October/November 2025

I have a recent quote from Martha Stewart on the wall in my office. A couple of years ago, when she was a tender 82 years old, an interviewer asked her what her secret was to stay so vital and energized in business and in life, and she said simply: “I tell myself, when you’re through changing, you’re through.” If there is one thing that life offers all of us, it is change. So many of the clients that we see at our boutique have faced very challenging changes in their lives , but our goal is always to offer them our help and services to make positive changes and empower them to keep going through whatever changes life has for them.

Fall is a very physical reminder of change. Temperatures lower, leaves change color and fall, daylight savings time happens, and family routines change around school and the holidays. It can be invigorating. And that’s something our clients turn to us for – a way to invigorate their career, their potential, their future.

This year so far, Dress for Success Palm Beaches has helped more than 805 clients find their path and direction forward. That’s almost 100 more women than last year at this time.  And with our new facility and amazing job readiness programs we hope to reach even more women.  

The planning is underway for our Style for Hope Luncheon in March of 2026 where we highlight some of the women whose lives we’ve helped change.  But know that every day, everyone at DFSPB – the staff, the volunteers, program facilitators and  mentors – is working diligently to help every woman who walks through our door face all the changes in her life and help her through them. 

Warm regards,

Bernadette O’Grady

Grand Opening is a Grand Celebration

While our new River Bridge Centre headquarters and boutique has been up and running the past two months, on October 22nd the location was officially inaugurated and joyously welcomed by the City of Greenacres with a ribbon cutting ceremony. On hand for the celebration were city VIPs, several of our major funders, volunteers, and other supporters. Special Guest of Honor, Dress for Success Worldwide CEO Joanie Bily, told the crowd of about 75 that our Palm Beaches chapter is considered premier among the network of 130 affiliates – the ultimate compliment!

DFSPB Board Chair Bernadette O’Grady, Joe Ann Fletcher, Joanie Bily

Cutting the Greenacres “Green” Ribbon:  Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores,

Greenacres Deputy Mayor Susy Diaz, Joe Ann Fletcher, Joanie Bily, Bernadette O’Grady

DFSPB Volunteer Personal Stylist Annette Sohn and Greenacres Councilwoman Judy Dugo

Karen Masciarella, one of our most generous donors with her husband Ray, is acknowledged for contributing to the creation of our Breakroom/Respite Area

Joe Ann Fletcher with volunteers Laura Mindell and Susan England – our longtime volunteer stylists who put their interior design expertise to work on the new location

COI member Jennifer Putnam, who was our broker and helped us land our new space, and Board Member

Nancy Rizzuto

JoAnne Greiser and Ellen Gorringe – generous DFSPB funders

Joe Ann Fletcher and Mary Hart

COI members Henny & Berge Santo

The O’Sullivans:

Sean, Denise and Bob

Joanie Bily, Florida State Representative Debra Tendrich, Joe Ann Fletcher and Sheri Brown Grosvenor

Volunteer Career Coach Shirelle Francis gets ready to walk the red carpet

DFSPB Treasurer Steve Tannenbaum and

Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores

Volunteer Stylists Joanne Sommers and Nilda Morales

Adanis & Victoria Velez and Elaine Parnes

Tirzah Gabourel, Rosemary Sirico

Joe Ann with Rabbi Ryan Daniels

Circle of Impact (COI) is the leading initiative for individual giving, asking donors for a minimum $1,000 pledge. It’s a commitment that helps DFSPB deliver on its mission of empowering women to achieve

financial independence and stability in their lives.

Formed in 2019, COI has grown from 40 charter members to more than 80, and their combined giving has significantly added to the foundation grants and funding raised by DFSPB supporting its workforce readiness programs and other services.

In a show of appreciation, COI members throughout the year are invited to exclusive experiential events, themed receptions, and networking opportunities, often at private residences or distinctive venues and occasionally featuring presentations from guest authors, experts, or talents.

Click on the link below, see the range of Membership Levels, and help change a woman’s life today.

We are pleased to recognize the following Circle of Impact members who contributed $2,500 or more at the following levels over the past year: