ABWA Southwest FL Chapters
One of the things that members like most about ABWA is that it provides a nurturing environment for them to test and acquire new business and leader skills.
Members meet monthly to share their professional endeavors, ideas, experiences, resources, products and services, with like-minded professional women within their geographic area. Members are encourage to participate in the local experience where they will have an opportunity for hands-on learning.
Have a look through all of our chapters below.
Imperial River Chapter
Chapter Vision Statement:
Our Board
2017-2018 Board of Directors
President: Lynda Rubenstein
Vice President: Gloria Baker
Secretary: Shelia Bedwell
Treasurer: Augustina Holz
Woman of the Year: TBD
2017 SWFL Council Delegate and Alternates
Delegate: Debra Lee Nashed
Alternate: TBD
2nd Alternate: TBD
Location and Meeting Information
Chapter Location: Estero/Bonita Springs, FL
Meeting location and address:
Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport @ Town Center
9931 Interstate Commerce Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33913
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Networking; 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Dinner and Meeting
Meeting Date: Second Wednesday of the Month
Costs & RSVP: $30.00 per attendee – Credit Card RSVP to ABWAImperialRiver.Eventbrite.com
Fundraisers & Events: TBD
Contact Information
Chapter Contact:
Name: Lynda Rubenstein
Email:Info@ABWAImperialRiver.org or LyndaR83@aol.com
Phone: (239) 823-1131
Chapter website address: http://www.abwaimperialriver.org/
Chapter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABWAImperialRiver/
Lehigh Acres Chapter
Chapter Visions Statement: Lehigh Acres Charter Chapter of ABWA vision is to uplift and empower women by: ..Recognizing and celebrating our milestones ..Supporting the educational growth and development of members and women through scholarships ..Inspiring, developing, and mentoring future leaders ..Nurturing and encouraging the uniqueness of each member ..Supporting charitable organizations in the community ..Having FUN
Our Board
2017-2018 Board of Directors
President: Judy Carter
Vice President: Toby Ferrel
Secretary: Debra Shuman
Treasurer: Mary Beck
Woman of the Year: Mary Beck
2017 SWFL Council Delegate and Alternates
Delegate: Toby Ferrel
Alternate: Adele Petersohn
2nd Alternate: Judy Carter
Location & Meeting Information
Chapter Location: Lehigh Acres, FL
Meeting Location and Address:
Mirror Lakes Golf Club
670 Milwaukee Blvd.
Lehigh Acres, FL 33974
Meeting Date: Second Thursday of the Month
Costs & RSVP: $15.00 per attendee – RSVP to Linda Davidson at liniree@comcast.net
Fundraisers & Events:
Quarter Auctions – February, April, June, and October
Contact Information
Chapter Contact:
Name: Judy Carter
Email: j4udy@earthlink.net
Chapter Website: http://www.abwa.org/chapter/lehigh-acres-chapter
Chapter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABWALehigh/
Neapolitan Chapter
Vision Statement: The ABWA Neapolitan Chapter is the preeminent professional development group that empowers women through content-rich programs designed to build business expertise. It’s a place to find positive caring connections and dynamic leadership in a welcoming networking environment.
Our Board
2017-2018 Board of Directors
President: Belinda Zivich
Vice President: Sam Black
Secretary: Jill Dixon
Treasurer: Danielle Rachel
Woman of the Year: Jennifer Frost
2017 SWFL Council Delegate and Alternates
Delegate: Belinda Zivich
Alternate: Sam Black
2nd Alternate: TBD
Location & Meeting Information
Chapter Location: Naples, FL
Meeting Location and Address:
The Hilton of Naples
5111 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL 34103
Meeting Date: Fourth Tuesday of every Month – Networking 5–6pm; Meeting 6–8pm
Exceptions – November and December
Costs & RSVP: $33.00 per member/ $38.00 per non-member
RSVP to laninta@comcast.net
Special Events and Fundraisers:
Women’s Business Expo – TBD
Contact Information
Chapter Contact:
Name: Belinda Zivich
Email address: belindazivich@gmail.com or bzivich@rmcgp.com
Phone: (239) 370-3771
Chapter website address: http://abwaneapolitan.org/
Chapter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABWAneapolitan
Palms of Edisonia Chapter
Chapter Vision Statement: Our vision is to recruit, educate and nurture our members by building relationships and guiding them with personal and professional knowledge.
