April 2026 Newsletter
Opening the HOW Retreat: A Conversation with New York Times bestselling author Nina Burleigh
We’re thrilled to kick off our fifth annual HOW Retreat with a special conversation featuring New York Times bestselling author Nina Burleigh. In dialogue with Brandie Knox, CEO of Moxx App, Nina will share insights from her latest book, Turn Around Don’t Drown, reflect on her work as a journalist and historical fiction author, and discuss her Substack, where she brings clarity and context to today’s headlines.
Join us May 15–17 in Narrowsburg, NY, for a weekend of connection, reflection, and inspiration in the lower Catskills. Additional retreat details and registration information are below.
From Allyship to Partnership: What It Takes to Create Real Change
At last week’s Quorum Speaker Series, Lee Chambers, CEO of Male Allies UK, led a thought-provoking conversation on what real male allyship looks like, and why it matters now more than ever.
Too often, allyship is framed as intention or identity. But as Lee shared, allyship is not something we are, it’s something we do. And more importantly, it’s something that must lead to measurable impact. If women’s lived experiences aren’t improving, then allyship, no matter how well-intended, is not effective.
Lee invited us to move beyond performative gestures and toward shared responsibility. Gender equity cannot be driven by women alone. Engaging men is not optional, it’s essential. Yet, this engagement must be thoughtful. It’s not about men stepping in as “fixers,” but about developing the skills to listen, learn, and act in ways that support systemic change.
One of the most compelling shifts in the conversation was from allyship to gender partnership. Partnership recognizes that restrictive gender norms affect everyone, and that progress requires collective effort. It also challenges deeply ingrained dynamics, including the tendency for men to see themselves as default leaders rather than collaborators. Continue reading
Our recent New York Chapter meeting, led by Kierith Jones, Director of Quorum Invests, focused on understanding the practical, action-oriented implications of recent U.S. legislation (enacted July 2025) and how individuals, particularly women and small business owners, can leverage it for financial advantage.
The discussion emphasized demystifying finance, encouraging active participation, and building confidence through shared knowledge.
Key Themes included a Shift from Awareness to Action:
- Rather than debating the broader political or social implications of the bill, the session centered on: “How can we make this work for us?”
- Participants were encouraged to actively engage, ask questions, and share insights, recognizing that even experts are still interpreting the law.
- The law is a mix of tax cuts and temporary targeted perks, many of which expire by 2028. This increases planning complexity and highlights how knowledge and self-advocacy are critical, even when relying on accounting and legal professionals to prepare your taxes.
Want to learn more? Join our 2026 Quorum Invests Cohort, a gender-smart investment and learning community for Quorum members who seek to align money, values, and impact. Additional details below.
HOW We Drive Progress in the Health of Women
Elizabeth Garner, MD, MPH — CEO, SeNa Therapeutics; Board Chair, NUA Surgical
Marsha Henderson — Former Associate Commissioner for Women’s Health, U.S. FDA; Life Member, Council on Foreign Relations; Former National Board Chairperson, YWCA USA
Moderator: Amy Mertz Brown, SVP, Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer, BECU
“When women are healthy, everyone is healthy. Awareness is wonderful, but action is king.”
— Dr. Elizabeth Garner
At our 2025 HOW Women Create Change Forum, Quorum members explored how we can accelerate progress in women’s health, an issue that remains underfunded, misunderstood, and deeply consequential.
Elizabeth Garner, MD, MPH (SeNa Therapeutics), Marsha Henderson (Former FDA Associate Commissioner for Women’s Health), and moderator Amy Mertz Brown (BECU) led a compelling discussion on the critical gaps in care and research. Heart disease remains the leading killer of women, yet only 1% of global research funding goes to women-specific conditions. The panelists emphasized the need for women to advocate for themselves, to ask hard questions, demand answers, and never settle for dismissive care.
They also called for greater inclusion in clinical trials, more investment in women’s health innovation, and collective efforts to counter health misinformation online. Continue reading
Welcome New Quorum Members!
- Smadar Berlingeri,Delaware Valley Chapter
- Leonor Dobbins, Delaware Valley Chapter
- Wanda Gangel, Delaware Valley Chapter
- Laurie Guzda, Delaware Valley Chapter
- Stacey Hill, St. Joseph Chapter
- Amy Landry, Delegation Oversight and Risk Management Program Director, Vaya Health
- Jane Luchsinger, Delaware Valley Chapter
- Olena Macierakowska, Delaware Valley Chapter
- Andrea Morgan, Delaware Valley Chapter
- Carol-Ann Mullin, Delaware Valley Chapter
- Geena Thomas, Delaware Valley Chapter
- Jennifer Torry, Delaware Valley Chapter
Congratulations to Quorum Members!
- Patricia Roberts on receiving the Media Master Award from Super Connector Media
- Maddie Stenger on her new position as Senior Director at FTI Consulting
