Alumni Gather in Washington, DC, for Workshop to Empower Women

SBU alumni attended the Start Smart workshop in Washington, DC, on October 20.

“Start Smart: Salary Negotiation for Women” brought together Stony Brook alumni from years ’99 through ’16, who gathered at the United States Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC, to gain the skills and confidence to successfully negotiate their salary and benefits packages. The workshop on October 20 was a collaborative effort by Stony Brook’s Alumni Association, Career Center and Government Relations along with sponsor American Association of University Women (AAUW), the organization that developed the Start Smart and Work Smart programs to help close the pay gap between men and women.

Janet Masini ’14, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, coordinated the event with assistance from Lauren Brookmeyer, Director of Government Relations. Marianna Savoca, Director of the Career Center and a certified facilitator of AAUW’s Start Smart program, presented the workshop, with opening remarks by Elizabeth Kanick ’00, ’01, Deputy Chief of Staff for Senator Richard Blumenthal. Also attending from the office of Congresswoman Kathleen Rice were Legislative Director Colleen Nguyen and Legislative Assistants Liz Amster and Priscila Abraham, as well as staff members from the office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

“This workshop was part of our continued efforts to engage DC-area alumni with meaningful programming that supports their lives and careers,” said Masini. “Marianna Savoca literally brought the Career Center to DC in presenting this educational, life-changing workshop for women.”

The hands-on Start Smart workshop taught attendees how to negotiate their starting salary and narrow the pay gap early, improve their lifelong earning potential, articulate their value, build confidence in their negotiation style, and sharpen their budgeting skills — all strategies that can be used throughout life.