In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find highlights from our January and February events, an update about the new PWNCR Board of Directors, and details about our April 2026 event. We are also including an update on our new social responsibility campaign for Animales de Asis.

Please continue reading to discover what we have in store for you this month and beyond!

In This Issue:

• January Event Recap: Ignite 2026: Define, Design, Do: Goal Setting with Sara Basloe
• February Event Recap: Legal Confidence for Women plus After-Office Happy Hour and Open House
• Celebrating PWNCR’s Outgoing Leadership with gratitude and appreciation!
• PWNCR’s new Board of Directors for 2026-2028 Let us introduce you around!
• Member Spotlight & Amazing Door Prizes: Doc Harmony of Healthy Energy Amazing Life (H.E.A.L.)
• Women’s Day, March 8th: We’ll be celebrating virtually this year!
• April Event – Save the Date!: Women’s Health Forum on April 25th 
• Premium Membership Benefits!: We invite you to join our network at the premium level!
• Social Responsibility Update: Launch of our fundraising campaign for Animales de Asis

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Please feel free to scroll down to what matters most to you.

January 2026 Event Recap

What a powerful beginning to 2026! PWNCR members and friends who joined the January workshop hosted by PWNCR walked away with renewed clarity, purpose, and a practical roadmap for 2026.

Guided by Master Results and Mental Fitness Coach Sara Basloe, attendees reflected on their 2025 wins and lessons, identified their deeper motivations, and transformed their ideas into clear, actionable goals. Each person left not only with a defined vision for their personal and professional growth, but also with increased confidence, mental resilience, and concrete next steps they could begin implementing immediately—supported by a stronger sense of community and accountability.

February 2026 Event Recap

February brought another wonderful opportunity for connection and community as PWNCR members and guests gathered for our After Office Happy Hour & Open House at the Hilton Garden Inn La Sabana.

The evening began with a special Pre-Happy Hour Workshop: Legal Confidence for Women, led by our new PWNCR President and corporate lawyer Vanessa Saenz. Participants gained practical insights on protecting themselves and their work, learning how to read contracts with greater confidence, identify potential risks early, and establish healthy professional boundaries in their careers and businesses.

Following the workshop, attendees enjoyed a lively Happy Hour and Open House, enjoying some cocktails while connecting with fellow professionals in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Guests had the chance to meet members of the new Board of Directors, expand their professional networks, and learn more about how PWNCR supports women in business across Costa Rica.

The evening also included our 50/50 fundraiser supporting Asociación Animales de Asís, allowing attendees to contribute to a meaningful local cause while enjoying great conversation and new connections.

It was a fantastic evening of learning, networking, and community—another reminder of the power of bringing professional women together.

Celebrating PWNCR’s Outgoing Leadership

We want to take a moment to sincerely thank each of our outgoing leadership members for the time, energy, ideas, and heart you’ve contributed. Your willingness to show up, support one another, and serve the Professional Women’s Network of Costa Rica has made a meaningful and lasting difference in our community.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our outgoing President, Muni Figueres Facio, and Vice President, Jacqui Monacell, for their dedicated leadership and meaningful contributions over the past several years. Their vision, commitment, and care have helped guide and strengthen PWNCR and the vibrant community it serves.

We also proudly recognize the many exceptional leaders whose time, talent, and passion have helped shape PWNCR. In particular, we thank Loredana Regep for her stewardship of the newsletter and meeting support; Helen Griffin and Phylliss Crist for their steadfast advisorship and encouragement; Rommy Herrera for her dedication to supporting and strengthening membership; and Andrea Atkins for stepping in to lead social media and helping sustain our leadership team. We also had Gabriela Gutierrez providing thoughtful speaker coordination; Lilly Edgerton for her excellent newsletter creation; Sarah Joy Staude for guiding Social Responsibility and generously supporting the organization through key transitions; Maria Elena Amador for her valuable coordination and advisory contributions; Annia Chaves Alfaro for her service as Secretary and organizational support; and Gloriana Brenes for her creativity and care in managing social media.

