SHTM Women's History Month Panel Event

SHTM Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Women's History Month Panel
"Powerful Women Voices"

Monday, March 22, 2021
5:30 - 7:30 pm

Please join the School of Health Technology and Management and our panel of women leaders, consisting of our Elder Sisters and upcoming Young Sisters.

We will engage in discussion about how these powerful women have found and used their own voices to propel them in their academic and professional careers. Moderated by Stony Brook University's Assistant Vice President for Career Development & Experiential Education, Dr. Marianna Savoca, PhD, five panelists will share how their voices were found and formed, and how these voices have framed their current endeavors. 

Panelists include:

Elder Sister Leaders
Brooke Ellison, PhD, MPP
Lynda Perdomo-Ayala
Madeline Quintyne-McConney

Upcoming Sister Leaders
Melonie Evans-Bonilla, RN
Monica Lorenzo, MS, ATC, CES

Brooke Ellison Brooke Ellison, PhD, MPP
Associate Professor
Interim Program Director, PhD Program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Associate Director, Center for Community Engagement and Leadership Development
School of Health Technology and Management

Brooke Ellison, PhD, MPP, is an Associate Professor at Stony Brook University. Dr. Ellison received her undergraduate degree in cognitive neuroscience from Harvard University in 2000, followed by her Master Degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2004. After running for New York State Senate in 2006, Dr. Ellison completed her PhD in Sociology from Stony Brook University in 2012. A policy and ethics expert in stem cell research for over 15 years, Brooke has been committed to changing the perception of life-saving science. From 2007-2014, Brooke served on the Empire State Stem Cell Board, which designed New York State’s stem cell policy.

As a faculty member at Stony Brook University, Brooke is the Interim Program Director of the PhD program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and codirector of the Advanced Certificate in Health Care Management. Brooke has taught classes at the undergraduate, Masters, MD, and PhD levels, and focuses on medical ethics, science ethics, and health policy. Her research focuses on the ethics and policy of science and health care, particularly the intersection of disability and bioethics, and strategies to make healthcare accessible to those most in need.  Brooke also serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Leadership Development, to empower underserved communities. As a result of her work in the stem cell field, in 2011, Dr. Ellison was granted an honorary degree from Rutgers University, and, in 2014, was chosen to be a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, a position through which she works to elevate the importance of stem cell research as well as tackle challenges experienced by people with disabilities. In 2017, Brooke was chosen to serve on the Board of Directors of the New York Civil Liberties Union. In 2018, Brooke was chosen to be a Truman National Security Project Political Partner.

At age 11, Brooke was in an accident that left her paralyzed from her neck down and dependent on a ventilator. The experiences she has undergone since that time have served as the basis of the work in which she has been involved as well as the causes she has embraced. In 2002, Brooke published a memoir, Miracles Happen, which was made into a movie, The Brooke Ellison Story, directed by Christopher Reeve.


Lynda Perdomo-Ayala

Lynda Perdomo-Ayala, MSW, LMSW, CLC
Administrative Department Head
Department of Pharmacological Sciences
Renaissance School of Medicine
Stony Brook University
 

Ms. Lynda Perdomo-Ayala is the Administrative Department Head in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University.  Ms. Perdomo-Ayala’s longstanding professional service to the University has been instrumental in ensuring the support and progress of communities of color at the University.  For approximately thirty-five years, she has been advisor to the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), where she has worked closely to mentor undergraduates. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center and continues her advocacy, providing a firm foundation of support for the Center as the Chair of its advisory board.  She has supported efforts for the recruitment, retention, and mentoring of minority faculty, staff, and students through her appointments to several University-wide committees and task forces. In these capacities, she has worked directly with Presidents, Provosts, Deans, and other senior level University administrators to increase diversity, equity and inclusion. She has been a key member of the Campus Climate initiative and both the President’s and Provost's Advisory Council on Diversity. 

