Business Club to spotlight industry leaders at annual Women in Entertainment panel TODAY during Common Hour

By Grace Bonamico

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Business Club and Business Division will host their annual Women in Entertainment panel today during Common Hour, bringing together six accomplished professionals from across the industry for conversation, insight, and inspiration.

For the Business Club, the event reflects its mission. “Hosting the Women in Entertainment panel is a meaningful opportunity for the Business Club and Business Division to highlight the achievements, leadership, and impact of women across the entertainment industry during Women’s History Month,” said club advisor Professor Donna LaTorre. “It reflects our commitment to promoting diversity, fostering professional awareness, and creating spaces where students can engage directly with accomplished industry professionals.”

According to LaTorre, the panel also serves as a bridge between classroom learning and real-world experience. “The panel aligns with our mission to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences and to inspire the next generation of business and entertainment leaders,” she said. “This can help students in preparing for a career by offering hands-on experience in event planning along with networking with these professionals.”

Five Towns students look forward to these special panel-style events in Studio 400. “Women coming to speak about business is important to me because I love to see people in the industry get to do things that I can also do. It inspires me and motivates me to be successful and to see somebody doing something in the field I am interested in inspires me to do the same,” said Music Ed. major Sofia Haintz.

The Women in Entertainment panel has become a signature March tradition for the club. “The Business Club organizes this event each March in recognition of Women’s History Month,” LaTorre said. “This annual tradition allows us to celebrate the contributions of women in entertainment while providing students with timely and relevant conversations about career pathways, industry trends, and leadership. The continued enthusiasm from students and faculty has reinforced the importance of making this panel a signature yearly event.”

This year’s panel features six women representing diverse sectors of entertainment:

• Jaz Woods, host and creative director specializing in building communities through digital storytelling
• Ajada Reign, singer and songwriter
• Debra Markowitz, film professional and independent filmmaker
• Darlene Williams, award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author, educator, and champion of Black literature and literacy
• Michelle Rizzo, executive director of the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
• Vanessa Ferrer, founder and CEO of Merch Cat

Students will also take on leadership roles during the event, as students Elicia Kearney and Gianna Dumais will serve as moderators, guiding the discussion.  Five Towns Mass Comm students are in charge of the panel’s live broadcast.

The Business Club hopes attendees walk away feeling empowered. “We hope attendees leave the panel feeling informed, motivated, and empowered,” LaTorre said. “Our goal is for students to gain practical knowledge about career preparation, understand the realities and opportunities within the entertainment field, and recognize the value of perseverance and professional networking. Most importantly, we want participants to see what is possible for their own futures and to feel encouraged to pursue their goals with confidence.”