10th Annual Women's Leadership Institute
Supporting Women's Leadership Within Your Life
In honoring Women's History Month, Women's Leadership Institute is for members of the Florida Atlantic community seeking to improve their leadership competencies through professional development series focused on confidence-building, skill enhancement, and networking.
Attendees can expect peer-to-peer and group discussions, dynamic topical workshops, and professional guidance so they can be successful leaders in any space!
Attendees can expect peer-to-peer and group discussions, dynamic topical workshops, and professional guidance so they can be successful leaders in any space!
Schedule of Events
March 13, 2025
11:30 AM - 4:30 PM
BOCA STUDENT UNION
Special Thanks
Keynote Speaker
Becca Foster, Operations & Finance Manager for the Striano Financial Group at Northwestern Mutual
Becca Foster is the Operations & Finance Manager for the Striano Financial Group at Northwestern Mutual. She has been working with Pete Striano and the team for 7 years. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2017 with a degree in Accounting from the College of Business and has been mentored by the CFO since she started. Throughout her career, Becca has grown in financial reporting, budgeting, and strategic planning. Alongside getting to work with over 200 financial advisors across 7 offices in South Florida. At Northwestern Mutual she is currently participating in their national Multicultural Leadership Program in a cohort of 30 diverse leaders across the country. She is actively involved in the alumni association, a proud men’s basketball season ticket holder and loves to be out and about in the community! Becca serves on the board for Women in Insurance & Financial Services with the goal of supporting advancement for women in the financial services industry. She is a proud alumna of Alpha Xi Delta at Florida Atlantic University where her leadership journey and networking experiences started.
Keynote Speaker
Cassandra W. Oliver, Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer at K.W.A. Group, LLC.
Cassandra W. Oliver is an excellent career professional with a 20+ years background in financial investments, education, and marketing. This proud Haitian American has risen to the top of her career fields in each of the areas that she has pursued. Before leaving her post as an investment broker in 2000, she was credited as the youngest investment broker with Costa Financial Inc., and she received the distinguished principal leadership award for training principals in education throughout Florida. She is known for creating policies and procedures that bring efficiencies and productivity to the professional environment.
Mrs. Oliver transitioned her focus into the field of education in 2000. She began her classroom experiences as a substitute teacher in underachieving schools in the Broward County public schools. Mrs. Oliver felt that her energies were better used with this population of students because of the lack of resources in these schools. in this capacity, her experiences grew to include reading intervention teacher, sacs co-chair, assistant principal of curriculum and instruction, to her retirement as a high school principal in Palm Beach County.
Cassandra currently serves as the co-owner and chief operating officer at K.W.A. Group, LLC.– the parent company of K.W.A. Group branding, K.W.A. Group rise, and K.W.A. Group rise outreach. The motto of K.W.A. Group is “promote your brand. promote your event. promote your life!” where she helps you promote your brand through promotional items, using intentional marketing to provoke a call to action or achieve an expected result from your end users. As co-owner of K.W.A. Group rise, the company has expanded to promote your event as well as the training, consulting, and public speaking at your events. Lastly, K.W.A. Group rise outreach helps promote your life by serving as your community service and enrichment arm, providing educational resources to community members.
Cassandra has earned a bachelor's degree from Florida Atlantic University in international economics, a Master of Science degree from Barry University in Reading, and is currently completing her doctoral studies in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida Atlantic University. She holds a Series 6, Series 7, and Series 63 license.
Mrs. Oliver transitioned her focus into the field of education in 2000. She began her classroom experiences as a substitute teacher in underachieving schools in the Broward County public schools. Mrs. Oliver felt that her energies were better used with this population of students because of the lack of resources in these schools. in this capacity, her experiences grew to include reading intervention teacher, sacs co-chair, assistant principal of curriculum and instruction, to her retirement as a high school principal in Palm Beach County.
Cassandra currently serves as the co-owner and chief operating officer at K.W.A. Group, LLC.– the parent company of K.W.A. Group branding, K.W.A. Group rise, and K.W.A. Group rise outreach. The motto of K.W.A. Group is “promote your brand. promote your event. promote your life!” where she helps you promote your brand through promotional items, using intentional marketing to provoke a call to action or achieve an expected result from your end users. As co-owner of K.W.A. Group rise, the company has expanded to promote your event as well as the training, consulting, and public speaking at your events. Lastly, K.W.A. Group rise outreach helps promote your life by serving as your community service and enrichment arm, providing educational resources to community members.
Cassandra has earned a bachelor's degree from Florida Atlantic University in international economics, a Master of Science degree from Barry University in Reading, and is currently completing her doctoral studies in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida Atlantic University. She holds a Series 6, Series 7, and Series 63 license.
Session Facilitator
The Honorable Samantha Schosberg Feuer
Samantha Schosberg Feuer, a native Floridian, was born and raised in Miami. She attended Tufts University and University of Florida Law School. Samantha has always had a passion for public service, leadership, and community service. In 2014, she was elected Circuit Judge for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit and was subsequently re-elected in 2020. She now presides in the Probate/Guardianship Division.
Throughout her time as a Florida Bar member, Samantha was appointed to the Standing Committees for Diversity and Inclusion and Mental Health and Wellness. In 2018, she was appointed to the Palm Beach County Advisory Commission on Women and was reappointed in 2022. This Commission focuses on countywide issues pertaining to women.
