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2024 GWI Annual Trailblazer Gala
Nearly 300 leaders launched Women’s History Month at Girls With Impact’s 4th annual Gala at L’escale on Greenwich Harbor, celebrating the area's trailblazers and emerging leaders.
Among them were former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, named the 2024 Business Honoree, and Juanita James, a member of the state’s Board of Regents, named the 2024 Philanthropy Honoree.
Presented by Stamford-based Eagle Point Credit – the celebration raised over $300,000 for the non-profit GWI, which operates the nation’s leading Business & Leadership education for young women, helping to ensure “they’re ready on Day 1” for the business world, said CEO Openshaw.
“I know from experience that early education and encouragement can change the course of a young woman’s life,” Indra Nooyi said. “That’s the power of Girls With Impact.”
Juanita James added, “Girls With Impact provides the technical skills and confidence these young women need. The system can’t do it – they don’t have the budget or resources. That’s why this organization is so important.”
Thank you to all our sponsors, speakers, and attendees for their generous support. See more photos below.
Testimonials from our guests:
“It was an amazing event! Your emcee and auctioneer were engaging and fun. And of course, the Keynote interview with Indra Nooyi was a gift that will keep on giving, with all the insights she shared. What made the night for many of us was hearing from the young women tell their story and impact of GWI on their current success and future ambitions.”
- Bernard Guinyard, Head of DEI North America at Henkel
“I was impressed by the evening: the quality of the speakers, the venue, as well as the film showing the impact you and your team have clearly made on such a broad group of young women.”
- Linda Petrone, Founding Partner at Sage Search Advisors
Inspiring Women of the Next Generation: (L to R): Graduates of Girls With Impact Kellie Taylor and Fernanda Giron inspired by Indra Nooyi, former PepsiCo CEO, and Jennifer Openshaw, Girls With Impact’s CEO
2024 Advancing Equity in Philanthropy Honoree: Juanita James, who broke ground in business at Time Inc. and then Pitney Bowes, and now serves as a member of Connecticut’s Board of Regents
2024 Advancing Equity in Business Honoree: Former PepsiCo CEO, Indra Nooyi, in conversation with Jennifer Openshaw, CEO of Girls With Impact
A Celebration of Trailblazers: (L to R:) Jennifer Openshaw, CEO of Girls With Impact, Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, and Annie Lamont, First Lady of Connecticut and Managing Partner at Oak HC/FT
Opening Remarks: Courtney Fandrick, Principal, Chief Compliance Officer at Eagle Point Credit presents the Gala’s opening remarks
2024 Emerging Leader: Mitra Best, Girls With Impact’s Board Member and Technology Impact Leader at PwC presents the 2024 Emerging Leader Award to Paige Collister, Director of Corporate Finance at Eagle Point Credit.
2024 Emerging Leader: Bethany Kalach, Senior Chemist at Henkel accepts the 2024 Emerging Leader Award presented by Mitra Best, Girls With Impact’s Board Member and Technology Impact Leader at PwC.
Introducing GWI Graduate, Kellie Taylor: Kellie Taylor, GWI Academy Graduate Class of 2018, shares her story with Christian Murphy, emcee of the night.
The Impact of Girls With Impact: Fernanda Giron, GWI Academy Graduate Class of 2023 shares how being part of GWI has impacted her
GWI Changes Lives: Girls With Impact’s CEO Jennifer Openshaw sharing her journey and how she started GWI
