PowHer New York’s team of advocates and professionals fight all year long to advance economic equity for women. In addition to the leadership listed below, many PowHerNY Partner representatives play a critical role in advancing and informing our shared, progressive agenda.
Officers
President and Founder: Beverly Neufeld, President of BCN Consulting, is a lifelong advocate for women and girls, driving the movement for economic equality in New York. Beverly co-created and leads the Equal Pay Campaign which advanced New York’s Salary History and Salary Range Laws. She orchestrates PowHerNY’s Network initiatives for pro-women policy reform which have resulted in legislative victories and transformative change. She is a member of the NYC Commission on Gender Equity, Equal Pay Today! and the United Nations/ILO Equal Pay Initiative Coalition. > Learn More
Board Chair: Mary M. Luke‘s career as a global leader in reproductive health and rights spanned 35 years and impacted programs in 25+ countries. She is past President of UN Women USA Metro New York and former Vice President of UN Women USA. Luke serves on the Advisory Board of Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy and on the Board of the Common Threads Project, which works globally to help women who are victims of rape and torture to heal. > Learn more
Vice President, Programming and Advocacy: Blue (Barbara) Carreker has been a lifelong advocate for gender and racial justice. She served as VP for Public Affairs and Public Relations at Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood and as Statewide Campaign Manager for Worker and Gender Justice at Citizen Action of NY, helping to lead successful campaigns for Paid Family Leave and Paid Sick Days. She has served on a variety of non-profit Boards, and is a campaign consultant to the Empire State Campaign for Child Care. >Learn More
Vice President, Development and Governance: Linda C. Hartley, MBA-NYU, is principal of H2Growth Strategies LLC, partnering with 100+ nonprofits across the globe to raise $1.5 billion through planning, development and board building. Hartley served as adjunct professor at the NYU Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising, produced seven leadership summits including Seattle’s first summit on racial and economic equity, and is co-founder of the Equal Pay Coalition NYC, a past president of WID-NY, and co-author of > Learn More
Treasurer: Michelle Blankenship is the Chief Financial Officer of Outright International and a former partner at NCheng LLP. Michelle brings 25 years of experience in financial advisory in the nonprofit space with a focus on education, social services, advocacy, and housing. Her ability to manage strategic planning, financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance makes her an asset to nonprofits working towards human-centric equity. > Learn More
Secretary: Donna Dolan is a seasoned advocate and leader in family issues. As former Executive Director of the New York Paid Leave Coalition, she spearheaded efforts to secure paid sick leave and paid family leave legislation, resulting in New York State having the strongest paid family leave law in the country. Donna’s unwavering dedication continues to make a significant impact on the lives of workers and families. > Learn More
Members
Deanne Braveman is the Senior VP of Mercury’s Albany office, specializing in government relations and compliance with campaign finance and lobbying laws. With over a decade of experience, she provides expert advice to businesses, trade associations, labor organizations, and non-profits on their legislative advocacy efforts. Deanne excels in navigating the New York State budget process and building strong alliances to drive impactful public policy initiatives. > Learn More
Rebecca Damon is Executive Director, New York Local, Labor Policy and International Affairs for SAG-AFTRA. A champion for workers’ rights, Damon’s leadership includes strengthening NY’s right of publicity and digital image and voice rights. Damon served as executive VP, the union’s second-highest elected national office, and president of the NY Local. Damon is a VP of the NYS AFL-CIO Executive Council, a member of the NYC Film and Television Production Industry Council, the NYC Central Labor Council, and a VP of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. > Learn More
Jacqueline M. Ebanks is Founder & CEO at SAE Consulting Group, LLC, a management consulting firm working with private, public, philanthropic, and nonprofit organizations to advance economic, gender, and racial equity and justice. She has worked for over three decades to promote economic and social justice for women, girls, and marginalized communities. Jacqueline has held leadership roles at the NYC Commission on Gender Equity, Women’s City Club of New York, the New York Women’s Foundation, Citigroup, and the United Way of New York City. > Learn More
Yolanda F. Johnson Yolanda F. Johnson is a trailblazing leader in fundraising and philanthropy, having founded both Women of Color (WOC) in Fundraising & Philanthropy and Allies in Action. Having developed strategies for raising more than $1billion, she is known for her expertise in DEI and Women’s Philanthropy with a unique approach to organization development through the arts and is a Changemaker Award recipient. Yolanda is also known for her successful, international career as a professional opera singer. > Learn More
Karen L. King is a dynamic leader, serving as Erie County Commissioner of Public Advocacy and the Executive Director of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women. With a strong academic background, she has taught courses, led workshops on social justice advocacy and anti-racist feminist theory and TEDx Buffalo Women. Karen is dedicated to advancing gender equality and empowering women in Erie County and beyond. She is the Chair of PowHerNY’s Nominating Committee > Learn More
Merble Reagon, Advisor is the Former Executive Director of the Women’s Center for Education and Career Advancement in NYC, empowering low-income women and families since 1970. With 40+ years of experience, she created opportunities for low-wage workers and developed the NYC Self-Sufficiency Standard and Calculator, now the True Cost of Living Report. Merble’s leadership on justice reform and awards recognize her dedication to women and people of color. > Learn More
Volunteer Leadership
Nancy Haffner Co-Chair, Equal Pay Action Committee – Haffner Consulting
Seher Khawaja Co-Chair, Equal Pay Legislative Committee – Legal Momentum
John O’Malley Advocacy Advisor – CWA Local 1180