36 | FROM PRESCHOOL TO PHDS On Sunday, August 21, the Northern California Chapter of IAWF successfully hosted, “Preschool to PhDs: The Future of Education,” a multidisciplinary panel event and book signing with some of the Bay Area’s most celebrated educators. More than 120 people were in attendance, including local university and high school students, men and women with an interest in education. The panel focused on emerging trends in education, child and youth development, and mentorships. The panel also discussed the importance of educational systems that place primacy on developing compassionate students through empathy-based education. Held at Berkeley’s beautiful David Brower Center, the event was a testament to the NorCal Chapter’s community-building and thoughtful curation of leaders on diverse panels, across critical topics.The panel was moderated by Anita Amirrezvani, and featured panelists Persis Karim, Yalda Modabber, Ana Homayoun, and Mana Kharrazi, who each spoke about the current successes and challenges in the education sector, their experience as educators and mentors, and gave words of advice to the next generation. Attendees gathered for a book signing at the end of the Q&A portion of the panel discussion, where they had the opportunity to meet the speakers, ask questions, network, and sign up for IAWF’s new Mentorship Program. Special thanks to IAWF NorCal chapter members, volunteers and community members for supporting IAWF’s mission and vision to inspire, empower, and connect.