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A Glimpse Inside the October Newsletter:
- President’s Message
- Spotlight on Leadership: Dr. Laurie Leshin
- Meet the Fellows!
- Save the Dates!
- Member Announcements
- IWF Global Announcements
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Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Leaders
As IWF – The Trusteeship members, our mission to Champion Women Leaders is not only about leading today — it’s about paving the way for those who will lead tomorrow. This year, we’re taking an exciting new step by participating in the IWF Leadership Fellows Program for the first time, a flagship initiative that has accelerated the rise of exceptional women globally for more than 30 years.
Through world-class learning at INSEAD and the University of Cambridge and one-on-one mentoring with IWF members, the Fellows Program equips women just steps from the C-suite to realize their fullest potential. For us, the IWF – The Trusteeship, it’s a powerful opportunity to give back — to share our experience, networks, and support with the women who will shape the future.
We’ll be sharing ways for members to get involved — from recommending outstanding women for the program to helping secure funding and volunteering as mentors. And we’re fortunate to have many Fellows living right here in Southern California, including three IWF – The Trusteeship members who have experienced this transformative program firsthand.
In this issue, we’re proud to feature our own Dr. Laurie Leshin, a former Fellow whose journey reflects the extraordinary impact of this program. Her story reminds us that when we invest in others, we strengthen the entire community of women leaders worldwide.
With optimism and purpose,
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Spotlight on Leadership: Dr. Laurie Leshin
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A former IWF Fellow and current IWF – Trusteeship member shares how the program shaped her journey and continues to inspire the next generation of women leaders in Southern California and beyond.
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A Journey of Leadership and Lifelong Impact
As we take our first step into the IWF Leadership Fellows Program, we’re reminded of the extraordinary ripple effect that mentorship and opportunity can create. Few stories capture that spirit more vividly than that of Dr. Laurie Leshin, one of our own members and a 2010 IWF Fellow.
Laurie’s remarkable journey — from NASA scientist to the first woman president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, to director of the Jet Propulsion Labratory in Pasadena, and now Bren Professor of Geochemistry and Planetary Science at Caltech — reflects how the Fellows Program empowers women to lead at the highest levels and to lift others along the way. Her continued connection to her cohort and to IWF embodies what it means to give back and pay it forward, inspiring all of us in Southern California to champion the next generation of women leaders.
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The 32nd Class of the Leadership Fellows Program brings together 39 highly accomplished women leaders from the Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their backgrounds include corporate, nonprofit, academic, government, and entrepreneurial sectors, and they have professional expertise in biosciences, communications, impact investing, finance, hospitals and healthcare, law, logistics, technology, and more.
This exceptional cohort will participate in an intensive leadership development experience designed to address the key barriers that restrict women’s advancement, accelerating their path to the C-suite and other top levels in sectors where women leaders remain rare.
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IWF Western Region Virtual Cocktail Café
Tuesday, October 16 |4:00 – 5:00 PM Via Zoom
You’re invited to join the IWF Forum to Forum Western Region 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. Please bring a cocktail, glass of wine, tea, coffee or favorite beverage and be ready for a fun conversation with your IWF sisters!
The purpose of the Café is to connect our members and use this opportunity to meet and engage in a meaningful discussion with other IWF forums.
Date: Thursday, October 16
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Pacific)
Who: IWF Western Region Members
Where: Via Zoom
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Conversations at Home with Nobel Laureate Dr. Andrea Ghez
Hosted by Leslie Gilbert-Lurie
Tuesday, October 14 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
What does it feel like to prove the existence of a black hole?
Join us for an intimate evening with Dr. Andrea Ghez, Nobel Prize Winner in Physics (2020), whose pioneering work led to the discovery of the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. From the peaks of the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii to the lecture halls of UCLA, her discoveries have redefined what we know about space, gravity, and the cosmos itself.
In conversation with acclaimed author, lawyer, and human rights leader Leslie Gilbert-Lurie, Dr. Ghez will share the path that led her to one of the most prestigious honors in science—and what black holes can teach us not only about the universe, but about the power of curiosity and persistence.
Online registration has closed. Please contact the office if you would like to attend, admin@iwfsocal.org
Date: October 14, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Who: IWF – The Trusteeship Members and guests
Where: Leslie’s Home in Brentwood (Address provided upon RSVP)
Cost to attend: $85 for members and $95 for guests
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Annual Membership Meeting
Saturday, Dec 6, 2025| 10:00 AM
Save the date! Join the IWF – The Trusteeship board members for the virtual annual membership meeting. The Zoom information will be sent the week of the meeting. All members are welcome to attend.
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The Oct. 12 Dine – Around has 1 spot left! RSVP HERE if you would like to attend.
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Remember, only members may attend a Dine-Around. New for 2025, there is a nominal dining fee of $40 per person. You will receive a confirmation email once you have registered.
If you would like to host a Dine-Around in 2026, please contact Events Coordinator, Julie Edwards at julie@thetrusteeship.org.
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In cased you missed it, the newest class of members has been announced. View the notice here.
Full Roster Listings can be found on the IWF – The Trusteeship website here.
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Sandy Gooch
As announced by UCLA Newsroom on October 2nd, 2025, UCLA Library has acquired the papers of Sandy Gooch, whose vision transformed the way many Americans prepare, eat and shop for food. Mrs. Gooch’s Natural Food Markets, which she founded, was the first natural foods supermarket chain in the U.S.
