Metro Philadelphia Power Women 2022

Senator Maria Collett represents the 12th Senatorial District across parts of Bucks and Montgomery Counties. A lifelong advocate for people in need, Senator Collett began her career as an attorney representing the interests of children victimized by abuse and neglect before transitioning to a career in nursing. As a Senator, Maria is committed to making sure Pennsylvanians have clean, safe drinking water, access to quality, affordable healthcare, and an economy that works for all.

Traci Connaughton founded Without A Cue Productions in 2002, while working on her master’s degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University. Prior to founding Without A Cue, Traci was in the development field for a number of social services and arts organizations. Traci is also an actress, singer, and writer, and the proud mother of two beautiful daughters.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
Lucille Ball.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace? Employers need to start seeing fathers as just as accountable for their children’s care as mothers. Fathers need to be given the flexibility to take off work to care for sick children, manage doctor’s appointments, and be a part of school activities.

As vice president of public affairs and strategic communications at Bellevue Strategies, Jessica Cosmé works with clients to navigate and preserve relationships and manage reputations. Never one to shy away from complex issues, Jessica ultizes her extensive background in navigating fast-paced, high-pressure environments. She has advised leaders in the State Legislature and Philadelphia’s City Council, nonprofit leaders, businesses, labor unions, and issue advocacy groups to communicate in highly-public environments. Jessica’s client roster includes an array of well known names; including Amazon, PECO, the African American Chamber of Commerce, and Everytown for Gun Safety. 

Christie D’Arcy is the founder and CEO of City Hydration, Philadelphia’s first and largest IV hydration lounge. She got her start in healthcare working as a critical care nurse at Jefferson. Her dedication to patients took her across the country to various ICUs, before she returned home to start an IV business with a health and wellness mission to keep people out of hospitals unless necessary. Christie carries the title of team nurse for a major Philadelphia sports team and invests her free time in helping foster and rescue animals.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
That’s a next to impossible question. There’s so many of them. Terry Neipert saw I needed confidence in the most crucial time of my life. She printed off my application to nursing school. She inspired me to just start. Nora Kramer; likely the most inspirational nurse and human I have ever met.  She devotes herself to others. She inspires me to give myself to those who need it the most. My little sister. She inspired me to take a leap of faith and create something no one thought was possible. Everyday women are the most inspirational to me. The ones that never seem to be in the spotlight but continue to make things better and stronger for everyone around them.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace? I think we’re getting there. We need to remain focused on being strong and doing whatever it takes to be independent.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
Not being taken seriously.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Work hard and work efficiently. Be thankful to those who support you. Be generous to those who need it the most.

Aileen Dagrosa oversees legal affairs, human resources, and government affairs for the Philadelphia Eagles. She advises on legal aspects pertaining to business and football operations and Lincoln Financial Field, including player transactions, compliance, sponsorship, licensing, event, media agreements, employment-related issues, disputes, risk management, government relations, and insurance. Previously, Aileen was a corporate associate at Proskauer Rose LLP. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Yale University, a J.D. with a certificate in Sports Law from Tulane Law School, and is licensed to practice law in New York and in-house in Pennsylvania. 

Bianca DePietro is the owner, designer, and creator behind Toile and Atelier Bianca. Bianca opened Toile, located in Fishtown, in 2013 to showcase ready-to-wear and custom designs exclusively made in the USA by over 40 independent and local designers, including Bianca’s own line. This April, Bianca opened the Atelier Bianca Showroom in Old City, which features her custom bridal collection: Sposa.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
My mother is my greatest inspiration. She has taught me by example that nothing is out of reach if you focus on your goals and work hard enough to achieve them, no matter what obstacles obstruct your path.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace? Equal opportunities and equal pay for starters. It’s hard to change the mindset of others and demand equal treatment when we aren’t legally equal.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
People try to take advantage of me because they assume I’m naïve and inexperienced or they undermine my capabilities and doubt that I achieved my success on my own. Then there is the onslaught of inappropriate comments about my physical appearance.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Balance is everything. Constantly push yourself but give yourself accolades for your achievements. Fight for what you believe in, but be understanding and compassionate to others. Be ambitious, but build up your fellow sisters instead of competing with them!

Natanya DiBona is one of the co-organizers for Le Diner en Blanc Philadelphia. Natanya, along with another co-organizer and a crew of volunteers, brought Le Diner en Blanc to Philadelphia 10 years ago. Since then, the Parisian pop up picnic characterized by all white dress, elegant dining, and fabulous entertainment has made its way across Philadelphia’s most iconic locations. This summer, Le Diner en Blanc is making its way to Atlantic City for the first time ever!

