one hundred healthcare organizations, aiding them in both expansion and compliance.

As a nurse entrepreneur, she has facilitated various business transactions, participated in mergers and acquisitions, and successfully sold healthcare businesses to other entrepreneurs.

She is an educator, mentor, consultant, and business coach. She is known for tapping into an entrepreneur’s strengths and turning “passion into profits”.

Her mission is to provide nurses, healthcare entrepreneurs, start-ups, and established businesses with premium coaching, consulting, training, and education to build a solid business ecosystem.

She has developed and implemented frameworks and strategies to set entrepreneurs up for success through hands-on execution of all necessary business and clinical documents, operational policies, and processes to ensure a seamless and efficient run of business.

Her vision is to continue making an impact on the industry and help more entrepreneurs flourish and operate with a level of efficiency that secures the financial abundance and respect they deserve and desire.

She aims to continuously create a safe space for entrepreneurs to be empowered and confident in their ability to sustain, scale, and share their expertise within the communities they serve. A native of Queens NY, Julia finds great fulfillment in mentoring graduate-level nursing and healthcare business administration students through her collaboration with local university such as Pace and Adelphi. Additionally, she enjoys sharing her expertise as an executive contributor for an online entrepreneur magazine.

About Me

Award-winning Colombian-born entrepreneur with more than 7 years of practical experience in data and technology platforms and more than 20 years in executive roles. Spatial Computing expert and developer. She is obsessed with having more women prepared to solve problems with technology.

Co-founder of XR Americas, a software company that uses spatial computing systems (AR + VR + AI) to improve workforce learning. Co-founder of BCPartners Tech, a consulting firm specializing in digital adoption and transformation. Co-creator of the 4 Dimensional Quotient guide. Co-founder member of Dreamers & Doers. Co-Founder at Brooklyn2Bogota digital transformation community for Hispanic business owners.

Rosario is a member of the SXSW Pitch, XR In Learning, The World Innovation Network – TWIN Tech, Big Data Advisory Board of Rutgers University, and a member of the Board of Directors of Artizen Premium VR Grant.
She has been a Business Mentor at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Mentor of Mujeres Tech and the WE NYC program, Founder Institute, Harvard Ventures, and Mentor Makers of Nasdaq entrepreneurial center.

She has been a speaker at TEDx, NAB Show, Augmented World Expo, The World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, VRAR Summit, The World Innovation Network TWIN Global, EnlightEd, IioT World, SingularityU, among others.

In 2017 she was named one of the 100 World Disruptors in New York City by the World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship; 2019, she was named one of the 5 “Legendary Women 2020” in Innovation/Technology by the Ford Motor Company and selected by the OBO Movement as one of the 100 Innovators 2020.

Her story was included in the books: “Hispanic Stars Rising: The New Face of Power” and “Behind Her Vision: Women of New York City”. In addition, she was featured by Forbes, Crunchbase, Business Insider, NatGeo, Telemundo, Thrive Global, among others.

Former CEO of the Senseta Group, a Silicon Valley company at the forefront of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning technologies.

She is happily married to Felipe Forero-Hauzeur.

About Me

This famous quote by the phenomenal Dr. Maya Angelou drives Tamekia Flowers-Ball and propels her to live out her passions of event planning, personal development, and teaching yoga. This Brooklyn, New York native began her walk along her winding career path the day she entered Syracuse University. Since graduating from this prestigious institution with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Mrs. Flowers-Ball amassed over 20 years of experience in event planning, marketing, and personal and professional development, working with entertainment and corporate companies, government agencies, educa9onal ins9tu9ons, and non-profit organizations.

