Highlights & Past Events
Explore highlights from She Opened the Door programming, gatherings, and community moments that have brought Columbians together across schools, class years, cities, and generations.
2026
March 30, 2026
Cocktails and Connection
She Opened the Door hosted an evening of networking, remarks, cocktails, and conversation at 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, bringing Columbians together against the backdrop of the New York City skyline.
2025
November 21, 2025
Ask the Expert: Creating a Life of Service from the U.S. Navy and Beyond
Randee Howard ’21GS shared her journey from military service to Columbia, nonprofit work, and public service.
November 13, 2025
A Celebration of Amelia Earhart and the Women Who Open Doors
Laurie Gwen Shapiro, author of Aviator and the Showman, joined Francine Glick ’77BC for a fireside chat exploring Amelia Earhart’s life, aspirations, and legacy.
September 12, 2025
Ask the Expert: Capital, Cloud, and Curiosity
Svetla Marinova ’11GSAS shared her career path across capital markets, cloud innovation, fintech partnerships, and leadership in big tech.
August 31, 2025
Afternoon Tea in London
She Opened the Door hosted its first international in-person gathering with afternoon tea in London, bringing Columbians together for conversation and connection.
Summer 2025
She Opened the Door Community Walks
She Opened the Door launched a community walk series, bringing Columbians together for seven walks across New York City, Atlanta, and Southern California to connect, talk, and build community.
May 30, 2025
Ask the Expert: Dentistry and HealthTech
Dr. Ashley Lerman ’18DM, ’20DM discussed pediatric dentistry, health technology, and her work creating Firstgrin for families.
Spring 2025
Launch of the SOTD LinkedIn Page
She Opened the Door launched its LinkedIn presence to share programming, events, community updates, and opportunities to stay connected.
April 25, 2025
Ask the Expert: My Journey to the Olympic Games & Beyond
Sasha Cohen ’16GS reflected on her Olympic figure skating career, her Columbia journey, and building a new life after athletics.
March 7, 2025
International Women’s Day Celebration
More than 50 Columbians gathered at the Columbia Alumni Association for a fireside chat with Sarah Hoover ’07GSAS and Alex Wallace ’88CC on motherhood, identity, storytelling, and community.
January 31, 2025
Ask the Expert: Changing Careers and Tackling the Climate Crisis
Jennifer Allyn ’23CS shared her transition from DEI leadership to climate advocacy and her work advancing corporate climate policy.
January 26, 2025
Private Exhibition Visit: Lillie P. Bliss and the Birth of the Modern
Romy Silver-Kohn ’08GSAS led a private exhibition visit for CAA Arts Access and She Opened the Door invitees, followed by conversation and connection among alumni.
2024
December 11, 2024
Winter Gathering at Alessa Cucina
She Opened the Door hosted a winter gathering in New York City to reconnect with old and new friends before the holidays.
November 22, 2024
Ask the Expert: Creating Educational and Curriculum Transformation
Kathryn Kaiser ’11, ’19TC, ’22SIPA discussed leadership, inclusion, and transformation in education.
November 21, 2024
An Evening with the Paul Taylor Dance Company at Lincoln Center
She Opened the Door and the Columbia School of General Studies hosted an evening of performance, a backstage tour, and a private lounge with Michael Novak ’09GS.
November 20, 2024
Women’s Networking Breakfast in Atlanta
Kate Konecny Pope ’13SPS and Francine Glick ’77BC hosted a networking breakfast to foster meaningful connections within the Columbia alumnae community.
October 25, 2024
Ask the Expert: Technology to Philanthropy
Lavina Nagpal ’21SPS discussed her path from technology to philanthropy and building innovative solutions for social change.
August 23, 2024
Ask the Expert: Eco-Chic: T.W.I.N. Designers
Alicia Serrani ’13BC and Isabella Serrani ’16BC shared their journey creating T.W.I.N., a sustainable fashion brand in New York City.
June 2024
Leadership Transition
After nearly four years of leadership, Ana Rodriguez ’86SEAS, ’88SEAS and Francine Glick ’77BC stepped down as co-chairs, and Cassandra Ziegler ’17TC, ’25SIPA and Kate Konecny Pope ’13SPS were announced as new co-chairs.
May 31, 2024
Ask the Expert: Understanding NLP & Ethical AI
Kate Harwood ’23SEAS discussed natural language processing, ethical AI, and the role of language models in journalism.
March 22, 2024
Ask the Expert: Judge Kimberly Parker
Judge Kimberly Parker ’92BC, ’97LAW shared reflections on her Columbia journey and her experiences in law and public service.
March 2, 2024
The conference focused on longevity, reproductive and fertility health, health equity, well-being, and social connection, while creating opportunities for learning and networking across the Columbia community.
February 25, 2024
New-York Historical Society Tour: Women’s Work
Anna Danziger Halperin ’06BC, ’12GSAS, ’13GSAS, ’18GSAS led a private tour and discussion on women’s work, history, and labor.
January 26, 2024
Ask the Expert: Moving Beyond Goals, Centering Our Life Around Intentions
Shelly Tygielski ’99SIPA discussed intention-setting, personal growth, and centering one’s life around purpose.
2023
December 8, 2023
Ask the Expert: Visionary Leadership in Art and Finance
Heidi Yang ’93CC discussed leadership, art, finance, and global auction strategy.
November 10, 2023
Ask the Expert: Corporate Governance, DEI, and Mission-Driven Work
Yen Chu ’97LAW discussed corporate governance, legal leadership, DEI, and mission-driven work.
