On July 26th, thanks to the generous support of our corporate partner Bank of America, Orange County United Way’s Women United kicked off the first in a 3-part Women’s Empowerment Series entitled Local, Global & Me.

Along with casual and fun networking, the highlight of the evening was a dynamic panel of experts discussing the impact of how corporate engagement and philanthropy impacts our businesses and community. Over 80 local business women and philanthropists came together for this unforgettable evening.

The 2-hour event brought together three powerhouse panelists: Diane Brooks Dixon (Newport Beach Councilmember/former Mayor), Lucy Dunn (CEO, OC Business Council) and our own Susan B. Parks (President & CEO, Orange County United Way). Sandra Bensworth, Chief Financial Officer for Orange County United Way, moderated the panel’s lively, insightful discussion.

Each high energy panelist brought decades of experience in executive leadership and strategic vision guiding many of Orange County’s top companies and organizations. They openly shared their first-hand knowledge of the progress being made in women’s empowerment. The net effect: when women get actively engaged locally and globally in their civic, business, and giving communities, they can achieve tremendous and transformative results.

The impact of corporate engagement in our community is one of the focus areas of Orange County United Way’s Women United. With over 400 local members (we like to call them our “United Way ambassadors”), Women United is an energetic group of women helping women, using their collective power of generosity to change lives. As Anne Finucane, Vice Chairman Bank of America, recently stated: “Investing in women is an investment in the future. We work every day in support of gender equality.”

All in all, it was a great summer evening of learning, networking and appetizers (thank you Sally Ann Catering and our many sponsors!).

Coming in September is your next chance to join your peers in Part 2 of Local, Global & Me, focusing on Global. Panelists include Rebecca Waugh, Executive Director, L.A. County’s Women & Girls Initiative and Kelly Aamodt, Vice President Sales for UPS West Region. Contact Amanda for more information.

Click here to check out some great people photos from the recent event.