40 FWA members and prospective members gathered for a lively summer dinner on August 19th at the historic Beacon Hill Club, a private club in Summit, New Jersey. After mingling over fine wines at a networking/cocktail hour, attendees moved to the high-ceilinged and stately dining room, the tables of which were elegantly set for a delicious dinner, complemented by fine wines.

FWA President, Susan Ganz, spoke to those assembled about how her role and responsibilities have grown since first joining FWA and how her participation on various committees has helped her professionally. She said that her membership in the FWA enabled her to apply the managerial skills that she learned from volunteering, such as planning the annual FWA Holiday Dinner, to her professional life. She explained how her FWA experiences exposed her to a broadened realm of career possibilities. She also touched upon having to juggle home and family and how hectic this can be!

Co-chairs of the New Jersey Committee, Emily Kaller and Cathie Seneca, each spoke about the opportunities available to members to serve on committees and stressed that networking is such a vital part of the FWA. Cathie strongly urged non-member attendees to become members, relating her own experiences of how membership in the FWA has helped her in her career. Emily spoke of the many opportunities for members to become actively involved with committees, citing the New Jersey Committee, how it has expanded and its various upcoming events, including a joint networking event with another women’s organization.

As people lingered after dinner on a perfect summer evening, it was evident that a good time was had by all—and hints that this should become an annual event!

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