Young & Empowered Women General Meeting (February)

Theme: Galentine’s Day

We are excited to have you join us at our meeting featuring empowering female leaders in the community who will be joining us in person. Come and grow your professional development and network at our upcoming meeting and networking opportunity. We hope to see you in person for our bi-monthly meeting and following our Galentine’s Day networking event to connect with our members and community partners/leaders and external mentors. Since it is the holiday season, feel free to wear your favorite Valentine’s Day/ Galentine’s Day attire!

Event Details:
Monday, February 17th
5:30- 6:45PM PT (Meeting) 7-9PM PT (In person networking)
In-person: Mini Social; 7116 E 5th Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Virtual (Zoom): https://teachforamerica.zoom.us/my/veronicaaguilar passcode: veronica

Agenda:

5:30 Welcome & Norms
5:45 Member/Board Member of the Month
5:55 Women Empowerment Panel
6:40 Exec Reports
6:45 Closing & Next Steps
7:00 Networking

Panelists:

JENNIFER CARAWAY – FOUNDER & CEO OF JOYBUS

Jennifer Caraway wears many hats as the Founder & CEO of both The Joy Bus and The Joy Bus Diner. Her dedication is not confined to just philanthropy; she has ingeniously crafted a hybrid organization that harmoniously blends commercial and non-profit aspects while profoundly impacting the lives of those in need within her community. The Joy Bus Diner, a popular breakfast and lunch destination, plays a dual role by financially supporting her established non-profit, The Joy Bus program. This program is committed to providing Medically Tailored Meals, meaningful conversations, and educational support free of charge to homebound cancer patients, symbolizing Jennifer's unwavering commitment to her cause.

Jennifer's extensive years in the restaurant industry became a vital preparation for her transformative journey. Her selfless work with The Joy Bus received well-deserved recognition, including accolades such as 'Best Food for a Good Cause' by Phx New Times, 'Best of 2015 Movers and Shakers' in PHX Magazine, and being honored as the 'H.O.P.E. Award Recipient' by Mass General Cancer Center. Her remarkable achievements also include being named the 'ONE Annual Non Profits Director of the Year-Innovation Award,' an 'ATHENA Business Women of the Year,' a published cookbook author, and even earning the title of 'Food Network Chopped Champion.'

ANGELEE LOPEZ – FOUNDER OF MANIFEST HOUSE

Angelee Lopez is a certified meditation guide, wellness educator, and the founder of Manifest House™, a community-centered online wellbeing studio offering in-person and live-stream healing events, workplace wellness, and a membership community for BIPOC women and allies.

Inspired by her own self-healing journey, Angelee launched Manifest House in 2020 and has helped hundreds of people come back home to themselves through deepening their connection to self, community, nature, and their ancestral wisdom within. Angelee has led wellbeing workshops and talks for companies like Robinhood, Spotify, Starbucks, Tia, Affirm, and more.

In addition to being a soul-led entrepreneur, Angelee is also a medicine woman and ceremonialist. Her work is informed by the earth-based, indigenous wisdom of Mesoamerica, the high Andes, and the Amazon jungle. She hosts regular in-person ceremonies with cacao in the Phoenix area. Above all, Angelee believes in awakening the life force in those she serves and leads from the heart, always. Connect with her on Instagram at @itsangelee_, @manifesthouse_ and online at www.manifesthouse.com to stay up to date on upcoming workshops and latest happenings.

DE ANNA MANGUM- CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF COUPLEYFIT

DeAnna Mangum is a dedicated advocate for generational health, racial equity, and the empowerment of women of color. As a transformative leader, she champions initiatives to reduce health disparities and uplift the Black community.

Her expertise has garnered recognition, including a cover feature in Scottsdale Health magazine and acknowledgment from FITNESS magazine Canada, ForbesBLK, U.S. Black Chamber and local news outlets. As the Co-Founder and President of CoupleyFit™️, a Benefit Corporation, DeAnna engages with over a million women on social media, partnering with brands to promote generational health.

She is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, and Transformational Specialist honored as a Walmart BIPOC Health Partner and Black Health Hero. DeAnna serves on the BlueZones Scottsdale Engagement Committee and actively mentors with BBBSAZ and Young & Empowered, inspiring the next generation of women leaders.

LENA SPOTLESON – DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC MEDICINE FOR THE BANNER HEALTH FOUNDATION

A proud fourth-generation Arizona native, Lena Spotleson is the Development Director of Academic Medicine for The Banner Health Foundation and a dynamic force in the nonprofit and fundraising world, turning passion into progress with every project she leads. A stage 4 cancer survivor of 18 years, Lena was given just a 25% chance of survival at diagnosis, a journey that fuels her passion for health care philanthropy and community impact. Recognized as the Phoenix Business Journal’s Outstanding Woman in Business and a Health Care Heroes, Philanthropic Champion awardee in 2021, she brings energy, innovation, and a relentless drive to everything she touches. Lena earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and her Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. Before making waves in philanthropy, she gave back to her roots as a teacher in the very school district she attended and spent 20 years coaching high school basketball at her alma mater, North High School, mentoring young athletes on and off the court.

Currently, Lena serves on the University of Arizona Cancer Center Community Advisory Board and the Arizona State University SIRC Advisory Board and recently served as Event Co-Chair for Big Brothers Big Sisters. With a talent for building meaningful relationships and exceeding multimillion-dollar fundraising goals, her work has powered transformative events and helped raise millions of dollars for various organizations around the valley. Whether she is volunteering, coaching, or forging impactful partnerships, Lena thrives at the intersection of strategy and heart, championing initiatives that build healthier, more connected communities.

About Young & Empowered Women

Young & Empowered Women is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing professional development, mentorship and networking opportunities to a diverse group of rising female leaders who are passionate about service, career advancement and empowering others. We continually expand our membership to better raise awareness and educate others on women’s rights, empowerment and equity. Learn more at www.yewomen.org.

Y&E February Meeting

Professional Development | Mentorship | Networking