Power Women

Catherine Rinaldi has been president of MTA Metro-North Railroad since February 21, 2018, and is the first woman to hold that position. In February 2022, she was appointed interim president of the Long Island Rail Road. Rinaldi joined Metro-North in January 2015 as executive vice president. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Yale University and received her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

What steps still need to be taken to increase gender parity?
Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road are always working to increase gender parity. The operational jobs at both Metro-North and LIRR have traditionally been dominated by men, but there’s absolutely no reason this should remain the case. We’re looking at how we can cast a wider net in recruiting women for roles that for a long time have been held by men. Our industry partnerships and other creative strategies, such as our Associate Engineer Program at Metro-North, helps us move closer to that goal.

If you could have dinner with any three women from history, who would they be and why?
Eleanor Roosevelt. Julia Child. Ruth Bader Ginsburg. All these women used their unique skills to better others’ lived experiences. Roosevelt used her status as first lady to champion greater opportunities for women and to advocate for civil rights for African-Americans, and later advocated for human rights as a delegate to the UN. Child’s energy, humor, and sheer presence not only brought joy to many, but also made French cooking accessible and attainable for all. And Ginsburg’s dissent in the case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear led to the enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009.

What advice or wisdom would you share with a younger version of yourself?
I’d tell her to be forgiving of herself. When we’re young, there’s no way of knowing where we will end up. And mistakes made along the way can end up helping to point us in a better direction. You don’t have to have everything figured out when you’re 25 or 30. When I was 30, I wanted to be a judge. Now I run two major railroads. It’s a good thing to embrace the twists and turns our journeys can take.

Tyquana “Ty” Henderson-Rivers is the founder, president and CEO of Connective Strategies, a full service political and government relations firm with extensive experience and the contacts to match in New York City and New York State. In her over 25 years in politics and advocacy, she has built an impressive track record of helping firms, organizations, and political candidates build their brands and position themselves for success. 

What steps still need to be taken to increase gender parity?
Women not only need to be hired, they need to be empowered, paid, and respected. Employers and clients need to evaluate if they are actually making use of women in the best capacity and compensating women fairly.

If you could have dinner with any three women from history, who would they be and why?
If I could have dinner with any three women, it would be Shirley Chisholm, Rosa Parks, and Jacqueline Ward.

What advice or wisdom would you share with a younger version of yourself?
Value yourself or no one else will.

Dr. Betty A. Rosa is the commissioner of education and president of the University of the State of New York. The Board of Regents unanimously appointed Dr. Rosa as permanent commissioner, the first Latina woman to serve in the position, on February 8, 2021. Prior to serving as commissioner and interim commissioner, she served as the chancellor and member of the Board of Regents. Dr. Rosa is a nationally recognized education leader and received an Ed. M. and Ed. D. in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. She also holds two other master of science in education degrees, one in Administration and Supervision and the other in Bilingual Education from the City College of New York and Lehman College, respectively, and a B.A. in psychology from the City College of New York. Commissioner Rosa has more than 30 years of instructional and administrative experience with an expertise in inclusive education, cooperative teaching models, student achievement, and policy implementation.

Xamayla is the deputy public advocate of civic and community empowerment and leads all efforts on civics, immigrant justice, and interfaith organizing. She is a fierce advocate for civic participation, excluded workers, reducing mortality in Black birthing people, and outspoken on anti-Blackness in the U.S. immigration system. She specializes in grassroots citywide organizing and began organizing after her brother was murdered in 2005. Xamayla uses her platform to address systemic inequities that disproportionately affect BIPOC communities. She is a first generation American and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

What steps still need to be taken to increase gender parity?
Parity is more likely when equal representation is found among those who hold the gauntlets of power. In politics, help get women appointed or elected to office. Mechanisms like ranked choice voting and matching funds help accomplish this. We also need to dismantle structural barriers women face in the workplace by implementing policies that expand child care for all, flexible leave, work from home policies for caregivers, and access to contracts for WBE’s. The systems that exist don’t work for most of us. The proof is that one million women disappeared from the workforce during COVID-19. Let’s get practical if we truly want parity.

What can New York policymakers do to support the interests of women across the state?
Supporting the interests of women requires that we center BIPOC women as we push for progress. We need to build an anti-racist, pro-woman culture. I am excited about the influx of women in policy and politics. I like that we are doing the work to address health disparities and using data to improve outcomes. Countless social justice organizations are working on similar issues in different localities. The legislatures can fund, listen, and act.

If you could have dinner with any three women from history, who would they be and why?
Shirley Chisholm’s words pierce through time. She was truly the people’s champion who persisted although she sat at the intersection of sexism and racism. Ida B. Wells, the master organizer, intrigues me with her fight, wit, and passion as a suffragist. My last choice is Sister Catherine McAuley. Catherine is not an obvious choice, but her legacy of uplifting and educating women and the poor was courageous for her time. Her institution played a pivotal role in my life as a child. These women have left incredible legacies while centering the needs of people first in real tangible ways.

