The 39th New York Women’s Foundation Celebrating Women® Breakfast: A Morning of Vision, Power & Purpose

Dawn breaking over New York City

Even before the sun fully rose over Times Square, the energy was electric. Registration opened at 6:30 a.m. at the New York Marriott Marquis, and the Broadway Ballroom level quickly filled with purpose. Attendees streamed in, greeting one another with hugs and laughter, pausing at the step-and-repeat for photos, and buzzing with anticipation. Tables were elegantly set with crisp white linens, each place featuring the morning’s vibrant offerings of Parfaits and nourishing Green Market Breakfast Bowls—a colorful mix of wonderful ingredients. Coffee and fresh juices flowed steadily, fueling the room as conversations built momentum.

One attendee captured the spirit perfectly, noting how the gathering reminded everyone that “Sometimes the most important thing you can do is show up, sit down, and listen.”

Timeless Wisdom from the Stage

The program unfolded with flawless execution, thanks to the seamless coordination and dedication of dozens of hard-working New York Women’s Foundation team members and volunteers who ensured every detail supported a powerful, uninterrupted experience.

Valerie Jarrett, former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama,

CEO of the Obama Foundation, and Vision Award honoree

The morning’s centerpiece was the keynote address by Valerie Jarrett, former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, CEO of the Obama Foundation, and Vision Award honoree. Jarrett set a powerful tone with her characteristic clarity and depth, declaring: “Hope is hard work.” Her message underscored the discipline and resilience required to advance equity for women and girls.

Imara Jones, a leading voice for trans justice and storytelling, brought dynamic energy and insight to the stage.

She proclaimed, “YES is the most powerful word” and “YES is the antidote to fear,” while reframing resources with the striking reminder: “Money is energy.” Her words sparked visible moments of recognition and affirmation across the ballroom.

Ana L. Oliveira, President & CEO of the New York Women’s Foundation, stood out as the event’s pivotal leader. An introductory speaker described her as the visionary for the organization “long before the issues we face today were realized.” With remarkable foresight, Oliveira anticipated economic pressures on women, threats to reproductive rights, immigrant justice needs, and the intersections of racial and gender equity. She built proactive systems of radical generosity and community-centered alliances that have kept the Foundation resilient and responsive.

Oliveira’s own words carried special weight: “Choose your fight.”

Ana L. Oliveira, President & CEO of the New York Women’s Foundation

Jeannie Park, Board Chair of the Korean American Community Foundation and Vision Award honoree, brought a powerful perspective rooted in her decades of leadership in media, philanthropy, and racial justice. A former executive editor at People and InStyle magazines and founding president of the Asian American Journalists Association, she emphasized the importance of representation, collective power, and building economic stability for immigrant communities. Her remarks highlighted how strategic philanthropy and cross-cultural alliances can create lasting change, urging attendees to invest boldly in communities of color and leverage their platforms for greater equity.

Jeannie Park, Board Chair of the Korean American Community Foundation and Vision Award honoree

Leah Greenberg, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Indivisible Project and Celebrating Women® Award honoree, delivered inspiring remarks drawn from her deep government and public service experience. With tireless dedication, she has helped build one of the nation’s largest grassroots movements, mobilizing millions of people through practical, actionable strategies for creating real change. Drawing on her background, Greenberg shared concrete lessons from Capitol Hill and beyond on how everyday people can effectively influence policy and drive impact in their own communities.

Even informal moments sparkled. One attendee shared a conversation with the woman beside her — a stranger who quickly became “a sister for the morning” — who offered the simple yet profound reminder: “Say YES to yourself.”

These quotes, captured in real time, wove through the program and conversations, reinforcing the New York Women’s Foundation’s nearly 40-year mission of investing in women-and girl-led grassroots organizations focused on economic justice, safety, and opportunity for those most often overlooked.

A Foundation Built on Impact

Since its founding in 1987, the New York Women’s Foundation has served as a vital philanthropic force, channeling resources into community-led solutions across New York City. The Celebrating Women® Breakfast remains its flagship event, transforming inspiration from speakers like Valerie Jarrett, Imara Jones, and Ana Oliveira into tangible action.

Flor de Toloache

This year’s honorees — Valerie Jarrett, Jeannie Park, Leah Greenberg, and the National Philanthropic Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives — embodied the principles shared from the stage: persistent hope, bold affirmation, strategic energy, and intentional action.

Lasting Takeaways

From the early-morning buzz at registration through the final networking moments, the 39th Breakfast blended nourishment, connection, and inspiration. Attendees departed energized and equipped with practical mantras for the road ahead. As a LinkedIn post reflected, true leadership isn’t about doing everything — it’s about “choosing what matters, protecting your energy, and saying YES to the things that are truly yours to carry.”

A beautiful breakfast

In a time of national uncertainty around equity, the event — anchored by Valerie Jarrett’s keynote and enriched by the powerful insights of Imara Jones, Ana Oliveira, and the collective wisdom in the room — reaffirmed the power of local, community-rooted solutions.

The wisdom shared that morning — “Hope is hard work,” “YES is the most powerful word,” “YES is the antidote to fear,” “Money is energy,” “Choose your fight,” and “Say YES to yourself” — will echo far beyond the ballroom.

Andrew Simon of Andrew Simon Agency capturing the vibrant arrivals at the step-and-repeat

as leaders arrived for the New York Women’s Foundation Celebrating Women® Breakfast.

Credits:

Event Organizer: The New York Women’s Foundation

PR: Lawlor Media Group

Photography: Sal Alibeck / Luxe Magazine