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A Glimpse Inside the March Newsletter:
- President’s Message
- New Events!
- 2026 Survey
- IWF Fellows Program Spotlight
- Upcoming Events!
- Member Announcements
- IWF Global Announcements
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A Moment to Celebrate the Power of Women | From Olympic History to Our Global IWF Community
Celebrating the achievements of women who inspire us – and the wisdom that helps shape the leaders who follow.
Dear Sisters,
There are moments when we are reminded just how powerful women can be — when determination meets opportunity, when wisdom is shared, and when one generation inspires the next.
March, Women’s History Month, gives us a special opportunity to celebrate the women who have opened doors, expanded possibilities, and helped shape the paths we walk today. Their courage, leadership, and generosity of spirit continue to ripple forward, creating opportunities for women everywhere.
This spirit of achievement was on full display at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where women athletes delivered performances that will be remembered as one of the most remarkable chapters in Olympic history.
Team USA’s women shattered the Winter Games record with 17 medals across women’s events. In total, American women contributed 21 of Team USA’s 33 medals, including eight of the twelve golds. More than 40 U.S. women athletes will leave Milan with at least one medal – a powerful testament to the talent, resilience, and dedication of women competing at the highest level.
“When women support one another and are given the opportunity to lead, extraordinary things happen.”
That same spirit of global connection will be felt here in Southern California this month as we welcome distinguished leaders from IWF Global. We are honored to host Global Board Chair Kimberly Cooper, and CEO Stephanie O’Keefe during their visit to our region. A special reception at the home of Kathy Checchi will provide a wonderful opportunity for conversation, connection, and celebration of the remarkable international community that binds us together.
Later this month, we will also gather virtually for a special IWF Global Passport event to celebrate International Women’s Month. On Tuesday, March 31, from 5:00–6:00 PM PT, IWF – Trusteeship will host “The Advice That Changed Everything,” a dynamic conversation featuring accomplished leaders reflecting on the pivotal guidance that shaped their journeys.
Often, it is a single moment of wisdom offered by a mentor, colleague, or friend that changes the course of a career or opens the door to an entirely new possibility. By sharing these stories, we celebrate the extraordinary power of women lifting one another and passing forward the insights that help shape the leaders of tomorrow.
As we reflect on Women’s History Month, we are reminded that every generation of women builds upon the courage and achievements of those who came before. Together, through leadership, friendship, and generosity of spirit, we continue that legacy — strengthening the path for the remarkable women who will follow.
Together, we celebrate the women who made history — while strengthening the path for those who will make it next.
With gratitude and pride in this extraordinary community,
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IWF Global Updates and Conversation
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. PT
Who: IWF So Cal members only
Where: Kathy Checchi’s home in Beverly Hills
Cost to attend: Free, RSVP is required
# of attendees: 25 members
Join Kimberly Cooper, IWF Global Board Chair, and Stephanie O’Keefe, IWF Global CEO, and fellow IWF So Cal members for High Tea at Kathy Checchi’s home in Beverly Hills. Attendees will learn about the latest IWF updates and enjoy a lively conversation with the IWF representatives.
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The Advice That Changed Everything
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. PT
Who: IWF So Cal members
Where: Virtually on Zoom
Cost to attend: Free, RSVP is required
In celebration of International Women’s Month, IWF Southern California will host a special Global Passport virtual event on Tuesday, March 31, from 5:00–6:00 PM PT titled “The Advice That Changed Everything.”
This global conversation will celebrate the pivotal counsel and defining moments that shaped our leadership journeys. Rather than a nostalgic reflection, the program positions advice as catalytic — something that either expanded ambition or constrained it — and examines how that advice held up under real pressure. This virtual panel will be moderated by Alison Kenney Paul, former managing director of Global Alliances for Google and current Vice President of IWF So Cal. Additional speakers to be announced.
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The Future of Federal Cultural Policy
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. PT
Who: IWF members
Where: Virtually on Zoom
Cost to attend: Free, RSVP is required
At a moment of profound disruption to the nation’s cultural infrastructure, IWF So Cal is convening a timely national conversation—moderated by one of the country’s most respected cultural policy leaders and a fellow IWF So Cal Member, Laura Zucker. This virtual program will examine what comes next for arts, culture, and the humanities in the United States as long-standing federal institutions and funding mechanisms face unprecedented challenge, restructuring, or elimination—including the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Council on the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, and mounting pressures on the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center.
Panelists include:
• Erin Harkey, CEO, Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund
• Maria Rosario Jackson, former Chair, National Endowment for the Arts; currently Professor of Creativity and Social Impact at Arizona State University
• Deborah Rutter, former President & CEO, Kennedy Center; currently Vice Provost for the Arts at Duke University
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Your Voice Will Help Shape What Comes Next
In the coming week, we will be sending a short member survey to update our understanding of the interests and priorities of our IWF – Trusteeship community.
