A Night That Sparked Something Special: Celebrating the First Women Who Inspire in San Jose
Click on this link to see all the photos from the evening.
A sold-out crowd. Five remarkable honorees. A standing ovation. And a room full of people ready to make a difference.
On Thursday, October 22, Dress for Success San Jose welcomed 250 guests to the historic San Jose Woman's Club for the first-ever Women Who Inspire, an evening filled with celebration, connection, generosity, and a whole lot of fun.
And what a night it was!
Together, our community raised more than $175,000, an increase of more than 35% over last year's Denim & Diamonds fundraiser, to help women across the South Bay build careers and achieve greater economic mobility.
But the success of the evening went well beyond the dollars raised. With more than twice as many guests as last year, new faces joining longtime friends of Dress for Success, and honorees representing some of the best of Silicon Valley, Women Who Inspire marked the beginning of something special.
A Celebration of Community, Connection, and a Little Friendly Competition
The evening started with a lively cocktail reception as guests caught up with friends, made new connections, and explored everything Women Who Inspire had to offer.
The designer pop-up shop offered a chance to browse fabulous fashion finds, the silent auction invited some friendly bidding, and the ever-popular wine toss brought out everyone's competitive spirit. There was plenty of laughter, conversation, and celebration before guests even sat down for dinner.
Co-chaired by Gauri Pendse and Pragati Gupta, Women Who Inspire brought together business leaders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and community advocates around a shared belief: we all have something to contribute to making our community stronger.
And that was exactly the spirit behind the evening's theme: Spark Change. Open Doors. Build Community.
As guests gathered for dinner and the evening’s program, keynote speaker Rasheryl McCreary, PCC took the stage. An executive leadership coach and CEO of Tao Leadership Development, Inc., Rasheryl shared how setbacks don’t define us and invited everyone, especially the women Dress for Success serves, to stand in their power.
“Your circumstances are not the measure of your power. Losing a job does not mean you don’t have value. Starting over doesn’t mean you’ve lost your gifts. Being uncertain about your next chapter does not mean that there’s not an extraordinary next chapter just waiting for you.”
Five Honorees. Five Different Ways to Make a Difference.
One of the most special parts of Women Who Inspire was the opportunity to celebrate five people whose lives and leadership demonstrate that there is no single way to make a difference.
From an Olympic champion and a dedicated philanthropist to a business leader, a community-minded entrepreneur, and a Dress for Success client building an exciting new career, our honorees brought very different experiences to the evening.
Together, they reminded us that change happens in many ways: through philanthropy, mentorship, opportunity, entrepreneurship, and the simple decision to show up for someone else.
This year's honorees were:
Trailblazer Award: Kerri Walsh Jennings, five-time U.S. Olympian and three-time gold medalist, Founding Owner and Chief Impact Officer of NorCal Rumble, and Founder of the p1440 Foundation.
Philanthropy and Leadership Award: Helen Owen, longtime Santa Clara Valley philanthropist and fundraiser whose commitment to community has supported countless local causes.
Ally Award: Nicholas E. Adams, Executive Chairman of NINICO and an advocate for leadership, opportunity, and the San Jose community.
Builder Award: Voahangy Rasetarinera, Founder and CEO of The Giving Pies, who has built a business rooted in generosity and giving back.
Spark Award: Sonia Arteaga, Dress for Success San Jose Client Ambassador and Owner of Sonia Arteaga, LLC.
From left: Rasheryl McCreary, PCC, Executive Leadership Coach and Keynote Speaker; Sonia Arteaga, Dress for Success San Jose Client Ambassador; Pragati Gupta, Women Who Inspire Event Committee Co-Chair; Helen Owen, Philanthropy & Leadership Honoree; Voahangy Rasetarinera, CEO & Owner of The Giving Pies and Builder Honoree; Gauri Pendse, Women Who Inspire Event Committee Co-Chair; and Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings, Founding Owner & Chief Impact Officer of NorCal Rumble at Women Who Inspire, October 22.
Inspired to Give Back
For Trailblazer Award honoree Kerri Walsh Jennings, the evening was also a chance to reflect on the South Bay community that helped shape her extraordinary career, and the importance of extending those same opportunities to other women.
“I grew up in the Bay Area, where excellence is celebrated and people expect to do the impossible,” Kerri shared. “That shaped my life, but I also know how fortunate I've been to have doors opened for me and to be surrounded by incredible people who supported my success. That's why the work of Dress for Success is so important. Every woman deserves that kind of support, people who believe in her, and the opportunity to pursue her own version of success.”
And Kerri didn't just talk about opening doors. Inspired by the evening, she spontaneously offered an extraordinary addition to the live auction: a private, two-hour volleyball clinic with the three-time Olympic gold medalist for up to 14 participants.
It was an unexpected and generous moment that captured exactly what Women Who Inspire is about: bringing people together, celebrating those making a difference, and inspiring others to do the same.
The Moment That Brought Everyone to Their Feet
For all the excitement of the evening, one of the most memorable moments came when Sonia Arteaga, our Spark Award honoree and Client Ambassador, took the stage.
Sonia's story began with a question many women have asked themselves: Is it too late to start over?
After entering the workforce straight out of high school to help support her family, Sonia spent years wondering whether a college degree and professional career were still possible.
At 30, she decided to find out.
