MESSAGE FROM THE NORCAL CHAPTER LEADER | 33 NORCAL CHAPTER LEADER Dear IAWF Community, On behalf of the many inspiring women that have come together in recent months to further the mission and vision of this organization, it is with a most heartfelt pride that I introduce you to the new Northern California “NorCal” Chapter. Together we represent a collective community of intergenerational, dynamic, caring women from across all disciplines and professional sectors. This new chapter emerged out of the success of the inaugural Bay Area Women’s Leadership Conference in May 2015, which, in the spirit of Mariam Khosravani’s founding vision, inspired, empowered, and connected over 600 Iranian American women from across the Bay Area. The NorCal Chapter is committed to the continued success of this new legacy of the Bay Area conference, and looks ahead to the future conference in spring of 2017 to solidify its mark on the Northern California Bay Area landscape, evoking cultural pride, power, resilience and poise. Now in its first year, the NorCal Chapter is committed to deepening IAWF’s mission by galvanizing a new Mentorship Program, maintaining continuity and community cohesion between major conferences. The chapter strives to achieve this by connecting aspiring young professionals with emulatory leaders committed to the continuity and role modeling of the next generation, providing a year long opportunity that cultivates a direct and intensely personal exchange between a mentor and mentee. The NorCal Chapter is comprised of educators, artists, legal, medical, science, and business professionals, nonprofit leaders, activists and philanthropists, and works to spearhead quarterly events to advance IAWF participation and engagement by spotlighting speakers and artists that represent the unparalleled achievement and beauty of Iranian American culture. In essence, each member of the NorCal Chapter is committed to the work of inclusive women’s empowerment, visioning a future where every Iranian American woman holds an integral place in the grand tapestry of our community, with access to the personal and professional resources needed to holistically realize their human potential. We extend an invitation to all Iranian American women interested in joining our chapter, contributing to our goal of making the mentorship program a vital success, and supporting IAWF’s aspirational vision. Sincerely, Neda Nobari, Chair IAWF NorCal Chapter