Cate Luzio

Founder and CEO

 

 

Erica Lerner

General Counsel

Erica Lerner is an experienced founder in the real estate and health and wellness industries, with a demonstrated history working in project finance, tax and corporate law, international tax, due diligence, and corporate structuring, as well as mergers and acquisitions. After nearly a decade of working in legal and corporate environments, most recently in mergers and acquisitions at Deloitte, Erica sought out new projects to foster her curiosity and develop her strengths and achieve independence.

In 2017 she co-founded Xtend Tribeca, a premier fitness studio and the first Manhattan location for Xtend Barre. Since Xtend Tribeca’s opening, Erica has been on a mission to provide a home for thousands of women looking for creative and effective workouts in a secure, safe, judgement-free setting. Erica is excited to continue her mission in her role as the Chief Operating Officer of Luminary and to develop a new home for thousands of professional women throughout New York City and beyond.

Caron Katz

Chief Financial Officer

Caron is a CPA and MBA with extensive knowledge and experience managing the accounting and financial reporting systems for small to mid-sized organizations. Caron has served as the Vice President, Controller at Twinlab and Director of Finance at Sally Hershberger Professional Hair Care. Caron holds a BA in Psychology from Binghamton University and an MBA with a focus in Accounting from Kennesaw State University.

Danielle Brabson

Vice President of Product

After leaving her corporate roles, she went on a natural journey as a result of her son being diagnosed with asthma and admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. If you would have told her at any point prior to this she would be making her own deodorant she would have laughed at you. Danielle went on to build Golden Sky Naturals, a natural skin and body care company using her skills in quality assurance to create an exceptional product. Also focusing on customer relationships as the driver of growth and customer loyalty. Golden Sky Naturals was a balance of adventure and self care. The products did not compromise on clean - both human and environmentally, had a no b.s. ingredient list, and were created and manufactured in-house by her and her team. During her time building Golden Sky, they were able to reach a ranking of #4 on Amazon in the natural deodorant category.  In 2023, she made the difficult decision to officially close Golden Sky Naturals. 

Maggie Rhodes Davis

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships

She grew up overseas in Haiti, Morocco, Nepal, Guatemala, and South Africa before returning to the US for college at the University of Virginia. She has since also lived in France, Spain, Australia, and the United Kingdom and has continued wanderlust and zest for seeing the world. 

After spending the first 18 years of her career working in television and media at National Geographic, Tastemade, and Discovery, she decided to make a career pivot to focus on her professional passion; supporting and uplifting women in the workforce.

She joined The Cru team in March of 2023 as Head of Member Experience, and was honored to become a part of the Luminary team in the same role after The Cru was acquired by Luminary in August of 2023. She is delighted to support Luminary’s mission in propelling women and their allies forward in their professional journeys.

Outside of work, Maggie spends most of her time chasing her toddler son, Finnegan; but also enjoys interior design, reading, travel, yoga, basketball, film, musical theater, and foreign languages (Spanish and French).

CeCe Everett

Director of Events and Program Strategy

Cieanne or CeCe for short, started her professional career managing a multi-line showroom in Midtown, where she learned the in's and out's of growing a business. Her fellow boss doubled as a mentor and was able to use all she taught her to succeed in every role thereafter. During CeCe's career, she has worked for/with companies that have been created, founded and run by women. This unique experience has shaped the way she looks at businesses and has guided her in being intentional in the projects and roles she takes. To date, CeCe has taken her knowledge to build other women and her community, a pathway for future business owners. Ever growing and learning, CeCe is proud of what she brings to the table and is excited for what's to come! 

Romana Ryals

Head of Programming and Affiliate Partnerships

Originally from the Bay Area, Romana moved to NYC almost a decade ago. She has spent the majority of her career working in nonprofits focused on empowering and preparing young people to pursue their own dreams. Along the way, Romana been extremely fortunate to have empowering supporters pour into both her professional and personal development. She would not be where she is without these champions so she looks forward to joining an even more expansive community of dedicated professionals. Romana believes that finding the best solutions involves elevating as many voices as possible so with her background in program development, she hopes to create opportunities that do just that.

