NYWICI Mentorship Office Hours

With Linda Descano

NYWICI’s refreshed Mentorship Program creates ongoing, accessible opportunities for members to connect directly with NYWICI Board and Past President leadership through monthly “Office Hours.” These virtual or in-person sessions offer one-on-one or small-group conversations focused on career guidance, leadership development, industry trends, and real-time challenges. Designed to be flexible and inclusive, the program provides a safe, supportive space for meaningful dialogue—strengthening professional growth while deepening connections across the NYWICI community.

Date: May 13, 2026, | 12:00 - 2:00 pm ET 

This session consists of 12 one on one sessions. When registering, you will choose your 10-minute window.

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Meet Our Office Hours Mentor

Linda Descano is a past president of New York Women in Communications and currently serves as the organization’s Treasurer. Linda’s day job is as Executive Vice President at Red Havas.

An executive leader and a communications strategist, Linda describes herself a conversation architect, designing and delivering award-winning integrated campaigns underpinned by social media and content marketing. And, as a CFA® charterholder, Linda brings to the strategy table financial and analytical savvy that helps her deliver data-driven results for clients and the boards on which she serves.

NYWICI Mentorship Office Hours

With Patrice Tanaka 

NYWICI’s refreshed Mentorship Program creates ongoing, accessible opportunities for members to connect directly with NYWICI Board and Past President leadership through monthly “Office Hours.” These virtual or in-person sessions offer one-on-one or small-group conversations focused on career guidance, leadership development, industry trends, and real-time challenges. Designed to be flexible and inclusive, the program provides a safe, supportive space for meaningful dialogue—strengthening professional growth while deepening connections across the NYWICI community.

Date: May 14, 2026, | 5:00 - 6:00 pm ET 

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Format:  Small Group Conversation

Meet Our May 14th Office Hours Mentor During AAPI Heritage Month:

Patrice Tanaka is a serial entrepreneur, author, and purpose-driven leader whose career spans decades of award-winning work in public relations, marketing, and business strategy, and whose life is committed to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and joyful planet. A co-founder of three successful agencies and the Founder & Chief Joy Officer of Joyful Planet LLC and Joyful Planet Foundation, Patrice helps individuals and organizations clarify purpose, navigate change, and unleash greater success, fulfillment, and joy. She is co-author of the bestselling book Beat the Curve and author of Becoming Ginger Rogers, blending powerful leadership insights with deeply human experiences. A PRWeek Hall of Fame inductee and NYWICI Matrix Award honoree, Patrice brings a unique perspective on resilience, creative problem-solving, and leading with joy—making her an inspiring and invaluable mentor for professionals seeking clarity, confidence, and meaningful growth.

The Butterfly EFFECT:

women who transform the world and inspire the future

Date: May 19, 2026, | 5:30 - 10:00 pm ET 

Location: Ziegfeld Ballroom, 141 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019-5302

The 2026 Matrix Awards will honor women who have defined the true meaning of metamorphosis. At every age and stage, they’ve embraced challenges, reinvented themselves, and evolved into leaders whose success has created a Butterfly Effect—rippling across our industry and inspiring generations to come.

The 2026 NYWICI Matrix Honorees include:

• Tamsen Fadal, Emmy award-winning Journalist, New York Times best-selling author, podcast host and Menopause Advocate

• Diana Haussling, CEO of Hello Products

• Abbey Klaassen, Global Brand President and U.S. CEO, Dentsu Creative

• Ashley Miles, Founder and CEO, Franklyn West

• Debra OConnell, Chairman, Disney Entertainment Television, The Walt Disney Company

• Carla Serrano, Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis Groupe

• Khartoon Weiss, Vice President & General Manager, Global Business Solutions, TikTok

Emcee for the evening is Sheinelle Jones, Host of Today with Jenna and Sheinelle, the fourth hour of Today.

Ticket Prices:

Interested in purchasing a table or becoming a sponsor to this year’s Matrix Awards?

Take a look at the 2026 prospectus to see all of the opportunities. For all other questions

please contact Donna-Jean Plante, CAE, Executive Director, NYWICI.

NYWICI Mentorship Office Hours

With Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich 

NYWICI’s refreshed Mentorship Program creates ongoing, accessible opportunities for members to connect directly with NYWICI Board and Past President leadership through monthly “Office Hours.” These virtual or in-person sessions offer one-on-one or small-group conversations focused on career guidance, leadership development, industry trends, and real-time challenges. Designed to be flexible and inclusive, the program provides a safe, supportive space for meaningful dialogue—strengthening professional growth while deepening connections across the NYWICI community.