After holding managerial positions within the entertainment industry, Tamekia Flowers-Ball decided to make a career shift and started a non-profit organization, Hip Hop 4 Life. Under Hip Hop 4 Life, Mrs. Flowers-Ball utilized the arts to develop student’s social and emotional learning competencies. The organization also provided workshops that educated, enriched, and supported parents and school staff. During her tenure, Hip Hop 4 Life served over 35,000 youth and adults in cities throughout the country. In 2006, Tamekia Flowers-Ball fostered her entrepreneurial spirit and launched Epiphany Blue, an award-winning event planning and experiential services agency committed to “Bringing Our Client’s Vision To Life.” Mrs. Flowers-Ball leads a team of event professionals who provide clients with events executed at the highest level of dis9nc9on. In a short time, the agency’s clientele grew to include Peloton, Burrell Communications Group (McDonald’s, Proctor & Gamble/Tide, and Toyota), the New York City Department of Education, The City of Newark, New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, NAACP, BET Networks, New York City School Construction Authority, NYC Office of the Mayor, and Wade’s World Foundation(NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade), to name a few.

Tamekia Flowers-Ball turned her passions into fruitful careers and has been committed to inspiring others to do the same. “I firmly believe that discovering your passions and purpose is the true path to happiness,” says Mrs. Flowers-Ball. “I have been fortunate to discover these passions and realize my purpose early in my adulthood, and as a result, I now have careers that I love.” Mrs. Flowers-Ball is a proud wife and mother. She is also a certified yoga instructor and member of the Women Presidents Organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals, the NJ Association of Women Business Owners and serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Syracuse University Office of Multicultural Advancement and Board Member of Scholarship Plus.

About Me

Sandhyia Gosine is an accomplished and humble community leader with a notable background as a published author. Her two books, “A Walk Through Life” and “The Superhero Within Me,” reflect her commitment to personal growth and empowerment, with the latter featuring her daughter Isabella Brielle Ramcharitar, as the illustrator. Sandhyia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology as well as a certified NLP practitioner. She is currently pursuing her certification as a trauma-focused life coach.

Sandhyia established Gosinergy Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth and young adults by providing resources and empowerment training and programs. Her mission to leave the world better than we found it, is inspired by her late parents and her own desire to leave a positive impact on the world. She has received recognition for her contributions, including the 2020 Women of Distinction honoree proclamation from the State Assembly, the 2023 Commendation award from NY State Senator Kevin Thomas and a nomination for Best of Long Island Author and Children’s Author.

Additionally, Sandhyia’s personal journey as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse has driven her to work with various organizations to raise awareness and offer support to survivors. Her story was featured in Newsday’s Faces of Long Island, where she shared her experiences and advocacy. Sandhyia credits her resilience to the challenges she encountered and in doing so she continues to embody a positive mindset philosophy. Using those skills to guide youths and young adults as well as companies and teams in positive thinking and mindfulness. With a background in business management and operations, she leverages her expertise to coach organizations on successful processes and procedures, conversions, and team development and success. Fun Fact: She says that her most valuable skill is earning the trust and love of her daughter each day. She is excited to be a part of WE NYC MENTORS.

About Me

Mother, businesswoman, and wife, Lisa Lindo has
over 15 years of experience in events, entertainment
and Hospitality business. She attended the Fashion
Institute of Technology, and while attending
college; Lisa landed an internship in the artist
development department at Uptown Records, an
R&B record company in New York City, owned by
Andre Harrell. There she helped style artists like
Mary J Blige, Heavy D, Lost Boyz, and Jodeci to
name a few.
Lisa learned a lot about the music business and the relation between music and fashion.
After leaving Uptown Records, she went to Showroom Seven, a fashion public relations
firm. Where she was involved with, the planning of fashion shows, for clients such as Betsy
Johnson, Ghost, and Vivian Tam to name a few. She also coordinated cocktail parties for
the press and worked with editors from some of the top fashion publications and stylists.
She then moved on to Icon Lifestyle Marketing, where she was the event manager and
fashion director. There she was responsible for planning some of the biggest corporate,
fashion, celebrity, charity and sporting events, around the country. At Icon she was apart
of the event planning team that produced events for; Hugo Boss Usher, Timberland,
Bacardi Lemon launch, Levi’s jeans, the launch of Sean John clothing and Sean P. Diddy’s
30th birthday party at Cipriani.
Lisa founded Greenlight events in 2000, Greenlight client list included; Tommy Hilfiger,
Roca Wear, J.Lo Clothing, MTV, American Idol Ruben Studdard, Mike Tyson, Kmart, and
Carol’s Daughter to name a few.
In 2006 she created Open Bar Hospitality with her husband George Duval. With her
knowledge of event planning and George’s mixology skills, she thought it would be a
perfect mix, along with the fact that there was a void in the market place for a company
like Open Bar Hospitality. Together they devoted countless hours to finding and training
the right staff and creating the perfect bar package for their clients. Lisa handles the daily
operation for the company, which includes; booking the events, marketing & advertising,
staffing, layout, and design of each event.

