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A Glimpse Inside the February Newsletter:

President’s Message
Submit names to the Membership Pipeline!
Save the Dates!
Member Announcements
IWF Fellows Program
IWF Global Announcements

President’s Message

Dear Stellar Women of IWF – The Trusteeship,

As we step into February together, I find myself reflecting on the season we are living in, both literally and culturally. Many of us are feeling the weight of the world in different ways. There is a lot happening around us, and it can sometimes feel overwhelming. In times like these, I am especially grateful for this community and for the strength, compassion, and wisdom that we bring to one another and to those around us.

This month, we are surrounded by moments that remind us of the power of coming together. With the Winter Olympics beginning and the Super Bowl just around the corner, we are reminded that across differences, backgrounds, and borders, people can unite around shared purpose, dedication, and hope.

A few weeks ago, many of us had the privilege of gathering at the LA Coliseum for an extraordinary event, championed and moderated by our own Billie Greer. Learning from Paralympics Director Colleen Wrenn, Paralympic gold medalist Candace Cable, and the Head of Safety and Security for the Games, Voviette Morgan, was truly inspiring. Their insights into the upcoming LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games highlighted something much deeper than competition. They spoke to unity, inclusion, and the profound impact of people coming together from all over the world.

As Los Angeles prepares to host the Games, and our Forum prepares to host the IWF International Conference shortly after, we stand at the threshold of something meaningful. These global moments remind us that progress happens when we listen, when we collaborate, and when we lead with empathy.

In uncertain times, our work as women leaders becomes even more important. We are called to be steady voices, compassionate listeners, and bridge builders. We are called to support one another, to lift each other up, and to remember that small acts of kindness and understanding can have a powerful ripple effect.

We have the awesome ability and responsibility to model what it looks like to lead with both strength and grace. Together, we create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and encouraged to be their best selves.

As we move through this month, my hope is that we each take a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what matters most: our relationships, our shared purpose, and our commitment to making a positive difference in the world around us.

Thank you for who you are, for what you give, and for the light you bring to this community. I am so grateful to walk this journey with you.

With gratitude and hope,

XO,

Linda

Suggest women who you think could be great IWF – Trusteeship Members!

Seeking your suggestions!

The formal new member nominations period is slated for April 1 -30. And, just like last year, we are building a “wish list” as a lead up to that period. We would love your suggestions – thanks to those who have been sending us names of women leaders already! As you may know, ideally, we are looking for women leaders under age 55 and are prioritizing nominees from diverse sectors and backgrounds – especially in tech, business and other commercial enterprises.

When we get closer to April 1, we’ll reach out and request that nominators for prioritized candidates proceed in filling out a formal application. But for now, please share name/s of women you think would be a great potential nominee/s – all you have to do is send us the name, their company affiliation, and title.

View more details here

Save the Dates!

Behind the Scenes:

Land Back and Native Leadership

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Time: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. PT

Who: IWF So Cal members and Guests are welcomed

Where: Huhuunga Site, Altadena (address provided upon registration)

Attire: Comfortable shoes recommended; portions of the visit is outdoors.

Cost to attend: Free, RSVP is required

You’re invited to a rare, behind the scenes visit to the Huhuunga site in Altadena—an active Land Back and native land stewardship project led by the Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy (TTPC). The tour will be led by IWF So Cal member, Maryellen Gleason; attendees will meet with Ravena Feather Soto, Executive Director of TTPC.

This intimate, in-person gathering will include tea, conversation, and a guided walk of a sacred site, offering members a deeper understanding of the Land Back movement, the enduring impacts of colonialism, and the critical role of Indigenous leadership in shaping resilient, community-centered futures.

This is a rare opportunity to stand on Tongva land, learn directly from Indigenous leadership, and reflect on the role of leadership and responsibility in a post-fire landscape—grounded in history, resilience, and hope for what comes next.

Click here for more information on the event and to RSVP

Behind the Scenes Tour of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s newly remodeled Jacobs Music Center, followed by the Brahms Festival: A German Requiem

Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026

Agenda:

11:00 a.m. – Talk and tour of Jacobs Music Center by IWF So Cal member Martha Gilmer, President & CEO of the SDSO

12:00 p.m. – Lunch in the Jacobs Music Center’s Projection Room providing a beautiful view of the newly renovated hall

1:00 p.m. – Join San Diego Symphony’s Creative Consultant, Gerard McBurney, for a pre-concert talk inside Jacobs Music Center where he will introduce the audience to the repertoire for this concert (Optional)

2:00 p.m. – San Diego Symphony Orchestra Concert at Jacobs Music Center (Concert ticket holders Only)

Who: IWF So Cal members

Where: San Diego Symphony Orchestra Jacobs Music Center

# of attendees: 20 members

Cost to attend: $131 for the behind the scenes tour, lunch and concert. $53 for the behind the scenes tour and lunch only.

Join Martha Dennis on March 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. for a backstage tour, luncheon and orchestra concert at the San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s newly remodeled Jacobs Music Center. The tour will be led by our very own IWF So Cal member, Martha Gilmer, President and CEO of the SDSO. Lunch will be held onsite and the concert will be led by SDSO Music Director, Rafael Payare – an amazing and energetic conductor. Please RSVP by February 20 if you would like to attend.

