STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. More than 200 mentors, mentees, business women of all ages and students gathered to share invaluable knowledge and experiences, answer questions, network, exchange ideas and offer guidance and assistance in any way they knew how at Staten Islands inaugural Mentoring Monday event.

Staged Monday by the Advance/SILive.com at The Vanderbilt, the event was one of many happening across the country, with nearly 10,000 women participating nationwide.

The mornings theme: Women accomplish amazing feats when they support each other, collaborate and celebrate one anothers accomplishments and successes.

Read on and well provide the proof!

Mentor Doreen Cugno, co-founder of the St. George Theatre, notes: Im here because I want to ask young women about their dream and get them to talk to me a little about their lives and their future aspirations. She added: And dont be afraid of changing your mind about your career path.

Mentor Luanne Sorrentino, Cugnos sister and co-founder the St. George Theatre, explained: Today were hoping to motivate, inspire and help people achieve their goals and find their dream job and how to make that happen."

Mentor Marylee Montalvo, owner of MLM Public Relations explained: The paths of young women may or may not be linear. Your career can be anything you want it to be. Internships can be valuable, but volunteerism is also a big part of a career.

Mentor Betsy Dubovsky, executive director of the Staten Island Foundation said: Its about making your parking space. I think today is a great idea especially since its focused on women, said she before going on to explain: Personally, I think we have to answer the question, What is it we have to give? Its about peoples self-awareness. Some people dont think enough about their gifts and what they figure out about themselves and what they have to contribute. It starts with your personal self, possessing awareness and your own goals.

Jill Holtermann Bowers, of Holtermanns Bakery fame the German-style bakery founded in 1878 in Great Kills attended to interact with other business owners, to observe and to offer her expertise. And so impressed was Holtermann, shes thinking of hosting the same type of Womens Day event for her Girl Scout troop. FYI: In April, the street across from the bakery will be renamed Holtermanns Way.

Mentor Katia Gordon, director, Staten Island Regional and Community Affairs, Consolidated Edison stated: Todays event helps our future generation of leaders prepare for the outstanding contributions they will make for our wonderful community. I am so proud to be part of this endeavor.

Linda Dianto, a mentor and an Advance Woman of Achievement in the Class of 2017, who is founder and executive director of the National Lighthouse Museum, called the event a wonderful day and an opportunity to share knowledge with female members of the community and a win-win for everyone.

Jaclyn Tacoronte, a mentor and managing partner of JMT Media, was simply ecstatic to be on board. The mom of a new bouncing baby girl named Julie Violet Ana, born to Jaclyn and husband Joseph Tacoronte, the dad who doubled as babysitter during Mondays event, Jaclyn is elated to have family maternity leave right now to spend time with her new daughter. And its thanks to people like State Senator Diane Savino, Jaclyn said.

Mentor Kamillah M. Hanks, chief executive officer of the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership and CEO of the Youth Build Staten Island Program in Stapleton, was accompanied by nursing student, Shalaiyah Camacho and accounting major, Jazmarie Dowd, who are enrolled in programs at the College of Staten Island. The students, who were intrigued by the informative morning and friendly ambiance, told us they will graduate come March 26.

Mentor Teresa Rampulla, who also served as a guest speaker, is owner of SheMediaNY in Dongan Hills because as she stated: She can do anything. She told us her business is currently working with the Department of Health to help combat discrimination. And at todays event, Im here as a womens business owner. I started with my mom, Amy Campbell, when I was 13 years-old at the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, where I worked every summer. My mom always said If theres a problem, you can figure out the answer. People sometimes pass the buck. But I always try to find out the answers. And if you do it yourself, youll find the remedy. Part of the excitement is in the journey.

Mentee Ishrat Quereshi told us she retired from banking after working at JP Morgan Chase for 24 years. Im really a fashion designer, said she, before pointing out, Im looking to go into the real estate business and want to attend the College of Staten Island to take a writing class so that I can write my memoirs in my retirement.

Mentee Lynn Persing of Conhagen Industries, an oil pump, compressor and turbine repair service with facilities in Texas, California and Louisiana a firm that was once located on Staten Island commented: Im a consultant with the business and I attend meetings out of state. In speaking of the family-owned business she revealed her brothers, sisters and nephews, third generation in fact, are now running the business. Persing was recently honored by Eger Lutheran Home & Services at their annual Helping Hearts Luncheon at The Vanderbilt just several weeks ago.

Andrea Lewis, of Solace4Me, a self-care caregivers service, conversed about health and wellness. Lewis, who is certified in the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) International, an alternative treatment for physical pain and emotional distress noted: I work with anyone who is stressed or worried. Many illnesses have underlying emotional and stress levels. Our body has energy systems and what we tap on is the meridian energy.

Mia Eremita and Lauren Killen, both 17 and seniors at St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School and Students of Excellence were nominated to attend the mentoring event, along with eight other female students. We thought we would benefit from it, said Mia, who aspires to have a career in TV broadcasting and is looking at Marymount Manhattan College. Her dad is Eric Eremita, no-nonsense construction manager on HGTVs Love it or List It."

Killen, whos interested in accounting, reveals she wants to earn a masters of business administration degree and become a certified public accountant. And at this writing, she has a few colleges in mind, but hasnt made her choice as of yet.

Mentor Gina Gutman, senior vice-president of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation declared: We have a winners group here today. And one of the things I love about this event is that its women helping women and really an opportunity to lift each other up starting with the youngest women in our community, she said. In fact, I spoke to a girl in the sixth grade, as well as a doctor. Here, you can share your expertise with every age range in the community and you dont have many opportunities to do that. Im a journalist major, and I used that in my career, although I didnt become a journalist."

Mentor Lisa Giovinazzo, a lawyer/partner in the firm of Kuharski, Levitz & Giovinazzo, said: I think it was a great event, especially for women. Its filled with people, career benefits and a terrific way to reconnect. And its a great way to gain experience especially for people who may be out of work.

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On women supporting women: Quotes from the crowd at Mentoring Monday - SILive.com