Date: May 28, 2026, | 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET 

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Format:  Small Group Conversation

Meet Our Office Hours Mentor

Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich is a career empowerment expert—as well as a digital content, marketing, and social media specialist. She is also the co-host of the NYWICI podcast, WomenHeard. Julie honed her career expertise by navigating the corporate ladder at Warner Bros. (editorial director of Alloy Entertainment, creators of Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and The Vampire Diaries), Hearst (site director for the Hearst Teen Network, which included seventeen.com), and AOL (editor and on-air personality at AOL RED, AOL’s teen channel) and is currently the managing partner and president of editorial operations at Masthead Media Company (which she also co-founded). Julie’s career advice has been featured in outlets including USA Today, Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Crain’s New York, TheStreet.com, Good Day New York, Great Day Washington, and SiriusXM’s Wake Up! with Taylor. She is a graduate of the Boston University College of Communication and a proud recipient of a New York Women in Communications WiCi Award, which celebrates the career achievements of rising stars in communications.

NYWICI Mentorship Office Hours

With Mary Lou Quinlan

NYWICI’s refreshed Mentorship Program creates ongoing, accessible opportunities for members to connect directly with NYWICI Board and Past President leadership through monthly “Office Hours.” These virtual or in-person sessions offer one-on-one or small-group conversations focused on career guidance, leadership development, industry trends, and real-time challenges. Designed to be flexible and inclusive, the program provides a safe, supportive space for meaningful dialogue—strengthening professional growth while deepening connections across the NYWICI community.

Date: June 3, 2026, | 5:00 - 6:00 pm ET 

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Format:  Small Group Conversation

Meet Our Office Hours Mentor

Past NYWICI President and Matrix honoree, Mary Lou Quinlan, has built a highly-awarded career dedicated to women. From her start at Avon Products, through her years as ad agency CEO for major global corporations, and her decade plus advising leading brands through her firm, Just Ask a Woman, Mary Lou knows women like nobody else. Leading brands including WellsFargo, SaksFifth Avenue, KAO, Westin and Kraft have turned to her for insights and answers that fuel success with women.

NYWICI Mentorship Office Hours

With Chelsea Orcutt

NYWICI’s refreshed Mentorship Program creates ongoing, accessible opportunities for members to connect directly with NYWICI Board and Past President leadership through monthly “Office Hours.” These virtual or in-person sessions offer one-on-one or small-group conversations focused on career guidance, leadership development, industry trends, and real-time challenges. Designed to be flexible and inclusive, the program provides a safe, supportive space for meaningful dialogue—strengthening professional growth while deepening connections across the NYWICI community.

Date: June 5, 2026, | 8:30 - 10:30 am ET 

This session consists of 12 one on one sessions. When registering, you will choose your 10-minute window.

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Meet Our Office Hours Mentor

Chelsea Orcutt is the Chief Student Affairs Officer for New York Women in Communications and Chief of Staff at Bastion, the financial institution for stablecoin services. Previously, Chelsea was Director, Strategy & Operations at Thirty Madison, a digital health company.

Prior to joining Thirty Madison, Chelsea worked on the B2B Operations team at Betterment and held marketing and product roles at Thunderclap and DE-DE, the technology incubator at Droga5.

Chelsea is a two-time NYWICI scholarship recipient. She is a Buffalo, NY native and a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

NYWICI Mentorship Office Hours

With Mary Lou Quinlan

NYWICI’s refreshed Mentorship Program creates ongoing, accessible opportunities for members to connect directly with NYWICI Board and Past President leadership through monthly “Office Hours.” These virtual or in-person sessions offer one-on-one or small-group conversations focused on career guidance, leadership development, industry trends, and real-time challenges. Designed to be flexible and inclusive, the program provides a safe, supportive space for meaningful dialogue—strengthening professional growth while deepening connections across the NYWICI community.

Date: June 12, 2026, | 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET 

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Format:  Small Group Conversation

Meet Our Office Hours Mentor

Past NYWICI President and Matrix honoree, Mary Lou Quinlan, has built a highly-awarded career dedicated to women. From her start at Avon Products, through her years as ad agency CEO for major global corporations, and her decade plus advising leading brands through her firm, Just Ask a Woman, Mary Lou knows women like nobody else. Leading brands including WellsFargo, SaksFifth Avenue, KAO, Westin and Kraft have turned to her for insights and answers that fuel success with women.