What advice or wisdom would you share with a younger version of yourself?
I’d travel back in time and tell my teenage self to apply for college scholarships and don’t try to muscle her way through. Blaze the trail even if she doesn’t see other women ahead of her — they’re on their way. I’d tell her to find a Black woman mentor and try to travel the world early because it gets harder to schedule and more expensive later. Lastly, I’d tell her that being a Black woman in this world means she’ll have to work harder — so do the work and prioritize her rest and wellbeing, she will need it. Lastly, invest in women.

Kathryn Ruemmler joined Goldman Sachs in 2020 as a partner, and she currently serves as chief legal officer and general counsel for the firm. Ms. Ruemmler is also co-vice chair of the firmwide Reputational Risk Committee, co-chair of the Regulatory Reform Steering Group, and a member of the Global Inclusion and Diversity Committee. Ms. Ruemmler also has experience in the Department of Justice, and was President Barack Obama’s longest-serving White House counsel.

Elizabeth Rutledge, chief marketing officer at American Express, oversees global media, sponsorships, experiences, strategic brand planning and customer insights. Prior to becoming CMO and an executive committee member in 2018, Elizabeth held various product, marketing, and insights roles at American Express. Elizabeth is on the Board of Directors for the Association of National Advertisers, the Ad Council and the YMCA of Greater New York. She is a member of Adweek’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Elizabeth is a graduate of Princeton University and holds an M.B.A. from New York University.

What steps still need to be taken to increase gender parity?
I’m proud that American Express achieved 100 percent pay equity for our colleagues across genders globally and across race and ethnicity in the U.S. and we are committed to maintaining this goal going forward. I hope we see more companies leading the way to help drive equity.

What can New York policymakers do to support the interests of women across the state?
At American Express we have a longtime commitment to supporting small businesses. It’s exciting that coming out of the pandemic more small businesses have been created than ever before, and a significant number are owned by women. The early years are ‘make or break,’ so it’s important that we work with new small business owners to understand their opportunities and challenges, and to help them thrive in their communities.

If you could have dinner with any three women from history, who would they be and why?
Not easy to pick just 3!

As a science teacher early in my career, meeting Marie Curie, the scientist who discovered radium, helped advance cancer treatments, and received two Nobel Prizes, all at the turn of the 20th century, would be a dream.

Maya Angelou, legendary poet and Civil Rights activist, had an amazing gift for words and ability to encourage us to tell our stories: “there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.”

And finally, Katherine Graham, the first female Fortune 500 CEO and publisher of The Washington Post in the 1970s to hear about her leadership achievements.

What advice or wisdom would you share with a younger version of yourself?
I just came across this quote recently: “Risk something or forever sit with your dreams” from Herb Brooks, the head coach of the gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic hockey team. It truly sums up the advice I would give my younger self — it’s all about being curious, having a point-of-view and speaking up.

Jill Scher is a partner at Marcum LLP with more than 25 years of experience as a CPA. She works with an array of clients, including high net worth individuals and large and small companies across a range of industries, providing tax planning services, streamlining tax operations, and maximizing tax credit opportunities. Jill is also an adept business developer for Marcum, a frequent speaker at industry events, and a top-notch client relationship manager, ensuring excellent communication and service.

What steps still need to be taken to increase gender parity?
Fair compensation and promotion procedures are essential in the effort to increase gender parity. Flexible and supportive employee working hours should be offered, where possible, to the entire workforce. Management should ensure that training programs are inclusive, support diversity, and include soft skills. Finally, decision makers should be held accountable by looking to metrics that show gender parity success.

What can New York policymakers do to support the interests of women across the state?
Policymakers should create laws that require or incentivize companies to create gender parity.

If you could have dinner with any three women from history, who would they be and why?
Mary Jackson — as a mathematician and aerospace engineer for NASA, she was successful in a field that is predominantly run by men. Lucille Ball — she was the first woman to run a major television studio, involving a highly significant role on-screen. She broke down barriers for women to both have a leading role and be a decision maker. Elizabeth Cady Stanton — an activist and leader of the women’s rights movement, she was pivotal in the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave all citizens the right to vote. She was also a mom of seven!

What advice or wisdom would you share with a younger version of yourself?
The first opportunity that comes your way may not always be the best for you in the long run, so don’t settle for anything less than you deserve. Don’t be afraid to negotiate on your own behalf.

