March 2026 Newsletter
What’s happening this month with PWNCR? – May 2023
August 2023 PWNCR Update
AUGUST 2023 UPDATE
Our monthly in-person event this month featured Daniela Carvalho who introduced us to the concept of Nonviolent Communication. We learned about the principles of nonviolent communication: self-empathy, empathy towards others, and the honest expression of our feelings and needs. It felt like there is so much to learn and we are eager for a possible workshop in the future!
Thank you to our generous donors of two special door prizes! We had a lovely set of art card prints by Jim Theologos donated by Helen Griffin. It was extra special that the cards were won by Cynthia Diez whose mother was friends with Jim. We also had an anonymous donor gift a scented candle.
To promote your business with a door prize donation, please send a WhatsApp message to Jacqui Monacell at 8878 4932. We are currently seeking door prizes for our September event and beyond!
We are moving toward videotaping our events so that the PWNCR can continue to build its online presence and to have the recordings available as a membership benefit for those who are up-to-date with their membership fees (click here to subscribe to our PWNCR YouTube channel!). Please email us if you do not have the link to the recordings of our May event: Defining Your Happiness with Elizabeth Seaward, June event: Latest Marketing Trends with Anabelle Durán, or August Event Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life with Daniela Carvalho and would like them! Thank you to our members who have helped secure the loan of equipment. Thank you also to the donors who have contributed cash for this purpose. From October onward we will increase the members’ event contribution to 3,000 colones to cover the audiovisual services.
Check out our Facebook Page to see photos of our events:
https://www.facebook.com/pwncr
Scroll down to read about:
- Upcoming Event: Field Trip to the National Museum and Lunch at Orvieto
- Featured Member Profile: Miranda Abbott
- Fundraising Campaign: Animales de Asís
- How to get more out of your PWNCR Membership
- Other Upcoming Events
Please feel free to scroll down to what matters most to you.
PWNCR September Event: Field Trip to the National Museum and Lunch at Orvieto Cocina de Autor
When: September 23, 2023
Time: 8:45am
Where: West entrance to National Museum (Plaza de la Democracia)
Speaker: Cristy BrenesOn the occasion of Costa Rican Independence Day, our September event will be a guided visit to the National Museum in San Jose, followed by lunch at Orvieto’s in Barrio Amón.The tour includes a brief history of the building, which once housed the small Costa Rican army. We will visit the stone room, a pre-Columbian room dedicated to archaeological stone monuments that represent an autochthonous indigenous culture. We will also visit the history room, where we will go through the colonial era of Costa Rica, the steps towards independence, the fight against filibusters, the traditions with indigenous heritage until we reach the Costa Rica of the second republic and its social achievements. We anticipate being inside the museum for about 2 hours, from 9am-11am.
Time: 8:45am
Where: West entrance to National Museum (Plaza de la Democracia)
Speaker: Cristy BrenesOn the occasion of Costa Rican Independence Day, our September event will be a guided visit to the National Museum in San Jose, followed by lunch at Orvieto’s in Barrio Amón.The tour includes a brief history of the building, which once housed the small Costa Rican army. We will visit the stone room, a pre-Columbian room dedicated to archaeological stone monuments that represent an autochthonous indigenous culture. We will also visit the history room, where we will go through the colonial era of Costa Rica, the steps towards independence, the fight against filibusters, the traditions with indigenous heritage until we reach the Costa Rica of the second republic and its social achievements. We anticipate being inside the museum for about 2 hours, from 9am-11am.
After the tour, we will make our way on foot (10-minute walk) to Barrio Amón, where we will have lunch at Orvieto Cocina de Autor. The executive chef Orvieto Morales is a genius of sustainable cuisine who has been highlighted on the national stage. Details will be sent to you after you register about the options for lunch.
Costs for the event:
PWNCR contribution:
Please note that our monthly running costs as an association include Zoom Pro, our email program, accountant retainer fees, social media and website services, etc.
2,000 colones for members (last month before it goes up to 3,000 colones!)
6,000 colones for non-members
Exact change or bank transfer is appreciated! Also, for non-members, you can become a member at this event!
Museum entrance:
Museo Nacional: 2,500 colones for nationals and residents 12-64 years old. Non-residents pay $11 per person. Children under 12 and persons 65 and older enter for free.
Lunch (optional):
Orvieto Cocina de Autor: the group menu put together by Chef Orvieto Morales includes salad, main dish, natural drink, and dessert for 15,000 colones. To order from the menu, starters average 5,000 colones, main dishes 8,000 to 13,000 plus tax.
About the Speaker
Ana Cristina “Cristy” Brenes Guier was educated in the public system in primary school and later at Lincoln School in Costa Rica. She has a teaching degree from UNED and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Framingham College in Boston. She also has a master’s degree in History from the University of Costa Rica (UCR).
Cristy worked in several schools, including Iribó, Marian Baker School, and Blue Valley School where she taught History in High School and Social Studies in Elementary for 16 years. For several years Cristy was also a volunteer at the National Museum, where she was in charge of conducting guided tours of the pre-Columbian room and also helped to repair plant samples in the Natural History department. The program was closed due to the pandemic and it has not been possible to implement it again.
