PBWC’s Next Chapter

Dear Beloved PBWC Community,

We are writing today to share important news about the future of the Professional BusinessWomen of California (PBWC). After careful deliberation, we’ve made the difficult decision to begin winding down PBWC’s operations in the coming months. We close this chapter with heavy hearts, but also deep gratitude for all we’ve achieved together and with enduring hope for the future.

A rapidly changing landscape

This decision follows a period of enormous complexity in the nonprofit landscape, compounded by significant shifts in corporate funding priorities. Despite our best efforts, the pace and scale of these changes have made it impossible to sustain PBWC’s programming at the level our community deserves. After exploring our options and consulting with partners, stakeholders, and community members, our Board concluded that this is the most responsible path forward.

Celebrating what we built together

For 36 years, PBWC has stood as a powerful force for the advancement of women in business. Founded in 1988 by Supervisor and Former Congresswoman Jackie Speier, PBWC grew from a pioneering idea into one of the nation’s most enduring women’s leadership organizations. Over the decades, PBWC has convened hundreds of thousands of professionals through our Annual Conference, Senior Leadership Forum, Young Women’s Summit, Industry Leaders Awards Reception, Online Learning programs, and community events. Together, we have elevated voices, built networks of support, and provided pathways for leadership and influence across industries.

With the steadfast support of our community, we have:

• Delivered thousands of hours of world-class programming to inspire, educate, and empower women.
• Convened global thought leaders, executives, and changemakers to share knowledge and strategies for career advancement.
• Awarded scholarships to promising young women, helping to launch the next generation of leaders.
• Created spaces where women at every stage of their careers found mentorship, connection, and belonging.

The collective impact of this work is immeasurable. Because of our community, we have directly touched the lives of generations of women and helped build a more inclusive business community. For that, we are profoundly grateful.

A critical call-to-action   

As you know, the progress we’ve made didn’t happen by chance. It happened because people like you showed up, invested, and took action. And that’s what it will take to keep moving forward. While PBWC’s journey may be coming to a close, the need for organizations and leaders committed to gender equity remains as important as ever.

This is a defining moment. Nonprofits doing this work are under tremendous pressure. They won’t survive without you. So we ask you to consider:

• How will you support the organizations that matter to you?
• How will you help ensure we keep moving forward—not backward?

We hope that the legacy of PBWC continues to inspire action—whether through your corporate initiatives, your individual leadership, or through other like-minded organizations that share our values. Change doesn’t just happen. We make it happen, together.

With gratitude and hope,

The PBWC Board of Directors