Debbie Landras, C’99; Diana Lai, C’96; Jen Wana, C’95; Suma CM, C’96, WG’00; Sonie Guseh Osagie, C’10; Lisa Hurwich Pratz, C’01
David Hill
College alumnae from throughout the Bay Area gathered in April at Williams-Sonoma in Union Square, San Francisco, for the first Penn Arts & Sciences Professional Women’s Alliance (PWA) satellite event. It was a chance for professionally engaged women to get together and network. The event was hosted by three members of the Penn Arts & Sciences Board of Advisors: Laura Alber, C'90; Hayley Boesky, C’88; and Adriana López Vermut, C’00, LPS’25.
The PWA was created in 2015 for professionally active Penn Arts & Sciences women who have a deep appreciation and understanding of the value of a liberal arts education in the workplace. It connects alumnae and supports College students, providing professional development and career networking opportunities for all Penn Arts & Sciences female-identifying alumnae and students.
During the pandemic, PWA pivoted to virtual programming, which allowed the group to engage with alumnae outside of New York City. The positive response to this programming showed the importance of branching out regionally and led to this first satellite event.
“Since it was launched, the PWA has made a meaningful impact on the career paths of so many women students and alums across a range of disciplines,” says Boesky, a member of the PWA Advisory Board who traveled to San Francisco for the event. “Given this success, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to expand the initiative to the west coast. It was very inspiring to meet this fabulous community of women who have so much to offer in their professions and to their communities. Bringing them into the PWA will go a long way to expand the Penn women’s network and demonstrate the power of connections.”
Hayley Boesky, C’88, PAR’20; Laura Alber, C’90, PAR’20, PAR’23, PAR’26; Adriana López Vermut, C’00, LPS’25
David Hill
“I was delighted to see how the event drew from the different parts of the Bay Area, from San Jose to Marin, East Bay, and the City,” says Vermut. “That diversity will be the power of the PWA presence here. I look forward to seeing this group grow over the years, providing Penn Arts & Sciences alumnae the power of connections as we move through the various professional chapters of our lives.”
To learn more about the PWA and get involved, please click here.