In 2000, County Executive Robert J. Gaffney and the Suffolk County Legislature appointed Ms. Perdomo-Ayala to the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission, where she served as the Vice-Chair, overseeing all administrative committees.  In 2019, Lynda was sworn in as the Chair and has since been focused on Police Reform and Reinvention since the killing of George Floyd, as well as Fair Housing and Diversity on Long Island, and the continued development of the Suffolk County Inter-Faith Anti-Bias Task Force.

For her work, Lynda has received many distinguished honors including the following highlights: she is a recipient of Chancellor's award for Excellence in Diversity and Affirmative Action; Stony Brook University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni for University Service; New York State Social Worker of the Month; Bank of America, Local Hero Award; Woman of the Year, Zonta International Club of Suffolk; Distinguished Social Worker, National Association of Social Workers Latino Social Work Task Force; First Caribbean Award of the Top 50 Latino Leader on Long Island; the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Women of Distinction Award; the Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk Lifetime Achievement Award; State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service; Outstanding Women in the Town of Brookhaven; State Senator Phil Boyle honored for service to the Latino community in Suffolk County; the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Board and the Suffolk Legislature honored her as the 2018 Woman of Distinction County wide for her work and being a role model.

A native of the Bronx, Lynda was born to Puerto Rican parents, Rosalina and Emilio.  Lynda received her Bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University, earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Stony Brook University, and has certifications in Conflict Resolution from Cornell University, in Divorce Mediation from the Ackerman Institute for the Family and is a Certified Life Coach. 


Madeline A. Quintyne-McConney

Madeline Quintyne-McConney, MSW
Commissioner, Human Services
Town of Babylon
 

Madeline A. Quintyne-McConney has had a longstanding dedication toward public service. Born in Harlem, New York and raised in Amityville, Long Island, Madeline started her schooling at PS 119 Elementary School in Harlem until her family moved to Copiague. There she continued her education in the Copiague School District and ultimately graduated from Amityville Memorial High School. Even at that time, Madeline was socially conscious. She was an active participant in her high school student council and broke the school’s color barrier by serving as the first African American homecoming queen at Amityville Memorial High School in 1972.

After graduating high school, Madeline entered Salem College in Salem, West Virginia, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in social work with a minor in sociology. One of her first career opportunities upon graduation was a position as a case manager for a New York State agency that addressed the needs of senior citizens. Since then, Madeline has worked in various positions where she has had the opportunity to serve others, such as job counselor with the Urban League of Long Island, and case manager at St. Christopher’s in Glen Cove, where she assisted with adoptions and placing children in foster care. Madeline also worked as a closing manager at the law firm of David M. Green and Keith Angerame, working closely with clients, often minorities, to assist them in realizing the dream of home ownership.

Currently, Madeline is the Commissioner of Human Services with the Town of Babylon. In this capacity, she oversees five senior centers, the Drug and Alcohol Department, Women’s Services, Senior Transportation, a residential repair program for seniors, a food pantry, a monthly senior magazine, and three yearly community programs – Black History Month Program, Women’s History Month Program and a Hispanic Heritage Month Program. Madeline takes great pride in knowing that she is serving the community each and every day through these vital programs. On June 3, 2016, the very building Madeline works in was renamed after her father. What an honor to serve in this capacity.

As an active member of the community, Madeline is a member of Bethel AME Church in Copiague, where she serves on the Steward Board and sings with the Mass and Sanctuary Choirs and the Voices of Faith. She is the Chairperson of the North Amityville Community Festival Day Committee, and a life member of the Central Long Island Branch of the NAACP, member of the Witness Project, 1st Vice President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Suffolk County Chapter, Inc., Sisters in the Struggle, and member of North Amityville Old School Association. Madeline is also Chairperson of NACEC-CDC, an organization that provides economic development and revitalization for the North Amityville community. Additionally, she is Chair of the Town of Babylon’s Democratic Party.

