Empowered Women, Empowered Leaders Conference

Empowered Women, Empowered Leaders 2026
Roots to Rise: Awakening the Collective

March 13 and 14, 2026
SUNY Broome, Culinary and Event Center
Binghamton University, The Union

Conference Registration is now LIVE!!

Conference registration is free of cost for attendees affiliated with Binghamton University or SUNY Broome and community members from Broome County. Attendees from outside of Broome County are asked to pay a small registration fee of $20. If the cost of the conference is prohibitive to your attendance please email ewel@binghamton.edu.

Register Now

Whova Conference App

The Whova app provides a full conference schedule with room locations, speaker contact info, and other pertinent information for attendees. We highly encourage all conference attendees to download and utilize this app. Your conference registration confirmation email will contain details on how to log into our specific conference. Please email ewel@binghamton.edu if you encounter issues with the app.

Get our official event app,
For Blackberry or Windows Phone, Click here
For feature details, visit Whova

You can also access the conference app on your computer through our linked web app.

Interested in Tabling at the Conference - Accepted through Feb 27

All attendees are welcome to table at the conference to promote their women-owned business, organization or office centering women, or their organization that has provided a financial sponsorship to the conference. Organizers recommend that those tabling are providing giveaways or promotional items for free to all attendees, however, women-owned businesses will be permitted to sell items to attendees if interested.

Request to Table at Conference

Roots to Rise: Awakening the Collective brings together women, leaders, and community changemakers for the 2nd Annual Empowered Women, Empowered Leaders Conference, held March 13–14, 2026 in Binghamton, NY.

Hosted in partnership by Binghamton University and SUNY Broome Community College, this two-day experience centers connection, healing, and collective power. Through four dynamic tracks—Young Professionals, Seasoned Professionals, Wellness in Community, and Equity & Social Impact—participants will engage in meaningful dialogue, skill-building, and shared learning in intimate, community-focused spaces.

The conference opens with an evening networking social in downtown Binghamton, followed by a full day of keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions at Binghamton University. Attendees will learn from visionary speakers, women-owned business leaders, alumni, and student organizers, exploring topics such as inclusive leadership, entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, self-healing, and liberatory practices—especially centering women of color.

At its heart, this conference is a collective effort to cultivate connection, uplift community wisdom, and support women - together. Join us as we deepen our roots, awaken our power, and build a more just and empowered world.

Announcing our Conference Keynote Speaker!

Shantay Carter

Shantay Carter BSN '00

Shantay Carter, BSN, RN, is a registered nurse, author, and community leader dedicated to service, empowerment, and advocacy. A New York native, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Binghamton University and has built a longstanding career within the Northwell Health (formerly North Shore–LIJ) system, where she works as an Orthopedic/Bariatric nurse on a medical-surgical unit.

Shantay is the founder of Women of Integrity Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to empowering and educating women and girls of all ages and backgrounds. The organization’s signature initiatives—including its annual prom dress drive and makeover project—have created lasting impact throughout the Long Island community.

She is also the author of Destined for Greatness, a book that reflects her passion for inspiring confidence, purpose, and resilience in others.

Shantay’s leadership and service have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Wholeness of Life Award, Making a Difference Award, multiple Community Service Awards, and recognition as a Woman of Power Honoree. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Black Nurses Rock, Inc.

Through her work in healthcare, authorship, and community advocacy, Shantay Carter continues to inspire positive change rooted in compassion, integrity, and service.

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Empowered Women, Empowered Leaders 2025

Christy Dinkins, Ed.D, assistant director of campus and community partnerships at PCOM Georgia speaks to attendees

  • Schedule at a Glance
    Friday, March 13, 2026

    SUNY Broome Culinary and Event Center
    78 Exchange St, Binghamton, NY 13901

    5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Conference Opening Social Mixer

    Saturday, March 14, 2026

    Binghamton University, The Union
    4400 Vestal Pkwy E, Binghamton, NY 13902

    9 - 9:30 a.m. Check-in & Breakfast

    9:30 - 10 a.m.  Welcome/Breakfast/Opening Remarks 

    10 - 10:30 a.m. Keynote Address from Shantay Carter BSN '00

    10:30 - 11:45 a.m. Educational Breakout Session 1

    11:45a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch and Vendor Pop-up Networking Fair 

    1:15 - 2:15 p.m. Empowered Women Paving the Way: AVP & Senior Level Panel

    2:15 - 3:30 p.m. Educational Breakout Session 2 

    3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Educational Breakout Session 3

    4:30 - 5 p.m. Closing Remarks

  • Registration

    Registration will go live on Friday, January 30, 2026

    Conference registration is free for all Broome County community members; $20 for non-Broome County community members. Email ewel@binghamton.edu with any questions about registration.

    This conference welcomes:

    • all Binghamton University and SUNY Broome faculty, staff, alumni, and students
    • all faculty, staff, alumni, and students from any SUNY outside Broome County
    • women-owned business leaders and advocates from New York
    • community members from across New York
    • faculty, staff and students from other colleges and universities in New York
  • Conference Locations & Parking

    This event will take place at:

    SUNY Broome Culinary and Event Center
    78 Exchange St, Binghamton, NY 13901

    and

    Binghamton University, The Union
    4400 Vestal Pkwy E, Binghamton, NY 13902

    Free shuttles to the SUNY Broome CEC will be provided from the Binghamton University Union and the SUNY Broome Pavillion on Friday, March 13th between 5:30 - 7:45 p.m.

    Limited free parking near the SUNY Broome CEC will be provided at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator parking lot at 120 Hawley St, Binghamton, NY 13901. 

    Paid parking is available in the Visitor's Lot across from Bartle Library and the parking garage next to Couper Administration Building on Binghamton University's Vestal campus at 4400 Vestal Pkwy E, Binghamton, NY 13902.

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  • Hotel Information
  • Conference Sponsorship Information
    Sponsorship Information

    We are actively looking for corporate sponsorships and local women-owned business sponsorships and participation. Sponsors will be included on all marketing materials and materials distributed during the event. We are planning for up to 300 attendees for this important event.

    Please email ewel@binghamton.edu with any interest in sponsorships.

  • Vendor Interest Form (submissions accepted through Friday, February 27)
    Vendor Information

    If you would like to be a vendor at this event, please complete the interest form and organizers will contact you with additional details.

  • Workshop Proposal Form (submissions accepted on a rolling basis prior to conference)
    Workshop proposal

    If you would like to present at the conference, please complete the proposal form and organizers will contact you with additional details.

Six people, with Senator Lea Webb in the middle, gathered in front of a Binghamton University backdrop.
Empowered Women, Empowered Leaders 2025