The Connector’s Circle with NYWICI President Beth Feldman

Join NYWICI President, Beth Feldman, in a monthly mentorship session! Each month, she will be joined by a special guest for engaging conversations. 

Date: June 17, 2026 | 10:00 - 11:00 am ET

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Format:  Small Group Conversation

Special guest TBA.

NYWICI Mentorship Office Hours

With Trish Rubin

NYWICI’s refreshed Mentorship Program creates ongoing, accessible opportunities for members to connect directly with NYWICI Board and Past President leadership through monthly “Office Hours.” These virtual or in-person sessions offer one-on-one or small-group conversations focused on career guidance, leadership development, industry trends, and real-time challenges. Designed to be flexible and inclusive, the program provides a safe, supportive space for meaningful dialogue—strengthening professional growth while deepening connections across the NYWICI community.

Date: June 25, 2026, | 12:00 - 2:00 pm ET 

This session consists of 12 one on one sessions. When registering, you will choose your 10-minute window.

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Meet Our Office Hours Mentor

Trish Rubin is a marketing industry professional and global business instructor. At the intersection of education and business, she is a sought-after global marketing instructor through adjunct relationships at Baruch College, St John's University, NYIT and in Paris at IESEG School of Management, Sup de Pub, EFAP, and Groupe IAM Dakar. She brings brand expertise to clients and prepares the next generation of global marketing professionals. Trish seeks partnerships with global business school programs. One of her favorite student evaluations reads, "Best 16 hours I've spent in college!"

The Connector’s Circle with NYWICI President Beth Feldman

Join NYWICI President, Beth Feldman, in a monthly mentorship session! Each month, she will be joined by a special guest for engaging conversations. 

Date: July 15, 2026 | 10:00 - 11:00 am ET

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Format:  Small Group Conversation

Special guest TBA.

NYWICI Mentorship Office Hours

With Linda Gharib

NYWICI’s refreshed Mentorship Program creates ongoing, accessible opportunities for members to connect directly with NYWICI Board and Past President leadership through monthly “Office Hours.” These virtual or in-person sessions offer one-on-one or small-group conversations focused on career guidance, leadership development, industry trends, and real-time challenges. Designed to be flexible and inclusive, the program provides a safe, supportive space for meaningful dialogue—strengthening professional growth while deepening connections across the NYWICI community.

Date: July 15, 2026, | 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET 

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Format:  Small Group Conversation

Meet Our Office Hours Mentor

Linda Gharib is the current NYWICI Chief Experience Officer. She is an award-winning seasoned leader, strategist, and certified communications and transformation coach with more than two decades of experience in digital marketing and corporate communications. She is currently the Vice President of Brand & Communications at Wolters Kluwer, a global expert solutions technology company, where she oversees public relations, executive and employee communications, social media strategy, thought leadership programs, crisis communications, and reputation management for five lines of business. Ms. Gharib also serves as the communications advisor for the company’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Steering Committee and Sustainability Governance Board.

NYWICI Mentorship Office Hours

With Judith Harrison 

NYWICI’s refreshed Mentorship Program creates ongoing, accessible opportunities for members to connect directly with NYWICI Board and Past President leadership through monthly “Office Hours.” These virtual or in-person sessions offer one-on-one or small-group conversations focused on career guidance, leadership development, industry trends, and real-time challenges. Designed to be flexible and inclusive, the program provides a safe, supportive space for meaningful dialogue—strengthening professional growth while deepening connections across the NYWICI community.

Date: July 29, 2026, | 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET 

Location: Virtual Event on Zoom (Link to Event Will Be Received Post Registration)

Format:  Small Group Conversation

Meet Our Office Hours Mentor

After a decades-long career in communications, culture, and DEI leadership, including serving as President of New York Women in Communications (2018–2020) and earning a Matrix Award in 2021, Judith Harrison seems to have done it all. Now, after shaping the culture inside some of the world’s leading firms, she remains focused on one important thing: connection.

With the launch of organizational culture consultancy The Judith Effect in June 2025, Harrison emphasizes that connection is vital to today’s work landscape. “I’ve been looking at how to make [the work] even more impactful given the state of the country and the world and the growing need for connection.” The impact of this work is intuitive and strategic. “It makes so much sense to me to create atmospheres where people feel valued and heard, and where organizations understand this is profitable. It’s not just a ‘nice to have.’ It’s how you get the best out of people.”