WIB hosts sixth annual Pearls of Wisdom conference

“It was a hit or miss at first, but I learned.” She told the group of student leaders seated in front of her that this learning involved trying things that worked sometimes, but she said point blank, if an idea “failed, then I didn’t do it again.”

Jean Sullivan, founding General Partner of StarVest Partners, noted her attendance as “answering the call to a woman’s conversation where one can grow some grass on bare ground and share victories.”

Angelica Lopez, sophomore finance major, heard about the event at a Women’s History Month Women in the Arts event and came to “hear stories of women who started just like me in the audience and have risen to the top.”

The night proceeded with an informal panel discussion that included Jeanne M. Sullivan, Baking for Good founder and Emily Dubner, President, Founder and CEO of Sweet Loren’s Loren Brill and was moderated by Baruch Management Department of the Zicklin School of Business’ Mary Anne Holley.

In 1998, two other women and one man along with Sullivan founded StarVest Partners, a trading and investment startup. “Today there are more women investing as business CEOs than men,” said Sullivan.

Emily Dubner revolutionized bake sales with her company after receiving a box of cookies in regards to her grandfather’s death. Her company allows people to buy goods and deliver them anywhere in the United States and donate to a charity of their choice at the same time.

Dubner studied and learned how to healthily process ready-to-make baked goods while she was recovering from a bout with cancer, and the application of what she learned to her company has led Loren Brill’s Sweet Loren’s to become a Whole Foods house brand item.

The top five things the panelist emphasized above all where to dream big, think bold, be the change agent you want to see in the world, stick together as women and to be the woman who has been there who lends a hand to the women who want to get there.

Every woman went home with purple swag bags that included a Doral Bank reusable water bottle, LuMesh Cosmetics mascara, a contact guide and many other goodies.