She Rocked It

Women’s History Month may have concluded — but the inspiration, uplift, and new connections continue on⚡️

How did you celebrate Women’s History Month in March?

Here are a few ways I did:

⚡️Collaborating with Monmouth University rockstars including Professor Rashida Scott-Cruz and Joleen Amer to moderate the Women in Music panel, featuring women blazing trails in the industry: Skylar Rupprecht, Jenna Gaudio, and Heather de Armas. The room was filled with women and allies who gave me hope for an even brighter future where everyone can thrive in the music biz!

⚡️The vibes were through the roof at the Montco Gateway Chamber of Commerce International Women’s Day celebration — thank you Jude Martin-Cianfano for spearheading such a fabulous event and always being so welcoming!

⚡️ As a member of The Forum of Executive Women, I loved attending the Leadership Symposium at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and hearing from TIBI founder, author, and creative powerhouse Amy Wallin Smilovic in conversation with the incredible Angela Val. Kudos to the Forum team (Meghan Pierce, Sarah Boorboor) on this sold out event!

⚡️ My dear friend and creative/performance coach Jennifer Blaine gave a tour de force performance of her latest original one woman show The Carport, and I loved moderating a post-show Q&A with her and the sold-out audience. She rocked it, for sure!

As 2025 winds to a close, what are you grateful for? I wrote a (very) personal reflection and recollection on my journey of finding home. You can find it at https://sherockedit.substack.com/

If you’re not yet tuning in to my newsletter on Substack, you’ll also find a few other intimate, heartfelt essays, as well as gems of inspiration from creative, courageous rockstars I’ve been honored to interview on the She Rocked It podcast. ⚡️

I wish you and yours a fulfilling, healthy, and peaceful 2026, with much to be grateful for! ❤️💫

Major happy birthday love to this FORCE OF NATURE right here Shira Gans who I have known since we lived at Womanist House in the 1990s at 🥰⚡️

Since those college days, I have been honored to reconnect with Shira and collaborate with her on two empowering events as part of NY Music Month — which she tirelessly spearheads every year.

I have long been in awe of Shira‘s brilliance — it’s just awesome to see her shining, making a huge impact, and rocking it!

I love this photo of us from the in NYC which Shira also helps support (give them a follow!). Shira is an incredible advocate for the music industry and ALL musicians!

If you want to learn more about Shira’s inspiring journey, head to the She Rocked It LinkedIn page and check out the interview I did with her a few months ago ⚡️

Here’s a glimpse of the vibe at SECRETS TO ROCKING IT AS A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR ⚡️This inspiring panel conversation and Q&A happened earlier this month on June 12 as part of NY Music Month in NYC!

There was a ton of REAL TALK and honest dialogue about what it takes to survive and thrive as a musician & — with each panelist sharing their unique perspectives!

Some of the wisdom shared:

⚡️ Relationships and networking are key - be kind to everyone because you never know who you’ll meet down the road

⚡️ Contracts are crucial - read them, understand them, get agreements in writing

⚡️ If you need support in certain areas, like contracts or business planning, tap into free and low cost resources like the Pace University Small Business Development Center and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

⚡️ Try to learn everything you can about the music business because it is a business

Panelists:

⚡️ DJ Skribble, Artist
⚡️ Mona Kayhan, The Bridge Recording Studio majority owner
⚡️ Andrew Flamm, Pace University Small Business Development Center
⚡️ Amy Lehman, Esq., Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Panel Co-Facilitators:

⚡️ Nick Martucci, General Manager / Partner at Universal Attractions Agency (UAA), Adjunct Lecturer at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business

⚡️ Karen Gross, Founder of She Rocked It Productions, Adjunct Instructor at Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication

Thank you NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment for hosting this energizing, informative month of programming which continues through the end of June (check the NY Music Month website for the lineup!) Special thanks to Shira Gans, MPP for the opportunity and for being such a tireless champion of musicians and creatives!

Thank you to Universal Attractions Agency for presenting this event and to UAA’s Nick Martucci for leading the charge⚡️

Thanks also to Pace University for hosting the event

Lastly thanks Ben Ouriel for the great photos!