Click here for more information on the event and to RSVP

IWF Western Region Virtual Cocktail Café

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026

Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. PT

Who: IWF So Cal members

Where: On Zoom

Cost to attend: Free, RSVP is required

We are excited to invite you to our IWF Forum to Forum Cocktail Café. For this great event, we are bringing together our eight Western Region forums including British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Southern California, Idaho, Utah and Hawaii. We look forward to this opportunity to connect the members from our eight forums. This event will be on Thursday, March 5 from 4 pm – 5 pm (Pacific time). Please bring a cocktail, glass of wine, tea, coffee or favorite beverage and be ready for a fun conversation with your IWF sisters!

We will kick-off the Café with introductions followed by a fun discussion around the following question: What are we doing to manage our mental and physical health?

Click here for more information on the event and to RSVP

Dine-Around in Orange County with Susan Parks

Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. PT

Who: IWF So Cal members

Where: The Pacific Club in Newport Beach

# of attendees: 10 members

Cost to attend: $40

Join Susan Parks on Thursday March 19 at 6:00 pm for dinner at The Pacific Club in Orange County – Newport Beach. Susan is the CEO and President of Orange County United Ways and has been an IWF So Cal member since 2006. Please RSVP by March 2 if you would like to attend.

Remember, only members may attend a Dine-Around. There is a nominal dining fee of $40 per person. You will receive a confirmation email once you have registered.

Click here for more information on the event and to RSVP

Save the Dates!

IWF – The Trusteeship has the great honor of hosting the 2028 IWF World Leadership Conference & Gala in Los Angeles, California on October 25 – 27. We will welcome 1,000 of our IWF sisters from around the world and we’ll show them the beauty that Southern California has to offer.

If you would like to volunteer on one of the planning committees, please contact Jenneva Guzman, admin@iwfsocal.org, and she will connect you.

Would you like to host?

Dine-Arounds are one of our long time traditions. Please let us know if you want to host and how many people can be seated around your dining room table. It can be dinner, lunch, brunch, during the week or on the weekend. It’s up to you. And you get to pick the theme, which ensures fun and interesting conversations.

Once you indicate your interest, we will get back to you to confirm date, headcount, etc.

Click here to volunteer as a Dine-Around Host

Interested in hosting a Dine-Around but

not sure what that entails?

We have prepared these guidelines to answer any questions you may have. If you have any other questions, feel free to email Jenneva Guzman at admin@iwfsocal.org

Click here to view the Dine-Around Guidelines

Announcements

In Memoriam Leonard Jacoby,

Husband of Nancy Jacoby

It is with our condolences that we report the passing of Nancy Jacoby’s husband, Leonard Jacoby. Leonard, half of a law firm duo that pioneered advertising for lawyers and revolutionized their industry, passed away at 83.

Jacoby & Meyers, the firm he co-founded, is now a mainstay on billboards across the nation. They were among the first to offer legal services to the middle class, soliciting clients through a then-novel advertising blitz that would become the blueprint for thousands of law firms.

Leonard is survived by his wife Nancy, his daughter Sharre, his son, Tom Nelson, his stepdaughters Laurie Arent and Lindsey Schank, and his five grandchildren.

Our hearts are with Nancy during this time. Nancy can be reached at npjacoby@me.com.

Read the Los Angeles Times Article Here

An Exclusive Conversation on the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games Event Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined us Monday, Jan. 12 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for “An Exclusive Conversation on the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.”

We were honored to have met and heard from Candace Cable, a 9-time Paralympian and 14-medal winner; Voviette Morgan, Senior Vice President of Safety and Security for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games; and Colleen Wrenn, Executive Director, Paralympic Games / International Paralympic Committee (who flew in from Bonn, Germany!)

A huge thank you to Member Billie Greer who gracefully moderated the discussion. It was such an enlightening evening!

Jennifer Keller

Keller Anderle Scolnick (KAS), a nationally-recognized boutique trial law firm, is proud to announce the selection of seven partners to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America list.

Jennifer Keller continues on the list due to her lifetime selection as part of the 2023 Lawdragon Hall of Fame.

2026 Cornerstone Conference

The London conference is so popular that it is already sold out! My advice is to join the waitlist if you want to go. In my experience, the earlier you join the waitlist, the more likely you are to be able to attend.

XO,

Linda LoRe

Join Waitlist Here

IWF Fellows Program

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

The glass ceiling hasn’t vanished — it’s just higher. Now more than ever, emerging women leaders need women who champion them.

For over 30 years, the IWF Leadership Fellows Program has been “rocket fuel for mid-career women leaders,” accelerating their path to the C-suite and beyond.

More Details Here

IWF Global Announcements

Save the Date!

London, England: May 13-15, 2026 Cornerstone Conference
Denver, Colorado: November 11-13, 2026 World Leadership Conference & Gala
Amman, Jordan: May 11-13 , 2027 Cornerstone Conference
Miami, Florida: November 3-5, 2027 World Leadership Conference & Gala
Los Angeles, California: October 25-27, 2028 World Leadership Conference & Gala

Share your good news!

Submit announcements, honors and recognitions with

IWF So Cal – Trusteeship friends.

Please send an email with the subject line “Announcement” to admin@iwfsocal.org with your latest news.

Here’s all you need to know:

SUBMISSIONS MUST BE SENT 10 DAYS PRIOR TO THE END OF THE MONTH
PROVIDE TEXT AND LINKS WHERE AVAILABLE AND APPROPRIATE
HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL YOU WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE? UPDATES CAN BE SHARED AT ANY TIME ON THE FACEBOOK GROUP PAGE.

You can join the private Facebook group by clicking on the icon below. This will take you directly to the Facebook page where you can send a friend request to join the group.

Click here to email your announcement

Looking forward to hearing about these special times in your lives! Thank you very much.