Dan's Power Women of the East End: Making the Hamptons and North Fork Thrive

Hundreds of business people celebrated more than 50 Dan’s Power Women of the East End honorees. The honorees  earned the designation and became a member of the Star Network during an awards ceremony held Thursday, September 8 at The Muses in Southampton.

These women, ranging from local lawmakers to business owners, were honored for their tireless efforts to make the Hamptons and the North Fork an even better place to live, work and play — and inspiring other women to reach new heights.

“Tonight means I have been recognized amongst all these amazing women,” said Marisa Striano Founder and executive director of Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue. “Us bitches, we need to take over the world. We are all a bunch of bad asses. We really are! It puts me in contact with people that I never would have met, ever, ever, ever. Because we are all so busy this gives us a chance to pause and connect. You look around and say, ‘She’s just like me. And I’m exhausted too!’”

Schneps Media, the parent company of Dan’s Papers, Behind the Hedges and the Long Island Press, is proud to bring together the most extraordinary East End women to connect, support one another, do business and build community.

“I’m overwhelmed and very touched. We’re Long Island girls. There’s no task that we can’t adapt and overcome and take care of and I’m just proud to be a part of it,” said Kelli Porti, veteran and community outreach liaison for Paws of War. “I’ve traveled, been in the service and been a government contractor and I’m so happy to be home. There’s no other place that’s better than Long Island. I am so proud of Dan’s Papers. I’ve always read it. It comes full circle for me. Coming to the Hamptons in my 20s and now being honored by them. I’m 48 now so I’ve seen it. I can’t even believe it.”

The event was an absolute success as it featured not only fabulous food and great entertainment but also a raffle with fantastic prizes and that raised money for the New York Cancer Foundation

“I get to talk about the New Cancer Foundation and this award brings awareness to where I work,” Tina Toulon, executive director of the New York Cancer Foundation, which was a cause partner for the event. “Professionally this gives me a chance to connect with women who are making an impact. I’ve met a ton of women making a difference on the East end. It’s a great, great place to connect. Everybody here thinks smart, and they’re kind and generous.”

Because when women support women, amazing things happen.

“It’s important to be recognized for the work that we do as women for the work that we do for women. It’s all about women supporting women here on the East End,” said Melissa Cohn, regional vice president of William Raveis Mortgage, LLC. “I’ve been able to give to other organizations because of the work that I’ve done, such as The Retreat. And being recognized for your hard work is always a good thing for your business. The East End is close to my heart and it’s my home so yes, the women here are very powerful.”

Susan Connelly of Douglas Elliman Real Estate agreed

“What tonight means is that you’re a very valued person,” she said. “And it means we have a lot to contribute not just to eastern Long Island but to society at large. Without giving, you can not receive. It’s a revolving circle. Life is all about that. Tonight means everything.”

New York State Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright (D-Manhattan) urged women in attendance to keep the momentum going.

“This event means inspiration,” she said. “Women are underpaid, underserved and underrepresented. So to be a ‘Power Woman’ we are inspiring each other. I encourage women to run for office. Dan’s is great to do this. Just look at their leader, Vicki Schneps. I created a leadership award in her name because she is an inspiration.”

2022 Dan’s Power Women of the East End Honorees

Debra Albert, Regional Leader of LEAN IN Network, NYC

Lynn Arthur, Peak Power LI

Sheila Barrila, Partner at Insatiable Eats Catering & Events Specialists

Mary Binder, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Diane Burke, Executive Director of East End Arts

Candice Cain, President of Gemelli Films Incorporated

Lori Anne De Iulio Casdia, LDC Strategies

Melissa Cohn, Regional Vice President of The Melissa Cohn Group-William Raveis Mortgage, LLC

Tisha Collette, Founder of Collette Luxury Home Consignment

Susan Connelly, Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Therese Corriente, MeyCorr LLC

Paulette Corsair, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at Nest Seekers International

Renu Dalessandro, Jovia Financial Credit Union

Oana DeVito, President of Power Workout Hamptons Inc.

Belle Diouf, Fashion Model with BeautifulBliss

Donna Drake, President and TV Personality, Media Executive of Drake Media Network & Drake Media Studios

Jillian Griffiths Franzone, Griffiths Property Management Inc.

Elena Gibbs, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Sotheby’s International Realty

Jodi Giglio, New York State Assemblymember

Cheryl Grigg, owner of Chara’s Kitchen & Catering

Sheryl Heather, Southampton Business Alliance

Ellen Judson, RN, MBA, Vice President of Quality and Clinical Services at Wellbridge Addiction Treatment and Research

Dianne Klink, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Frances Kweller Esq., Founder of Kweller Prep Tutoring Hamptons

Eva LaMere, President of Austin Williams Marketing Agency

Elena B. Langan, Dean and Professor of Law at Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center

Neela Mukherjee Lockel, President and CEO of EAC Network

Lisa Maysonet, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Caren Menahem, Instagram Influencer, Media Personality, Creator of IGTV Show It’s Rough Out There!

Jessica Moloney, Self-Love Coach, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, International Motivational Speaker & Author

Kathleen Mulcahy, Executive Director of Fighting Chance

Marisa Nelson, Assistant Director of the Quogue Wildlife Refuge

Maria Orlandi, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with Compass Real Estate

Christina Padrazo, The Treatery

Liz Parry, Owner/Founder of  Hamptons Swim

Deborah Pirro, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Jennifer Ponzini, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with Saunders Real Estate

Kelli Porti, Paws of War

Kalen Raynor, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Chana Regeve, Carelle

Ronnette Riley, Ronnette Riley Architect

Jessica Rosati, Chief Programs Officer with Long Island Cares Inc.

Virginia Scudder, The North Fork Country Kids Animal Rescue

Rebecca Seawright, New York State Assemblymember

Arline Shenker, Owner of Gringer Appliances

Debra Stein, Rabbi at Jewish Center of the Hamptons

Mary Slattery, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with Corcoran

Debra Stein, Jewish Center of The Hamptons

Marisa Striano, Founder/Executive Director of Spirit’s Promise Horse Rescue

Emily Tisch Sussman, Host of She Pivots Podcast

Tina Toulon, Executive Director of New York Cancer Foundation

Eugenia Valliades, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, The Michael Lorber Team at Douglas Elliman

Marylin Banks Winter, President of A&M Electrical Contractor & The AAECF Inc.

Amy Zerner, Artist/Author/Fashion Designer, The Enchanted World Collection of Amy Zerner