25 Events in 2025: EMpower’s Annual Women’s Event

Let's Talk: Breaking Taboos for Young People in Colombia

Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2024
Time: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM EST
Location: The Gibson Room at Aretsky’s Patroon, NYC

On March 26, EMpower hosted its annual Women’s Lunch and Panel bringing together changemakers from finance, philanthropy, and grassroots leadership to spotlight sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender equity in Colombia. The gathering featured a powerful panel with, Mariana Sanz de Santamaría Franco, Founder & Director, Poderosas Colombia, Cynthia Steele, President & CEO, EMpower, and Patricia Ahn, EMpower US Board Director.

What we discussed:

• The urgent need to destigmatise conversations around Sexual Reproductive Health
• Why investing in locally led organisations like Poderosas Colombia is critical
• The role of men and boys as allies in gender equity
• How women in finance and philanthropy can move the needle through collective action

Special thanks to Basak Yavuz, our US Board Director, for making this gathering possible and to every woman who showed up in presence and purpose.