Professional Pathways of GSWS Panel

Have you ever wondered what you could do with a BA in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies? Well wonder no further. Attending this panel will provide you with many possible professional pathways for those studying Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. And even more exciting is four out of the six panelists are Montclair alumni who have made careers of these interests! The other two panelists teach in the GSWS program and bring unique experiences and expertise to the panel.

Professional Pathways of GSWS Panel
Tuesday April 16th 6:30-8:00 pm
University Hall 1040

Our panelists include:

Nicole Archer, PhD (she/her/hers), is an assistant professor in Visual and Critical Studies at Montclair State’s Department of Art and Design, an affiliated faculty member of the university’s Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program, and a standing member of the College Art Association’s Board of Directors. Her research focuses on the politics of contemporary art and material culture with an emphasis on fiber-based practices.

Helen Archontou (she/her/hers),MSW, LSW, is the Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Northern New Jersey since 2011. She received her BA in Psychology from Montclair State and a Master of Social Work from Rutgers. Helen has guided YWCA Northern New Jersey to fully live its intersectional mission to eliminate racism and empower women by advocating against oppression. Helen has directly overseen the development of a continuum of programs to support women and families in every stage of life as well as to raise awareness and take action to end racial and social injustice, advance gender equity, and promote the rights of all women.

Reggie Bledsoe (he/him/his) is the Director of the Essex County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and works closely with Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. He graduated from Montclair State with a BA in Political Science. Reggie also worked in Governor Phil Murphy’s administration for four years, starting with the NJ Department of Education before transitioning to the NJ Department of Community Affairs. He previously served as a Legislative Aide to Essex County Commissioner President Wayne L. Richardson and former Freeholder President Blonnie R. Watson.

Lisa Noesi (she/her/hers) is the CEO and Founder of Mavo Care. She graduated from MSU with a BA in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies and a Minor in Business. In 2019 she founded Mavo Care as a young feminine wellness startup revolutionizing the feminine care market. As a long-time chronic yeast infection sufferer, she had no solution for her itching and discomfort. Despite the fact that she worked for a gynecologist and had access to the meds OBGYNs prescribe for chronic vaginal infections, nothing seemed to work. It wasn’t until a trip to Colombia introduced her to the magic of Calendula and its many benefits for vaginal wellness that she realized that she had found the holy grail to pH imbalance. After months of research, the idea for MavoCare was born and it now has helped over 30,000 women combat pH imbalance and common vaginal infections.

Cathy Renna (she/her/hers) (adjunct) is the Communications Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force. She is a veteran in the communications industry, and currently serves as the Principal of Target Cue. Since her time at GLAAD in the 1990s and 2000s, Cathy has executed her particular expertise in crisis and strategic communications, playing a central role in shaping nearly all major issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, from the beating death of Matthew Shepard in 1998 to the fight for marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”. She worked with the team that coordinated historic coverage for WorldPride/Stonewall 50, working with NYC Pride. After leaving her position at GLAAD as National News Media Director, Cathy joined Fenton Communications, where she served as its New York office Media Director from 2004 to 2006. She went on to found Renna Communications and co-found Target Cue that same year.

Anne Marie Venezia (they/she) is a Public Affairs & Advocacy Manager at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey. They graduated from Montclair State with a B.A. in English and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, and a minor in LGBTQ+ Studies. They are passionate about the intersection of the concurrent movements for LGBTQ+ equity and reproductive and sexual health justice, about which they regularly speak and work toward. Recently, they have been hitting the ground hard to defend and amplify Gender-Affirming Care (of which Planned Parenthood is a major provider).