The Sandy Gooch Papers, which document the chain’s founding and growth and Gooch’s life’s work, will be part of UCLA Library Special Collections.
Read the full article here.
Congratulations Sandy!
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Jennifer Keller
Jennifer and nine of her firm’s partners have been selected for the 2026 “Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America“.
According to Lawdragon, “The outstanding advocates recognized here have made their mark representing clients in their most important courtroom, investigative and administrative battles. They have changed the course of industry and individual businesses, shaped our nation and the enforcement of its laws.”
Additionally, Jennifer has been named to “The Top 100 Lawyers in California,” as selected by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals.
This is Jennifer’s eighteenth appearance on the list. According to the Daily Journal, the Top 100 is an exclusive list of “the most powerful lawyers in California.”
Congratulations Jennifer!
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Karen Lawrence
The Huntington Ball, which is The Huntington’s premier major furidraising event of the year, was held on Saturday, Sept. 13. The event, chaired by Tracy Beetler Smith and Logan Smith, featured a cocktail reception on the North Vista Lawn before dinner was served on the Library Lawn. Nearly 400 guests were dressed in black tie or speakeasy attire.
The event generated vital financial support for The Huntington’s mission-driven programs.
Karen serves as The Huntington’s president.
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Molly Munger
Molly was among the honorees at Catalyst California’s Champions for Equity Awards at The Huntington in San Marino on Sept. 21. More than 200 people attended the event.
“This year marks Catalyst California’s 25th anniversary and we joined together for a truly special evening as we honored the past, confronted the present, and got ready to fight like hell for the future. This Champions for Equity Awards was, perhaps more than ever, a community gathering to celebrate those who daily advance racial justice and embody [the theme] ‘Leadership in Movement.’ We continue to find joy, inspiration, and strength in one another as we navigate these challenging times.” according to a statement.
Congratulations, Molly!
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Summer Stephan
Summer was recently interviewed by Fox 5 News regarding the growing impact of political violence and how prosecutors play a crucial role in protecting democracy, public safety, and community trust.
The interview can be viewed here https://youtu.be/pvayiQ5eNJo?si=FXUmO-jKdEhgMr_I
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Laura Zucker
Laura facilitated the West Hollywood’s Creative Plan: 2025-2028, a three-year initiative of arts and culture programming in the lead up to the 2028 Games that was unanimously adopted by the West Hollywood City Council June 23, 2025.
To date it’s the only fully-funded cultural plan for the games, and was featured, along with her assessment of the current state of planning, in a September 13, 2025 article in the New York Times, “As L.A. Games Near, Is Arts Plan Lagging?”
Congratulations Laura!
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Luncheon with Sara Miller McCune
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Nineteen accomplished women gathered at the home of Sara Miller McCune, founder of Sage Publishing, for an inspiring conversation on the First Amendment, a free press, and the challenges of our time. With insights from Sara and Jennifer Ferro, Former Chair of NPR and CEO of KCRW, we spoke candidly about censorship and courage—and left renewed in our shared commitment to protect freedom of expression and inspire the next generation to do the same.
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L to R: Miriam Muscarolas, Graciela Carrasco, Jackie Carrera, Linda LoRe, guest Sheila Namir, Judith Hopkinson, Celesta Billeci, Sara Miller McCune, Erica Beck, Malka Drucker, Hannah-Beth Jackson, Janet Garufis, Loren Booth, Jennifer Ferro, Jane Olson, Ann Reiss Lane, Patricia French, Rita McBride
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Margaret McKeown
Thank you to everyone who attended Margaret’s Dine – Around in San Diego on September 13 for brunch.
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Left side of table, L to R: Julie Meier Wright, Martha Dennis, Judy Gradwohl, Nikki Clay, Margaret McKeown
Right side of table, L to R: Betsy Brennan, Debby Buchholz, Gayle Tauber, Karin Winner, Ericia Olmann Saphire, Joan Abrahamson
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Billie Greer
Thank you to everyone who attended Billie’s Dine – Around in Downtown Los Angeles on September 23 for dinner.
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L to R: Susan Rice, Ilse Metchek, Karen Gordon, Beth Morrison, Linda LoRe, Janet Clayton, Wendy Garen, Geraldine Knatz, Renee Fraser, Billie Greer, Frances Arnold, Ann Reiss Lane
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We are delighted that so many members of our IWF global community have registered for the 2025 Cornerstone Conference, Ubuntu: I Am Because We Are, in Cape Town, South Africa, November 5-7.
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Your IWF South Africa sisters have outdone themselves: from the opening dinner at Vergelegen Wine Estate, one of the oldest vineyards in South Africa, to the inspiring and lively entertainment provided by the country’s best artists, you will feel the spirit of Cape Town from start to finish. Please join us for learning, sisterhood, and joyous festivities.
Should you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to a member of the IWF registration team at iwf@executivevents.com or by phone at +1-866-216-8040 (toll free) or +1-303-586-3316.
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Save the Date!
- London, England: May 13-15, 2026 Cornerstone Conference
- Denver, Colorado: November 11-13, 2026 IWF World Leadership Conference
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Share your good news!
Submit announcements, honors and recognitions with
IWF So Cal – The Trusteeship friends.
Please send an email with the subject line “Announcement” to admin@thetrusteeship.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 TUESDAY 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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