Each of these remarkable women has helped shape PWNCR’s growth, strengthened our foundation, and built the supportive, inspiring community we are today. Your contributions truly matter, and we are deeply grateful for the leadership, generosity, and spirit you have shared.

PWNCR’s New Board of Directors
2026-2028

We are pleased to introduce the Professional Women’s Network of Costa Rica’s Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term. This dedicated group of leaders brings fresh energy, thoughtful ideas, and a shared commitment to continuing to strengthen and grow the vibrant community of PWNCR.

We warmly welcome Vanessa Saenz as President, Rommy Herrera as Vice President, Monika Estrada as Treasurer, and Lauretta Nkwocha as Secretary. Phylliss Crist and Sarah Joy Staude will continue serving on the Board as Vocales, offering valuable support, guidance, and continuity as this new leadership team moves forward.

We would also like to recognize Andrea Atkins for the generous leadership and support she provided to PWNCR during a pivotal transition period from the end of last year through February. Andrea played an essential role in onboarding new members of the Board of Directors and thoughtfully developed systems that helped the incoming team gain their footing and move forward with confidence. For a time, she also served as Fiscal, providing valuable oversight and guidance during this important moment for the organization. We are deeply grateful for Andrea’s dedication, collaborative spirit, and the strong foundations she helped establish for PWNCR’s continued success.

As we look ahead, we are currently seeking a dedicated woman to join the Board of Directors in the role of Fiscal. If you are interested in serving or would like to nominate someone for this position, we warmly encourage you to reach out to a member of the current Board.

To learn more about each member of Board of Directors for 2026-2028, please visit the Board of Directors About Us on the PWNCR website.

Member Spotlight: Doc Harmony, Founder of H.E.A.L. 

(photo: Ayma Fernández, winner of the H.E.A.L. basket at our January event, presented by Sarah Joy Staude)

We are proud to spotlight Harmony, founder of Healthy Energy Amazing Life (H.E.A.L.), a wellness brand dedicated to helping people live healthier, more balanced lives through thoughtfully curated, high-quality self-care products. Built on a mission of holistic wellness and community impact, H.E.A.L. reflects Harmony’s belief that businesses can empower individuals while giving back to meaningful causes.

Harmony has been a valued and longtime supporter of the Professional Women’s Network of Costa Rica, generously contributing annual gift baskets and supporting initiatives that benefit women and families. Her ongoing generosity, including recent event giveaways, has brought joy to our members—congratulations to Ayma Fernández, winner of Harmony’s January gift basket! Another chance to win is coming soon at an upcoming event.

 Explore Harmony’s wellness gift sets and products:
• Heal My Feet Gift Set
• Naturally Radiant Gift Set
• Shop online at My HEAL Shop
• Send an email
• Costa Rica orders: Call Carolina at 8443-9347

We are deeply grateful for Harmony’s continued support, generosity, and commitment to uplifting our community.

International Women’s Day

March 8, 2026 

 Women’s Day – March 8 | Join Our Virtual Celebration 

Each year on March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day—a global moment to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while continuing the work toward gender equality.

The 2026 campaign theme, “Give To Gain,” encourages individuals and organizations to support women through mentorship, visibility, resources, and advocacy—because when women thrive, communities thrive.

This year, our network is celebrating virtually by amplifying the voices of the women in our community. We invite our members, friends, and colleagues to participate by recording a short video message to share on our social media.

 How to Participate

Please record a short video and send it directly to Sarah Joy Staude via WhatsApp at 8868-6990 so we can share it as part of our International Women’s Day celebration all month long!

Choose ONE of the following questions to answer in your video, and please restate the question before answering:

• What does supporting other women look like in your daily life?
• What advice would you give your younger self starting out in your career?
• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
• What moment made you feel most proud to be a woman in your profession?
• What advice would you give to women who doubt their own potential?

