IWIRC eNewsletter November 2016 | Page 6

IWIRC All Star Breakfast

Sarah Frankel, the525group

In 2013, I was humbled to be named an IWIRC Rising Star Finalist along with four other exceptional ladies. While we did not all know each other at the time, this recognition served as the foundation for a special bond. In celebration of that, I hosted drinks for me and my fellow finalists the night before our award ceremony. We shared our stories, we laughed and we celebrated this special “club” we were all joining.

As the 2016 conference approached, I realized there are now nearly 30 members of this IWIRC Rising Star Finalist Club from the last 6 years, the IWIRC All Stars, if you will. In hopes that all IWIRC All Stars had the opportunity to experience the camaraderie and support I found in my 2013 finalist group, I decided to start an annual tradition of gathering all IWIRC Rising Star Finalists during the IWIRC Fall Conference. Nearly half of all IWIRC All Stars gathered for breakfast in San Francisco last month and we again shared our stories, we laughed, and we celebrated this special club that continues to grow. We celebrated and promoted each other and, I hope, embodied all that IWIRC stands for in giving each other a hand-up and succeeding together.

Thank you to IWIRC for giving us this platform and thank you to the All Stars for supporting this initiative. Be on the lookout in 2017 as I will be back with another All Star event!

Full List of IWIRC Rising Star Finalists

*Denotes Rising Star Winners

Sarah Frankel

Alexandra CC Schnapp

Alison Elko Franklin

Amanda Steele

Camille Bent

Cara Porter

Catherine D'Alton (née Read)

Charla Smith

Christy Prince

*Eloise Fardon

Emily Ladky

Gillian Scarlett

*Jennifer Kimble

Jennifer Taylor

*Jodi Daniel Cooke

Joyce Ka Yee Lau

Kara Casteel

Kathryn Harrison

Kimberly Backer

*Lauren McKelvey

Leigh-Anne Raport

Megan Adeyemo

*Monique Hayes

Rachel Lao

Rebecca Petereit

Sage Sigler

*Sarah Frankel

Tara Schellhorn

Valerie Bantner Peo