Center For Women In Government & Civil Society

As rural and semi-rural U.S. communities become more demographically diverse, what happens to trust, belonging, and social bonds? A new study from the University at Albany adapts and validates a social-cohesion measurement tool to show that emerging diversity can reveal hidden biases and shape how people experience trust, fairness, and connection — especially across race, gender, and immigrant status. The findings offer a practical roadmap for leaders and policymakers working to strengthen inclusion and unity in changing communities.
https://www.albany.edu/rockefeller/news/2025-measuring-social-cohesion-case-demographically-changing-community-united

When life dims what we see, faith sharpens what we believe. For disability advocate Lauren Ennis, the possibility of losing her sight has become not a barrier but a catalyst—for leadership, resilience, and purposeful change. As she navigated the challenges of a demanding fellowship while facing her own visual impairment, Ennis chose to lead by faith in her potential and purpose, rather than by sight alone. Her journey shows how believing beyond what’s visible can transform adversity into advocacy and vision into impact.

Lauren Ennis: Seeing Possibility Beyond Sight Through setbacks, reflection, and courage, former UAlbany's Center for Women in Government & Civil Society Fellow and current consultant specializing in disability advocacy and workforce equity, Lauren Ennis, has learned to transform vulnerability into vision.

Stories That Defined Women’s Leadership This Year

As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on stories that help shape us.
In these final days of the year, we’re highlighting Stories That Defined Women’s Leadership — journeys marked by resilience, purpose, and the courage to lead against the odds.

Why Her Story Defines Women’s Leadership

Dana Rosenstreich story defines women’s leadership because it challenges who we assume belongs at the center of power.

Coming from a non-technical background, she entered a space often dominated by technical expertise and learned to lead without pretending to be something she wasn’t. Instead, she relied on curiosity, relationship-building, and a deep understanding of how systems work — proving that leadership is not about knowing everything, but about knowing how to listen, learn, and connect people.
Through persistence and adaptability, she earned trust, influence, and a seat at the table — demonstrating that women do not need to fit a traditional mold to shape outcomes and drive impact.

Her journey reflects a defining truth about women’s leadership today:
it is built on competence, confidence, and the courage to step forward — even when the path is not obvious.

Her message through her work:
You don’t have to be “technical” to be powerful. You just have to be willing to lead.

How a Technically 'Non-Technical' Woman Became One of New York’s Most Influential Public Technologists In the high-stakes world of public sector tech, Dana Rosenstreich is a name that commands attention — not just for the systems she oversees, but for the quiet, relentless force of her leadership. As the Deputy Commissioner for Technology for the Office for the Aging and the Justice Center, Dana ho...

Stories That Defined Women’s Leadership This Year
As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on stories that help shape us.
In these final days of the year, we’re highlighting Stories That Define Women’s Leadership — journeys marked by resilience, purpose, and the courage to lead against the odds.
Why Her Story Defines Women’s Leadership
Hollyanne Lupi’s leadership story is defining not because it is extraordinary — but because it is real.
As a young mother, she navigated barriers that still shape who gets access to power. Rather than seeing motherhood as a limitation, she carried her lived experience into public service, policy work, and advocacy — proving that leadership is strengthened, not weakened, by real life.Through the Center for Women in Government Fellowship, mentorship, and persistence, she found her place in state government and helped translate personal conviction into public impact, including work that advanced birthing standards in New York.
Her message to women everywhere:
“You can do hard things. Give back. Get involved. Every bit counts.”

Against the Odds: A Mother’s Path from Fellowship to Power Hollyanne Lupi is adamant that being a young mother should never be a disincentive to pursuing one’s dreams. Whether single, partnered, or navigating life on the outskirts of traditional expectations, she firmly believes that motherhood, especially young motherhood, should not deter anyone from ch...

The More Women Commit to the Job, the Less the Job Commits to Them — New Research Exposes a Gender Whiplash!

A paradox sits at the heart of public service work: women in male-dominated roles often give the most — and feel the least seen. According to new findings from the University at Albany’s Center for Women in Government and Civil Society, women report stronger mission-driven engagement than their male peers but describe workplace cultures that undervalue their voices and fairness. More in the link below.

When Gender Shapes the Workplace: What Happens to Women in Male-Dominated Jobs? The University at Albany's, Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, research team explored a new study of gender occupational domination. The study offered insights into how gender imbalances shape perceptions of leadership, fairness, and engag...

AG Letitia James Rallies New Yorkers to Defend Rights at UAlbany Conference on Democracy’s Future

At the University at Albany’s “Reviving Our Collective Power: Reclaiming Our Rights” conference, New York Attorney General Letitia James urged community and civic leaders to stand firm against what she called a “coordinated rollback” of fundamental rights. Joined by scholars and policymakers, James framed the gathering as more than a symposium — a statewide call to organize, protect democracy, and push back on policies threatening equality and justice. More details in the link below.
https://www.albany.edu/rockefeller/news/2025-reviving-our-collective-power-reclaiming-our-rights

New data expose the shockers: women worldwide are working more — often 10 extra hours a week — yet pulling in just a third of men’s global hourly income. It’s 2025, and equality remains a distant dream

‘The patriarchy runs deep’: women still getting a raw deal in the workplace as equality remains a dream Women work longer and per hour earn a third of what men are paid, in figures that have changed little in 35 years, UN report shows

Reality Check: Women in the EU must work 15+ months to earn what men make in 12 — and the Commission’s new 2025 ‘Roadmap for Women’s Rights’ is making its final call for action.
https://unwomen.org.au/gender-equality-in-2025-gains-gaps-and-the-342t-choice/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

“Failure is an opportunity if you’re open to receiving the lesson”

“A FAIL-SAFE” space Can Lead to Endless Journeys of Success! Hilary Papineau’s journey exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, resilience, and a willingness to embrace both challenges and opportunities. Her story reminds us that with a supportive community, a clear sense of purpose, and the courage to step out of our comfort zones, we can create a f...