Visionary Women

Their talks unveiled a shared need to belong to a community of like-minded women, who had a passion for learning and philanthropy.

Lili, who has been the three-time mayor of Beverly Hills, California, often found herself to be the only woman in most meetings and leadership positions, and yearned for the dynamic connection that comes from inspiring women coming together. On the other hand, Angella, who had written books on women’s leadership, knew that women thrive, and have more impact when they work within a collective of a supportive community. As the old African proverb states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

So, Lili and Angella set to work—to create a community that they always wished to belong to—a multi-generational, multi-ethnic group of women, who shared a passion for curiosity, growth, and learning, and who were willing to roll up their sleeves to drive change for pressing issues facing women and girls.

Icons such as Gloria Steinem, Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice, and Nobel laureates such as Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman are just a few of the many luminaries that have supported Visionary Women as guest speakers over the years in a power packed lineup.

To date, the group has grown into a community of approximately 300 members and has dispersed over 2.5 million dollars benefitting over 140 organizations and initiatives empowering women and girls locally and globally.

Visionary Women’s work has only begun building on the extraordinary trailblazing women who are at the forefront of positive change and impact.