Shai Card

Head of Data & Tech

Shai brings a wealth of experience in childcare, social work, and political social work, along with a Master's degree in Political Social Work. Originally from New York, Shai's professional journey took her to Denver, Colorado, before she returned to the East Coast in 2021 to join Luminary.

Her dedication to making a positive impact goes beyond her work. At Luminary, Shai embodies compassion and empowerment, actively contributing to the growth of thriving communities and the empowerment of individuals.

Beyond her career, Shai is an enthusiastic reader, particularly enjoying the works of Stephen King. She also loves culinary exploration, with sushi being a favorite indulgence. Additionally, baking is her creative outlet and a way to show care.

Shai's unwavering passion and commitment make her an invaluable member of the Luminary team, inspiring positive change and fostering meaningful connections both professionally and personally.

Kelsey Gonsalves

Program Manager

Kelsey is a recent graduate of Seton Hall University where she studied Communication and the Arts. Kelsey decided to study Communications because she believes that it is something that can help us greatly in today's society.  As an early graduate, Kelsey is hoping to get into graduate school to continue her education and broaden her horizons. 

Lis Savage

Business Manager

Lis comes to Luminary through Squared Away, an assistance agency with a team of remote Chief Executive Assistants. Her husband is currently serving in the Marines and is stationed in sunny San Diego. She is originally from Cleveland, and possesses an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's in Business Administration and Management from Western Governors University.

She spent most of her professional career in restaurant management, and also currently works as a Guest Service Manager for Airbnb and a Business Operations Specialist for a small property management company based out of Portland. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering at Feeding San Diego, spending time with her goldendoodle, Marshall, or exploring the outdoors. She will have visited all 50 states by the end of 2022 and all U.S. National Parks by the end of 2024. She's ecstatic to serve Luminary on our mission and help make magic happen.

Bree Porter

Member Success Manager

Bree Porter has immersed herself in the world of fashion and entrepreneurship for the past 7 years. She holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Fashion Merchandising and Management, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning.

During her schooling she managed to run a vintage clothing boutique in Florence, Italy. Bree's commitment to sustainability in the fashion industry led her to volunteer at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark. Here, she immersed herself in the world of sustainable fashion, contributing to positive change. As an entrepreneur, Bree has successfully opened and managed three vintage stores in New York. 

Beyond her fashion ventures, Bree is also a writer. She has accomplished publishing her first poetry book. Looking ahead, Bree Porter is driven by a new aspiration: to establish her very own vintage bar boutique. Her enthusiasm for fashion and business make her a promising prospect in the world of entrepreneurship.

Throughout her entire journey the one constant was people. People are her passion and being a helping hand is what she strives for daily.

She joined The Cru team for this very reason back in August of 2021 and is thrilled to become a part of the Luminary family. You can catch her reading thriller/mystery novels, lifting, writing, styling and gardening.

Judoris Merkaj

Membership Marketing Specialist

Judoris is a communications and marketing professional with a diverse career that began in
Albania and expanded across the Western Balkans. She honed her skills in intergovernmental
organizations, NGOs, and leading marketing agencies, establishing a strong foundation for her
expertise in the region.

During her tenure as a Communications Officer at the Regional Youth Cooperation Office
(RYCO), Judoris played a key role in shaping and executing regional communication strategies. She managed both internal and external communications, public relations, event management, curated web content, and engaged audiences through social media, contributing to youth empowerment and fostering cooperation within various EU-funded projects.

An entrepreneur at heart, Judoris also founded her own startup in the cryptocurrency and Web
3 space, where she led the brand’s positioning efforts. She holds a Master’s degree in Business/Managerial Economics from La Sapienza University in Rome and a Bachelor’s degree in International Marketing from Epoka University.

What sets her apart is her passion for dancing, making her an all-time dance partner, a culinary
explorer, and a constant plan-in-ahead travel buddy.

Jacqui Lukacs

Enterprise Relationship Manager

Jacqui is a seasoned professional with a rich and diverse career spanning over 15 years. Her expertise lies in the realms of creative marketing, merchandising, and client/account management.  For much of her career, Jacqui immersed herself in the vibrant world of fashion, collaborating with a wide array of international and national brands. Notable names include Anthropologie, Gap Inc, Macy's, Nordstrom, Target, and many more.

