2023 Annual Luncheon

Reclaiming Our Power

Please join us for the 2023 Annual Luncheon!

MODERATED BY:

Penny Abeywardena, Women's Rights Advocate, Government Leader, Vocal Champion for Sustainability and Social Justice 

IN CONVERSATION WITH:

Katrina Fotovat, Senior Official to the Secretary of State in the Office of Global Women’s Issue’s  

Laurie Adams, Chief Executive Officer of Women for Women International 

Amjad Atallah, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Global Board of Directors, Women for Women International 

OPENING PERFORMANCE BY:

Adi Oasis, French-Caribbean singer, bassist and producer

 

 

 

Conflict and crisis are on the rise, with women often left to bear the brunt in communities that put their needs last. All around the world, women’s rights are under attack. 2020 saw women (and the world) adapting to a global pandemic. 2021 saw women in Afghanistan being forced into a life of restrictions under the de facto government which continue to worsen every day. 2022 saw women in Ukraine fighting for their lives during the Russian invasion.  

Despite the insurmountable challenges faced by women, regardless of geography, our destinies, as well as our injustices, are intertwined and we know that transformation is possible when women come together to rebuild their lives, families and communities. 

This year, we are proudly celebrating our 30th anniversary! We invite you to join us to look back on our founding story, reflect on the lessons we’ve gained since 1993 and learn why investing in the power of women leads to creating a better world for all of us.   

Speaker Bios

 

Katrina Fotovat  

Senior Official to the Secretary of State in the Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) 

Katrina “Kat” Fotovat leads a team of gender experts promoting gender equality efforts including support of women, peace, and security, countering violent extremism, promoting women’s economic empowerment, and combatting gender-based violence. Ms. Fotovat has over 20 years of experience advocating gender and human rights globally, specifically in conflict and post-conflict settings. Ms. Fotovat has extensive experience working with countries such as Iraq, Kosovo, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and more.  
 

Laurie Adams 

Chief Executive Officer, Women for Women International  

Laurie Adams serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Women for Women International, with more than 30 years of experience in international development and human rights advocacy across Asia, the Americas, and Africa. A life-long women’s rights advocate, Ms. Adams has devoted her life to eradicating all forms of injustice – poverty, gender-based violence, inequality and racism, and other forms of human rights abuses.  

 

Amjad Atallah 

Co-founder and Co-Chair of the Global Board of Directors, Women for Women International  

Amjad Atallah is the co-founder of Women for Women International along with Zainab Salbi. Mr. Atallah is currently the managing director of Doba Debates. Previously, he has worked on human rights causes as a legal advisor and policy expert, focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Palestine, Israel, and Darfur with an emphasis on violence against women in wartime.  

 

Adi Oasis 

Singer, songwriter, producer 

French-Caribbean singer, bassist and producer Adi Oasis fuses soul, funk and R&B to form her own distinctive, retro-futurist sound. Adi Oasis has toured globally, appearing with Anderson .Paak, Gregory Porter, JUNGLE, Keyshia Cole, Lee Fields, Big Freeda and more, and has performed at Central Park Summerstage, Afropunk, Funk on the Rocks and London Jazz Fest. Her new album, Lotus Glow, is out now.  

 

Penny Abeywardena 

Women’s Rights Advocate, Government Leader, Vocal Champion for Sustainability and Social Justice 

Penny is the former New York City Commissioner for International Affairs. During her eight years of service, she led the agency serving the largest diplomatic corps in the world and successfully implemented award-winning programs focused on issues ranging from youth empowerment to the leadership of cities and local governments on global issues. Her contributions have been celebrated by the United Nations, the World Economic Forum and the French American Foundation, among others. 

 

Organizing Committee 

Co-chairs  

Faria Abedin 

Kelly Annarella

Dale Berger 

Deesha Dyer 

Linda Kaye 

Barbara Perlmutter 

Cameron Rogers 

Jan Rock Zubrow 

 

For more information, please contact us at 202.521.9522 or email luncheon@womenforwomen.org