NYJTL celebrated Women’s History Month by honoring the achievements, leadership, and voices of women who inspire change both on and off the court. The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis and Learning welcomed the women’s tennis teams from Temple University and Yale University for a clinic with NYJTL students, followed by a Q&A session. The day concluded with an exciting collegiate match between the two teams.
NYJTL held its Holding Court Speaking Series, featuring Melanie Hartzog, President and CEO of The New York Foundling, and NYJTL Board Member Zakiyyah Salim-Williams. They shared insights on their leadership journeys, the fight against poverty and inequality, and the power of advocacy in strengthening communities.
Lastly, NYJTL organized career talks featuring accomplished women from a wide range of industries—including tech, hospitality, STEM, nonprofit, and public service.
Match Day: Yale Women’s Tennis vs. Temple Women’s Tennis
On International Women’s Day, our Cary Leeds Center hosted a division 1 Women’s match up of Temple University and Yale University. Before taking the court for their match, both teams led a high-energy clinic with students from our Community Tennis Program (CTP), Scholar Athlete Program (SAP), and ACES Afterschool Program. The teams led a variety of drills, giving the students an up-close experience with high achieving athletes. The players learned more about college life during the Q&A session, where they had the opportunity to hear from the Yale and Temple athletes. They asked thoughtful questions about resilience, academic choices, and defining moments that often shape the scholar-athlete experience.
Some of the most memorable pieces of advice shared were:
- “Focus on what you can control.”
- “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
- “A ranking, UTR, or WTN number does not define you as a player or a person.”
Lindsay Hung, Yale Women’s Assistant Coach, shared what the experience meant for the Yale Women’s Team and Coaching Staff:
“Seeing my players, who have worked so hard to get where they are, give back to the community was truly inspiring. For them, it was a chance to not only share their love for the game but also to be role models who inspire these kids to believe in themselves, no matter their background or where they come from. I would encourage any team to participate in this event and be a part of something much bigger than themselves!”
Holding Court Speaker Series with Melanie Hartzog
NYJTL hosted the next Holding Court Speaker Series for all NYJTL staff, featuring a conversation with Melanie Hartzog, NYJTL Board Member and President & CEO of The New York Foundling. And moderated by NYJTL Board Member Zakiyyah Salim-Williams, a partner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Gibson Dunn.
Before leading The New York Foundling, Hartzog served as New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, overseeing the city’s social service agencies, and previously held the role of Director of the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget—where she managed the largest municipal budget in the country.
Melanie credits her passion for public service and the opportunity to learn something new every day as the driving motivation behind her career. During the panel, she shared her perspective on her professional journey and her inspiration for getting involved with NYJTL. When asked about being the first woman and African American to serve as New York City’s budget director, she emphasized the importance of confronting internalized bias, “You can see structural racism and sexism, but you can’t see bias. And we all have it,” she said. “How do we acknowledge and address our own biases?” She also spoke to the power of community support, reinforcing that we don’t need to wait for systems to fail before lifting each other up.
Later in the conversation, Melanie reflected on NYJTL’s mission and its impact on New York City children. She described sports, particularly tennis, as a true “game changer,” emphasizing how it instills discipline and provides a pathway for young people to excel. She believes that providing kids with opportunities they wouldn’t normally have, like tennis, can open doors to new experiences and impactful mentorship.
ACES Career Talks
NYJTL hosted a series of career talks featuring accomplished professional women from diverse industries who spoke with students across several ACES sites—including PS 187 in Manhattan, PS 148Q in Queens, and J.H.S. 383 Philippa Schuyler in Brooklyn
PS 187 Hudson Cliffs hosted Tess Wemhoener, a Senior Product Manager at Cedar. Tess shared that career paths are rarely linear—she originally aspired to become a doctor but explored roles in banking and consulting before finding a way to combine her interests in both business and healthcare. Following her talk, students asked insightful questions like, “Do you get to be creative in your job?” and “Has anything ever not gone as planned?”
At PS 148 in Queens, students had the opportunity to hear from Michelle Rosa, Executive Director at the Center for Youth Employment within the NYC Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development. Michelle shared how leaders like her help create opportunities for young people to play, learn, and connect during after-school hours—making a meaningful difference in their daily lives. Reflecting on her visit and her broader mission to build after-school programs across New York City, Michelle shared:
“It was a pleasure speaking at PS 148Qs NYJTL’s Compass program and engaging with such attentive, enthusiastic young people. Their curiosity and eagerness to learn about my role in afterschool programming and as a NYC employee was truly inspiring.
Afterschool programs play a pivotal role in youth development, offering benefits far beyond the classroom. Research shows that regular participation improves academic performance, especially in reading and math.
As Executive Director of the Center for Youth Employment at the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development, we work to expand and align programs like these— skills, gain experience, explore potential career paths, and prepare for success in the world of work.
Reflecting on these experiences, it’s evident that after-school and summer programs are essential in providing equitable educational opportunities. They bridge gaps, support working families, and equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive academically and personally.”
J.H.S. 383 Philippa Schuyler welcomed Jessica Demakos, former Senior Director of Hospitality at Dorsia, a restaurant reservation platform. Jessica shared her experiences working in the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of hospitality, highlighting that no two days in the industry are ever the same. Students were especially curious about the perks of her role—asking whether she has a favorite restaurant to visit and if she ever meets celebrities through her work. Lastly, Jessica spoke about the power of goal setting and how it helps turn dreams into achievable outcomes.
Conclusion
Throughout Women’s History Month, NYJTL celebrated the importance of representation, access, and empowerment for women. Across all NYJTL programs, students and staff participated in on-court experiences and powerful conversations with female collegiate athletes and accomplished professional women, leaving them inspired and confident about their future and expanding their sense of what’s possible.