Cristy is a widow; she has three children, all of them successful professionals, and 6 grandchildren that she is watching grow up. Her biggest hobby is reading, but she also likes manual labor and watching movies. At the moment she participates in a Taichi course, she also does swimming pool exercises and enthusiastically participates in conferences.
We’d love to have you join us – register now (click here!) so that we can get an accurate head count!
PWNCR Member Feature: Miranda Abbott
PWNCR member Miranda Abbott’s voyage to Costa Rica ignited from a simple spin of a globe and a touch of her finger on a map. Prior to her relocation, she had never set foot in Central or South America. The decision to uproot her life was sparked after the birth of her first child when she yearned for change. Shedding her possessions, she boarded a Delta airliner departing from Canada, and since then, she’s never cast a glance backward. Now, as she reflects on her 12.5 years residing in this awe-inspiring nation, she is overwhelmed by a sense of belonging that resonates deeply.
For the initial 9 years, Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, was her haven. During Miranda’s debut year in Costa Rica, she was technically on Canadian maternity leave, benefiting from a year’s pay to facilitate her transition while nurturing her newborn son. This period allowed her to deliberate on her long-term commitment to this enchanting land. As the reasons to stay grew increasingly evident, she executed the necessary changes to sever ties with her homeland. Determining to establish a foothold, Miranda ventured into entrepreneurship and commenced the process of obtaining residency. This was the phase in which Ciao Bella, Miranda’s boutique featuring local fashion and jewelry designers, saw the light of day. The inception of “My Yoga With Miranda,” a yoga studio, and “Niños del Sol,” an innovative educational initiative, further enriched her journey.
Costa Rica witnessed the birth of Miranda’s daughter in 2010, a milestone followed by the arrival of two more precious children. This juncture prompted their family to relocate to the Central Valley in 2019, drawn by the promise of enhanced educational opportunities. Fortunately, they made this move just before the pandemic’s onset, successfully divesting their businesses in January 2020. Now settled in the welcoming embrace of the Central Valley, her husband embarked on a career shift from education to real estate. Armed with fluency in English and Spanish, and boasting a background as a former math teacher, his transition to the world of commercial real estate was seamless and joyful. He now stands as a certified agent, with his businesses “Make Costa Rica Home” and “Buy Hotels Costa Rica,” soon to be joined by the forthcoming venture, “Realtor Signature.” In a delightful twist, Miranda’s graphic design and content writing skills found renewed expression as she crafted his websites, logos, and compelling narratives.
However, Miranda’s heart tugged her back to her greatest passion—dance. Before leaving Canada, she had worn the hats of a dancer, choreographer, educator, and author. She was honored with a grant from the Canadian Council for the Arts, enabling her to pen two books illuminating the interplay between dance and mathematics. Her innovative approach, Dance Equations, uniquely linked movement and math, and she was thrilled to bring this dynamic fusion to the stage. As life unfolded in Costa Rica, Miranda´s eagerness to immerse herself in the arts was undeniable. Thus, she revived her dance company and reintroduced her program within this vibrant nation.
The curtain rose on DEKO (Dance Equations & Kompany) in March 2023 with a captivating
performance at CENAC cultural center. Six accomplished dancers, adept at both teaching the program and executing her mathematical choreography, graced the stage with their mastery. The synergy of dance, lights, costumes, music, projections, and poetry breathed life into the performance. Presently, Miranda is conducting international online instruction, welcoming teachers to her member platform. Here, they can access over 50 instructional videos, two comprehensive books, an MP3 music collection, and a treasure trove of classroom resources. Her forthcoming educational platform promises a deeper reservoir of resources, including step-by-step teaching slides and lesson plans. For a comprehensive view of Dance Equations, explore www.danceequations.com
performance at CENAC cultural center. Six accomplished dancers, adept at both teaching the program and executing her mathematical choreography, graced the stage with their mastery. The synergy of dance, lights, costumes, music, projections, and poetry breathed life into the performance. Presently, Miranda is conducting international online instruction, welcoming teachers to her member platform. Here, they can access over 50 instructional videos, two comprehensive books, an MP3 music collection, and a treasure trove of classroom resources. Her forthcoming educational platform promises a deeper reservoir of resources, including step-by-step teaching slides and lesson plans. For a comprehensive view of Dance Equations, explore www.danceequations.com
Embracing the Costa Rican spirit of “Pura Vida” brings Miranda immense joy as she introduces Dance Equations within these welcoming borders. The program has already found a warm reception, and schools have extended invitations to partake in the joy of dance and mathematics. With anticipation and passion, she now looks ahead to the unfolding years, cherishing every moment of her Pura Vida life and of course of being a member of the Professional Women’s Network of Costa Rica.
Get in touch with Miranda Abbott:
Websites: www.danceequations.
Facebook: https://www.
Websites: www.danceequations.
Facebook: https://www.
Youtube: https://www.facebook.