Samantha is active in the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) at state and local levels. In 2010, as President of Palm Beach County FAWL, Samantha emphasized the need for women to strive for leadership roles, elected office and managerial/executive positions. In 2018, she was honored with the FAWL Jurist of the Year Award. Her passion for mentoring young lawyers can be seen in receiving the Palm Beach County Bar Association Mentorship Award and the University of Florida, Florida Blue Key Myra F. Morgan Outstanding Mentorship Award in 2022.
Outside of her judicial duties, Samantha co-founded the Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County investing in and advocating for women and girls to assist with their economic, political, and social status. Through the Women's Foundation, Samantha started the Girls Leadership Institute (GLI) providing leadership training for at-risk girls and the Road to the Bench program, which trains and assists women interested in running for office.
Samantha is active in the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) at state and local levels. In 2010, as President of Palm Beach County FAWL, Samantha emphasized the need for women to strive for leadership roles, elected office and managerial/executive positions. In 2018, she was honored with the FAWL Jurist of the Year Award. Her passion for mentoring young lawyers can be seen in receiving the Palm Beach County Bar Association Mentorship Award and the University of Florida, Florida Blue Key Myra F. Morgan Outstanding Mentorship Award in 2022.
Outside of her judicial duties, Samantha co-founded the Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County investing in and advocating for women and girls to assist with their economic, political, and social status. Through the Women's Foundation, Samantha started the Girls Leadership Institute (GLI) providing leadership training for at-risk girls and the Road to the Bench program, which trains and assists women interested in running for office.
Session Facilitator
Virginia Savietto, County Commission Assistant Chief of Staff V and School Board Member, PBC District 2
Virginia is a creative strategist and problem solver with over 20 years of experience in project management, branding, marketing, and design. She specializes in delivering impactful and visually functional solutions that help businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits connect with their audiences. Her work has earned her numerous national and local awards for creativity and leadership.
Virginia has dedicated over 19 years to serving the residents of Palm Beach County through the Board of County Commissioners. She has cultivated strong working relationships across various departments, divisions, and agencies, fostering collaboration to address the needs of the community. She previously taught Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Lake Worth Community High School and currently serves as Assistant Chief of Staff for Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss.
In June 2024, Virginia was elected unopposed as the School Board Member for District 2 and was sworn in on November 19, 2024. As a member of the Palm Beach County School Board, she is committed to educational excellence, student success, school safety, mental health advocacy, fostering equity in education, and ensuring students are well-prepared for life after graduation.
Driven by her passion for helping others, Virginia works to connect diverse groups with resources and services that make a meaningful difference. She has actively contributed to numerous boards and committees, championing initiatives that strengthen the local community.
Virginia is also passionate about soccer and supports initiatives that use sports to inspire and improve the quality of life for both children and adults. A devoted fan of Messi, she actively participates in efforts to promote the benefits of sports throughout the community. Additionally, she is committed to Dachshund rescue, volunteering her time to foster and transport dogs in need.
Virginia is a graduate of Lake Worth High School. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Legal Studies, as well as a Master of Arts in Project Management, Business, and Marketing.
Virginia has dedicated over 19 years to serving the residents of Palm Beach County through the Board of County Commissioners. She has cultivated strong working relationships across various departments, divisions, and agencies, fostering collaboration to address the needs of the community. She previously taught Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Lake Worth Community High School and currently serves as Assistant Chief of Staff for Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss.
In June 2024, Virginia was elected unopposed as the School Board Member for District 2 and was sworn in on November 19, 2024. As a member of the Palm Beach County School Board, she is committed to educational excellence, student success, school safety, mental health advocacy, fostering equity in education, and ensuring students are well-prepared for life after graduation.
Driven by her passion for helping others, Virginia works to connect diverse groups with resources and services that make a meaningful difference. She has actively contributed to numerous boards and committees, championing initiatives that strengthen the local community.
Virginia is also passionate about soccer and supports initiatives that use sports to inspire and improve the quality of life for both children and adults. A devoted fan of Messi, she actively participates in efforts to promote the benefits of sports throughout the community. Additionally, she is committed to Dachshund rescue, volunteering her time to foster and transport dogs in need.
Virginia is a graduate of Lake Worth High School. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Legal Studies, as well as a Master of Arts in Project Management, Business, and Marketing.
Session Facilitator
Nicole "Nikki" Fingerhut, Vice President of Human Resources for Girl Scouts
Nicole “Nikki” Fingerhut is currently the Vice President of Human Resources for the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida and the founder of her own HR consulting company. She holds a law degree from Florida State University, a master’s and bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and an associate’s degree from Palm Beach State College. She is certified as both a Senior Professional in Human Resources and a Predictive Index Analyst. She is a proud graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County (c/o 2018) and has two decades of experience that span the public, private and nonprofit sectors in the areas of human resources, law, governance and policy.
Session Facilitator
Erika M. Balser, Senior Digital Marketing Manager, ASR Group
PANELISTS:
- Joy McClellan, moderator- College of Social Work & Criminal Justice
- Rebecca Booth
- Lauren Gutierrez
- Danile Jerome
- Rose Paul
- Anita Blowers
- Angie Abreu
WEPPNER CENTER FOR LEAD AND SERVICE-LEARNING
Mobilizing students to impact others by establishing positive change in the community.