Men’s Alliance Co-Chairs (l-r): Freddy Smith, Charles Bernard and Deborah Kaye; Co-Leader Janet Handel (center in red sweater); FWA President Anne Izzillo (third from right)

Dr. Kevin Elko Inspires the Crowd

The Awesome View from the 23rd Floor of the MetLife Building

Next up was Tina Cervasio, a member of the two-time Emmy Award winning MSG Network Knicks Broadcast, and currently serving as the sideline and feature reporter for the New York Knicks of the NBA. Ms. Cervasio is also a contributor to the New York Liberty of the WNBA, and pre-game host and reporter for the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, and also handles reporting and anchor duties on FOX 5 for their Emmy-winning "Good Day New York" and "Sports Extra" television shows. Ms. Cervasio, whose high-energy personality spoke volumes about her passion for the game, skillfully narrated us through the evening's participants. Clearly she has lived on the field! Learn more about Ms. Cervasio at www.tinacervasio.com. Thank you Raleigh Mayer for providing us with Tina!

Shavannia Williams (who came to us via Lissa Jean Ferrel) then rocked the house with an overview of football vocabulary and sports lingo – all the basics – technical, inside the game; pure football talk. Ms. Williams is a Founding Partner of SW Group, a marketing and communications firm in Washington, DC. She is also the creator of Heels & Helmets, a program that works to level the playing field in professional environments by educating women on sports to help them "join the conversation at the office with colleagues" through workshops, events and a weekly blog. Ms. Williams gave us a mini clinic with the definitions of terms like "first and 10," "third and long," "managing the clock," and "moving the ball down the field." Armed with this knowledge, she shared how these are typically used in business meetings and Boardrooms. Shavannia displayed an awesome knowledge of the game and how to play. Perhaps we will invite her back for another follow up workshop and practice session. Her website is at www.heelsnhelmets.com.

The program concluded with an up close and personal look inside the New York Giants organization. Joann Lamneck, Community Projects Manager for the Giants, and a member of the organization for 26 years, spoke from the perspective of her personal experience, friendships and knowledge.

The FWA Gets a New Banner!

With an evolving career history over the years, clearly, she knows the players, their families, their dramas, the game and the spirit that rules the team as she told a touching story of loyalty and friendship. Ms. Lamneck assists in community outreach initiatives including player appearances and the Giants Wives Organization, and also assists Charles Way to support player development and the Giants Alumni program. Ms. Lamneck also sported and showed off her fabulous Super Bowl ring! Through her we truly understood the dedication of fans and the people in professional sports.

Very special thanks to our sponsors Bingham McCutchen LLP - in particular Pat Daniels and Damien Cohen for approving support of the event and to Susan DiCicco for braving the podium. Thanks especially to very early sponsor and brave Men's Alliance member Tony Coretto and PNT Marketing, whose marketing pitch showed great gamesmanship! More thanks to Volunteer Professional Photographer Grayson Dantzic, at grayson@graysondantzic.com for the fabulous photos and for a new FWA sign, to Brion Draper at: www.Sales@AmericanMadeSigns.com
  
A Big Thank You To our event Co-Leaders Freddy Smith of UBS and Janet Handal, Event Committees Men's Alliance and Professional Services Liaison Committee – especially Susan Migliaccio, Ria Davis, Charles Bernard and Deborah Kaye – and all the special volunteers from the committees during all the planning sessions and the event itself, and everyone at MetLife who helped with the event. Thanks also to Cornelia Lévy-Bencheton, Digital and Social Media, Strategic Marketing & Communications Committee for providing this article.