During her 31-year career, Karen Elechko has served in many roles, most notably as the Golden Memory clinic coordinator, where she developed, evaluated, and researched dementia-focused home educational programs for veterans and their caregivers. Immaculata University bestowed on her the Elizabeth F. Wagoner Medal for leadership in nursing. Karen now serves as a housing specialist and nurse care manager for HUD-VASH, helping veterans experiencing homelessness, thoughts of suicide, or other mental health concerns.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
A woman who inspires me is Mother Teresa. She showed us the true meaning of charity. She epitomized love and care to those ignored and discarded by the rest of humanity in a gentle, civil, and respectful way.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace?Some areas I believe to level the playing field for women in the workplace include equal opportunities for all, training, mentoring, diversity, and inclusion amongst employees with fair recruitment which will deal with greater inclusion and diversity and avoid human biases.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
A challenge I have faced in the workplace is the changing of organizational administration. It’s important to develop a trusting relationship and educate administrators about the programs that have common goals that serve the mission and vision of the Veterans Affairs. When it comes to serving Veterans, we develop a clear plan. Everything I work on ties back to our vision of helping Veterans.

As the Golden Memory Clinic Coordinator at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center around 2006, I encountered a major challenge working with Veterans who have a diagnosis of dementia and with their elderly caregiver. The major challenge is the ownership of a firearm prior to his/her diagnosis of dementia. In one instance, a Veteran stored his unlocked and unsecured firearms under his bedroom pillow. His elderly wife informed me their grandchildren would visit and would know where Pop Pop’s firearms were located while they would be rummaging and playing throughout the home. The Veteran confirmed this conversation and said he was protecting his family. I lacked education on firearm safety and enrolled in a firearm safety class. There I met a deputy sheriff who was receiving a recertification on firearm safety. We collaborated on the subject of dementia and firearm safety and were able to secure free gun locks for Veterans. We also created an educational pamphlet on dementia and firearms. In the above case, the Veteran received a free gunlock and shortly after approved his firearm to be locked and secured in a family member’s gun safe. The outcome is a safe home environment for a person with dementia, his elderly caregiver wife, and their entire family.

Today Veterans Affairs Medical Centers provide free gun locks through their police departments with no questions asked.  

An additional challenge is working with homeless Veterans, who may have acute or chronic medical conditions, severe mental health issues, and thoughts of suicide. Many times they have not received, refused or were unable to gain services for these conditions. Myself and the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing teams rally all of the Veterans Affairs, community resources, and supporters to reach the needed goal of serving these vulnerable Veterans to maintain stability and safety while living independently in the community.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Some advice to offer the next generation of female leaders is to start mentoring and supporting female leaders at an early age. It’s important to share knowledge, education, skills and any toolboxes you have to support the next generation of female leaders. Furthermore, it is significant to nurture creativity in the next generation of female leaders to come together in brainstorming and solving concerns locally, nationally and internationally.

Karen Fegely is the deputy commerce director for the Office of Neighborhood Business Services for the City of Philadelphia. Her responsibilities include the management and strategic direction of the Office of Business Services and the Office of Neighborhood Economic Development, which both have the goal to attract, retain, and grow neighborhood businesses. Before working for the City of Philadelphia, she was the director of the Urban Industry Initiative. 

State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler serves the people of the 184th District in South Philadelphia. As a mother of two young children, she is dedicated to fighting for high quality education and has been a leader in the fight to repair hazardous school buildings. She has also worked to expand healthcare, address climate change, and create an economy that supports the needs of working people. Before working in the legislature, Fiedler was a reporter at the NPR affiliate public radio station WHYY-FM.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
I’m inspired by my friend and colleague in the State House, Summer Lee. She’s a fierce and uncompromising fighter for economic, racial and environmental justice. The corporate establishment spent over $4 million to defeat her, but she’s going to be Pennsylvania’s first black female Congressperson.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace?Quality childcare is in short supply and is often very expensive for working families. Still, many workers make low wages and there is a high rate of staff turnover. We need high quality, affordable (or free) childcare—a reality that already exists in many other countries. Investments in childcare and high-quality afterschool programs would help provide many women, and parents generally, with the support they need to seize career opportunities.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
Women who fight for their values and communities and who refuse to “play politics as usual” or take shortcuts are often derided and demeaned. This is especially true for outsiders to politics, for young women, and for those of us in politics who speak and act honestly and independently. In too many professions, we are dismissed or derided for being “too young,” “too female,” or one of a long list of terms and criticisms that are designed to minimize us and demand of us. It is through working twice as hard, and solidarity, that we are able to dismantle these oppressive structures and to successfully fight for our communities and working families!

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Ask good questions and take the time to listen! A lot of people mistakenly equate leadership with domination. They think that being a leader means that you act tough and command those around you. But before I ran for office, I was a reporter, and in that world, I learned that asking good questions and listening was a way to build relationships. You can’t lead if you don’t have supporters!