October 13, 2023
Ask the Expert: The Intersection of AI and Martech
Tamara Gruzbarg ’97GSAS, ’06BUS discussed AI, marketing technology, and customer strategy.
September 8, 2023
Ask the Expert: Exploring Philanthropy, Environmental, and Social Impact
Anisa Kamadoli Costa ’97BC, ’98SIPA shared her work across sustainability, philanthropy, environmental impact, and social change.
August 2, 2023
Ask the Expert: Building Your Professional Negotiation Skills
Lenore Kantor ’93BUS and Sasha McDowell ’09SIPA, ’09SW led a workshop on building professional negotiation skills.
Summer 2023
Launch of Ask the Expert
Kate Konecny Pope ’13SPS and Cassandra Ziegler ’17TC, ’25SIPA launched a virtual programming series to bring alumnae expertise and stories to Columbians around the globe.
March 10, 2023
Storytelling and the Art of Finding a Story
Laurie Gwen Shapiro shared her approach to uncovering overlooked stories of women and their accomplishments, including women connected to Columbia University.
2022
November 2, 2022
The Medical Perspective: A Conversation with Faye Wattleton
Faye Wattleton joined She Opened the Door for a conversation on the medical perspective following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
October 19, 2022
The Entrepreneurship Essentials with Barbara Roberts
Barbara Roberts joined She Opened the Door for a program on entrepreneurship essentials.
April 30, 2022
She Opened the Door... to Entrepreneurship
This on-campus program brought together Columbia women entrepreneurs for a day of learning, conversation, and inspiration.
March 30, 2022
Columbia Women Leading in the World of Wine
This Columbia at Home program highlighted Columbia women leading in the world of wine.
2021
December 8, 2021
Documenting Women: A Conversation with Betsy West and Julie Cohen
Betsy West and Julie Cohen joined She Opened the Door for a conversation on documenting women’s stories.
April 28, 2021
Creating a Powerful Brand for Career Success
She Opened the Door hosted a program on building a powerful personal and professional brand.
March 3, 2021
Cocktails & Cooking with STYLE!
She Opened the Door hosted a virtual cocktails and cooking program focused on connection and community.
2020
April 2020
Leadership Transition
Ana Rodriguez and Francine Glick officially transitioned as co-chairs of the Alumnae Leadership Group, succeeding Kathleen Crowley and Teresa Saputo Crerend.
April 7, 2020
Alumnae Digital Networking Hour
She Opened the Door hosted an online networking hour to help alumnae connect virtually.
February 9, 2020
More than 600 members of the Columbia community gathered for a day of programming celebrating 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
2020
SOTD 2020 Conference Planning Committee
Ana Rodriguez and Francine Glick were nominated as co-chairs of the SOTD 2020 Conference Planning Committee.
2019
November 15, 2019
Panel Discussion in Atlanta
The Atlanta program featured Jovita Moore ’90JRN, Rickey Bevington ’01BC, Roxann Smithers ’99CC, ’02LAW, and Edvige Jean-François ’91JRN.
November 2, 2019
RBG Exhibit Tour in Philadelphia
She Opened the Door hosted a tour of the RBG exhibit at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia.
October 15, 2019
From Farms to Incubators
This New York City program explored the stories of women entrepreneurs in agtech.
October 3, 2019
Women Entrepreneurs, Parity & Inclusion
Sallie Krawcheck ’92BUS joined She Opened the Door in Washington, DC for a conversation on entrepreneurship, parity, and inclusion.
June 20, 2019
LinkedIn Networking Night
Lauren Mack ’06JRN and Vyju Manian ’87SEAS led a New York City networking reception and LinkedIn best practice-sharing session.
May 9, 2019
Conversation with Maryam Banikarim
Maryam Banikarim ’89BC, ’93SIPA, ’93BUS joined She Opened the Door for a conversation in Los Angeles.
May 1, 2019
What the Constitution Means to Me
She Opened the Door hosted a theater outing and talkback with producers and members of the Columbia School of the Arts community.
April 24, 2019
Writing the Balance
Amy Padnani, creator of The New York Times “Overlooked,” spoke in Washington, DC on revising history’s dominant narratives.
March 13, 2019
On the Basis of Sex Screening
She Opened the Door hosted a screening in Sweden of the biographical legal drama based on the life of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’59LAW.
March 5, 2019
A Conversation with Ursula Burns and Mary Boyce
Ursula Burns ’82SEAS and Mary Boyce joined for a conversation on leadership, engineering, and impact.
March 2, 2019
Panel Discussion in Singapore
AWARE’s Corinna Lim ’99SIPA, Disney’s Jessica Pouleur, and CXA’s Rosaline Koo ’88BUS shared stories of empowerment and opening doors.
January 28, 2019
Networking Night in New York City
This program brought together students and alumnae for roundtable networking and discussion on networking best practices.
2018
October 11, 2018
Gloria: A Life
She Opened the Door hosted a New York City viewing and talkback with director Diane Paulus ’97SOA.
May 5, 2018
RBG Documentary Screening
She Opened the Door hosted a screening and talkback with Betsy West, the film’s director and a Columbia Journalism School professor.
February 9–11, 2018
More than 1,000 Columbia alumnae, faculty, students, and staff gathered on the Morningside campus for the first University-wide women’s conference.
2017
2017
First Alumnae Leadership Group Co-Chairs
Kathleen Crowley and Teresa Saputo Crerend were nominated as the first co-chairs of the Alumnae Leadership Group.