In the Company of Women

Celebrate the strength, courage, and spirit of women and their extraordinary achievements

Benefit Luncheon and Tribute to Women & Industry Awards

On Thursday, June 4, 2026, YWCA San Diego County presented the 26th annual In the Company of Women benefit luncheon. We showcased remarkable women through the Tribute to Women & Industry Awards (TWIN), recognized the strength and resilience of domestic violence survivors, and came together to uplift our community.

We celebrated our TWIN honorees for their incredible achievements and expanded our perspective on the power of hope with our enlightening speaker, Molly Kawahata. Our client shared their courageous journey to reclaim their independence and showed us the impact of perseverance, inspiring us all. We are grateful to everyone who joined us, and thank you for empowering survivors!

Event Photos

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Keynote Speaker

Molly Kawahata is an award-winning speaker, strategist, podcast host, and founder of Systemic Impact Strategies. She specializes in the Science of Hope — a skill that can be trained, measured, and used to drive transformative change. She reframes hope not as a fleeting feeling or passive optimism, but as a rigorous, evidence-based cognitive tool — equipping us to navigate uncertainty, deepen engagement, and tackle some of the most urgent challenges of our time.

Grounded in decades of psychological research, her work demonstrates that hope is not wishful thinking — it is a measurable, teachable mindset that drives real-world results in the most demanding environments.

Dubbed the “hope whisperer,” her life story was depicted in Patagonia’s award-winning film The Scale of Hope (2022), which chronicles her ice climbing pursuits in Alaska, her lifelong mental health struggle, and her life’s mission to transform societal narratives. The film has inspired a global audience and reached over one million views on YouTube, streamed on Delta Airlines, and is now part of the permanent archives of the New York Museum of Modern Art.

Give to Support Survivors

If you are not able to attend our luncheon or would like to make an immediate impact with a special gift, please donate today to support our comprehensive solutions for survivors.

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TWIN Awards

The Tribute to Women & Industry Awards (TWIN) recognize extraordinary women in managerial, executive, or leadership roles for their remarkable achievements. TWIN honorees are inducted into a prestigious group that has celebrated women since 1980.

We invite employers, colleagues, business partners, and friends to join us in elevating women who are making a powerful impact — in their industry, organization, and community — by nominating a TWIN honoree with your sponsorship or table purchase.

TWIN nominations for 2026 have concluded.