Empowering Voices

Dr. Sonya Anderson
EVP, International Network at United Way Worldwide

Dr. Sonya Anderson is the Executive Vice President of the International Network at United Way Worldwide. There, she leads the impact, strategy, and sustainability of the approximately 100 local United Way members in the 36 countries that span the organization’s global network.

Sonya has been a leader in the nonprofit sector for more than two decades, working to advance education, employment, and life opportunities for youth throughout the United States and around the world. She began her career as a high school teacher in her native state of Mississippi as part of the Mississippi Teacher Corps. Following her time in the classroom, she went on to the Ford Foundation where she supported education grantmaking in the US and abroad. During her time at Ford, Sonya worked on a number of grants to advance gender equity in Africa. As a result of those efforts, her interest in international development deepened, and she spent the next ten years supporting education reform and girls’ education and leadership initiatives throughout Africa and the Caribbean. This work culminated with her role as Education Program Director for the Oprah Winfrey Foundations where she led education grantmaking and the development of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

After more than a decade in the international arena, Sonya returned to U.S. education as a strategist and advocate for early childhood development where she worked to advance policies and programs that provide high quality early learning opportunities. Sonya later re-entered philanthropy, supporting local Chicago non-profits across a range of sectors, and then went on to lead communications, marketing, and development efforts for a national K-12 education reform organization.

Most recently, Sonya served as the inaugural Executive Director for Together Rising, a mission-driven grantmaking organization that supports individuals and communities in the US and around the world during moments of crisis. Prior to Together Rising, she served as the President of Thrive-Chicago, a collective impact organization that leverages the power of people, systems, and data to accelerate innovation and opportunity for Chicago youth. Sonya is also the founder and president of Embark Strategies, a boutique consulting firm that provides thought partnership and technical support to philanthropy and the non-profit sector in their efforts to plan, design, implement, and grow.

Sonya holds an undergraduate degree in economics and political science from Yale University, a master’s degree in international affairs from the University of Ghana, and a doctorate in education planning and policy from Harvard University.

Kathy Taylor, Esq.
President/CEO, Connecticut Community Foundation

Kathy Taylor, Esq. is the fourth President and CEO of the Connecticut Community Foundation in its 101year history. A professor for more than 17 years, Kathy’s commitment to improving lives has extended far beyond the classroom. She previously served as Board Chair of the Connecticut Community Foundation and as a Director and corporator for Ion Bank, where she chairs the Community Reinvestment Act Committee to ensure fidelity to both the letter and spirit of the law.

Deeply engaged in philanthropy, Kathy is a founding member of both the Women’s Giving Circle and the Waterbury Black Giving Circle. As an Equity and Inclusion Consultant, she has partnered with educational, nonprofit, and corporate leaders to challenge assumptions, uncover biases, and align values with practice, always centering equity, inclusion, and justice in her work. At the Foundation, she leads with integrity, transparency, courage, and purpose, promoting equity, strengthening nonprofits, and stewarding community generosity to create a more inclusive and thriving Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills.

Kathy earned her B.A. in Psychology from Hampton University and her J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Licensed in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, she has been recognized as one of Connecticut Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Future Leaders. Married to her college sweetheart, Kevin, she is the proud mother of three, Michael, Jonathan, and Elise, and lives by the motto: “To whom much is given, much is required.”

Elizabeth Lentz
Fiber IQ Program Manager
Corning Optical Communications

Dr. Stephanie Kisgen
CEO, SIBE & AME ECH

Prof. Dr. Stefanie Kisgen is Professor of Leadership at Steinbeis University and Managing Partner of both the School of International Business and Entrepreneurship GmbH (SIBE) at Steinbeis University and Alma Mater Europaea ECH GmbH (AME ECH). She also serves as a supervisor in the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot Watt University in Scotland. Beyond academia, she is a board member of Unternehmer Baden Württemberg e.V. and serves on the advisory board of Klingele Paper & Packaging SE & Co. KG.

