From left are Rina Corigliano-Hart, director of client engagement and outreach, OneGroup; Lindsay Weichert, regional president, Central New York, Community Bank; Meghan Florkowski, director, WISE Women’s Business Center; and Alex McKelvie, dean, Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
In honor of International Women’s Day, Community Bank has donated $10,000 to Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) Women’s Business Center at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. WISE is a Women’s Business Center dedicated to empowering Central New York’s entrepreneurs in all stages of business through comprehensive training programs, counseling and connections.
The donation will directly support WISE’s Accelerate Financial Management Program, a hands-on initiative that equips entrepreneurs with essential financial skills to build and sustain successful businesses. Covering key topics like budgeting, cash flow, financial statements and profitability strategies, the program ensures participants gain practical financial management skills tailored to their needs.
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the importance of empowering women through financial literacy and economic opportunity,” Community Financial System Inc. Director of Community and Corporate Relations Pam Brunet says. “Women make up a significant percentage of our workforce, and we are deeply committed to investing in initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for women in our communities.”
Women are a driving force within Community Financial System Inc., playing a vital role across its companies:
“At WISE, we believe in the economic power of women entrepreneurs. This generous donation from Community Bank will directly support our local business owners, providing the essential financial tools and resources they need to succeed,” says Meghan Florkowski, director, WISE WBC. “By working together, we are empowering women to strengthen their financial management skills and build more sustainable businesses, ultimately contributing to the growth and vitality of our community.”
Community Bank donated $10,000 to the Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) Women’s Business Center at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Those pictured include WISE staff and board members, as well as Community Bank and OneGroup staff.
