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July/August 2022 | Volume 7
Dear IWF/MA Colleagues:

Super hot and going fast! That sure describes this summer…and our members too - but I hope you’ve been able to take some S L O W time for you, and family and friends. So what’s hot and happening on the IWF/MA front? 

Vegas is happening! 

IWF/MA is looking forward to record attendance at the IWF World Leadership Conference November 1-3 in Las Vegas…19 of our members have already registered (see list below). It’s expected to be a sellout conference, so c’mon, join us!! Register HERE today and please drop Kirsten a note to let us know you are going!
See who’s committed so far… (and let anyone on the Committee * know you're coming!)
Fiona Calnan
Cady Coleman*
Elizabeth Cook*
Fay Donahue*
Priscilla Douglas*
Karina Funk
Rosalind Gorin*
Judy Habib*
Julie Hall
Pam Hamlin
Tony Hayes
Pam Hamlin

Jenny Holaday
Carolyn Jones*
Nancy Lurker
Sheryl Marshall
Joyce Murphy*
Macaire Pace
Adrienne Penta
Collette Phillips*
Lesli Suggs
Alison Taunton-Rigby
Pallavi Verma
A fun treat- Fay Donahue has graciously offered to host a lunch on October 12th at her home in Charlestown for all who have registered. So don't wait, register today!

Membership is happening! 

The Membership Committee has been making awesome progress toward our goals for greater diversity - not just of race, but of age, industry experience and background. Women from biotech and technology remain a focus, for example. If you would like to recommend someone who fits our overall criteria, please submit her name to Kirsten who will forward to the committee. And please remember to not make any promises of membership until the committee has had a chance to review.

IWF/MA Ambassadors are happening!

This is not just a new program, it’s a new committee in the making, but here’s a preview of what the Board will be formalizing in September. There are several ways for you to engage:

  • Be a new member buddy
  • Be on the welcoming committee for visitors from IWF sister forums
  • Be an event host (Dine-around, Supper Club, Summer Pop Up, Behind the Scenes)
  • Be a convener of Conversations That Matter

We are thrilled to have Pam Everhart and Jenny Holaday heading up our Ambassador program. Look for a survey soon where you can let us know your areas of interest.

Summer Fun has been happening!

Founding member Roz Gorin graciously hosted a group in June at her home for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before a stunning Broadway-bound performance of 1776 at A.R.T. - with an all woman cast. About 20 members joined in the fun and caught up in person before a leisurely walk over to the theater. Shout out to Priscilla Douglas for helping to organize the A.R.T. logistics of the event for us.
Earlier this month, another group of members enjoyed an intimate dinner at the Painted Burro in Waltham organized by Lisa Wieland. Loosely called the “Metrowest Supper Club” we encourage members from any area to suggest a place to meet and dine. Sandi Fenwick commented, “What a joy finally to be in person over drinks and dinner with interesting, fun women colleagues and friends. Hearing how people navigated these past few years with joys and sorrows in an intimate and supportive casual group setting was so nice. Looking forward to the next one!”
And more fun to come...

For those of you on or near the Cape, Kim Vaughan and Adrienne Penta are organizing an early evening party at Kim’s house in Orleans on August 10th. Click here to register and get all the details.

Diane Hessan and Carol Fulp are hosting drinks at Smith & Wollensky on September 13th. Click here to register. 

Keep in mind that many women who join in to these events don’t know each other- it’s a great opportunity to lean in and make new acquaintances within our fabulous group. IWF/MA can make the plans and get the word out. Reach out to Kirsten if you’d like to help organize a dinner in your area.

Last but not least!

Don't forget to register for our re-scheduled Women Opening Doors for Women (September 28th, 4:30-6pm). Our special keynote speaker is IWF/MA Board member Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, President of Simmons University, She's also co-author of Arrive & Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership.

We are working on more events for the Fall- keep your eyes open for announcements and I hope to see you at an event very soon!

Warm regards,
Judy A Habib
President
International Women's Forum of Massachusetts
MEMBERS OUT AND ABOUT
IWF/MA Members Support Tomorrow's Women Today FUNraiseHER Event in Boston

IWF/MA members supported Tomorrow's Women Today at their annual FUNraiseHER program in Boston on July 20th. In addition to raising money to help develop women's careers, the program honored IWF/MA's President Judy Habib as Woman of the Year. Congrats to Judy for this well deserved honor!

(Photo: L to R- Fay Donahue, Judy Habib, Aisha Francis, Pam Everhart)
MEMBER NEWS
Sandi Fenwick Honored by Northeastern University

At their May 13 graduation ceremony, Northeastern University presented Sandi Fenwick with an honorary doctor of global health. It was noted that during her 20+ years at Boston Children’s Hospital Sandi “deftly navigated the changing U.S. health-care landscape in ways that delivered high quality, innovative care while securing the hospital’s financial stability. Joining Boston Children’s in 1999 as senior vice president for business development strategy, she was promoted to chief operating officer that same year, then was named president in 2008 and chief executive officer in 2013. As CEO, she laid a track record of delivering care for children and their families of the highest value, consistently earning Boston Children’s the number one ranking among pediatric hospitals in U.S. News and World Report.”
Professor Lisa Lynch Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Lisa Lynch, Maurice B. Hexter Professor of Social and Economic Policy at Brandeis, was awarded The Labor and Employment Relations Association Lifetime Achievement Award for lifelong contributors to the field of Industrial Relations and Human Resources, from all perspectives. In addition to teaching, Lisa has served many leadership roles at Brandeis and was recently profiled in this recently published article on The Power of Storytelling.

Nora Moreno Cargie Presented With Trailblazers in Aging Change Award

Nora Moreno Cargie was honored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) with the Trailblazers in Aging Change Agent Award. This award recognizes individuals and organizations around the country who are working toward a just and caring society that allows all of us to age with dignity, purpose, and security. In receiving the award, Nora commented “I am humbled by this recognition—it strengthens my resolve to continue to be a disrupter, to work vigilantly toward eliminating the racism and bias embedded in our systems, and to follow community in identifying solutions to the issues that matter to them."