In 2020, Jacqui embarked on a purpose-driven journey, reshaping her career in a more impactful direction. This shift led her to become a catalyst for change by training major corporations like Unilever and Starbucks on sustainable product development.  Currently, Jacqui has found her niche at Luminary, where she collaborates with corporate clients who share her commitment to diversity, inclusion, and empowering women. Jacqui originally found Luminary through her membership at our partner, Hey Mama, and has been to our physical space.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Jacqui treasures her family time. She can often be found crafting with her daughter, Genevieve, or helping her husband with his Orangeburg, NY-based fencing club.  Jacqui is a globetrotter at heart, finding inspiration in travel, design, and literature.

Sinclair Gyasi

Enterprise Relationship Manager

Sinclair is a dedicated Partnerships and Project Manager Consultant with a passion for creating inclusive communities. At Indeed.com, she led global DEI programs, strengthening brand presence and fostering belonging. As the founder of Sindicate Sessions, Sinclair tackles urban loneliness by building genuine connections through inclusive events. In her role at Gyrl Wonder, she secured key partnerships to empower young women of color. With a BA in Communication and Sociology from UCONN, Sinclair is committed to expanding DEI efforts and making a meaningful impact in her communities.

Sophia Leavitt

Enterprise Relationship Associate

Sophia is a human rights professional with over five years of experience in reproductive justice and public health. With a Master's in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University and a strong foundation in psychology and political science from Davidson College, she has become a strong advocate for sexual and reproductive rights and justice. Certified as a Personal Trainer specializing in prenatal fitness, she merges her passion for health and well-being with a commitment to human rights. Active involvement in social justice initiatives underscores her dedication, alongside proficiency in Spanish, R coding, and leadership abilities.

Manuela Luzio

Community Operations Manager

Shakilya Lawrence

Event Coordinator

Shakilya Lawrence is a freelance writer, filmmaker, and event/production coordinator currently residing in Queens, NY by the way of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She has been a writer her entire life, mostly writing within science, speculative, and supernatural fiction genres.  She graduated from North Carolina State University in 2018  with a Bachelor of Science in Science, Technology, and Society with a Public Health Concentration and dual minors in Biological Sciences and Psychology. Upon her graduation, she decided to switch gears and pursue a professional writing career. Her bylines include Rewire, She’s Single Magazine, Giddy, CLTure, and MovieWeb. Throughout the years, she’s written on topics such as women’s sexual health, mental health, social activism/issues, environmental activism/issues, beauty, and fashion. However, her primary focus and passion has always been in entertainment journalism.

Her interest in the film industry only strengthened through her freelance work as an entertainment writer, and she decided to pursue a filmmaking career in November 2021. By February 2022, she began working for the Katra Film Series as an intern before shortly taking over as Festival Manager and Director of Programming. During her year-long tenure, she successfully curated, programmed, and managed eight physical festivals and 5 virtual festivals for the Katra Film Series and their six sister festivals. A new passion for live event programming emerged from her time at Katra, which led her to continue her journey in event planning within the film festival circuit and live concerts. She's currently finishing up her summer contracts with BlackStar Film Festival as their Print Traffic Manager and Jazzmobile Inc. as their Production Coordinator. When she’s not fulfilling her duties at Luminary or freelancing, she is filming her first documentary and immersed in film studies. While at Luminary, she hopes to continue learning and becoming proficient in live event planning outside of a concert/festival setting. Her goal is to make a career out of live event programming with the intention of having her own independent film festival in the future.

Jasmine Fahmy

Digital Media and Content Specialist

Originally from Atlanta, Jasmine graduated from Temple University where she studied Public Relations and Advertising Art. Throughout her career, she’s worked in a variety of industries assisting small business owners with their digital marketing and public relations initiatives. From beauty and fashion to real estate, she’s willing to try anything!

 

Since most of her career has been focused on small businesses, Jasmine is thrilled to continue helping business owners gain exposure through digital marketing initiatives on Luminary’s social and digital channels. As a second-generation Egyptian American, she’s also committed to using her skills to aid the company in their diversity and inclusion initiatives for women in the workforce. 

