Members in the News

Dear IWF Sisters,

I hope this letter finds you well! It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Annual Meeting. I want to extend a special thank you to our gracious hosts, MDC, and our sisters, President Madeline Pumariega and Dr. Maryam Laguna Borrego, for making the evening so memorable!

The International Women's Forum began in New York in 1974 when visionary women, unable to access the "old boys' network," created their own. Our network has grown into a global force of over 8,000 leaders across 76 Forums in 33 countries. When women support each other, there are no limits to what we can achieve.

It has been a humbling experience to lead our IWF Florida Chapter this year. I am grateful to my mentors, Teresa and Toni, for their guidance, and I want to congratulate our sister Daniella Levine Cava on her re-election as Miami-Dade County's first woman Mayor!

I am excited to share some highlights of our accomplishments this year:

• Membership Growth: We've grown by 13% and maintained a 95% retention rate, with 62 nominations and a current total of 229 members. A big thank you to Alexandra Wilkins-Wilson for leading this effort.
• Engaging Events: We've hosted 30 events so far, with more planned, including dynamic gatherings and dine-arounds. Special thanks to our Chairs, Aura Reinhardt, Felicia Hatcher, and Kimberly Marshall, for their incredible efforts! I also want to recognize Emily Berlin, Ann Machado, Leslie Miller Saiontz, and Evelyn Greer for organizing meaningful gatherings that have strengthened our sisterhood. Our events have seen strong participation, with 72% of members engaged, and 69% of new members joining in.
• Representation and Recognition: Our chapter was well-represented at the NY 50th Anniversary, with 26 members attending, making us one of the best-represented forums. I also had the opportunity to throw the first pitch at a Marlins vs. Cubs game--my first pitch ever! Thank you, Caroline O'Connor, for hosting!
• Women on Boards Initiative: Our Women on Boards Initiative has gained significant momentum. Together with Suncoast, Palm Beach forums, and other partners, we aim to increase the number of women on boards in Russell 3000 companies. Please join us at our next seminar on October 17th at the University of Tampa.
• Connectivity and Communications:Thank you, Danet, for transforming our newsletter with a 75% open rate. I also appreciate past president Melanie Damian for her dedication to the Member Spotlight, preserving our legacy through insightful interviews. Earlier this year, my Op-Ed in The Herald brought significant visibility to our organization, thanks to the support of our Communications Committee, led by Christine Barney.
• Fellows and Fundraising Programs:We are kicking off our fundraising efforts, which are essential for enriching our events, enhancing operations, and supporting key initiatives like the IWF Fellows and Corporate Programs.The Fellows Program remains a cornerstone of our mission, providing exceptional women leaders with the tools, mentorship, and global networking opportunities they need to drive change across sectors. Equally important is our Corporate Program, which plays a vital role in elevating the quality and impact of our events and overall operations. Your support is crucial for our mission. For more details, please connect with Carla Crosno.
At the general meeting, we unanimously passed a vote to amend our bylaws to become a 501(c)(3) corporation. This change better aligns us with Global IWF and supports our growth. Thank you, Ana, for guiding us through this process!
I want to express my gratitude to our entire board for their dedication and to Maria Bixby, our Administrator, who is truly the glue that keeps everything together.
Thank you all for your commitment and support! Let us continue to embrace the spirit of connection and the strength of our sisterhood. Together, we can achieve remarkable things and empower one another. We are the IWF Sisterhood!

With gratitude,
Lucy
President, IWF Florida Chapter