The 14th Annual Woman to Woman Conference: Opening Doors, Changing Women’s Lives will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2026, 11am-2pm, at the Skirball Cultural Center.
This daytime event features accomplished speakers, provides networking opportunities, and inspires women to break barriers, while raising awareness and critical funding for JVS SoCal programs supporting women. The Woman to Woman Conference is the signature event of the JVS SoCal’s Women’s Leadership Network (WLN). This year’s conference is co-chaired by the WLN Executive Council Chair Joan August and WLN Executive Council members Barbara Leanse and Leslie Spivak.
The conference will highlight the accomplishments of clients who have directly benefited from JVS SoCal’s programs and recognize three multifaceted honorees who have opened doors for women. The program will be hosted by award-winning journalists Giselle Fernández and Lisa McRee and include a performance by MUSE/IQUE. The daytime event will be preceded by informal networking and will include a seated lunch.
Caroline Baudino will receive the Rosaline L. Zukerman Women’s Empowerment Award, which recognizes trailblazing women who exemplify strong leadership and service to others. Caroline Baudino is a media personality, entrepreneur, podcast host, and forthcoming author helping women rediscover themselves at every stage of life. Through her platform, Shop With Caroline, and her podcast Coming In Hot, she inspires millions to choose happiness, embrace reinvention, and confidently step into what’s next with her signature mantra: Get Up. Get Dressed. Let’s Do This.
Valorie Kondos Field will receive the Impact Award, which recognizes those who have made significant and lasting contributions to our local community. Valorie is the former head coach of the UCLA Gymnastics Team, a position she held for 29 years. Her accolades include: seven-time NCAA Team Champions; a four-time NCAA Coach of the Year; 18 PAC12 Championships; PAC12 Coach of the Century; and UCLA Hall of Fame Inductee 2010. “Miss Val,” as she is affectionately known, proved that one can achieve success at the highest level while honoring her student-athletes as people first.
Shaun Robinson will receive the inaugural LeadHERship Award, which honors women who have broken barriers and are carving paths for others to follow. Shaun is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, television host, author, producer, philanthropist and girls’ empowerment activist. Shaun has interviewed Hollywood’s biggest stars, comes from a strong background in television news, and is Founder and President of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls, a nonprofit which supports the empowerment of underserved and underrepresented girls and women.
Every ticket and sponsorship purchase directly supports JVS SoCal’s life-changing work. Founded in 1931 in the midst of the Great Depression and historically known as Jewish Vocational Service Los Angeles, the legacy of today’s JVS SoCal began with a single desk in a Bunker Hill office, serving job seekers who were struggling to survive amid overt workplace discrimination. Our work remains grounded in Jewish values represented by our enduring commitment to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Since its founding in 2008, the WLN has raised over $8.5 million to provide free mentoring, career training and job placement support tens of thousands of women participating in JVS SoCal programs across the greater Los Angeles area annually.
Nine decades later, the agency is a recognized regional leader in the field of workforce development, offering a broad range of innovative programs to tens of thousands of individuals each year and advocating on issues of public policy that impact the people we serve. Today, nearly 300 skilled and dedicated staff members deliver services from over 20 sites throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding areas.
EVENT DETAILS
14th Annual Woman to Woman Conference: Opening Doors, Changing Women’s Lives
WHEN
Thursday, November 5, 2026
11 am – 2 pm
WHERE
Skirball Cultural Center
ATTEND
Sponsorships and tickets can be purchased at https://jvs-socal.org/w2w/. The list of event sponsors can be found at the same URL.
MEDIA CONTACT
Sean Thibault, SVP, Marketing and Communications
323-761-8888