 

When she’s not working, Jasmine spends her free time pursuing several creative endeavors. Her true passion lies in music - she’s a classically trained musician and played the viola for over a decade, and she now spends her free time learning how to DJ and going to local concerts in the city. She’s also a practicing astrologer that’s completed dozens of readings for clients, but she officially retired her business in 2023 to focus on her career.

Lasma Locmele

Digital Media and Content Specialist

I’m a passionate content creator and producer from Latvia with a great interest in sports, urban culture and media. I have a background in journalism (Bachelor’s degree in Journalism) and more than 5 years of experience working with various content for digital platforms! I write, create video concepts, host podcasts and digital shows, make interviews, film social media videos, manage projects and follow trends but also always try to stay unique and innovative!  I proudly can say that I have experience working as a content creator and content project manager in Latvian Olympic Committee that gave me such opportunities as working as a press attaché and content creator for Team Latvia in Winter Youth Olympic Games “Gangwon 2024” (South Korea) and as the content creator for Team Latvia in XXXIII Summer Olympic Games “Paris 2024” (France)! I also do enjoy sharing my story by visiting youth events and hosting motivational lectures and workshops! Another proud moment - I am the European Summer Youth Festival “Maribor 2023” former Ambassador from Latvia! I’m ambitious, flexible, open minded and I highly value the ability to always be free in your creativity! Fun fact about me - in my free time I dance hip-hop and participate in dance battles!

Cristina Marin

Marketing Coordinator

Cristina Marin is a versatile and driven professional with a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages and a minor in Business, currently pursuing a master's degree in Marketing Management. Raised in Venezuela, Cristina’s deep appreciation for diverse cultures has shaped her innovative approach to marketing, with a focus on creating meaningful connections between brands and their audiences.
 
Cristina’s professional experience includes serving as a Marketing VA Specialist at HeyMama, where she played a key role in executing impactful campaigns and events, managing communication strategies, and creating marketing assets that drove engagement across multiple platforms. She is excited to be part of Luminary, continuing her journey to support founders and entrepreneurs.
 
Known for her sense of humor and love for learning from others, Cristina brings a positive energy to every project. With expertise in multilingual communication, content design, and video editing, she thrives in collaborative environments. Outside of work, she channels her creativity and discipline into practicing aerial silks, reflecting her years as a gymnast. A proud dog mom to two, Cristina embraces a vibrant and curious lifestyle that continuously inspires her work and personal endeavors.

Lauren Mcarthur

Community Associate

Lauren McArthur is a Community Associate at Luminary. She is passionate about female empowerment and cultivating diverse and inclusive spaces. She is especially interested in expanding employment opportunities for neurodiverse women. Her strengths include a keen eye for detail, innovative ways of problem-solving, and seeing the best in people.

Born and raised in New Jersey, she has a passion for film, dogs, and helping people. She used those passions when working at Uplift Studios, International Charter School of NY, Bow Tie Cinemas, and volunteering with PAWS NY. She is very excited to be part of Luminary and contribute to the success behind the scenes.

Holly Hilker

Community Associate

Holly Hilker is passionate about connection, collaboration and teamwork. She has consistently pursued these values, from her first retail and restaurant jobs starting at age 15, to her involvement in sports teams, environmental groups, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) councils during her academic career. Holly earned a bachelor’s degree in Education Studies and Human Relations from the University of Iowa in May 2024, graduating in three years. She has a deep interest in human growth and development, working as lead teacher at a daycare during college. Holly grew up in Maplewood, NJ, just outside New York City, and moved to Des Moines, Iowa at age 11 – giving her an appreciation for fast-paced, big-city energy and laid-back Midwest nice. She loves traveling, the ocean, animals (especially dogs), fashion, and spending time with family and friends!

Zoe Webster

Community Associate

 Zoë is originally from Long Beach, California. I’ve always been passionate about connecting people and creating spaces where everyone feels heard and valued. I’m also a student at Fordham University, studying International Studies and French, which allows me to bring a global perspective to everything I do. I love building relationships, whether it’s through hosting events, connecting individuals, or just having meaningful conversations. I aim to foster a sense of belonging and support for everyone I work with. I’m a people person and enjoy learning from different cultures and perspectives. Outside of work and school, I’m an avid reader and enjoy exploring books on international relations, language, and culture. In my free time, I love to travel, spend time with friends and family, and watch football.

