The Women Who Inspire Luncheon by Dress for Success was a breathtaking celebration of leadership, empowerment, and community, a 500-guest star-studded event where the mission of transforming women’s lives shone brightly.
My amazing friend Armine Arustam introduced me to the fabulous Women who inspired luncheon hosted by Dress for Success Worldwide. Bobbi Brown did an amazing keynote Talk hosted by the great Tamsen Fadal. The CEO, Joanie Bily and the Board chair, Erica Frontiero, organized a magical event.
Joanie Bily, Chief Executive Officer, stood at the forefront, embodying the drive and dedication that has carried this global organization from a Manhattan church basement in 1996 to 134 affiliates in 20 countries today. Her presence was matched in inspiration by beauty mogul Bobbi Brown, who has dedicated her career to helping women feel confident in their own skin, a mission aligned perfectly with Dress for Success’s ethos of empowerment. Together, they symbolized the union of professional guidance and personal confidence that continues to open doors for countless women worldwide.
The history of Dress for Success was woven into the day’s conversations, recalling Nancy Lublin’s original vision when she used her $5,000 inheritance to help women enter the workforce with dignity and hope. What began in partnership with three nuns has grown into a vast global network supported by more than 5,000 organizations, from job training programs and educational institutions to domestic violence shelters. Each year, more than 13,000 volunteers give their time to sustain the mission, creating a ripple effect of transformation in communities across the globe. This story of grassroots origins and monumental progress provided the backdrop for a luncheon dedicated not just to honoring women but also to continuing the movement toward economic independence and self-determination.
The menu reflected the refinement and care of the occasion. Guests were welcomed with a first course of sungold tomatoes and fresh figs with shaved fennel and sherry vinaigrette, followed by a roasted French chicken breast with rosemary, garlic, truffle honey, creamy mushroom polenta, wild greens, and fig mostarda. Dessert offered a decadent chocolate flourless cake with whipped caramel ganache and orange vanilla sauce, a sweet conclusion to a gathering that was about so much more than a meal—it was about nourishing futures. For those seeking alternatives, vegetarian options reflected the inclusivity that Dress for Success lives by.
This inclusivity is mirrored in its leadership and governance. The Board of Directors, chaired by Erica Frontiero with Bart Shuldman as Treasurer, is composed of distinguished figures including Ami Palan of Accenture, Anu Aiyengar of JP Morgan, Barbara Wagner of Talbots, Elena Kiam, Dale Bornstein of M Booth, Deirdre FitzGerald, Felicia Hale of The Coca-Cola Company, Frank Aquila of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Janessa Cox-Irvin, Jean Selden Greene of Bank of America, Jennifer Klein of The TJX Companies, Jennifer Windbeck of Capital One, Joyce Russell of Adecco Group US Foundation, Loretta Marcoccia of Scotiabank, Lynn Cox of Verizon, Marion Menzies of Dress for Success Scotland, Melony Butler of Dress for Success Cleveland, Sachin Nanavati of Google, and Tracy Nolan of Humana. Their collective guidance is amplified by the wisdom of emeritus board members Debra Kelly-Ennis and Rosemarie Ryan. These leaders ensure that the vision first sparked in 1996 continues to thrive in 2025.
The Executive Leadership Team, under the dynamic guidance of Joanie Bily, includes Arlene Lozano as Chief Affiliate Impact Officer, Armine Arustamyan as Chief Operating Officer, Marc Amiel as People & Culture Lead, Patrice Anderson as Vice President of Communications, and Rebecca Mantey as Chief Development Officer. In New York, the Worldwide team is driven by Alexandra Morales Alers, Ashley Quick, Austin Bartsch, Courtney McTeer, Danielle Holloway, Danielle Recalde, Elyse Howser, Gabriella Jones, Hannah Merrill Woodward, Jennifer Nix, Jonathan Mazzella, Julie Carandang, Kalim Khogiani-Nguyen, Michele Rella, Roberto Schiattino, Sabrina Maysonet, Sarah Bove, Sidra Robertson, and Zahra Marston. The Greater New York City team led by Jennifer Wuerz includes Elizabeth Richard, Patricia Kirton, Shakira Tene Blow, and Walter Vaughn, each contributing to the impact that reverberates worldwide.
Sponsors played a vital role in bringing this vision to life, their logos displayed proudly as markers of partnership and shared purpose. GEICO stood as the title sponsor, while Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent anchored the President’s Circle. The Leadership Circle included Benefit, The Coca-Cola Company, Radial, and Ulta Beauty. In the Empowerment Circle, The Adecco Group US Foundation, AllianceBernstein, Calibrate, and Robert Half signaled their commitment to helping women succeed. The Inspiration Circle shone with Adrianna Papell, Capital One, TJ Maxx, the Morrison & Foerster Foundation, KnitWell, and Verizon. Gear Communications served as the official media partner, and Dawn Melanie Designs elevated the event with floral artistry. Pro bono partners Loeb & Loeb and Schulte Roth & Zabel, now McDermott Will & Schulte, reminded guests of the essential role of generosity in sustaining nonprofit missions.
As the luncheon unfolded, the synergy between Dress for Success’s mission and the passion of those who support it was undeniable. From the volunteers who suit women for their first interviews, to the executives and sponsors who provide resources, to leaders like Joanie Bily and icons like Bobbi Brown who inspire by example, the event was a living testament to the fact that when women rise, communities rise with them. The Women Who Inspire Luncheon did not merely gather 500 guests; it gathered stories of resilience, dreams of progress, and commitments to action that will echo long beyond the closing dessert course. In celebrating these women, the event celebrated a future where empowerment, dignity, and opportunity belong to all.