An experienced leader in health plan management and operations, Dr. Talya Schwartz was appointed president and CEO of MetroPlusHealth in 2019. MetroPlusHealth has achieved a 30% growth in membership during her tenure, as well as a five-star rating from New York State’s Consumer Guide. Dr. Schwartz’s ongoing commitment to addressing the social determinants of health among New York’s historically marginalized and underserved communities is the pinnacle of her leadership — actively ensuring that MetroPlusHealth remains at the forefront of supporting its members through holistic, field-based care.

Anita Skop, the senior advisor to the deputy chancellor for literacy and implementation, served as community superintendent of District 15 in Brooklyn for the past 13 years and as an educator in the New York City school system for 37 years. A committed early childhood advocate, Anita believes all children can succeed if they are nurtured and challenged with joyful, equitable learning experiences. The mother of four daughters and grandmother of twelve, she is grateful for the opportunity to support the growth and academic learning of children throughout her career.

What steps still need to be taken to increase gender parity?
Historically, education became “women’s work” when men no longer wanted or needed the role. As a bonus, women were seen as needing less money and so they were paid less. That mindset has diminished the role of women in society not only as educators but in all occupations, and this has to change for there to be true gender parity. There has to be greater support for childcare and maternity leave across all professions and work opportunities as well. This is a very deeply rooted need that strikes at the core of how we value and treat women nationally and internationally.

What can New York policymakers do to support the interests of women across the state?
Policymakers need to talk to women on all socio-economic and employment levels. Listen to what they have to say! For example, the cost of childcare and the need to support all families, and especially single parent households, is crucial. The positive impact high quality childcare that is available to all would have on the economy and student success would be significant. Lastly, reinforce and review policies that exist to ensure they truly support women.

If you could have dinner with any three women from history, who would they be and why?
My dinner party would include Abigail Adams, Marva Collins, and Kamala Harris. While everyone references the “founding fathers,” I would love to hear the perspective of a woman, strong and intelligent and yet limited in her opportunities, but determined to influence the policies of the new nation. Marva Collins as an educational leader and a teacher used the same reading program that I taught and her impact has been especially meaningful in raising levels of success for BIPOC children. Kamala Harris has to deal with world perspectives and a multi-racial family and her input would be invaluable. Imagine the conversation!

What advice or wisdom would you share with a younger version of yourself?
The words of others negatively impact so many young women. I would tell my younger self not to let the negative beliefs of others limit you. I saw myself as a failure because I eloped at 17 and took 20 years until I could afford to finish college. Your choices and efforts transcend your circumstances. I have to acknowledge that I am talking as a white woman. Though I am Jewish and face other stereotypes, it is even harder for women of color who face racism daily. We have to see our own value. Do not let others define you!

In 2019, Andrea Stewart-Cousins shattered the glass ceiling as the first woman elected as temporary president and majority leader of the State Senate. In 2012, she became the first woman, and African American woman, to lead a legislative conference in state history. She has overseen the passage of historic legislation, including voting reforms, gun safety, women and LGBTQIA+ rights, landmark tenant protections, and the most ambitious climate change law nationwide. Andrea resides in Yonkers, was married to the late Thomas Cousins, and has three children and six grandchildren.

What steps still need to be taken to increase gender parity?
More steps are needed, but to start, in New York our constitution only protects against religious and racial discrimination; that is why we advanced the first passage of an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which will promote gender parity by adding women as a protected class and would codify the rights to abortion and contraception in New York’s constitution. The ERA will extend protections to new classes on the basis of sex, disability, national origin, ethnicity, and age. The next step is to pass the ERA again in the 2023 legislative session and send it to voters for ratification in 2024.

What can New York policymakers do to support the interests of women across the state?
When we won the Senate Majority in 2019, I created the Committee on Women’s Issues to focus on policy solutions to support women. Under its purview, we have passed legislation to protect reproductive health rights and access to contraception. We have championed legislation to end wage discrimination, end sexual harassment in the workplace, improve maternal health outcomes, and expand access to affordable childcare. There is more to do. We will continue to uplift women!

If you could have dinner with any three women from history, who would they be and why?
I would invite Constance Baker Motley, the first African American woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court and serve as a federal judge, and the first Black woman to serve in the New York State Senate. I would also invite the civil right activist, presidential advisor, and educator Mary McLeod Bethune and former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to dinner together because their unlikely partnership broke racial barriers and had a profound impact on federal policies that affect the lives of African Americans. These trailblazing women are towering figures in American history and a source of inspiration.

What advice or wisdom would you share with a younger version of yourself?
Be patient with yourself, you are a work in progress and constantly evolving, always working towards self-improvement. Most importantly, always respect yourself, know and respect your own power. The first time I served as a County Legislator, I visited a housing development with a new playground. Later I learned that the playground did not exist before my visit; it was built because I was coming! This experience showed me that you need to show up with the knowledge of your power and respect that power. Once you have that knowledge, there is no telling how much good you can do!