Sheniqua Jeffrey

Community Associate

Born and raised in New York City, Sheniqua Jeffrey is deeply passionate about education and dedicated to addressing inequities within the educational system. With nearly 10 years of experience in applied quantitative and qualitative research and community-based program evaluation, she recently completed a doctorate in Applied Developmental Psychology from Fordham University. She values building community through meaningful connections, where empathy and understanding shape her approach to working with individuals. Sheniqua also enjoys organizing community events that foster engagement and collective growth. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, cruising, reading, and trying new restaurants. Sheniqua takes an international trip every year and is always happy to share recommendations or hear about new ones

Jess Weissman

Community Associate

Jess is passionate about collaboration, connection, and creating spaces where people feel seen and valued. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University, focusing on sexuality, sexual and reproductive health. Jess loves building connections—whether through research, writing, or engaging in meaningful conversations—and is committed to fostering a sense of belonging and support for everyone she works with.

Outside of her studies, Jess enjoys baking, cooking, traveling, and playing the clarinet.

Pam Yuan

Community Associate

Pam joined Luminary's Team after her decade tenure in tech, leading teams in corporate strategy and business operations. Pam brings her skillset of streamlining processes, creating organized scalable systems, and building client relationships to the Luminary community. After earning her Industrial Engineering degree, Pam launched her career in supply chain consulting and then proceeded to build strategies and operations for tech startups at different stages of growth, because she loved working with entrepreneurs to solve challenging problems. Her first job when she moved to New York City was at a fine art shipping startup, this role gave her the foundation of her connections in the art world and inspired her to build her practice as a painter. Eventually, she was able to leverage her experience in building fast-growing businesses and her passion for art to start and run her own fine art print shop to serve local New York artists. Pam is grateful to be part of the Luminary community as a staff member, but also as a fellow artist, and fellow business owner.

Charlene Blencowe

Community Associate

Charlene Blencowe is a hospitality and customer service professional with a passion for working with people. A proud graduate with honors from her school's Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, she brings enthusiasm and expertise to every interaction. Originally from Miami, Charlene moved to New York in 2024, where she co-runs a successful photo booth business with her partner. In addition to her business ventures, she is a dedicated performer who thrives in live event settings. When she's not working or performing, she enjoys spending time with her two beloved cats and reading books.

Monica Aggarwal

Team Head of Retail and Consumer in Fitch’s U.S. Corporate Ratings group

Monica Aggarwal is Team Head of Retail and Consumer in Fitch’s U.S. Corporate Ratings group. She is responsible for the sector team covering retail, consumer products, packaged foods, restaurants, and beverages.  Prior to joining Fitch in September 2007, Monica spent almost ten years in equity research at Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch and Chapdelaine Institutional Equities covering various retail segments.  Monica earned a BA in economics from Delhi University and an MBA with majors in finance and international business from Fordham University. She is a CFA® charter holder and a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society New York. Monica serves as President of the Board for the Fixed Income Analysts Society, Inc. and is on the board of Streetwise Partners, a NY based non-profit organization focused on workforce development.

Maya Crauderueff

President and Founder of Maya’s Hope

Maya Crauderueff is the President and founder of Maya’s Hope. 

After she lost her mother in 2007, she had come to realize the pain of losing a parent. She began her journey of helping orphans from her first trip to the Philippines in 2008. She later started visiting institutions and orphanages in Ukraine and Maya’s Hope has come to evolve to what it is today. She is committed to helping children in great need, despite their circumstances and believes that every child has value. She also is of Filipino and Ukrainian heritage.

Previously, she has worked for Metalmark Capital as an Executive Assistant to Managing Directors. She considers herself an international problem solver and enjoys making people smile. Maya has a degree in Piano Performance and French literature from Rutgers University.

Allison Davis

Sales Consultant and Trainer for Founders

Allison Davis is a sales consultant and trainer for founders who want to hit their goals and keep on growing. 

