Thursday, March 7, 2019

Ossining Library’s Budarz Theater: 53 Croton Ave, Ossining, NY 10562

 

View the trailer: She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry

Panelist Bios:

Acacia Bamberg Salatti
Vice President of External Affairs
Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic

Acacia Bamberg Salatti is a leading voice on the issues of health equity, reproductive health care access, and community stakeholder outreach.

She currently is the Vice President of External Affairs at Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. In that role, she leads communications, policy development, community organizing and mobilization, and advocacy efforts for the organization. She develops, prioritizes, and implements the policy, legislative, and communications agendas. Acacia coordinates with local, state, and federal legislators and policymakers. She also oversees community health education.

Acacia served as Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (The Partnership Center) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Obama Administration. As Director, she was responsible for furthering the priorities, mission, and goals of the Secretary and the White House concerning public health engagement. While at HHS, Acacia was a highly visible face of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) external outreach. As one of HHS’ most requested surrogates for President Obama’s healthcare legislation, she delivered hundreds of presentations and media interviews across the country educating stakeholders on the law and its benefits.

Before HHS, Acacia worked for six years in the office of South Carolina Congressman and House Majority Whip, James E. Clyburn as a policy advisor, eventually assuming the position of Staff Director on the House Democratic Faith Working Group, which Rep. Clyburn chairs. In addition to advising on policy, she most notably helped to increase Clyburn’s and the Democratic Caucus’ footprint and relationships among faith leaders. Her expertise helped to shift the conversations on what constitutes a faith issue, broadening the understanding to include food insecurity, healthcare, and immigration beyond the traditional issues of abortion and gay marriage.

Acacia received a Bachelor’s degree in English cum honore from Columbia College in Columbia, SC. She has an M. Div from Candler School of Theology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.

 

Gina Avila
Founder / Board President
Women’s Empowerment Institute

President and founder of the Women’s Empowerment Institute, Gina Avila, has spent fifteen years working with numerous nonprofits throughout all of New York City and the Westchester area. Some of her contributions have included the directing of nonprofit marketing initiatives, the development of volunteer and internship programs, and the planning of special events. In addition to her professional work, she also enjoys volunteering her time with organizations such as The Guidance Center of Westchester, the Center for College and Career, El Centro Hispano of White Plains and Family Services of Westchester.

​Along with her experience advocating for the underserved, Ms. Avila has also been involved in the mentoring of over 1,000 women at the Grace Institute, serving as their career coach. Her passion for the improvement and strengthening of the education system continues on today as seen through her position at Mercy College. Currently, her role as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, requires her to lead a team with the responsibility of promoting high quality higher education to students attending schools in the Bronx, New York. With a clear passion to help support others, Gina is utilizing her knowledge and experience to continue to inspire women… now through the Women’s Empowerment Institute!

 

Jess Vecchiarelli
The Harmed Suburban 5