Please join us!
20th Annual Women of Courage Celebration
presented by
American Women for International Understanding
March 16, 2027
5:30-6:00 pm: Private Reception in Murals Gallery for Leadership Level & Above
6:00-6:30 pm: Murals Gallery open for all Celebration attendees
6:00-7:00 pm: Rooftop Sky Garden Reception
7:00 pm: Program & Dinner
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Los Angeles, CA
Business or Cocktail Attire
Deadline to be acknowledged in the Celebration program is February 15, 2027.
Donations help provide AWIU Impact Grants to International Women of Courage alumnae,
and support AWIU's dynamic programs which advance our mission to build bridges of understanding,
goodwill and cooperation among women worldwide.
Your tax-deductible gift in any amount is greatly appreciated.
AWIU is a 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID # 23-7273487
For questions, please call 202-643-1196 or email info@awiu.org
Thank you for your support!
AWIU Impact Grantees
2027 Internationalism Awardee
2027 Honorary Committee
AWIU is pleased to announce the distinguished members of our Honorary Committee for the 20th Annual Women of Courage Celebration. We are deeply grateful to this exceptional group of women who share our commitment to celebrating courage and leadership.
Honorary Committee Chair
Co-CEO, Ariel Investments and Ariel Alternatives
Leigh Adams
Artist and Community Educator
Co-Founder, Studio Petrichor and Poly/Ana
Heather M. Caruso
Faculty Member and Associate Dean for
Inclusive Excellence
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Janet Elliott
President/Chief Executive Officer,
International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles
Jennifer Ferro
President, KCRW Los Angeles
Board Chair, NPR Culver City
Liz Hamren
Chief Executive Officer
AllTrails
Ambassador Kristina A. Kvien
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pacific Council on International Policy
Amy Marcus-Newhall
President
Scripps College
Jerilyn Castillo McAniff
Managing Director, Head of Diversity & Inclusion
and Early Talent, Oaktree Capital Management
Julie Meehan
Principal l Vice Chair
US Civil Government Sector Leader
Deloitte
Nneka Ogwumike
Retired LA Sparks Champion and MVP
11x AllStar
Former President, WNBPA
Jane Olson
Former Board Chair, Human Rights Watch
and Women’s Refugee Commission
2026 AWIU Internationalism Award Recipient
Winnie Park
Chief Executive Officer
Five Below
Alison Kenney Paul
President, International Women’s Forum
Southern California - Trusteeship
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum
Director, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center
for Security Studies
Jennifer Vanore, Ph.D.
President and Chief Operating Officer
UniHealth Foundation
Miry Whitehill
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Miry’s List
Honorary Chair Emerita Ambassador Melanne Verveer
First U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues
Founding Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
Past Honorary Chairs
Billie Jean King (2024)
Andrea Mitchell (2023)
Ambassador Melanne Verveer (2022)
Willow Bay (2021)
Norah O’Donnell (2019)
Lisa Ling (2018)
Mellody Hobson (2017)
Lesley Stahl (2016)
Katie Couric (2015)
Cokie Roberts (2014)
Doris Buffett (2013)
Irene Pollin, MSW, Ph.D. (2012)
2026 Corporate Sponsors
Thank you to our generous Corporate Sponsors for the 2026 International Women of Courage Alumnae Impact Celebration
Global Leadership
Empowerment Through Education
Peace & Justice
Acknowledgment
2026 IWOC Patrons
Thank you to our generous Patrons for the 2026 International Women of Courage Alumnae Impact Celebration
Bridges of Understanding
Jane Olson
Empowerment through Education
Nancy McAniff Annick
Susan Chandler
Ann Diederich and Tim Redmond
Dr. Robert and Martha May Kim
Jerilyn Castillo McAniff
Cynthy Moffatt
Wendy Munger
Noelle Newton
Margaret Heflin Sabbag
Janice Meagher Trojan
Carol Ann Warren
Jewels Washington
Jane Mursener Wetzel
Gretchen Zelek
Social Responsibility
Denise Hammett Bieker
Kristin Johnson Ceva
Hanh Dao
Cathy Dean
Lian Dolan
Ingrid Johnson
Gelila Puck
Ann Sunshine
Dave and Monica Miller Walsh
Justine Wolcott
Women for Others
Ricardo Calderon
Sarah Deschenes and Ken Farley
James J. and Sue Femino Foundation
The Marigold Center
Julie and Megan Pantiskas
Eunice Reddick
Toi and Dana Treister
Awareness and Appreciation
Jennifer Annick
Sidney Barney
Earlie Douglas
Claire Glidden
Patricia Tom Mar
Virginia Navarrete Brooks
Laura Li Pollard
Beth Hunt Price
Andrea Van de Kamp
Lola Warlick-Bryant
Friends of AWIU
Dr. Annette Ermshar
Jane Kaczmarek
Olivera Lakić
Khin-Onma Lwin
Judith McDonald
Gayle Graham Morin
Marsha Niazmand
Laurel Pellegrini
Rodney Vencatachellum