Drawing from her 20 years of sales experience at companies like National Geographic and Time Out North America, Allison helps her clients turn random acts of sales into consistent revenue-generating systems — so they can vie for bigger opportunities, show up with more confidence, and have greater impact in the world.

Tiffany Dufu

Founder, The Cru

Tiffany Dufu is founder of The Cru, a peer-coaching tech company acquired by Luminary in 2023. She’s the author of the bestselling book Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less. According to foreword contributor Gloria Steinem, Drop the Ball is “important, path-breaking, intimate and brave.” Her writing has appeared in The Oprah Magazine, ESSENCE and the New York Times.​

Named to Entrepreneur's 100 Powerful Women and Fast Company’s League of Extraordinary Women, Tiffany has raised over $25 million toward the cause of women and girls. She was a launch team member to Lean In and was Chief Leadership Officer to Levo, the fastest growing millennial women's professional network. Prior to that, Tiffany served as President of The White House Project, which trained thousands of women across the nation to run for political office.

Tiffany is a Trustee of Simmons University, a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. and a Lifetime Girl Scout. She lives in New York City with her husband and two kids but was made in Seattle (Go Huskies).

Surabhi Lal

Adjunct Professor, Speaker, Facilitator, Everyday Management and Leadership

I savor my craft as a connector, storyteller, and educator and concern myself with building a better future of work. Being an only child and a first generation American gave me the skills to connect with and understand others. My summers in India contrasted with my life in suburban DC and exposed me to issues of inequity, which instilled in me a strong sense of service. Living in the in between, the tension between being an only and that of belonging is where I find my agency, empathy, and commitment to creating inclusive communities and workplaces.

My career as a community builder began helping students with their transition from high school to college, and for over fifteen years I’ve sat at the intersection of conversations with job seekers and employers in social impact. I have coached thousands of job seekers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to help them achieve meaningful success. I believe investing in leadership and talent holds the key to creating community in the workplace, strong employee experiences, and increasing interaction among people of different backgrounds. When I work with teams and organizations, I use empathy, strategy, and transparency to create high performing teams and cultures. Through working in nonprofit, education, start-up, and international settings, I have created welcoming environments, developed strong teams, cultivated partnerships, streamlined systems, and led innovative initiatives.

I am an adjunct professor at NYU Wagner where I teach courses on management, leadership, workplace effectiveness, and career development. My ongoing doctoral research explores models of leadership and management that center work communities grounded in belonging, learning, and performance. As the former Chief Impact Officer at Luminary, a global platform dedicated to advancing women through community, I built an innovative programming curriculum grounded in learning and community that has been critical in the organization’s success. I am proud to further my mission of better futures of work through my board service as the Communications Chair at Manhattan Country School and as board member for Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work.

Outside of work I am a parent to an adventurous, curious little human and partner to my better half. To feed my creativity I travel, explore food markets, dance in the kitchen, cook, and (most importantly) eat. To see what’s cooking, check out my Twitter feed.

Maribel Lara

Senior Vice President and Head of Consulting at The Sasha Group, A VaynerX Company

Maribel is SVP, Head of Consulting at The Sasha Group a VaynerX company providing digital education, consulting and marketing services for early and growth stage businesses. She's been in the digital marketing space for 14 years after 8 years of work in higher education. Maribel is passionate about supporting women and immigrant communities and serves as an advisor to Luminary as well as a trustee to Central Queens Academy, a tuition free charter school in Queens, NY.

 

Erica Lerner

Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

Erica Lerner is an experienced founder in the real estate and health and wellness industries, with a demonstrated history working in project finance, tax and corporate law, international tax, due diligence, and corporate structuring, as well as mergers and acquisitions. After nearly a decade of working in legal and corporate environments, most recently in mergers and acquisitions at Deloitte, Erica sought out new projects to foster her curiosity and develop her strengths and achieve independence.

In 2017 she co-founded Xtend Tribeca, a premier fitness studio and the first Manhattan location for Xtend Barre. Since Xtend Tribeca’s opening, Erica has been on a mission to provide a home for thousands of women looking for creative and effective workouts in a secure, safe, judgement-free setting. Erica is excited to continue her mission in her role as the Chief Operating Officer of Luminary and to develop a new home for thousands of professional women throughout New York City and beyond.

