Deconstructing Development: The Power of the Age-Diverse Workplace

  • 16 Mar 2022
  • 12:00 PM
  • Zoom Meeting

Registration

Deconstructing Development

The Power of the Age-Diverse Workplace


Wednesday, March 16, 2022

12:00 p.m.

WID Members: $15 | Non-Members: $20


Featured Guest:

Janet Heit


Co-Hosted By: 

Yolanda F. Johnson and Amy Sigona, CFRE


When we think of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity, it is important to remember that ageism can be a significant challenge for women in development. As our years of experience increase, what we bring to the professional "table" is of immense value. Seasoned professionals should be fully embraced, fairly compensated, and recognized for the deep knowledge that experience provides.


In the age of "The Great Resignation," we are witnessing employers desperate to fill positions as young employees leave. What better time to invest in an age-diverse team? 


Data shows that highly-experienced employees require a shorter learning curve, bring valuable pre-existing relationships, and are more likely to remain on the job. 


Our guest, Janet Heit, will spotlight why an age-diverse office, which celebrates women of long experience, can serve to make the nonprofit sector more powerful and successful.


Featured Guest

Janet Heit, Founder & Director, Another Nice Mask


Janet Heit is a writer, development officer, and the Founder & Director of Another Nice Mask. She began her working life as a curator and arts administrator, creating numerous opportunities for women and artists of color and helping to make the arts more community-accessible. She then retooled for a career in development, directing corporate and foundation relations for medical centers, education, and social services. She has raised millions of dollars for research, next-gen scholarships, community-based clinics, and opportunities for the vulnerable and marginalized. Look for her articles The Power of the Age-Diverse Office in the Winter 2022 issue of Inclusion Magazine, and Executive Presence: The Unspoken Rules of Engagement in the Winter 2022 issue of Diversity Woman Magazine.


Co-Hosts



Yolanda F. Johnson

President, YFJ Consulting, LLC and President, Women In Development, NY


With more than two decades of experience in the non-profit sector Yolanda F. Johnson has successfully led fundraising operations for a wide range of nonprofit organizations, launching creative event, sponsorship and marketing initiatives that produced new streams of both contributed and earned income. Her fundraising expertise includes securing foundation, corporate, and government funding and cultivating a diverse major gifts portfolio. Yolanda is the President of Women In Development (WID), NY and the President of YFJ Consulting, LLC, which provides fundraising strategy and special event expertise for non-profit community. She is also the founder of Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC) and Allies in Action Membership Network. Yolanda has had an outstanding career as a performing artist, as a composer, as a producer, as an educator, and she has used her background as a performer to become a sought-after fundraising expert. Yolanda was also recently appointed to the Chronicle of Philanthropy Advisory Committee of national leaders in the non-profit sector. Tying together her life as a successful performing artist and a non-profit leader, she developed All the World's A Stage, a special workshop using performance practice for getting what one wants out of fundraising, philanthropy and life. She presents All the World's A Stage to audiences across the country. 


Amy Sigona, CFRE

Assistant Director of Major Gifts at YAI


With 30 years of professional experience, Amy Sigona, CFRE has been dedicated to developing, managing, and supporting quality non-profit programs in the areas of disabilities, community development and higher education.

 

Ms. Sigona has an extensive background in fundraising, community outreach and program development through both her professional experience and volunteer activities. She currently serves as the Co-Chair of the sponsorship committee for Women In Development of New York (WID) and as a Board Member for The Dominic A. Murray 21 Memorial Foundation (DomHeart21).

 

Additionally, she has served in the past as member and volunteer social media manager on the WID Communications Committee and has volunteered for multiple branding and identify projects for various NYC nonprofits through the Taproot Foundation. She has also served tirelessly as a Board member for the Brain Injury Association of New York State and Bergen County Habitat for Humanity. Ms. Sigona holds a certificate in Executive Philanthropy from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Master of Science in Non-Profit Management from SUNY College at Buffalo, and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from SUNY Buffalo.

 

As the Assistant Director of Major Gifts at YAI, an organization that provides programs and services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, she brings her wealth of program experience into the fundraising goals for the organization. She works closely with senior and program leadership to focus on building and develop strategic relationships and partnerships with individual donors and corporations.

 

She previously held positions in both fundraising and program operations at Marketing EDGE, Opportunity Project, JCC MetroWest and AHRC NYC.

 

In her personal time, Ms. Sigona enjoys cooking, specifically baking and learned to ski in the winter of 2020. She was born and raised in Whitestone, NY and currently lives in Fort Lee, NJ.


Women In Development, New York (WID) accepts refund requests made in writing at least five (5) business days prior to the event. Registration fees are not refundable after this date. Nonrefundable ticket purchases may not be used as credits towards future WID events.


By registering for this Women In Development, New York event, I give consent for my photograph to be taken and possibly used on the organization’s intranet, internet, newsletters, board reports, and other organizational materials as needed. I understand that I am not eligible for compensation for use of my photo and I may not be informed in advance of the specific use of those images.