Buffalo, NY, a city where women reign supreme, and the home of New Era Cap. We are proud to celebrate International Women's Day and highlight nine powerful women who help shape our city into what it is today.

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Director, Diversity Equity and Inclusion at New Era Cap

Jess Turner

Jess Turner, a Buffalo, NY native attended Niagara University where she played Division 1 basketball. Her drive and ambition translated from her experience in sports into the corporate world. Has been active in encouraging young women and the underrepresented to envision all the possibilities their futures can hold and go after those opportunities. Was hired at New Era Cap in 2010, and has been a rising leader tasked to take on challenging roles in various departments. Progressive thinking and diverse in her career she tackles challenges while creating new paths for herself and others. Has a natural ability to listen to her peers and leave them feeling understood, encouraged and inspired. Motivated to affect a positive change through her position not only in the workplace but the local community as well. A proud mom of two children who are her best motivators and supporters. Wants all women to have the confidence to show others their authentic self.

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Commerical Director, Photographer and Owner of LocationOneBuffalo

Rhea Anna

Rhea Anna is a commercial director and photographer who has been photographing, filming and documenting lifestyle for over two decades. Rhea has created evocative work for some of the world's most revered brands. Her vision as a director and photographer has been appreciated by clients such as Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, BlueCross BlueShield, Mazda, and Apple, among others. Rhea makes her home in Buffalo, NY with her two daughters.

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CEO and Co-Founder of Unapologetic Coffee

Alicia Officer

Alicia Officer is a Buffalo native and small business owner in the Western New York area. Initially beginning her career as an auditor in corporate accounting, she soon realized the disproportion between the tools available to small businesses and larger companies. As a result she began to work to provide accounting and financial guidance in the Buffalo area, via a remote accounting company in 2017.

Fast forward to present day, Alicia approached her twin sister about an opportunity to initially open a coffee shop to allow the community and students to work in. After realizing the number of inner city students who are turned away from working in public spaces, Alicia and her sister sought to change the narrative. Unfortunately COVID-19 changed the plan of opening a coffee shop and she and her sister decided to devote their energy into producing and roasting coffee on a commercial scale, past their home kitchen. It was through this endeavour, they soon realized the marginalization of the specialty coffee industry towards the BIPOC community. Ever since, they changed the name of their coffee to "Unapologetic Coffee." To bring not only a great sustainable option to masses but continue changing the narrative of the coffee industry!

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COO and Co-Founder of Unapologetic Coffee

Alisa Officer

Alisa Officer is a Buffalo native and still serving her community as a high school administrator. Alisa started her career in Buffalo and later moved to New York City before returning home to put roots down. Her goal has always been to be an integral part of young peoples’ lives in order to make a strong impact on community stakeholders.

Through her work as a teacher and tutor she began to notice a large disparity among the students she tutored and the students she taught. After talking with her sister, they both agreed that their coffee dreams needed to be made a reality so that they could serve their immediate community as well as provide quality coffee to everyone around them. From this conversation, the Unapologetic Coffee brand was born. Although it is the brainchild of Alicia Officer, her twin sister, Alisa feels that their community footprint needs to always remain a focal point of their brand, an unapologetically authentic brand.

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Co-Founder & Co-Owner of Revolution Buffalo

Rachel McCrone

Rachel McCrone, a Buffalo native with a passion for fitness and community, opened Revolution Buffalo in 2014 as a way to bring boutique fitness to Buffalo in an approachable, authentic, community-driven way.

Today, her passion continues bringing a wide range of fitness offerings and amenities to Buffalo, strengthening each other through mind, body and community, one workout at a time. Her advice to women is to hold true to yourself, trust your gut and never let anyone dim your light. She continues to mentor other young women who have a passion and believe they can do whatever it is they set out to do

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Reporter at WGRZ-TV

Lauren Hall

Lauren Hall is a reporter and fill-in anchor at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, NY. She is a Williamsville native and a summa cum laude graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. Lauren is an active member of the Western New York community, lending her support to many local organizations and nonprofits, including Girls on the Run, the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, and the Aquarium of Niagara. She and her husband Matt live in Buffalo.

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ADRI.V The Go Getta

Adriana Viverette

With a passion for entertainment, music, culture, and community Adriana Viverette – better known as ADRI.V the Go Getta – has paved a successful path for herself as a multimedia journalist, syndicated on-air personality, and marketing professional. Buffalo-born and bred, Adriana is a proud graduate of McKinley High School. She holds a BA in Communications with a minor in Media Studies, certification in journalism, Advertising/Public Relations, and project management from the University at Buffalo, and an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Medaille College. Adriana is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and adjunct professor of Communication and Marketing. Adriana serves on many non-profit boards and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Gamma Phi Omega Chapter. Adriana is the proud daughter of Crystal Viverette and Krystiana Clements Sister.

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Co-Founder and Executive Director of The 11 Day Power Play

Amy Lesakowski

Amy Lesakowski and her husband Mike founded The 11 Day Power Play, a nonprofit organization supporting cancer causes in WNY. After Amy’s battle with an aggressive form of cancer at the age of 35,the Lesakowski’s wanted to give back. With the help and support of the Buffalo community, more than $8.4 million has been raised to date through their annual 11-day marathon hockey game. Amy leads the nonprofit organization and its mission to put cancer on ice. She wants women to know that by following your passion and leading with your heart, anything is possible.

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Owner and Operator of Casa Azul

Zina Lapi

Zina Lapi is the owner and operator of Casa Azul in Buffalo, NY. A Buffalo native, she is a classically trained chef, bringing twelve years' experience to her restaurant. She’s traveled most of the world, learning authentic street fare before bringing back her knowledge to her own restaurant, bringing a visionary process by taking traditional Mexican dishes and making them her own.