International Women's Day Breakfast & Panel

Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us for our International Women's Day Breakfast & Panel, Friday, March 7th, 8:30 am - 10:30 am, at The Nantucket Inn, 1 Miller Lane. Enjoy an informational and impactful morning of networking and discussions around Nantucket women in business.

This year's theme is, "Moving Forward Together: Women Educating & Inspiring Generations." According to the National Women's History Alliance, "...Throughout history, the process of information sharing has been a powerful catalyst for change. An honest, open examination of new insights and knowledge can create a framework for collaboration. This, in turn, promotes the well-being of groups, businesses, communities, and society as a whole."

They continue, "From classrooms to boardrooms, and from grassroots movements to global initiatives, women educators and leaders have played a pivotal role in nurturing minds and inspiring transformative action. (This year's) theme spotlights the contributions women have made to the American educational system, the free marketplace of ideas, and the very fabric of our democracy.." (nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org)

Doors open at 8:30 am and our impressive panel of women will begin at 9:00 am. We hope you arrive hungry, delicious bites from women owned business, Nantucket Bake Shop will be provided!

Moderator:

Denice Kronau - Former CFO, CEO and Chief Diversity Officer, Author

Denice is a seasoned corporate executive and board member with over 35 years in leadership executive experience working for the world's leading multinationals including Siemens, Diageo, Kraft and Philip Morris.

Skilled at leading highly matrixed, global organizations, Kronau has help numerous C-suite positions throughout her career including CFO, CEO and Chief Diversity Officer. A recognized authority on the importance of personal and career fulfillment, Kronau is the author of "Falling in Love with Work" and is a frequent speaker on workplace happiness and women leadership. Kronau chairs the Finance Committee for the Town of Nantucket.

Panelist:

Carlisle Jensen - Executive Director at Egan Maritime Institute

Carlisle joined Egan Maritime in the spring of 2022 as the youngest executive director in the organization's history. Carlisle grew up on Nantucket, where she developed a passion for philanthropy by volunteering with many island organizations. A graduate of the University of Vermont, she has experience working as the Community Engagement Coordinator at UVM, focusing on connecting students with experiential education opportunities within the Burlington area. Upon moving back to the Island, Carlisle was hired as the Program and Development Officer at the Community Foundation of Nantucket, where she gained a deep understanding of the community and culture of the Island and its non-profit organizations.

During her time at CFN, Carlisle spearheaded the Foundation's $ 10 million Endowment Campaign and helped grow funds under management to over $20 Million. Carlisle recently completed Harvard Business School's Credential of Readiness Program and earned a certificate for Nonprofit management from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. Carlisle is a trustee for the Nantucket Partnership for Children and a member of the Nantucket Cottage Hospital Advisory Committee. When not at work, Carlisle enjoys running marathons and raising funds for ALS research and support organizations.

Jody Kasper - Chief of Police at Nantucket Police Department

Chief Jody D. Kasper began her municipal policing career in 1998 with the Northampton Police Department, where she served as Chief of Police from 2015 to 2024. She then transitioned to the island community of Nantucket, where she currently serves as Chief of Police.

The past decade has been one of the most challenging periods in modern policing, and Chief Kasper has led with stability, resilience, and a commitment to public safety. She has driven organizational progress by implementing innovative programs, streamlining internal operations, and embracing technology to enhance efficiency. She has strengthened community trust through proactive outreach initiatives and transparent leadership while ensuring that policy development and strategic planning keep pace with the evolving demands of law enforcement. Her ability to adapt, lead through change, and advance the agencies she has led has positioned them for long-term success.

Beyond her leadership roles, Chief Kasper has worked as an adjunct professor, a police academy instructor, and an instructor for the Justice System Training and Research Institute at Roger Williams University. She has presented at numerous conferences and events and has published books and articles on police leadership, supervision, and safety. In 2021, she was named the Woman Law Enforcement Executive of the Year by the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives.

Maria Partida - Community Leader and Advocate

Maria E. Partida is dedicated community leader, advocate, and entrepreneur with a deep commitment to human rights. As a consultant, speaker, teacher, trainer, and leadership coach, director at Reyes Productions Corp. Maria empowers individuals and communities to create positive change. She served as the former president of Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts and the Migrant Education Program, where she worked tirelessly to uplift migrant communities. A skilled medical and community interpreter and translator, Maria is passionate about diversity and is a fierce advocate for youth leadership. Her work continues to inspire and support the next generation of leaders.

Pauline Proch - Executive Director at Our House Nantucket

Pauline Proch grew up in Great Britain and immigrated to the United States in 1982. She moved to Nantucket in 1988 and lives on the island with her husband, Tom, and they have two children together.

Pauline is one of the founders and the Executive Director for Our House, Nantucket, an after-school program for high school students. Before that, Pauline was the Executive Director at Egan Maritime Institute EMI, joining in July 2012 after spending ten years at the Nantucket Public Schools. During her tenure at EMI, she worked to build the Sea of Opportunities Oceanographic and Maritime Studies program for the public schools both in middle and high school. At Nantucket Public School, she served six years as the Outreach Coordinator, her last four as Interim Director, and then as Executive Director for the Community School.

Before that, she worked in various capacities for the Nantucket AIDS Network. She has volunteered for several non-profits and most recently stepped down as chair of the Nantucket School Committee after 11.5 years. Pauline is always looking for ways to help make a difference for our students and families, and she never forgets that time spent with her family is truly the most rewarding.

Rev. Dr. Althea M Smith - Second Congregational Meeting House Society - Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Dr. Althea M Smith is the Minister at the Second Congregational Meeting House, UU Nantucket. A small but vibrant community whose lived history embraces diversity, faith, and social justice on Nantucket.

She is the Executive Director of the Joshua D Smith Legacy Project, named for her son, who was murdered in 2021. The project seeks opportunities to pair churches with community agencies to expand the definition of social justice work. It also seeks to support young people in the community who want to make music but do not have the resources to access studio time and instruction. She is an abolitionist.

Rev Dr. Smith is invested in the work of Families for Justice, a member of the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls. She supports them spiritually and through grant writing. One grant introduced spiritual companioning by supporting a group leader, who conducts a weekly spiritual contemplative healing group. The group leader uses sound produced by crystals as an introduction to a contemplative process.

Rev Smith is the Chair of Still Harbor, Spiritual Direction Certificate Program. Under her leadership, Still Harbor is undergoing a program redesign. Driving this redesign project is the unique contributions and needs of persons on the margins. The goal is to make spiritual direction training and accompaniment available to all. She is working on a spiritual direction project entitled Abolition as a Spiritual Practice which centers love.

She is a spiritual director supervisor and has a spiritual direction practice. She has a Doctor of Psychology from Boston University and a Master of Divinity from the Episcopal Divinity School. She is a retired nurse with over 50 years of service.