Join Avenues for Justice For Our Women Of Influence Panel Monday, March 10th

Avenues for Justice (AFJ) invites you to our third annual Women’s History Month event featuring our Women of Influence Panel. The panel will feature an incredible lineup of women from diverse industries, including construction, event planning, judiciary roles, transportation, general counsel, and labor relations. The panelists will share their personal and professional journeys as they discuss their career successes and challenges, offering insight and inspiration for the next generation of leaders.

Meet Our Panelists

Lishawn Alexander – Chief Executive Officer, Lishawn’s Consulting
Stephanie V. Burns – VP & Director of Workforce Development & Engagement, Turner Construction Company
Hon. Lumarie Maldonado-Cruz – Supreme Court Justice, Queens County
Hon. Janette Cortes-Gomez – Family Court Judge, Bronx County
Paige Graves – General Counsel, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
Sade Malcolm – Event Coordinator, Simplicity Events
Anita Miller – Chief Labor and Employee Relations Officer, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

Lishawn Alexander

Chief Executive Officer,

Lishawn’s Consulting

Lishawn Alexander is the CEO of Lishawn’s Consulting, dedicated to strengthening nonprofits and government agencies to drive lasting social change. With expertise in governance, financial management, and compliance, she has worked with thousands of leaders and organizations across New York City to enhance accountability and service to vulnerable communities.

Stephanie V. Burns

VP & Director of Workforce Development & Engagement,

Turner Construction Company

Stephanie is the VP and Director of Workforce Development & Engagement at Turner Construction Company, dedicated to integrating community interests into every stage of the building process. She has played a key role in iconic projects such as the Javits Convention Center, Madison Square Garden, and Yankee Stadium.

Hon. Lumarie Maldonado-Cruz

Supreme Court Justice,

Queens County

Hon. Lumarie Maldonado Cruz, a Puerto Rican native who moved to the Bronx at 16, is a dedicated jurist serving as a Supreme Court Justice in Queens. A graduate of John Jay College and CUNY School of Law, she began her career as a solo practitioner specializing in Elder Law before holding key legal positions in the New York State Assembly and the Appellate Division.

Hon. Janette Cortes-Gomez

Family Court Judge,

Bronx County

Hon. Janette Cortes-Gomez, a Bronx Family Court Judge, has dedicated her career to family law, advocating for children and families. A valedictorian and graduate of Canisius College and SUNY Buffalo Law, she began her legal journey at ACS, prosecuting over 1,000 child welfare cases.

Paige Graves

General Counsel,

MTA

Paige Graves is the General Counsel of the MTA, overseeing legal and policy strategies for the agency and managing a team of 300 attorneys and staff. With nearly 30 years of legal experience, she previously served as General Counsel for Long Island Rail Road and MTA Bus Company.

Sade Malcolm

Event Coordinator,

Simplicity Events

Sade Malcolm is the owner of Simplicity Events LLC, founded in 2020. She specializes in creating seamless, memorable events and making event planning accessible through affordable DIY projects. Sade shares her expertise across various platforms and workshops, helping others bring their visions to life effortlessly.

Anita Miller

Chief Labor and Employee Relations Officer,

MTA

Anita L. Miller is a seasoned labor relations executive overseeing strategic direction for Labor Relations and Work-Life Services at the MTA. As the chief labor contracts negotiator, she advises the MTA Chairman and Board on key employment issues, drafts labor policies, and manages administrative proceedings.

“AFJ’s career exploration panels create an uplifting space for our Participants centered on connection, inspiration, and empowerment. During Women’s History Month, they ensure that our young women see representations of themselves in workspaces across New York City through our trailblazing panelists. The discussions are AFJ’s commitment to uplifting the voices of our Participants and reaffirming that their aspirations are valid, their voices are powerful, and their futures are limitless. As AFJ expands our gender focused programming for young women, we are committed to providing them with access to the role models and opportunities they deserve.” -Liz Frederick, Executive Director

If you are interested in attending the panel discussion, please RSVP to Jessica Bachman, AFJ’s Program and Activities Coordinator, at jbachman@avenuesforjustice.org.

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the power of women’s voices together!