If you would like to featured in an upcoming newsletter, contact Ana Guerrero, our Director of Communications.
FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN: ANIMALES DE ASIS
Animales de Asis relies on donations to help support over 300 animals that are in desperate need of help.
Your donations allow the staff and volunteers to worry less about money and focus on keeping the animals healthy and happy! Can you make a $10 donation today, or what your heart dictates!!
To donate right now, please go to the Animales de Asis website and follow the directions for your preferred way to donate (there is a tax-deductable option for those donating from the US!). You may also go directly to the Animales de Asis PayPal (http://paypal.me/
Animales de Asís provides care to dogs and cats suffering from starvation, pregnant mothers with puppies or kittens. However, their primary focus lies on animals dealing with difficult medical conditions or senior animals facing age-related problems. These are creatures that might be considered for euthanasia by many, yet thanks to the team of specialists at Animales de Asis, a significant number of these animals are given the chance to enjoy robust and joyful lives.
Some of the present dog patients include….
Cholo who was rescued from Guapiles, a drug addict had him tied up in the patio, no protection from sun or rain. He is in critical malnutrition, and has tested positive for heartworm, which makes it impossible for a blood transfusion. It was urgent to remove his spleen, and now his heart tests are pending.
Yoko: Like many moms we rescue, they left her tied up in an empty lot, and the puppies were born there, without water, food, or environmental protection. We rescued them in Aserrí, a place where many dogs are abandoned. We need puppy food, deworming treatment, vaccines, and spaying/neutering for all of them when the time comes.
Copita: We rescued her in Los Guido, she has skin problems and a lot of bacteria. She needs antibiotics and one NexGard tablet per month, for a minimum of 3 months, also needs medicated baths with special soap, vaccinations, and spaying.
These examples provide just a glimpse into the beautiful and hard work currently under the care of Animales de Asis. In addition, they are also tending to over 300 other animals in search of their forever homes. All animals experience pain, fear, love—emotions just like those felt by humans. Animales de Asis urges us not to view them as mere “animals,” but as fellow “beings” reliant on our assistance. Countless animals await help, and due to the extensive medical expenses they incur—specialists, therapy, medications, and more—the most pressing requirement is donations to support their veterinary bills.
A final plea: If you find yourself short on funds and unable to donate presently, could you kindly share this appeal with your friends and family?
More information:
Website: www.animalesdeasis.
Email: info@animalesdeasis.com
Telephone: +506 – 8382-5163 / +506 – 8727 7589
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR PWNCR MEMBERSHIP
PWNCR is an active resource for personal and professional development. We offer monthly networking meetings along with webinars and online workshops, and a mentorship program. Networking with your fellow female solopreneurs and small business owners is the best way to develop the communication skills essential for success in business.
PWNCR can also fuel your personal and professional development by providing:
- An opportunity to develop public speaking and presentation skills. Click here if you want to become a speaker at one of our events.
- A place for non-native English-speakers to develop their professional conversational skills. Join us for our monthly in person events at Tin Jo!
- Mentoring opportunities from a diverse group of successful professional women
- Volunteering opportunities! Being part of the Leadertship Team can help you improve on key professional skills like note-taking, event planning, public speaking, fundraising, social media planning and execution of digital marketing strategies as well as practicing your professional English. If you have some available time and would like to contribute, please write to info@pwncr.com and tell us how you could help.
- Get featured in our monthly newsletter. Contact Ana Guerrero, Director of Communications, to place an article about you and your business, service or project in an upcoming newsletter.
Want to be a Speaker at one of our next events?
Do you have something to share that would provide real value for professional women in Costa Rica? Would you like to stand before a supportive audience and test out an offer for your products or services? When you become a speaker for the PWNCR you’ll gain public speaking skills, become visible before our network, and be able to give back to other professional women just like you.If you are interested in becoming a speaker, please click here to complete the form and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
SAVE THE DATE!
Be sure to mark your calendar for our other scheduled events:
- October 21: How to Succeed at Networking Workshop
- November 18: Annual Goods & Services Fair
- December: Members’ Only Holiday Party (Date TBC)
You can read more about new and past events on our website.
Benefits of PWNCR Membership
What’s in it for you? What we know you’ll gain from becoming a member:
- Opportunities to network with other professionals
- Lifelong friendships
- Get collaboration and advice on your projects
- Promote your business using our social media
- Get strategic contacts when needed
- Join our monthly meetings
- Knowledge and education on professional and personal development
- In-person events and workshops
- Opportunities to become a speaker at our meetings
- Become a mentor or receive mentorship
- Opportunities to belong to our Leadership Team
- Join our WhatsApp group
- Increased job opportunities
- Webinars and virtual workshops
Membership is only ¢20.000 per year or ¢50.000 for a 3 year membership. Join us, won’t you?
Payment information: Please connect with Rommy for bank transfer information.
Author
The Professional Women’s Network of Costa Rica is dedicated to guiding and empowering women through educating, networking, mentoring, and friendship – to love the life they live and create a life they love!
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