Meet the Squad!

Explore the diverse expertise and empowering personalities within the Women's Opportunity Center Staff Directory. Discover a network of professionals committed to fostering growth, empowerment, and support. Uncover a wealth of knowledge, skills, and guidance from our team dedicated to enhancing personal and professional development for women in every sphere.

She has worked in several local nonprofit organizations, including the Tompkins County Mental Health Association, Family & Children’s Services of Ithaca, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County. In addition to her work in the nonprofit world, Jan has been a freelance writer since 2008. Her stories and photos have appeared in numerous regional and national magazines. In March 2021, she accepted the position as Executive Director with the Women’s Opportunity Center and in June 2021, her book Begged, Borrowed & Stolen published by Rowman & Littlefield, was released. She has three very grown children, one perfect granddaughter, and co-habits in Freeville with a frenemy cat named Leslie/Luther.  

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A woman with a heart set on making waves, Amy’s favorite travel escapade to Western Ireland recently fueled her dreams. Married to Jeff and raising two remarkable young adults, she presides over the household with her furry companions, Scarlett and Mellie.

Amy’s career compass navigated through diverse terrains, from customer care since the tender age of 13 to leadership roles across multiple industries. Engaged in Zonta International and leading impactful community initiatives, she embodies a passion for women's rights and empowerment.

Currently Deputy Director at the Women’s Opportunity Center, Amy’s journey echoes resilience and evolution. Her career isn't just a path—it’s a saga of empowerment. An empathetic trailblazer, she champions women to rise, excel, and rewrite their destinies.

With an arsenal of empathy, passion, and intuition, Amy carves paths to personal and professional triumph. Her advice? Each day, give your best shot. Her career thrives on moments where women emerge triumphant from adversity. Her mission? To craft a world where women feel valued and supported, eradicating the notion that a job alone suffices for their happiness. Join her on this journey of empowerment and resilience!

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With five wonderful kids and a bonus daughter, her heart overflows with family adventures, relishing beach getaways and cozy game nights alike. A connoisseur of organization, hailed as the “Spreadsheet Queen” and the versatile “Jack/Queen of All Trades,” Mel's forte lies in finely tuned tasks and detail-rich endeavors, mirroring the radiance of her treasured sunsets.

Amidst the cheers for football games, she’s crafting a sunny February wedding in Florida, infusing warmth into every detail. Her passion for WOC's mission fuels her operations wizardry, where the pursuit of beauty isn't confined to flawless spreadsheets but extends to a life artfully lived.

In Mel's world, beauty sparkles in every meticulously placed cell and in the vivid hues that paint the sky at dusk. Join her in celebrating the symphony of life's beauty, love, and the exquisiteness of an immaculately organized existence.

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Earning her Bachelor's Degree in Media Communications from Wilmington University, Sam's love for education fuels her growth. Her heart resonates with women's rights, foster children, and ending domestic violence—causes she champions with fervor.

As the Program Associate for Social Media & Marketing at the Women’s Opportunity Center, Sam's dynamic career spans journalism, assistant management, and editorial roles. Awarded for excellence in communication studies, her journey’s been enriched by professional stints at prestigious publications like Dover Post and Mebane Enterprise.

With a flair for storytelling, Sam's reinvention from journalist to community advocate embodies resilience. Her zest for life extends beyond work—she's a devoted mom to Amelia, Abigail, and Adam, and fur-parent to Rudolph and Odin.

Sam's playbook? Communication, compassion, integrity, and an unyielding drive to empower women and girls. She believes in creating her own timeline and never giving up—because the best is yet to come. Join Sam on her journey of making a world where kindness, success, and fashion walk hand-in-hand. Cheers to a future brimming with possibilities!

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Born in Queens with an ever-enduring accent, Dr. K dreamt of embodying She-Ra, Princess of Power. From Queens to North Syracuse, Aurora, and now Bridgeport, her journey echoes her multi-faceted cultural origins—Italian, German, English, and Jewish.

In her world, Yankees reign supreme, and Gettysburg, PA, holds a special place. Married to Duane, a USMC veteran, and a proud parent to Kaylee, Albert, and Rosalee Hochenberger-Witt, she orchestrates a harmony of rescue pets and Duane's service animal.

An academic powerhouse, Dr. K boasts a Doctorate in Psychology from Capella University and a spectrum of accolades from NYFDA to the Psi Chi International Honor Society. Her quest for knowledge spans funeral directing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and early childhood education.

Navigating history's depths, her heart beats for women's rights and animal welfare, driving her to serve at Friends Forever Animal Rescue and inspire change in the lives she touches. In her world, learning never ceases, and every soul she molds adds a brushstroke to the masterpiece of humanity. Join her on this voyage of empowerment, history, and empathy!

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Professionally, Dani excels in public speaking and facilitating workshops, driven by her passion for personal and family preparedness planning. She believes in equipping individuals with the tools they need to navigate life's challenges with resilience and confidence.

New to the Ithaca area, Dani finds joy in exploring the local trails and waterfalls, marveling at the transformative power of water as it carves through seemingly impermeable rock. She's an avid reader who appreciates the beauty of a well-crafted metaphor.

Dani's happiness is contagious, and her genuine desire to support others on their life journey shines through in all she does. With Dani by your side, you're not just receiving guidance – you're tapping into your inner warrior, ready to conquer any obstacle that comes your way. Here's to Dani, our Woman Warrior, empowering others to activate their inner strength and thrive.

But that's not all—Ronnise is a multitasking maestro. Balancing her role at the boutique, she's pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Community and Human Services at SUNY Empire State College. Her studies reflect her dedication to nurturing communities, blending trendy fashion with a heart for community impact.

Trendy fashion meets social change in Ronnise's world. Her flair for style harmonizes seamlessly with her passion for empowering women. With each curated piece at Mary Durham Boutique, Ronnise amplifies the ethos of sustainability and upliftment.

At the intersection of fashion and social impact, Ronnise shines, proving that empowerment and chic style go hand in hand. Join her on this stylish journey where trendy threads meet a heart dedicated to making a difference. Together, let's weave a tapestry of empowerment, sustainability, and fabulous fashion!

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After enduring heartbreak, unhealthy family dynamics, and 9/11, Susan pulled a 180. She left her job as managing editor at a national magazine, moved to the Ithaca countryside, and spent several years writing and marketing for a nonprofit animal rescue. She worked part-time in a vineyard and transitioned to managing wineries and training teams on the nuances of wine.

While the winery business was compelling, it wasn’t meaningful. Early in the pandemic, Susan began her role as a workshop creator and strategic life coach at the Women’s Opportunity Center, recruiting clients online and teaching workshops via Zoom. Her role at WOC morphed over the years, and she now works alongside Ronnise at the Mary Durham Boutique, where she focuses on marketing, community outreach, and the MDB Cares, Dressing Room, and Personal Stylist programs.

This Queens girl had to move to Ithaca to find her dream man from New Jersey, and she’s glad she did. More at home in the country than in the city, Susan honed her farm skills, tapping maple trees and growing and canning food. She and her fiancé built a house where they live with two rescue dogs, five rescue cats, a flock of hens, and one ornery rooster named Mr. Roo.

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