Our Board
2017-2018 Board of Directors
President: Kelly Talamo
Vice President: Caroline Leckie
Secretary: Darlene Carswell
Treasurer: Carolyn Graves
Woman of the Year: Darlene Carswell
2017 SWFL Council Delegate and Alternates
Delegate: Robert Carswell
Alternate: Linda Lindquist
2nd Alternate:
Location & Meeting Information
Chapter Location: Fort Myers, FL
Meeting Location and Address:
Hilton Garden Inn
12600 University Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33907
Meeting Date: Third Tuesday of the Month
Exceptions – December meeting is first Tuesday of the month
Cost and RSVP: $25.00 per attendee; RSVP by Monday before meeting to Nancy Bucklin at: 239-277-0886
Fundraisers & Events:
February, July, and November – Bingo Extravaganza
Contact Information
Chapter Contact:
Name: Kelly Talamo
Email: Kelly@stokesmarine.com
Phone: (239) 357-7612
Chapter website address: http://www.abwa.org/chapter/palms-of-edisonia
Chapter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABWA-Palms-of-Edisonia-1403044783289630/
Punta Gorda Charter Chapter
Chapter Vision Statement: We will foster personal and professional growth to our Chapter and our Community through leadership, education, personal development and networking for all women to continue to grow positively.
Our Board
2017-2018 Board of Directors
President: Elaine Kerns
Vice President: Audrey Muccio
Secretary: Pat Walker
Treasurer: Patricia Dyson
Woman of the Year: Alexia Martin
2017 SWFL Council Delegate and Alternates
Delegate: Alexia Martin
Alternate: Marge Szmania
2nd Alternate:
Location & Meeting Info
Chapter Location: Punta Gorda, FL
Meeting Location and Address:
Hurricane Charley’s
300 W Retta, Esplanade
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Meeting Date: Fourth Wednesday of each Month
Exceptions – November and December
Costs & RSVP: $25.00 per attendee – RSVP to Audrey Muccio at aud28m@yahoo.com
Fundraisers and Events:
Fashion Show – February
Contact Information
Chapter Contact:
Name: Elaine Kerns, President
Email address: elkerns1157@comcast.net
Chapter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABWA-Punta-Gorda-Charter-Chapter-662661533757938/?fref=ts
Sanibel-Captiva Charter Chapter
Chapter Vision: Collectively, we inspire each other to learn, grow, and make a lifetime of new connections.
Our Board
2017-2018 Board of Directors
President: Jodi Suskind
Vice President: Erin White
Secretary: Marletta Short
Treasurer: Gabriela Bell
Woman of the Year: Jodi Suskind
2017 SWFL Council Delegate and Alternates
Delegate: Marletta Short
Alternate: Mary Bondurant
2nd Alternate: Jodi Suskind
Location & Meeting Information
Chapter Location: Sanibel Island, FL
Meeting location and address:
The Sanibel Community House
2173 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL 33957
Meeting Date: Second Tuesday of the Month
Networking begins at 5:30 PM followed by dinner, business meeting, and speaker/program at 6:00 PM.
Costs & RSVP: $25.00 per attendee – RSVP to Eventbrite: ABWASanibelCaptiva.Eventbrite.com
Fundraisers & Events:
Little Black Dress – TBD
Contact Information
Chapter Contact:
Name: Jodi Suskind
Email: abwasanibelcaptiva.org
Chapter website address: http://abwasanibelcaptiva.org/
Chapter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABWA.Sanibel.Captiva/
Ms. Castillo stared her journey with ABWA in 2013 as the recipient of the Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund (SBMEF) scholarship and in December 2014, she graduated from Florida Southwestern Colledge with her BAS in Supervision and Management in 2015. Over the years, Ms. Castillo has been awarded Apex Awards and Certificates of Achievement for her various leadership roles in her League. This is her fourth board year, she is the 2016 SWFL Council Woman of the Year. She has also served as the SWFL Council Financial Officer from 2015-2016.