Mel Minyuan Liu

Vice President - Product Lead, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

Mel Liu is a Vice President at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management. As a product leader, she is responsible for building and launching industry-leading client-facing products and innovative, personalized experiences across Chase and J.P. Morgan Wealth Management digital platforms. She sets the strategy and vision for products and personalized features that empower Chase clients to make smart financial decisions. 

Before entering the product management space, Mel was an established brand marketing leader. As Vice President of Brand & Advertising for JPMorgan Chase, she led strategic advertising and creative excellence for corporate social responsibility and diversity equity inclusion initiatives. During her tenure on the brand marketing team, she also spearheaded national and local paid campaigns as well as branded content partnerships with strategic media partners that improved the company’s brand trust and overall reputation. Her work highlighted the full impact JPMorgan Chase makes in advancing equality and in growing local economies with financial capital and community investments. 

Mel built her early career in the journalism and publishing industry working at the Associated Press in Beijing and Hearst in New York City. She grew up in Beijing and received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism with honors from Communication University of China. After her journalism career working at the Associated Press Beijing Bureau, she moved to NYC to pursue her master’s degree in Media, Culture, and Communication from New York University. Mel also completed her MBA degree with Baruch College while working full-time at JPMorgan Chase.

As a longtime advocate for empowering women, Mel is a proud Advisory Board Member of Luminary—a premiere co-working space and collaboration hub for women passionate about professional development.

Cate Luzio

Founder and CEO, Luminary

Leader. Advocate. Builder.

Cate Luzio spent two decades in financial services leading global multibillion-dollar businesses. During this time, she also led many of the institutions’ women’s networks and saw the disproportionate number of men to women and women of color in the senior ranks. She recognized the problem was a lack of investment and development of talent in the female pipeline, rather than a lack of talent itself.

This observation sparked a new direction for Luzio’s own trajectory. In a sharp career pivot, she wrote a business plan and set out on a new mission to help women see a path toward advancement by arming them with the tools, resources, and community to propel them to the top -- regardless of their professional journey.

In 2018, she launched and self-funded Luminary, a membership-based career and personal growth platform and collaboration hub created to address the systemic challenges impacting women across all industries and sectors. Luminary is the ultimate career advocate, uplifting and upscaling women through all phases of their professional journey -- in the workforce, entrepreneurship, and in transition - - by providing a vast eco-system of expert-led thought leadership programs, as well as in-person and virtual workshops and events. Members are comprised of a multigenerational and intersectional community of intrapreneurs, entrepreneurs, corporations, and organizations including UBS, WW, JPMorgan Chase, Unilever, Verizon, Goldman Sachs, Mastercard, and Heidrick & Struggles.

Prior to Luminary, Cate was Global Head of Multinational Corporate Banking for HSBC, managing more than 2,000 employees worldwide and prior to that, she served as Head of Multinational Corporate Banking at J.P. Morgan EMEA based in London. She spent her early years in Latin America with Bank of America across both consumer and wholesale banking. She started her career working in tech in China. Cate was named to American Banker's ‘Most Powerful Women in Banking' list multiple years in a row, is a three-time Financial Times Global Diversity Champion, and a two-time Yahoo Finance Diversity Hero. She remains committed to leveraging her extensive corporate experience to support and encourage women and push for gender equality and pay parity in the workplace.

Kyra Peralte

Creator of The Traveling Diary

Kyra Peralte is Creator of The Traveling Diary, a global storytelling experience for all women and Indie game maker of Mermaid Quest (available on iOS and Android). 

Kyra has spent the last two decades creating community for women using various mediums. And her latest venture, The Traveling Diary, is a notebook mailed from woman to woman across the globe collecting stories, memories and anything they wish to share with other women. The Traveling Diary has reached women all over the world who sign up to find authentic connection and look forward to being part of a sisterhood. 

 

Felicia (Fly) Stingone

Strategic Brand and Marketing Leader

After 35 years as a marketing leader and brand strategist, helping businesses thrive through strategies that fuel growth, Felicia “Fly” Stingone is embarking on the next chapter of her career as a Life Coach. Trained by the Chopra Wellbeing Coaching Program developed by Deepak Chopra through IIN, Fly integrates decades of branding expertise, the transformative tools of mindfulness and well-being drawn from ancient wisdom and modern science, and the invaluable lessons of her lived experiences.
 
