A Glimpse Inside the December Newsletter:

President’s Message
Membership Dues
Save the Dates!
IWF Fellows Program
IWF Global Announcements

President’s Message

Through challenge and change, we discovered the power of showing up for one another.

Dearest IWF-Trusteeship Sisters,

As I reflect on this past year, I am filled with gratitude. We began January with such optimism, a shared vision to champion women leaders and expand the impact of our work. Together, we set our course, launched two new committees, and built initiatives designed to strengthen our community from the inside out.

But then the world shifted around us. Challenges – some unexpected, some overwhelming- asked us to pause, to regroup, and to lead with compassion above all else. Our January gathering ultimately became our theme for the year: “You’ve Got a Friend.” And how true that has been.

Through fires, disruptions, and a changing cultural and political landscape, we showed up for one another with courage, grace, and generosity. I have watched this community lean in, offering support, wisdom, humor, and heart exactly when it was needed most. It reminds me, again and again, why the IWF-Trusteeship is unlike any other organization.

And despite the obstacles, we accomplished so much together.

We welcomed extraordinary new members across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 classes—bringing fresh energy, diverse perspectives, and inspiring leadership into our circle.

We launched two new committees that have already strengthened our communications and expanded our ability to champion women’s leadership, especially through new pathways to support rising leaders in the IWF Fellows Program.

We connected in living rooms, online, around dinner tables, at special-access events, and during powerful conferences. Each gathering, whether large or intimate, reminded us that our greatest strength is our community.

As we look toward 2026, I feel deep gratitude for the extraordinary women who make this organization what it is. We lead. We serve. We care. We honor one another with respect, commitment, and love. Your generosity of spirit is the reason we continue to grow stronger, even in challenging times.

Thank you for your trust, friendship, engagement, and unwavering belief in the power of women supporting women.

I wish each of you a joyful holiday season filled with peace, connection, and hope for the year ahead.

With gratitude and warmest wishes,

XO,

Linda

Membership Dues

The IWF – Trusteeship annual dues deadline just passed on Dec. 1, 2025. Betsy McLaughlin, the Treasurer of IWF – Trusteeship, sent out a notice on November 15. If you need help updating your payment information or making a payment, please get in touch with Jenneva Guzman at admin@iwfsocal.org or by phone at 626-360-0676.

When you have a moment, please review your roster listing and photo, which you can do by clicking on the “Review Current Roster Here” or the “Update Roster Listing Here” links. If you need assistance, just give Jenneva a call.

Save the Dates!

Annual Membership Meeting

Saturday, Dec 6, 2025| 10:00 AM

Join the IWF – The Trusteeship board members for the virtual annual membership meeting. All members are welcome to attend.

RSVP HERE

2025 Holiday Parties

’Tis the season to gather, to laugh, and to savor the joy of connection. Once again, IWF So Cal invites you to join in the spirit of the holidays as we host celebrations across 8 festive gatherings — each one offering its own unique ambiance and company.

A few of the holiday parties still have space available. If you have any questions or issues registering for a party, please contact Jenneva Guzman, admin@iwfsocal.org.

RSVP HERE

Date: Wednesday, December 10 (Santa Monica)

Time: 6:00 pm

Hostess: Felice Forer Axelrod

(2 spots left!)

Date: Wed., Dec. 10 (Irvine)

Time: 6:15 pm

Hostesses: Julie Hill, Sheila Sonenshine, Mary Carrington

(2 spots left!)

Date: Thurs., Dec. 11 (Santa Barbara)

Time: 5:30 pm

Hostesses: Graciela Carrasco, Miriam Muscarolas, Patricia French & Dorothy Largay

(5 spots left!)

Date: Thursday, December 18 (Burbank)

Time: 6:30 pm

Hostess: Linda LoRe, Alison Kenney Paul & Claudia Kotchka

(3 spots left!)

An Exclusive Conversation on the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games

Monday, January 12 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM In-Person

Save the date! IWF So Cal – Trusteeship invites you to a special behind the scene tour at the iconic Los Angeles Coliseum followed by a conversation with Colleen Wrenn, Executive Director of the Paralympic Games. Thank you Billie Greer for coordinating this event.

Registration will open soon.

Behind the Scenes and Concert at The Jacobs Music Center in San Diego

Sunday, March 1 | 10:30 AM In-Person

Save the date! IWF So Cal – Trusteeship invites you to a special behind the scene tour at the Jacobs Music Center followed by a Sunday performance of the Brahms Festival: A German Requiem (Ein deutsches Requiem), Op. 45.

This San Diego Symphony festival is a rare occasion, bringing together some of his best-loved pieces – his four symphonies, his violin concerto and his ravishingly beautiful German Requiem – so that we can listen to them all in a single breath. Don’t miss this opportunity to take a deep dive into one of the greatest musical imaginations that ever lived!

Registration will open in 2026.

IWF Western Region Virtual Cocktail Café

Thursday, March 5 & October 15 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM Via Zoom

Save the dates! The next two IWF Forum to Forum Western Region Cocktail Café will be on March 5 and October 15, 2026. Join members from eight Western Region forums including British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Southern California, Idaho, Utah and Hawaii.

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.

Registration will open in 2026.

Thank you to all of the members who attended the “Let’s Listen to Our Hearts” virtual conversation on November 19, 2025. A special thank you to our speakers Dr. C. Noel Bairey Merz and Dr. Judith Reichman.

The recording can be viewed on the IWF So Cal website using the link below. Please note you will need to log into the IWF So Cal – Trusteeship website to view the recording. As a reminder, the recording is for members only.

View Recording 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
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.

December 2025