Women’s History Month celebrates women everywhere: the countless women that have pushed against expectations, spoken up against injustice, and been the agents of change in our world, to the unsung heroes that have continued to lift up other women in their day-to-day lives. We can’t cheer on the progress we’ve made in gender equality without simultaneously realizing how far we still need to go. The events industry, for example, is still an enormously male-dominated field, but powerful partnerships are being made every day that can help our future look brighter for women everywhere. In honor of this month, we sat down with Wizard Studios’ Shannon Estreller, Kayleigh Starr, and Nikki Leynor and Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Events’ Director of Sales, Patti Golden to talk about their new partnership. We asked them everything from what this new partnership means to them to how they work to pave the way to greater gender equality in the industry. Check out these amazing womens’ answers below! 

 

• What Does Women’s History Month mean to you?

“Celebrating achievements of women who have paved the way and bringing awareness to the gender bias and inequity that still exists in the workplace, in education, with our bodies, globally and in society,” Wizard’s Shannon Estreller says. “On a personal level, it’s also about acknowledging the invisible load taken on by mother’s, especially now during the pandemic as a majority of people who have left the workforce are women.”

Wizard’s Kayleigh Starr adds, “It's also a great opportunity to educate younger women about strong female figures throughout history that aren't always touched on in a history textbook.” 

And Patti Golden, from Ellis Island Events, summarizes everyone’s views poignantly, stating, “It's a day that we can recognize so many who dedicate their lives to paving the way for the next generation and their commitment to raising awareness for gender equality as well as a celebration of accomplishments.”

 

• What Does this Partnership Mean to the Progress in the Industry?

 “It means everything!” Golden exclaims. “Matthew [Saravay, President of Wizard Studios] and I go way back from when we were on the board of ILEA, however, it was Nikki Leynor that reached out to me on LinkedIn (another wonderful platform) about a partnership with Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.  She wanted to make a difference in the industry - together.  With the pandemic and all that the world has endured over the last year, her drive to persuade me that we would persevere, come out better and stronger, I knew I wanted to be a part of taking the event industry to the next level with Wizard Studios.”

Golden continues: “Outreach is the key to having a voice to make change. This partnership positions both Wizard Studios and Ellis Island Events to be a strong force in showcasing women in the event industry.” 

This sentiment is deeply shared among the women behind Wizard Studios, Leynor says: “This newly formed partnership between Wizard Studios and Ellis Island gives us a unique opportunity to showcase our female talent to the events industry - all of the business development, social media and account support roles are women!” Starr adds that organizations like Wizard Studios can continue to “offer opportunities and positions of higher power to women who want to excel within what is typically a male-dominant industry.”

Succinctly put, Estreller summarizes it as “providing opportunities and diversifying our vendor portfolios to include more women-run/women-owned businesses.” 

 

• How Can Women Better Support Each Other Instead of Competing in the Events Industry?

Change the norm that exists and don’t let it cement itself into society any deeper than it already has. “As a woman in a leadership position,” Estreller shares, “I am intentional about challenging the norm, being a resource to other women and mentoring young women on my team. I think all women in the events industry should empower each other, celebrate each other’s victories and advocate for each other, especially when they come into positions of power.”
As someone in the beginning of her career, Starr agrees: “Here at Wizard, we do have a woman on our leadership team who consistently empowers me and coaches me to be the person I would like to be within the workforce. Receiving that type of support as someone who is in their 20's is an awesome feeling and makes me want to work even harder! I look forward to the day I am in a position where I can make young women feel the same support.”

Leynor hits the nail on the head: “I think if we continue to lift up other women in our industry and celebrate their achievements, regardless if they are our competition, we all win together.”

 

• Are There Specific Challenges That Women Face in the Events Industry that Could be Better Addressed and Eliminated?

“Representation matters, especially in leadership positions,” Estreller states.

 Leynor agrees, saying “the world of live event production is primarily dominated by men, especially in senior leadership positions,” and that “it’s important to have balance: women and men have different needs when it comes to health and wellness and what they need to maintain day-to-day happiness in their jobs. I’m proud to work for a company that recognizes the importance of this and is striving to break traditional norms.”

Starr summarizes it through her own experience: “Sometimes you step onto an event site and you're the only lady backstage - which is okay, but I look forward to more women joining the industry!”

 

• What Progress Have You Seen in Your Own Life That Gives You Hope for More Gender Equality in the Future?

“I have been very fortunate to have a strong network of women who lift me up and advocate for me,” Estreller says. “More and more I am seeing a cultural shift within organizations that are providing more opportunities for women and supporting working moms.”

Leynor was lucky enough to feel the presence of women in her career help lift her up: “After spending 15 years working in technology, I took a leap of faith and left my job to pursue the career I always wanted in the events industry. Nearly all of the people that went out of their way to make introductions to help me during this transition were women. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

But Golden’s journey to Ellis Island Events required more self-reliance: “As a woman in the event industry, I have mostly worked for men.  Whether it be a Fortune 500 company or a privately owned company, I was usually the only woman at the table when it came to upper management.  It made me realize that I had to commit to learning and working harder if I wanted to demand the same recognition and respect.  Today, I represent the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island for private events.  I negotiate event contracts, execute and run meetings / events for major Fortune 500 companies, non-profit associations, luxury weddings, and incentive programs on behalf of Ellis Island Events. Promoting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to put them on the map as premiere event venues is one of my biggest career accomplishments.”

Luckily, Starr has seen progress since her initiation into the industry. “I've been in the event world professionally for 6 years and I've had primarily female bosses. It may be a coincidence, but I think that speaks for itself.”

• Share a Women’s Empowerment Moment That Inspired You

“Politics aside, seeing a woman sworn in as Vice President is the ultimate glass ceiling breaker! It starts from the top,” Leynor says. Estreller agrees with that moment, adding, “To be able to raise my daughter in a world where she can dream of becoming anything she puts her mind to means everything to me.”

 Starr jumps in, adding “I can't share one moment because I've been lucky to have such a strong mother figure my entire life. 3 kids, worked full time, always made every meal, and somehow managed to exercise at night. She's a superhero and an all around rockstar human. Working and the ability to earn for yourself has always been very important to my mom and instilling that in me (as her only daughter) was even more important. She never wanted me to have to depend on anyone. Her and my dad own a business together and watching her run the business alongside him is very inspiring. She is incredibly smart and hardworking. Oftentimes my dad refers to her as the boss!”

“When asked the question, 'what women's moment inspired you', I couldn't answer with just one,” Golden says. “Being a part of Ellis Island Events allows me to work with women in all different industries - educators, government officials, celebrities, military, civil servants and everyday Americans.  Every single woman I have met along the way has empowered me to want to continue to make a change.  These women have inspired me to think outside the box and to continue to strive to make the event industry the best it can be.  It allows me to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of so many. I am privileged to live in a country where I can have a voice and platform.”

 We were humbled to have such amazing colleagues and partners at Wizard Studios, and look forward to building stronger bridges with Patti Golden of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Events. Thank you for inspiring us, ladies! Happy Women’s History Month!