Meet Our Advisory Board

Denise Augustus (she/her) is an ordained minister and aspiring life coach based in Kingston, NY. Her journey as a mentee has deeply influenced her passion for helping individuals who, like herself, have faced challenges. Denise has experienced firsthand the transformative impact of guidance and support, which drives her commitment to empowering others. Through her personal journey, she aims to inspire resilience and personal growth in those facing adversity. 

“Serving on the advisory board is a way for me to contribute to positive change, nurturing empowerment and support within our community.”

Beth Bengtson (she/her) is the CEO and founder of Working for Women. She brings 20+ years of business experience in marketing and corporate social responsibility and a lifelong commitment to service to Working for Women, which aims to get more women into the workforce and achieve economic independence. Her unique model engages business members to contribute skills and money directed to nonprofits focused on creating employment opportunities for underserved women. Currently, Beth serves on an Advisory Board for New Start for Women, a SUNY Ulster program for women living in poverty to earn a no-cost, one-year business certificate. She is also the Board President of the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, a conservation organization geared to preserving open space, farms, and trails in Ulster County NY. Beth earned an MBA from Schiller International University in Paris, France, and a BS in management from Penn State University. She is certified in empowerment design and facilitation through the Empowerment Institute. She is a former mentor.

Laurie Conlon (she/her) began her career as an admissions officer and academic advisor in the university setting. After completing her master’s degree, she spent 20 years as a School Counselor, engaging with public high school students and addressing all aspects of personal, college, and career counseling. She is a licensed Mental Health Counselor. She spent two years as a clinician in the Astor Children and Family Services outpatient clinic in Kingston and is currently working in private practice. She is a former Mentor. 

“I know what it feels like and what the results are of not being supported or not knowing how to take the first steps toward a goal. I want to be a source of encouragement in helping someone discover what their dreams are and help them take steps toward actualizing their full potential.”

Laura Finestone (she/her), MA, is the founder of Laura Finestone Consulting (LFC). She is considered an unparalleled expert in building personal and professional skills to significantly elevate performance. With a career spanning over three decades and a proven track record in organizational, leadership, and career development, Laura empowers clients to achieve their most important life and career goals in alignment with their core values, dreams, and ambitions. She has served her communities for years as a volunteer on the east and west coasts as an outdoor educator and also as chair of the Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission. She founded and chairs the Rondout Creek Watershed Alliance and has also served as a member of the Governors NY Rising initiative. She is a former mentor.

Dr. Marjorie (Jorie) Gatlin (she/her) is a retired physician and pharmaceutical executive residing in Woodstock, NY. In her 30+ years in the industry, Jorie led global teams in the development, regulatory approval, and launch of novel medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Jorie is also an ICF-certified executive leadership coach. Jorie knows first-hand the value of mentorship, from being both a mentee and a mentor/coach in her career and being a mentor in the Raising Hope program. 

“The launch of Mentoring MUSE for women of the Hudson Valley will contribute significantly to their success and the value they bring to the region.”

Rylee Montelione (she/her) is a former mentee and long-time resident of Ulster County. She left briefly to earn a B.B.A. in marketing from Hofstra University and has lent her skills and ideas to organizations across the Hudson Valley. Passionate about her community, she is excited to increase access to opportunities and connections for others through Mentoring MUSE. As a recent mentee, her experience offers valuable insight into programming and meaningful relationship-building. 

Khadijah Ward (she/her) holds a BA degree in Anthropology with a minor in psychology and had a career in the fields of Human Services and Education. She is a former SUNY Orange Counselor for Non-Traditional and Developmental Students. She presently performs in a women’s drumming group. She has an extensive background working with marginalized adults and youth from socio-economically distressed backgrounds. She has lived in Belize, Central America and Jamaica, West Indies. She is a former Mentor. 

“I know the impact of not having support from a mentor and being unsure of which steps should be first in moving towards a goal. I want to be a source of encouragement in helping a mentee discover what her dreams are. Mentoring provides essential steps to help a mentee actualize her full potential.”

Laura Wesolowski (she/her), MPA, is a lifelong resident of, as well as a junior accountant for, the County of Ulster, having been a dedicated civil servant for over thirty years. As a committed member of the community, she has served in the roles of Social Welfare Examiner (assisting marginalized and underserved populations with public benefits) and Principal Account Clerk (fiscal officer for the information technology department). Moreover, she fulfills her civic duty as an Election Inspector for Ulster County's Board of Elections and remains community-focused as a security guard for the UPAC and Bardavon theaters. She is a former Mentor.

“Mentoring MUSE and mentoring align with my values of community contribution and women's empowerment, actively providing me the opportunity to promote and support female independence.”