Friday, March 7, 2025 | 11am – 2pm
Westwood Country Club – Vienna, VA

Every year we celebrate International Women’s Day in March by hosting our Women’s Empowerment Luncheon. In partnership with event sponsor M&T Bank, we invite influential trailblazing women from a diverse variety of backgrounds and industries to join us in connecting with and further inspiring each other.

The Luncheon is a fun and uplifting opportunity to gather and hear about the exceptional impact that Women Giving Back is having on the women and children we serve. During the program there are testimonials from Women Giving Back clients, and attendees learn how they can also get involved through volunteerism and programmatic partnerships.

Meet This Year’s Keynote Speaker:
Rosie Allen-Herring
President and CEO
United Way of the National Capital Area

Keynote Speaker Bio

We’re Excited to Welcome Back as
Event Emcee:
Shawn Yancy
News Anchor
NBC4

Host Committee Members

Event Chair: *Cecilia Hodges – Regional President, M&T Bank

Rosie Allen-Herring – CEO, United Way of the National Capital Area
Milli Arakawa – CFO, EYA
Irma Becerra, PhD – President, Marymount University
Jennifer Bognet – Executive Vice President, Bognet Construction
Jackie Bradford – President, NBC4/Telemundo 44
Mary Brady – President and CEO, The Economic Club of Washington DC
Cliff Chiet – Chief Integrated Marketing Director, iHeart Media
*Diane DuBois – Retired, Washington Post
Guitty Ejtemai – Vice President, The Abdolhossein & Guitty Ejtemai Foundation
Lorin Fantaskey – Senior Vice President of Suites, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Nancy Greene, Chairman, President, and CEO – Miles & Stockbridge
Melonie Johnson – President and COO, MGM National Harbor
Kayla Kania – Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader, Aprio
Holly Kortright – Chief Human Resources Officer, Navy Federal Credit Union
Anne Kress, PhD – President, Northern Virginia Community College

Karen McJunkin – Regional Partner, Elm Street Development
Monica Modi Dalwadi – Managing Partner of DC Metro Region, Baker Tilly
Radha Muthiah – President and CEO, Capital Area Food Bank
Linda Rabbitt – Founder and Executive Chairman, rand* construction corporation
Susan Riel – President and CEO, Eagle Bank
Kimberly Roy – CEO, HITT Contracting
Janis Schiff – Partner, Holland & Knight
Courtney Spaeth – CEO, growth[period]
Patricia Steis – Managing Director and Global Engagement Partner, Marsh
Lynn Stith Bennett – Managing Principal and Chief Strategy Officer, Coakley & Williams Construction
*Leslie Strittmatter – Retired, New Homes Guide
Julie van der Vate – COO of Finance and Strategic Growth, Van Metre Companies
*Lauren Vanni Kinard – President, First Excel Title LLC

*Women Giving Back Board Member

Table Sponsors

In-Kind Donors

The Capital Grille Tysons
Chip McCrea Photography
Coakley & Williams Construction
Connective Studios
EagleBank
The Economic Club of Washington DC
iHeart Media
Jane Lyons & Mark Sucher
King Spa

Lake Ridge Nursery
M&T Bank
Marymount University
MGM National Harbor
Monumental Sports & Entertainment
NBC4/Telemundo44
Van Metre Companies
The Washington Ballet
The Washington Nationals