Mountain Desert Network
IWIRC Members Dine in the Desert
On December 3, the Mountain Desert Network hosted a dinner at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. The dinner had a dual purpose: to allow IWIRC members from across the country, who had gathered in Phoenix for the ABI’s Winter Leadership Conference, to meet and network with each other; and to honor Sheila Smith, IWIRC’s 2015 Woman of the Year. The dinner coincided with the first night of the Winter Leadership Conference and was the perfect opportunity to savor good food and make new friends in a relaxed setting. IWIRC members enjoyed a three-course meal, accompanied by wine and excellent conversation, in a desert landscape surrounded by mountains and cacti in the distance. The event was an excellent way to showcase the beauty of the Phoenix area and to honor Sheila before she was officially presented with her award at the Conference the following day.
New Jersey Network
The New Jersey Chapter Hosts a Recruiting Event at a Local Chocolate Factory
The New Jersey Network kicked off the New Year with a recruiting event at Chocolate Works in Livingston where attendees were transformed into would-be chocolatiers for the evening. Once the group’s custom-made chocolates had hardened, attendees broke bread next door at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza. “This event was most enjoyable. It combined some of my favorite things--chocolate, pizza and IWIRC,” said Chief Judge Kathryn Ferguson of the New Jersey Bankruptcy Court. Judge Stacey Meisel of the New Jersey Bankruptcy Court was also in attendance, as well as a number of IWIRC members and non-members. New IWIRC member, Colleen Maker, who is currently clerking for Bankruptcy Judge Rosemary Gambardella, commented, “As a new attorney, going to networking events can be very intimidating, but the ladies at IWIRC are so welcoming, and the events are always fun and interesting.”
IWIRC-NJ Co-Chair Tara Schellhorn reported, “This event was a great success. The attendees were given an opportunity to spend time together doing a fun activity and enjoy each other’s company over dinner. These types of events are invaluable as they help our members develop and strengthen relationships, which further the mission of IWIRC. We very much appreciate Chief Judge Ferguson and Judge Meisel taking time out of their busy schedules to attend this event and support IWIRC.”