7th Annual Powerful Women of the Bay Awards

Leah McGowen-Hare

Politicians, corporate executives, community leaders, entrepreneurs, friends and family members gathered to salute ten local women at the 7th Annual Powerful Women of the Bay Awards Luncheon on March 11, 2016. The Powerful Women of the Bay Awards recognize career women who are passionate about educating, empowering, and connecting with women, and who enrich the lives of others. Ms. Barbara Williams, past award recipient and director of diversity and inclusion at Oracle, serveed as the mistress of ceremonies. The event took place at the Wedgewood Center, Metropolitan Golf Links, in Oakland.

2016 honorees:
Jolen V. Anderson, Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, VISA, Inc.
Nichol Bradford, President, Willow Group
Win Chang, Cloud Accelerator Director, Oracle
Amber Childress, President, Lense & Co.
Grace Crunican, General Manager, BART
Cindy Hill, Director of Sales and Marketing, W San Francisco
Joan Namahana Kerr, Director of Supplier Diversity and Sustainability, PG&E
Pat Fong Kushida, President and CEO, CalAsian Chamber of Commerce
Qiava Martinez, Vice President, Premium Seating, Oakland Raiders
Leah McGowen-Hare, Master Technical Instructor, Salesforce

Scenes from the 7th Annual Powerful Women of the Bay Awards:

Photos by Moanalani Jeffrey Photography

Partial proceeds from Powerful Women of the Bay benefit the Training Institute for Leadership Enrichment (TILE), a nonprofit organization created under the leadership of Black Women Organized for Political Action. TILE’s mission emphasizes a long-term goal to increase the number of African American women in public leadership across California.