Inspirational morning featured “Mothers and Mentors” panel on the transformative impact of motherhood, mentorship, and philanthropy.
Irvine, CA (June 5, 2025) – Orange County United Way hosted its 22nd Annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, raising $570,000 with over 700 philanthropists, community leaders, and changemakers in attendance.
“It was an inspiring and energy-filled morning at our annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast, and I’m deeply moved year after year by the outpouring of generosity. Thanks to the incredible support of our attendees, sponsors, and donors, we raised crucial funds to directly uplift the women in our community,” said Susan B. Parks, President and CEO of Orange County United Way and founding member of the Women’s Philanthropy Fund.
This year’s event highlighted the vital role that mothers and maternal figures play in shaping strong families and resilient communities during a special “Mothers and Mentors” panel featuring Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, President and co-founder of Born This Way Foundation which she founded with her daughter, Lady Gaga; Helen Wilmot, Senior Vice President of Stanford Health Care and mother of Tierna Davidson, professional soccer player and member of the 2024 U.S. Olympic gold medal team; and Heshmat Behzadi, accomplished poet and mother of Shirin Behzadi, an esteemed entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author.
The panel was moderated by Scharrell Jackson, a powerhouse international keynote speaker, global executive coach, celebrated author, and longtime supporter of the Women’s Philanthropy Fund. Attendees also assembled 2,000 self-care kits that will go directly to the women served by the Women’s Philanthropy Fund.
Funds raised at the event will support Orange County United Way’s SparkPoint OC financial empowerment center at Paul Revere Elementary in Anaheim; provide human trafficking survivors with an innovative financial literacy program; and many other services designed for struggling women and their families.
Women United is a group of over 300 local women who lead each year’s Breakfast. Their commitment extends beyond providing support to Orange County United Way’s programs, as they also help young children build reading competencies and age-appropriate financial literacy skills; advocate for better childcare so moms can continue to work; and provide support to families in order to increase financially stability.
This year’s co-chairs included Dawn Behnke, Executive Vice President, Consumer Markets Divisionfor Pacific Life and Haunani Nakabara, Director, Tax Operations PMO for Intuitive.
“Being involved in this work has opened our eyes to the challenges that many of our neighbors face each day and how, through influential programming and life-changing support, we can make a tangible difference uplifting Orange County women and their families,” said Behnke.
BMO served as the Breakfast’s Champion Sponsor for the second consecutive year. The Visionary Sponsors were the Masson Family Foundation and US Bank, and Investor Sponsors included David Collins; Disneyland Resort; Ducommun; Edison International; EY; Farmers and Merchants Bank; Link Logistics; Niagara Cares; Pacific Life Foundation; PNC Bank; Samueli Foundation; and UCI Health. The self-care kit sponsor was the Orange County Department of Education.
For more information about the Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast, visit: WPFBreakfast.org
To donate, visit: GiveButter.com/WPFBreakfast
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY
Orange County United Way is committed to breaking barriers and improving lives for everyone who lives here. Through our key initiatives—United for Student Success℠, United for Financial Security℠, and United to End Homelessness℠—we are working to ensure local students succeed, families gain financial security, and our unhoused neighbors find a safe place to call home. We also offer vital support via 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC), a key service that connects thousands of our most vulnerable residents with health and human service resources.
Orange County United Way is a standalone, independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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Media Contact: Annie Noebel, anoebel@cornerstonecomms.com, (949) 449-2527
