16th Annual Women Veterans Network Conference Schedule

Registration, Exhibitors, and Continental Breakfast 

9 am - 10 am

Headshots - Visit our photographer to have your headshot taken 

Ellington Room
All Day

Opening Ceremony

Grand Ballroom
10 am - 11 pm

• Posting and Presentation of Colors 
• Pledge of Allegiance 
• The National Anthem 
• Invocation 
• POW/MIA Remembrance 
• Opening Remarks: 

  • Andrea Gayle-Bennett DMSc, PA-C
    Deputy Secretary, Executive Office of Veterans Services

• Guest Speaker:
  • Honorable Kimberley Driscoll
    Lieutenant Governor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • John Cronin
    Senator, Worcester and Middlesex Counties
  • Natalie Higgins
    Representative, 4th Worcester District
  • Joan Meschino
    Representative, 3rd Plymouth District
• Keynote Speaker:
  • Rashaun Morris USCG
    Master Chief Petty Officer (Ret.)
• Guest Speaker:
  • Dean J. Mazzarella
    Mayor, City of Leominster, MA
• Closing Remarks
  • Jessica Frost
    Director, Women Veterans Network

Breakout Session 1 – Melting Back into Society with Micaila Britto

Boardroom
11 am - 11:50 am

Melting Back into Society: A Photographic Documentary on Women Veterans is a captivating project that delves into women veterans' experiences, challenges, and triumphs as they transition back into civilian life. It sheds light on the diverse paths traversed by women veterans, capturing their resilience, determination, and contributions to society. The project serves as a platform for these dynamic women to share their stories, providing insight into their unique experiences both during and after their military service. 

Breakout Session 2 - Women Veterans Advisory Committee Listening Session with Deputy Secretary Andrea Gayle-Bennett

Cole Porter Room
11 am - 11:50 am

Members of the Governor’s Women Veterans Advisor Committee will be introducing a new survey and asking questions of participants to learn more about the current needs of women veterans of Massachusetts.

Breakout Session 3 – Job Fair Strategies and On-the-Spot Interviews with OBTT

Gershwin Room
11 am - 12 pm

This workshop digs deeper into job fair strategies, how to handle on-the-spot interviews, and actions to take following the event.

Breakout Session 4 – Janette Negele and Asti (Therapy Dog)

Irving Berlin Room
11 am - 11:50 am

Come visit Janette Negele and her therapy dog Asti. Learn more about how therapy dogs help others.

*In-person event only

Guest Speaker with Q&A and Meet and Greet with Jooyi Ryan, Commander, USCG (Ret.) 

Ballroom
11:50 am - 1 pm

More information to come!

Breakout Session 5 – Financial Wellness Roundtable with Sue Katz, Hanscom Federal Credit Union

Boardroom
2 pm - 2:50 pm

More information to come!

Breakout Session 6 – Mind and Body Workshop with the American Red Cross 

Cole Porter Room
2 pm - 2:50 pm

In this workshop, participants will receive an introduction to Mind-Body skills such as breathing, mindfulness techniques, stretching and movement, body awareness (biofeedback and body training, and guided imagery. 

Breakout Session 7 – Marketing Yourself, Part 1, with OBTT 

Gershwin Room
2 pm - 3 pm

This workshop explains how essential it is to present skills, knowledge, and abilities to employers to obtain meaningful employment. This workshop provides proven tactics to help job seekers get noticed and hired. This is a two hour workshop and is necessary to attend both Part 1 and Part 2.  

Breakout Session 8 – Massage and Reiki Healing Sessions

Irving Berlin Room
2 pm - 2:50 pm

Massage targets the sources of bodily pain by eliminating muscle tension, increasing flexibility, and providing relaxation to the body as a whole. Reiki offers hands-on or hand-off energy transfer from the Reiki practitioner to the recipient.  

*Due to the nature of this event, this is an in-person event only*

Breakout Session 10 – Developing a Budget with Sue Katz, Hanscom Federal Credit Union

Boardroom
3 pm - 3:50 pm

More information is coming soon!

Breakout Session 11 – Mind and Body Workshop with the American Red Cross 

Cole Proter Room
3 pm - 3:50 pm

In this workshop, participants will receive an introduction to Mind-Body skills such as breathing, mindfulness techniques, stretching and movement, body awareness (biofeedback and body training, and guided imagery. 

Breakout Session 12 – Marketing Yourself, Part 2, with OBTT 

Gershwin Room
3 pm - 3:50 pm

This workshop explains how essential it is to present skills, knowledge, and abilities to employers to obtain meaningful employment. This workshop provides proven tactics to help job seekers get noticed and hired. This is a two-hour workshop, and it is necessary to attend both Part 1 and Part 2.  

Breakout Session 13 - Massage and Reiki Healing Sessions

Irving Berlin Room
3 pm - 3:50 pm 

Massage targets the sources of bodily pain via eliminating muscle tension, increasing flexibility, and providing relaxation to the body as a whole. Reiki offers hands on or hand off energy transfer from the Reiki practitioner to the recipient.  

*Due to the nature of this event, this will be held in person only