Leadership Luncheon | Westmont College Women's Leadership Luncheon Educating. Enriching. Empowering. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Friday, April 24, 2026 - Registration is closed for this event. - Women's Leadership Luncheon 2026 A wonderful luncheon, an inspiring speaker and a great cause. Friday, April 24, 2026, 12-1:30 p.m. Check in opens at 11:30 a.m. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort 633 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara Join local community leaders, professionals and alums for a wonderful luncheon and hear from an empowering and inspiring speaker. This exciting annual luncheon supports Westmont’s female students with financial resources as they pursue educational and vocational preparation for lives of impact. 2026 Speaker Anja Manuel Co-Founder and Principal, Rice, Hadley, Gates and Manuel, LLC Author, former diplomat, speaker and now a sought-after advisor to Fortune 50 and Silicon Valley CEOs, Anja Manuel shares her powerful insights on the rise of emerging markets in Asia and beyond, what this means for us and America’s future role in international leadership. Read More About Anja Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree Spirit of Santa Barbara Award We look forward to celebrating the 2026 recipients of the Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree Spirit of Santa Barbara awardees Yvette Birch Giller , President & CEO, and Sue Birch , Trustee, for their extraordinary community impact through the Mosher Foundation. "It is what you give of yourself that makes all the difference." - Lady Ridley-Tree Supporting Women Students & Inspiring our Community It's a pleasure to live in Santa Barbara where so many believe in the powerful contribution Westmont women students will make as leaders in our society. Last year's featured speaker was the Honorable Henrietta Holsman Fore (pictured), who inspired the audience with her depth and breadth of leadership experience and her stirring call to women students to step into leadership and service.  I hope you can join us this year for another exceptional speaker and delightful time together. Sherry Nasseri, PhD Women's Leadership Council Chair Lady Leslie Tree Spirit of Santa Barbara Award, Past Honorees Previous Chris Emmons (2023) Anna and David Grotenhuis (2024) Anne Towbes (2025) next Special Thanks to Our Sponsors PLATINUM SPONSOR MARY BARBOUR GOLD SPONSORS ANNA GROTENHUIS ANONYMOUS THE HUGH E. AND MARJORIE S. PETERSEN FOUNDATION SILVER SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS BITSY BACON DREW AND NICK PARISI Zegar Family Foundation TABLE SPONSORS STEVEN & DENICE FELLOWS KAREN ROBILIO MEGAN & JOSH STICHTER KAREN YONALLY GIFT BAG SPONSOR Explore Sponsor Options Previous next Join us for a wonderful afternoon for a great cause. Past Speakers: Teresa Goines (2016) Kathy Ireland (2017) Shauna Niequist (2018) Megan Alexander (2019) Tamika Catchings (2020) Lupita Knittel (2023) Natalie Taylor (2024) Henrietta Fore (2025)