About Me

Cate Luzio is the Founder and CEO of Luminary, a global professional education and networking platform
created to uplift, upskill, and propel women and allies through all phases of their professional journey –
– from entrepreneurs to those navigating their career path, the Power Middle to the C-suite, those in
transition, and everyone in between.

In March 2018, Cate left her two-decade banking career and self-funded the launch of Luminary, with
the mission to build an ecosystem of high-touch engagement for both individual and enterprise members
to address and impact the systemic challenges faced by women and underrepresented communities
across all industries and sectors. Today, she continues to build a dynamic, gender-inclusive community
focused on creating connection, collaboration, and change through global expert-led programming and
services, activations, content, and culture.

Cate has grown Luminary into a multimillion-dollar global B2C and B2B business with more than 15,000
members and over 100 enterprise members. She made her second acquisition late in 2023, buying The
Cru to add to Luminary’s robust product offering. Luminary hosts more than 250 programs, events, and
activations annually with more than 70% Member-led.

Before starting Luminary, Cate spent twenty years in financial services leading global multibillion-dollar
businesses. Previously, she was Global Head of Multinational Corporate Banking for HSBC and prior to
that, she served as Head of Multinational Corporate Banking at J.P. Morgan EMEA based in London. She
spent her early years in Latin America with Bank of America across both consumer and wholesale
banking. She started her career working in tech focused on China.

Cate is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where she was named its Entrepreneur of the Year in
2021 and joined its Board of Governors that same year. She holds a master’s degree in International
Relations from Georgetown University. She sits on the Boards of Girls Inc. New York City and Pomp and
Whimsy.

About Me

Background: As a multifaceted entrepreneur, I’m a dedicated wife, mom, and full-time employee for the city. I’m also the proud founder of Baddie Glow Co., a successful skincare business that has been featured on Shark Tank, News12, Staples, Essence, and other prominent platforms.

Expertise: With my expertise in entrepreneurship, leadership, and business development, I’m passionate about helping individuals and organizations achieve their goals. My areas of focus include:

Growth mindset and productivity
Leadership and team development
Online and offline sales strategies
Marketing and branding

Relevant Experiences: As a successful entrepreneur, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various organizations, including the NYC Small Business Administration, the Board of Education, and Black-owned and women-owned businesses. My experience has equipped me to provide valuable insights and support to businesses looking to increase their online and offline sales.

Unique Contributions: As a seasoned entrepreneur, I’m well-versed in the challenges and opportunities that come with building a successful business. My unique contributions include:

Facilitating growth mindset and productivity workshops
Providing one-on-one coaching and mentorship
Hosting events and webinars on entrepreneurship and business development
Serving as a speaker, host, podcast guest, panelist, or mentor

Current Projects: I’m currently working on expanding my skincare business, Baddie Glow Co., which has been featured on Shark Tank and sold at Walmart and other retailers. I’m also partnering with @nycsmallbiz, @boardofeducation, and Black-owned and women-owned businesses to help them increase their online and offline sales.

Get in Touch: If you’re interested in working together or learning more about my services, please email me at [email protected]. Let’s connect and explore ways to help your business thrive!

About Me

Nithyasri Sharma is a seasoned strategy professional focused on inclusive
finance, startup advisory, and digital innovation. She brings over a decade of
experience in leading strategy across global policymakers, multinational
organizations, and startups, with a proven track record of driving
organizational leadership, sustainable business growth and social impact in
emerging markets.