Our last comprehensive survey in 2022–23 saw wonderful participation and helped guide programming during a time of transition following COVID. A great deal has evolved since then, and your voice will help shape what comes next.
When the survey arrives, we hope you’ll take a few minutes to participate. Your insights will help us create programming and initiatives that reflect the strength and diversity of our membership.
Your perspective matters—and just a few minutes will help guide the future direction of our programming and community.
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IWF Fellows Program Spotlight
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A Season of Stories: The IWF Fellows Journey
Over the past months, we’ve been in thoughtful conversation about how best to engage our membership with the IWF Leadership Fellows Program. As that dialogue continues, we are stepping forward with renewed energy, embracing a season of awareness and momentum.
In the months ahead, we will spotlight Southern California Fellows – past and present – whose leadership journeys have been shaped by IWF’s transformative experience. Their stories reflect growth, expanded influence, and the powerful ripple effect that occurs when women are supported at pivotal moments in their careers.
This season is about shining a light. Connecting the dots. Deepening our understanding of what the Fellows Program truly represents — not just as a credential, but as a catalyst for leadership at the highest levels.
When we understand the impact, engagement becomes inevitable.
We invite you to lean into these stories, celebrate the remarkable women among us, and begin to envision what’s possible.
As we build this shared awareness together, meaningful opportunities to participate will continue to emerge.
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THIS WEEK!
IWF Western Region Virtual Cocktail Café Via Zoom
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?
TO REGISTER:
Register as “Other IWF Forum Member”
Enter registration code when prompted: IWFcafetime!
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Behind the Scenes: Land Back and Native Leadership at Huhuunga Site, a part of the Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy.
Due to the rain, this event was rescheduled to March 12.
Date: Thursday, March 12, 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 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.
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Dine-Around in Orange County
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. 2 SPOTS LEFT!
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.
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Save the Dates!
IWF – Trusteeship has the great honor of hosting the 2028 IWF World Leadership Conference & Gala in Los Angeles, California 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.
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Rita McBride
Rita invites you to visit her newest installation, wunderkammer.
Date: February 14 to March 8, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. daily PT. by appointment only
Presented by Del Vaz Projects & OKEY DOKEY KONRAD FISCHER, wunderkammer is an installation by Rita McBride at Blue Heights Arts & Culture. wunderkammer begins with McBride clearing space in her studio to create a singular, novel artwork. The circumstance of this rearrangement results in an amalgamation of past and in-process works hung and placed randomly. Situated similarly in this domestic setting (without chronology, rhythm, or reason), McBride’s works—often engaging civic space, urban infrastructure, and industrial fabrication—mold into compartmental, eclectic fixtures. While every element originates from a specific point in the evolution of her practice, here, each piece functions as a neighbor—relevant in its immediate relation to the artwork that it surrounds and the architecture that surrounds it. Moving from one object to the next is kinetic rather than choreographed; there is potential for perpetual reordering.
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Yolanda Nava
Date: March 15, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Yolanda invites you to a Book Talk at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Downtown Los Angeles on March 15 at 2 pm. She will share the personal journey that inspired her memoir, Through the Dark, a deeply moving account of self-discovery, resilience, and survival. Yolanda reflects on how sudden blindness—caused by an undiagnosed autoimmune disease that nearly claimed her life—transformed her understanding of herself and the world around her. Written with a journalist’s insight and a compelling third-person perspective, Through the Dark combines emotional depth with clarity.
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Michele Siqueiros
Michele is leading a new era for local news as CEO of The LA Local, which recently launched its daily news site at TheLALocal.org. Under her leadership, the nonprofit is reimagining media in Los Angeles by building a community-centered newsroom designed not just for, but with Angelenos. The new site features dedicated reporting hubs in Boyle Heights, the Eastside, Koreatown, Pico-Union, Westlake, South LA, and Inglewood, alongside regional coverage. Recently featured on CNN’s The Story Is, Michele brings 20+ years of leadership and a record of securing over $6 billion for higher education, now applying that deep passion for equity to strengthen civic engagement through trusted, nonpartisan journalism.
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Behind the Scenes Tour of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra Recap
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday, March 1 in San Diego for a behind the scenes tour of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. A huge thank you to members Martha Gilmer and Martha Dennis who graciously organized this event.
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Save the Date!
- London, England: May 13-15, 2026 Cornerstone Conference. Sold out. Click here to join the Waitlist.
- 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
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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
- UPDATES GO OUT THE FIRST WEDNESDAY 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.
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