28/08/2025
✨ Last week, ALPFA NJ’s EmpowerHER Coaching and Mentoring Program held its final workshop, hosted at Merck. The evening began with welcoming remarks from our board members, Belmarie Silverio and Melanie Oliva, who reflected on the program’s mission to uplift and equip women through mentorship and community.
We were honored to feature Michelle Hernandez, PhD—scientific leader, mentor, and community advocate—as our guest speaker. Her talk, “Owning Your Voice: Confidence Building Strategies for Women in Business,” offered a powerful exploration of how cultural heritage shapes our understanding of confidence. She addressed themes such as humility, respect, collectivism, and collaboration, and how these values influence how women show up in professional spaces.Michelle shared powerful insights and practical tools to help us show up boldly and authentically. 💪🏽✨
Mentees and mentors also paired up to spotlight their strengths and build confidence through self-recognition. The evening concluded with a thoughtful Q&A session, where mentees and mentors shared reflections and asked insightful questions.
Huge thanks to Michelle Hernandez, PhD, our board members Belmarie Silverio & Melanie Oliva, and to Merck for hosting this unforgettable evening. 💙