Her academic journey began with a degree in Regional Sciences China from the University of Cologne and Nanjing Normal University, followed by an MBA from SIBE at Steinbeis University Berlin. She went on to earn her doctorate (Dr. phil.) at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich with a dissertation on “The Future of Business Leadership Education in Tertiary Education for Graduates.” She later completed a junior professorship in leadership at Steinbeis University Berlin.

Dr. Kisgen’s research and publications focus on Chinese and international law, foreign trade, international management, leadership and leadership education in higher education, as well as foresight and futures management.

Stephanie Caban
Program Director for Undergraduate Business Programs and Senior Online Faculty
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online

Stephanie Caban is the Program Director for Undergraduate Business Programs and Senior Online Faculty at the University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online. With more than 15 years of experience in higher education, she has held leadership roles across public and private institutions, including Program Chair, Chief Diversity Officer, and Chief of Staff. Her expertise spans strategic academic planning, accreditation, and student success, and she is widely recognized as a change agent driving inclusive practices, institutional growth, and innovative academic initiatives.

An award winning DEI practitioner, Stephanie received the Inspiring Programs in Business award from Insight Into Diversity for her leadership in advancing inclusive strategies. A proud first generation college graduate, she is deeply committed to expanding equity in education and creating opportunities for all learners to thrive.

Stephanie is pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), building on her MBA in Leadership from Post University and her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. Beyond her professional work, she volunteers with United Way where she also serves on the Board of Directors and enjoys time at the beach, traveling, discovering new restaurants with her foodie husband, and cheering on the Steelers and Yankees.

Ineke Blumenthal
Director International Program & Study Management / Scientific & Innovation Projects
School of International Business and Entrepreneurship (SIBE)

Ineke is responsible for designing and advancing Master’s programs at the School of International Business and Entrepreneurship (SIBE), where she also contributes to business development in scientific and innovation projects. Since 2021, her role has expanded to include building and managing international university collaborations.

In 2022, she earned her Doctoral degree in Educational Sciences from Ludwig Maximilians Universität (LMU) in Munich. Her academic background includes a diploma in Intercultural and Business Studies with a focus on the French speaking world from the University of Passau, which also included a study period at Aix Marseille University in France. Following her graduation in 2008, she completed a work integrated Master of Science in International Management at Steinbeis University Berlin in 2011.

Juliana Nascimento
Head of Risks, Compliance and Actuarial at Sompo
Co Founder of the Compliance Women Committee

With more than 21 years of corporate experience, 12 of them in senior leadership roles, Juliana Nascimento has built a distinguished career in Governance, Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Controls, and International Business. She holds a Master’s degree in International Business Law from Steinbeis University Berlin and an MBA from the University of São Paulo (USP).

Her career includes pivotal roles at both national and multinational Big Four firms, where she specialized in the Insurance and Supplementary Health sectors. Known for her strategic vision, Juliana has consistently advanced organizational resilience by strengthening risk management frameworks, fostering corporate integrity, and embedding a culture of ethical governance.

A recognized voice in the GRC and ESG landscape, Juliana is also the co founder of the Compliance Women Committee (CWC), an international collective of women leaders dedicated to advancing Governance, Risk, and Compliance worldwide.

Uta-Micaela Dürig
Communications and Leadership Expert

Uta-Micaela Dürig is a communications and leadership expert with over 30 years of experience in business, media, and sustainability. A trained journalist and graduate of the Free University of Berlin, she has held senior communications roles at ABB and RWE and served as press officer in the Berlin Senate. She later became Senior Vice President at Bosch, leading global corporate communications, brand management, and sustainability.

She has been recognized with the German Public Relations Prize (Gold) and was named Germany’s Best Company Spokesperson. In addition to her corporate leadership, she has taught at journalism schools and universities since 1996 and was appointed Honorary Professor in 2007. Her career reflects a deep commitment to ethical responsibility, innovation, and building bridges between business and society

Carina Holzherr
Systemic Business Coach and lecturer at SIBE

With more than 25 years of experience in marketing and communications, Carina blends business acumen with psychological insight to help organizations navigate transformation and achieve sustainable growth. She earned her degree in Business Administration from LMU Munich/EKU Tübingen, specializing in Communication and Psychology, and is additionally certified as a Systemic Business Coach under ICF standards.