She enrolled in community college, transferred to San Jose State University, and continued her studies while becoming a mother. Along the way, a friend introduced her to Dress for Success San Jose.
Through career coaching, a Google Career Certificate in Digital Marketing, and a year of free LinkedIn Premium, Sonia gained practical tools to help move her career forward.
But as she shared with the audience, the personal connections mattered just as much.
"What made Dress for Success so special wasn't just the resources. It was the people," she said, recognizing staff member Miracle Gumabo, who saw her potential and encouraged her to pursue opportunities she might not have considered on her own.
This past May, Sonia graduated from SJSU with a degree in marketing. Two weeks later, she launched her own marketing business. A month after that, she signed her first client, a $50 million construction company. And just before Women Who Inspire, she began her first corporate marketing role.
"So, I went back to school wondering if I was too late. And TODAY, I'm standing here before you, a college graduate, a business owner, and a marketing professional."
The room rose to its feet in a standing ovation.
Sonia closed with a message that captured why everyone had come together:
"Because of you, I've achieved my goals. And my daughter, who is 3 years old now, is going to grow up watching her mom build a career and a business, and she won't have to spend her twenties wondering what she's capable of."
It was a powerful reminder that supporting one woman's career can create opportunities that reach far beyond a single person.
Sonia Arteaga speaks to the sold-out crowd at the San Jose Woman’s Club.
A Community That Shows Up
The generosity in the room was another highlight of the evening. Guests enthusiastically participated in the auction and live fundraising appeal, helping bring the night's total to more than $175,000.
For Dress for Success San Jose, the evening also marked an exciting new chapter.
"Women Who Inspire brought together everything we hoped this event could be: a fun and welcoming celebration, an opportunity to recognize extraordinary people in our community, and a chance to make a meaningful difference for the women we serve," said Erin Badillo, Executive Director of Dress for Success San Francisco/San Jose.
"As we approach 15 years of serving San Jose, it was especially exciting to see so many new faces alongside longtime supporters. This is the kind of community we want to continue building."
The funds raised will support Dress for Success San Jose's free career clothing, coaching, core skills, and community programs, helping women navigate career transitions, secure employment, and increase their earning potential.
Since 2006, Dress for Success San Francisco and San Jose have served more than 20,000 women across the Bay Area, including a record 1,345 women in 2025.
And the impact is measurable: 52% of women who complete career coaching find employment within 45 days, while women in our cohort programs increase their income by an average of 191% within a year.
With Gratitude
An evening like Women Who Inspire takes a community to bring to life, and we're grateful to everyone who made it possible.
Special thanks to our dedicated co-chairs, Gauri Pendse and Pragati Gupta, and our planning committee, whose hard work, creativity, and connections helped make this first year such a success.
Platinum Sponsor: Tasting House
Gold Sponsors: Asha and Manish Chandra, Vivmark, King & Spalding
Silver Sponsors: Alicia Koht-Phipps and Roxanne Varteressian Joe, Gauri Pendse, Pragati Gupta, Westfield Valley Fair
Bronze Sponsors: Kira Dales, Melissa Schwartz, Nadia Ahmad, Shambhavi Kadam
Media Partners: Outfront Media, Modern Luxury Silicon Valley Magazine
Individual Sponsor: Kathy Curtis
Co-Chairs: Gauri Pendse, Pragati Gupta
Planning Committee: Ali Hall, Alicia Koht-Phipps, Denise Thornberry, Jenn Valdez, Kathy Curtis, Melissa Schwartz, Nivi Gupta
Event Designer and Producer: Nicole Villa Krassner
Catering: Catered Too
AV: Mister WA Productions
Floral: Blossoms and Botanicals
Photography: EyeAdapt Productions
In-Kind Donors:
Alicia Koht-Phipps | Aqui-Campbell | Augustine | Bay FC | Berkeley Repertory Theatre | British Bankers Club | Carolyn Badillo | Chef Chu's | Club Fugazi | Computer History Museum | Crepevine | Dashe Cellars | DH Jewelry | Erin C. Badillo | Florra | Griffo Distillery | Helen Owen Hotel Valencia - Santana Row | Innovative Dining Group | Jen Johnston | Jennifer Kurrie Jennifer Scott | Jill Unikel | Lauren Debo | Laurie Harden | Le Central | LeBlanc Label |
Lisa Bugni | Livi Love | Local Tastes of the City Tours | Marin Symphony | Melissa Schwartz | Museum of Craft and Design | Olea Hotel | Payal Gandhi | Peter Michael Winery | Pragati Gupta Project Glimmer | Roxanne V. Joe | San Jose Museum of Art | Scratch | Sharon Seto | Skin Spirit | Smuin Ballet | Stone Tree Golf Club | Sugo | Tasting House | The Crucible | The Greek Theatre | The Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel | Ungrafted | Vivian Loh Nahmias | Wente Family Vineyards
To every sponsor, donor, honoree, volunteer, guest, and supporter, thank you for being part of our first Women Who Inspire.
From the conversations over cocktails to the standing ovation for Sonia, this was an evening that reminded us how much good can happen when people come together.
We came together to celebrate people who make a difference. And together, we made one.
We can't wait to do it again next year.
Want to keep the momentum going? Make a donation today.
Dress for Success San Francisco/San Jose empowers women to achieve economic mobility by providing a network of support, workplace attire, and career skills and tools for success.