Nithyasri currently heads global strategy at Convera, one of the largest non-
bank, B2B cross-border payments companies. In this role, she shaped the 3-

year Strategic Plan to drive $1BN in annual revenue and 35% EBITDA margin
through technology investments and GTM focus on key sectors (B2B,
Education, and Financial Sector). She also build segment strategies and
managed the transformation of core segments, including Education and
Finance, to achieve growth targets of 20%.
Prior to Convera, Nithyasri was Director of Global Strategy at Women’s World
Banking where she led the development and implementation of a 10-year
strategy to reach 100 million women with financial solutions. She built the
business plan to establish Women’s World Banking’s first regional presence in
India, which became the blueprint for successful expansion into other
regions, including South East Asia and Africa. Nithya also has extensive
expertise in human-centered research and product design for inclusive
finance institutions across digital credit, savings, and mobile payments. In
2019, Nithyasri incubated the global Making Finance Work for Women
FinTech Innovation Challenge to identify and elevate fintechs developing
gender-inclusive solutions, which is now a flagship event for the organization.
Nithyasri has a BA in Economics and English Literature from Dartmouth
College, an MBA from the Yale School of Management, and an MA in
International and Development Economics from Yale University.

About Me

Sacred Walker, President and Founding CEO of the Everyday Superheroes Coaching Company, for over a decade has been dedicated to empowering visionary women to confidently bring their ideas to life and transform their side hustles into main squeezes. Her entrepreneurial journey, ignited in 2008, was fueled by a quest for work-life fulfillment and a determination to make a meaningful impact while carving a path towards financial and emotional freedom. Inspired to create generational wealth and wellbeing for her family, Sacred’s belief in prosperity irrespective of background led her to establish the Self Love for Everyday Superheroes Academy.

Since her healthcare and leadership development company’s inception, Sacred as CEO has had an unwavering commitment to empowerment which has earned her recognition in prestigious publications like Essence and on stages such as Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit, alongside accolades such as the Top 40 Under 40 and a Senator’s Proclamation for her dedication to women’s health in New York. Her revolutionary products and coaching DIY services, designed to address the needs of stay-at-home telehealth and promote holistic leadership, have garnered global acclaim.

With a heart rooted in resilience and a vision for inclusivity, Sacred forges partnerships with NYC, NY State, medical institutions, and pioneering women leaders, extending her transformative “Love Medicine Method” to millions in need. Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, she finds solace by the oceanside, nurturing her Caribbean heritage and supporting charitable initiatives through the New York Junior League. Proudly embracing her identity as a member of the LGBT community and an Afro Caribbean Leader en route to her Doctorate, Sacred Walker stands as a beacon of empowerment, guiding visionary women entrepreneurs and everyday superheroes towards their definitions of success with unwavering accountability and support.

Let’s chat- Your level up awaits! Looking forward to the possibility of supporting you.

Our mentors are ready to put their experience to work for you. Group Mentorship or One-on-One Mentorship is right for you.

Julia Akinyooye

Sheetal Bahirat

Hayley Bailiff

Stephanie Berwick

Darlene Blanco

Deborah Boedhat

Giselle Burgos

Irma Cadeno

Share your insights. Help more women succeed.

Brianna Carney

Rosario B Casas

Ramona Cedeno

Tiffany Chanel Knighten

Krystal Cummings

Rafiq Diab

Tamekia Flowers-Ball

Jacinta Gandy

Sandhyia Gosine

Sandeep Goyal

Corinne Graham

Nicole Gulotta

Malla Haridat

Margaret Hernandez

Kesia Hudson

Dana Humphrey

Anna Kimelman

Rachael King

Allison King

Sonya L. Harris

Yasmeen Latif

Vivian Lei

Femi Lewis

Lisa Lindo Duval

Kelly Lizcano

Cate Luzio

Lisa Mallner

Seth Morton

Mary Nittolo

Jessica O. Walker

Fallon Ortega

Sunil Rao

Natalie Salinas

Nithyasri Sharma

Meryl Simmons

Ariella Trotsenko

Padma Vaidyanathan

Sacred Walker

Precious Williams

Elektra Yao

Ying Zhou

Julie Zhu

Ilona de Jongh

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Julia Akinyooye

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Sheetal Bahirat

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Hayley Bailiff

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Stephanie Berwick

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Darlene Blanco

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Deborah Boedhat

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Giselle Burgos

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Irma Cadeno

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Brianna Carney

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Rosario B Casas

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Ramona Cedeno