Throughout her career, Carina has led national and international transformation projects, developed high impact communication strategies, and guided organizations across industries in sharpening their positioning and messaging. Her professional journey has taken her from Munich and Hamburg to Stuttgart and New York, where she built leadership experience both as a corporate executive and as an entrepreneur.

Today, Carina works as a Systemic Business Coach and lecturer at SIBE, with a focus on Competency Development empowering leaders and teams to unlock their full potential.

Lynzie Wagaman
Assistant Director of Esports and Partnerships
Harrisburg University

Lynzie is a 2023 graduate of the Esports Management, Production, and Performance program at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Lynzie has a background in all things esports from observing to team management to hosting panels. Her true passion lies in building relationships and connections in the collegiate esports space and beyond. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, Lynzie returned to Harrisburg University where she now serves as the Assistant Director of Esports at Harrisburg University, continuing to grow the esports ecosystem beyond the classroom.

Dr. Jodi Blinco
Founder, The U School & Zenleader

Founder of The U School and ZenLeader, Dr. Jodi Blinco is a visionary and industry leader for transformative personal and professional growth practices.

With an unwavering passion for transforming lives, her mission is to empower and inspire others to realize their fullest potential, overcome life’s challenges, and achieve personal as well as professional fulfillment.

For over two decades, Dr. Blinco has been at the forefront of innovative training and coaching methods, fostering a love for learning, and providing impactful mentorship to students and professionals alike. As a vibrant and compassionate educator, her consulting, coaching and keynotes go beyond traditional lectures – they are catalysts for a life-changing experience that have touched countless lives along her journey.

Dr. Jodi has authored “Looking at Life Through the Lesson Lenses,” “Inner Alchemy: Transforming Everyday Bullsh*t Into Sunshine.”

As an avid advocate of holistic wellness, Dr. Blinco is also a Certified Yoga Instructor, incorporating these healing practices into her comprehensive approach to personal development. By embracing the power of yoga and meditation, she discovered a transformative journey towards self-awareness, inner peace, and resilience, enabling her to overcome adversities and thrive. Driven by her own transformation, she is dedicated to inspiring others to cultivate a similar balance between mind, body, and spirit.

Dr. Blinco’s work in supporting leaders, and organizations in doing the kind of work that matters, bringing what your team needs. Transforming organizations, teams, and culture from within with a human-first centered approach. Grounded, passionate, and here to help you set the tone and create meaningful momentum that moves people, teams, and culture forward.

Swati Karad Chate
Trustee & Secretary General, MAEER’s MIT Group of Institutions
Executive President, MIT Vishwaprayag University

Privileged to lead and contribute to the success of MAEER’s MIT Group of Institutions. As a Trustee & Secretary General at MAEER’s MIT Group of Institutions, Pune, I am dedicated to shaping the landscape of learning and fostering the development of future leaders.

At MAEER’s MIT Group, we believe in transcending traditional educational models. We strive to cultivate research-based learning centers that not only impart knowledge but also foster an interdisciplinary approach. Our institutions are designed to empower students to connect various elements of knowledge, enabling them to perceive the world through a holistic lens.

With an unwavering commitment to elevate the quality of education in our nation, we have embarked on numerous initiatives. These include establishing CBSE and SSC schools, junior colleges, and the renowned MIT College of Railway Engineering and Research. These institutions are a testament to our dedication to meet the demands of the evolving railway and infrastructure sector.

Beyond education, I am passionate about championing the cause of our value-based universal education system. Rooted in the rich heritage of our nation, this system blends science, technology, and spirituality to propagate a message of peace throughout society.

Together, let us reimagine the educational landscape and shape the destiny of our nation.