You may also briefly introduce yourself and your profession or connection to our community.

Recommended Video Guidelines

• Length: 30 seconds to 2 minutes
• Format: MP4
• Orientation: Vertical
• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• Resolution: 1080 × 1920

Please record in a well-lit, quiet space, speak clearly, and keep the tone warm and welcoming.

This format works well for Reels, Stories, and regular posts on Facebook and Instagram.

We look forward to celebrating and sharing the voices, experiences, and wisdom of the women in our community. 

Learn more about International Women’s Day and the global campaign here:
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Save The Date: Mark Your Calendar

Join us for an important and empowering conversation at the Costa Rica Women’s Health Forum, where experts and advocates will come together to discuss key topics affecting women’s health and well-being. This special event will provide practical insights, expert perspectives, and an open space to learn about issues that impact women at every stage of life.

Attendees will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of women’s health, connect with others who care about wellness and advocacy, and gain valuable knowledge to support their own health and the health of their communities.

This forum promises to be an informative and inspiring gathering for anyone interested in learning more about women’s health and building a stronger, healthier community.

Don’t forget to SAVE YOUR SPOT!

What: Women’s Health Forum
When: Saturday, 25 April 2026 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Where: Delta Hotels by Marriott San José Aurola

Entrance Cost
₡3,000 for members
₡ 6,000 for non-members
Free for Premium Membership holders

 Why Premium Membership Is Your Best Investment 

The PWNCR Premium Advantage: Invest Once, Benefit All Year

While our standard membership provides tremendous value at ¢20,000 annually, our Premium Membership at just ¢30,000 per year offers exceptional returns on your investment:

Become a Premium Member today!

Payment information: Please contact us for SINPE or bank transfer information at info@pwncr.com.

Premium Membership Benefits

• Opportunities to network with other professionals
• Lifelong friendships
• Get collaboration and advice on your projects
• Promote your business using our social media & newsletter
• 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
• Opportunities to belong to our Leadership Team
• Join our WhatsApp community
• Increased job opportunities
• Future benefits: professional development webinars and virtual workshops, becoming a mentor or receiving mentorship

PWNCR Social Responsibility

Supporting Animales de Asis

Since 2007, Animales de Asís has been rescuing abused, abandoned, sick, and special-needs animals across Costa Rica. Today, they provide daily care, food, shelter, and medical treatment to nearly 300 dogs and cats, while also running sterilization campaigns, supporting vulnerable communities, and helping animals find loving homes. They receive no government funding, relying entirely on donations to continue this lifesaving work.

Every contribution made today helps fund:
• Emergency veterinary care and medications 
• Food, shelter, and daily protection 
• Spay and neuter campaigns to prevent suffering
• Rehabilitation and second chances for vulnerable animals

As leaders and members of the Professional Women’s Network of Costa Rica, we have the power to create real impact together. Your donation—no matter the size—can directly save lives and provide immediate care.

Donate now: https://animalesdeasis.com/donate/
US tax-deductible donations: https://www.amigosofcostarica.org/affiliates/animales-de-asis

Our February event participants showed incredible generosity by taking part in our 50/50 fundraiser in support of Asociación Animales de Asís. The energy in the room was inspiring as many of the women joined in to help raise funds for this meaningful cause.

In a beautiful full-circle moment, when Andrea won the cash prize, she generously donated her winnings back to Animales de Asís.

Thanks to the collective generosity of everyone involved, a total of ₡103,000 was raised for the organization!

An amazing show of community spirit—and a truly meaningful contribution that will help care for vulnerable animals.

Important steps when donating:

• Write “PWNCR” in the donation description
• Email your receipt or screenshot to info@pwncr.com so we can track our collective impact and recognize your contribution

Animals are depending on immediate support. Please don’t wait—donate today and help us turn compassion into action.