Madeline affirms that her life has been inspired by her late father Irwin S. Quintyne, a community activist and humanitarian who taught her to be committed, diligent and involved. Adopting her father’s motto, “Unity in the Community”, Madeline states that her reason to join the fight to improve health and wellness in her community, particularly as it relates to breast cancer, is motivated by friends and family who have been stricken with the disease. Through her involvement with The Witness Project and The Sisters of Greater Long Island, she helps to raise much needed funds which help the organizations to educate African American women about breast cancer and early detection.

Committed to furthering her education in the field of social work, Madeline attended Stony Brook University and obtained her MSW in the Spring of 2014. She is inspired daily by her mother, Delores Quintyne, a social activist in her own right, who together with her father, were the ultimate role models in her life. Madeline is grateful for those who have paved the way, opened doors and set examples for her to follow, and credits those who have come before her for the blessings that she has received thus far.

Awarded by many organizations for her community involvement, Madeline’s advocacy, leadership, activism and dedication drives her on a continual basis to help her community thrive.

Madeline is married to Irvine and they have been blessed with a blended family of six children and fourteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild.


Melonie Evans-Bonilla

Melonie Evans-Bonilla, RN

 

Melonie Evans-Bonilla, RN, BSN is an ‘06 graduate of the School of Health Technology and Management’s Health Science Program. After choosing the Anesthesia Technician concentration, Melonie, completed a one-year post back program. Melanie then served as an Anesthesia Technician from 2008–2011 at Westchester Medical Center. In 2011, Melonie applied and was accepted into the SBU Nursing program where she completed a second baccalaureate degree as an RN in 2013.  Upon graduation, Melonie began her career as an Emergency Department Nurse. She currently serves as the charge nurse for trainees and nursing fellowships with the most recent year on frontlines of the COVID -19 Pandemic.


Monica Lorenzo

Monica Lorenzo, MS, ATC, CES
Founder ROMO Fit, Inc.
 

Monica Lorenzo, a Licensed Certified Athletic Trainer, founded ROMO Fit, Inc. in 2011. Monica received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training at Stony Brook University, followed by a Masters Degree in Rehabilitative Science at California University of Pennsylvania. As a Corrective Exercise Specialist, Monica has provided athletes ranging from the age of 7-70, with the tools to enhance their performance and safely return to play after injury. Monica has implemented prevention and performance enhancement programs for professional performing artists, intramural athletics, as well as senior athletic communities in NYC.


Marianna Savoca

Marianna Savoca, PhD
Assistant Vice President for Career Development & Experiential Education
Career Center
Stony Brook University

As Assistant Vice President for Career Development & Experiential Education, Marianna leads campus-wide initiatives to scale career development and improve access to high-impact and career-relevant work-integrated learning experiences for all students, in all majors and degree levels. The Career Center oversees career development, experiential education, student employment, corporate recruitment, diversity talent-pipeline programs, and alumni career services.

Dr. Savoca has consulted for colleges and universities domestically and abroad, and serves on the advisory board for the Future Talent Council, a global network of university leaders charged with creating scalable solutions to global higher education’s pressing problems. In 2020, she began her two-year term as president of the National Society for Experiential Education.

She teaches courses on career development, experiential education, external relations, and leadership, and has served as Co-PI on corporate and foundation grants of $2 Million to support student success. Publications include a book: A Good Job: Campus Employment as a High-Impact Practice (Stylus, 2018), and chapters in Advancing Talent Development: Steps Toward a T-Model Infused Undergraduate Education (Business Expert Press, 2020), and Handbook for Student Affairs Administration (Jossey-Bass, in press).

Her contributions to the field have been recognized with several awards, including the 2019 Distinguished Alumna Award from Indiana University, 2018-19 Innovator Award from the National Student Employment Association, a 2019 NASPA Silver Excellence Award for Outstanding Student Affairs’ Program, 2016 AAC&U Faculty Fellowship, and a Fulbright for International Educators.