Over the years, Fly has discovered that the skills she honed in building successful brands—clarity, focus, storytelling, and alignment—are equally powerful when applied to personal growth. Her unique combination of strategic insight and intuitive understanding of human behavior has made her a trusted guide for companies, leaders, and individuals. She has led brands to make integrity-driven decisions, united communities in meaningful action, and supported people in finding clarity during uncertain times. As a long-time advocate for women, Fly’s mission now centers on guiding women through life’s most challenging transitions, empowering them to emerge transformed.
 
As co-founder of the nonprofit Fly Female Founders, a workshop facilitator for women entrepreneurs, and an advisor to women-led communities such as Luminary, EvolveMe, and Loopwell, Fly has made a lasting impact on women’s empowerment. She draws from her vast personal and professional experiences and the lessons she’s learned from mentors, teachers, and coaches over three decades to create inclusive environments and facilitate transformative conversations for women.
 
Today, her life’s work is dedicated to helping individuals uncover their purpose and chart their path forward by aligning mind, body, and spirit.  Whether working with individuals, small groups, or larger audiences, Fly brings her vitality, empathy, and strategic thinking to every interaction—empowering women to view change as an opportunity for growth and transformation.

Chelsea Williams

Founder & CEO of Reimagine Talent

Chelsea C. Williams is a Passionate Entrepreneur, Workplace Educator, and Professional Speaker.

She is the Founder & CEO of Reimagine Talent, a talent development firm based in Raleigh, NC. Her national team supports employers, educational institutions, and non-profits with high-impact HR & Career Development solutions that drive employee engagement, development, and retention. Chelsea is passionate about redefining workplaces through innovation and inclusivity. She is a trusted contributor to CNBC, Fast Company, Insider, and Forbes on managing & leading teams, belonging in the workplace, and developing Generation Z talent.

Chelsea’s impact has led to honors including: 2023 Tory Burch Entrepreneurial Fellow, 2021 Forbes Next 1000 Small Business Award, and the 2023 Entrepreneurial Impact Award by J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Bank and Women Presidents Organization (WPO). Prior to launching Reimagine Talent, Chelsea spent a decade in Global Human Resources on Wall Street. Chelsea obtained her B.A. in Economics from Spelman College. She is also a graduate of the Tuck Executive Education Program Building a Successful Diverse Business.

Erika Hanafin

Co-Founder, HelloMamas

Erika Hanafin is a devoted mom, sophisticated business leader and startup advisor, and a compassionate advocate for women in business.

She is the CEO and co-founder of Hello Mamas, a community dedicated to supporting every mom’s success by empowering every mom with the tools, connections, and joyful experiences needed to thrive in all aspects of life.

Growing up in a family of successful CEOs, Erika was enriched with the intricate details of running successful businesses through observation, higher education, and extensive experience. Over the past 15 years, she has played a pivotal role in growing small businesses across various industries, with a focus on business development, research and data, operations, revenue management, and an expertise in diverse fundraising models. Erika's success is underscored by her involvement in four significant startup acquisitions, three of which she was instrumental in leading.

Through her experiences, Erika has learned that a company's culture is fundamental to its success. She is committed to fostering supportive and healthy corporate cultures across the world by empowering women through leadership, collaboration, philanthropy, mentorship, and fundraising. This passion led her to the helm of HeyMama in 2021, a membership community of over 75,000 moms in business with events and programs impacting over 400 million moms.

In just three years as CEO, Erika revitalized the struggling company, steering it toward a successful sale—her fifth acquisition to date.
Recognized for Excellence in Business by the National Association of Professional Women VIP Awards, Erika has also earned President’s Club and Knights of the Roundtable awards, sits on the Advisory Board of Luminary, AiVAcua and EllevateWagon. Beyond her professional achievements, Erika is a Certified Holistic Health Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and is dedicated to supporting divorced and co-parenting businesswomen like herself to navigate the delicate balance between high-pressure careers and crucial roles at home.