About IWF Florida | IWF Florida

The Florida Forum of IWF is an invitation-only organization of more than 200 women of significant achievement. We are CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. We are elected officials, artists, attorneys, physicians and social justice leaders. We are exemplary women representing every sector.

Our members invest in each other and our communities through local dinner gatherings, pop-ups, Dine Arounds, global conferences, and personal relationship building. Our aim is to increase our individual impact and together multiply our positive force in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We do this work in collaboration with our two sister chapters: Palm Beach and the Suncoast of Florida, which covers a broad area of the western state from Tampa to Naples.

What We Do Locally

Events

The mission of IWF Florida is to advance women's leadership and champion equality both locally and globally. Through a series of carefully curated events held throughout the year, we aim to foster meaningful connections and facilitate the exchange of innovative ideas.

Dine Arounds

An important tradition within IWF is our "Dine Around'' or "Wine Around" events. Held on the first Monday of each month, these gatherings vary in scale, from cozy gatherings in the homes of IWF members to larger venues across Miami. The aim is to foster authentic connections among sisters while providing opportunities for knowledge exchange through engaging speakers. Members are encouraged to host these gatherings in their homes or take the lead in organizing larger-scale events.

Lunch Bunch

Hosted by members at different restaurants throughout Miami, these small gatherings offer the perfect setting for informal connections and camaraderie among sisters.

Pop-Ups

A series of events where members of IWF share their insights on various themes, ranging from health and wellness to financial planning and resource management. Members attend informal presentations by experts in their respective fields, followed by an open exchange of ideas among attendees.

IWF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

IWF's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is dedicated to fostering an environment of inclusivity and equity. Through advocacy, promotion, and consultation, the committee ensures that every member feels valued and supported within our organization.

Women in Focus

Melanie Damian spearheads the project for IWF Florida, conducting insightful 10-minute interviews with members that delve into their professional accomplishments and personal journeys. This initiative aims to foster a deeper sense of connection and understanding among the members, allowing them to learn and appreciate each other's diverse experiences and backgrounds.

Out and About

Out and About involves IWF members extending invitations to fellow members to join in various events. Th goal of this initiative is to foster a culture of mutual support, encouraging members to bolster each other's external endeavors, thereby demonstrating solidarity and exemplifying the values of IWF within the broader community.

Fellows Program

Our Leadership Fellows Program inspires and empowers the next generation of transformational leaders through world-class mentoring, customized curriculum and global network access. The Florida chapter of our organization has championed 35 exceptional women whose impact has sparked transformative change within their community. These outstanding individuals have not only propelled their own careers to new heights but have also spearheaded progress within their organizations and communities, embodying leadership excellence.

Our program was created because of the 1991 US Glass Ceiling Report, which shed light on the significant barriers to female leadership advancement. The Fellows program addresses critical gaps in leadership training, professional networks, and mentorship. Celebrating its 30th year, the IWF Leadership Fellows Program remains unmatched in its scope, depth, and efficacy, serving as an indispensable resource for career progression and succession planning, positioning participants for success and leadership excellence.

We Have a Shared Mission

To Advance Women's Leadership and Champion Equality Worldwide

At IWF, we are committed to advancing women's leadership globally and locally. We champion equality worldwide.

IWF's membership includes more than 7,900 diverse and accomplished women from 33 nations on six continents. We answer high-achieving women leaders' need for a community of diverse thinkers. We are shaping a future in which leadership has no gender and the next generation is inspired and equipped to transform the world. And we won't stop until we get there.

Elinor "Elly" Guggenheimer
Founder of the Women's Forum of New York

Meet the Board

President

Lucy Morillo

LMA Consultants | S Revista

Past President

Danet Linares

Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Inc.

Treasurer

Ann Machado

APM and Associates

Secretary

Florencia Tabeni

MDM Hotel Group

Board Member

Christine Barney

rbb Communications, LLC

Board Member

Carla Crossno

Hatched

Board Member

Carol Faber

Akerman LLP

Board Member

Felecia Hatcher

Black Ambition

Board Member

Kimberly Marshall

Marshall Diamond

Board Member

Aura Reinhardt

Reinhardt & Co Marketing Communications Consulting

Board Member

Ana Salas Siegel

NBC Universal Telemundo Enterprises

Board Member

Alexandra Wilkis Wilson

Clerisy

Past Presidents

Danet Linares
Immediate Past President: 2021-2023

Melanie Damian
Past President: 2019-2021

Katy Sorenson
Past President: 2017-2019

Dolores Sukhdkeo
Past President: 2015-2017

Toni Randolph
Past President: 2013-2015

Linda Gassenheimer
Past President: 2011-2013

Marsha Elser
Past President: 2009-2011

Teresa V-F Weintraub
Past President: 2007-2009

Janá Sigars-Malina
Past President: 2005-2007

Arva Moore Parks
Past President: 2003-2005

Kay Hancock Apfel
Past President: 2001-2003

Robin Reiter-Faragalli
Past President: 1999-2001

Kaaren Johnson-Street
Past President: 1995-1998

Tarleton Jeanne Jones
Past President: 1992-1994

History

The story of the International Women's Forum began when Elinor "Elly" Guggenheimer chair of the New York City Planning Commission went to a meeting in Philadelphia. When she arrived, she was told that the only women allowed in the building were waitresses and maids. Determined to participate, Elly found a maid's uniform, put it on and took her rightful place at the table. At that moment, she knew something had to change.

In 1974, Elly established the organization that grew to become IWF. She had three partners in this endeavor: Muriel Siebert, the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange; Eleanor Holmes Norton, now Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives representing the District of Columbia; and Muriel Fox, one of the first female public relations executives and founder of NOW.

Their stated goal: "Bring together women of diverse accomplishments and provide them with a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences."

At the time, women were just beginning to break into the highest levels of leadership. One woman ascended the Fortune 500 list with the first female CEO as another woman was about to scale Mount Everest.

Today, we are those CEOs and mountain climbers. We are Nobel Laureates and sports legends; entrepreneurs and film stars; astronauts, prime ministers and presidents.

We support the emerging leaders of tomorrow who will achieve breakthroughs that cannot yet be imagined.

After nearly 50 years, we continue to bring together the world's most high-achieving women. We connect and promote more than 7,000 leaders across 33 countries around the world. We are truly global.