The Cornell Women’s Advocacy Network (CWAN) invites you to celebrate International Women’s Day, Saturday, March 8, with a fun-filled day supporting women’s athletics as we cheer on Cornell Women’s Basketball! Join us for a pre-game lunch with fellow Cornell alumnae and cheer on the Big Red as they play Columbia.

Pre-game Lunch Event Details:
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Time: Doors open at 11:30 a.m. EST | Remarks begin at 12:15 p.m.
Location: Pisticci, 125 La Salle St, New York, NY 10027
Cost: $45 for Young Alumni (classes of 2015-2024) | $60 General Fee

We are excited to be hosting a pre-game lunch at the wonderful Italian restaurant, Pisticci. Guests will be served a lovely array of food and drinks while they connect with fellow Cornellians before the game! The pre-game lunch will feature guest speakers including Cornell Field Hockey Player Lauren Macaluso ’90, Cornell Cross Country/Track/Lacrosse Player Smita Nalluri ’19, and NBA Digital Manager Emme Leong ’22. 

Opening remarks for International Women’s Day will be delivered by Caroline Wetzel ’99, Coastal CT Cornell Alumni Club Past President, Board Member.

Speaker Bios:

Emme Leong ’22

Emme Leong has built a career at the intersection of digital content and brand partnerships. After graduating from Cornell in 2022, she leveraged her experience as the Social Media Manager for the Cornell Men’s Basketball team to land a role at the NBA. She now manages the league’s commerce activations across social and app platforms, helping to create innovative content solutions for brand partners. In addition to her work in sports media, Emme is dedicated to advancing women’s leadership as the Programming Chair of the Cornell Women’s Advocacy Network.

Smita Nalluri ’19

Smita Nalluri graduated from Cornell University in 2019, where she was a multi-sport athlete, competing in Cross Country, Track and Field, and Lacrosse. Her experience as a collegiate athlete gave her a strong foundation in leadership, resilience, and teamwork—skills that she has carried into her professional career. Today, Smita is a Director of Cybersecurity and Data Privacy at Ankura, where she focuses on protecting sensitive information in an increasingly digital world. 

Lauren Macaluso, MD ’90

Lauren Macaluso, MD, graduated from Cornell in 1990, where she was an All-Ivy sweeper for the Cornell Women’s Field Hockey team and Vice President of the Red Key Society. Her experience as a collegiate athlete instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion for advocating for others. Today, she is a physician practicing Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine, dedicated to supporting maternal and infant health. Lauren remains passionate about advancing women’s sports and healthcare, championing opportunities for women both on and off the field.

Caroline Wetzel, CFP ’99

Caroline Wetzel, CFP® is passionate about living a purpose-filled life.  A 1999 Cornell graduate, Caroline has worked in financial services for nearly 25 years. First, she was a global corporate executive and, now, she is a Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor who guides clients in how to use their financial resources strategically to achieve their goals.  Caroline is also deeply engaged in the Cornell alumni community, having served as the Coastal Connecticut Cornell Regional Club President and Member of the Board.  Caroline will provide some perspective on the history of International Women’s Day, examples of how Cornell has celebrated this day, and its continued importance.

Cornell Women’s Basketball vs. Columbia Game Details
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Location: Levien Gymnasium, 3030 Broadway, New York, NY 10027
Purchase Tickets to the basketball game separately via this link!

Join us as we support the Cornell Women’s Basketball team as they take on Columbia at the Levien Gymnasium. We are excited to see all the Big Red Alumni and supporters show out in the Big Apple to drown out the Lion’s roar. 

We look forward to celebrating this special day with you—Go Big Red!

Note: Tickets for the pre game lunch are sold separately from the game tickets. 

Event Questions? Contact Abby Macaluso