Biz Magazine covered our January Luncheon for their February edition. You can see the whole article on their website.

ABWA members gathered to listen to Connie Uddo, outreach coordinator for the nonprofit Beacon of Hope. Uddo’s speech, entitled “Rebirth for the New Year,” shared her experience of helping to rebuild New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Letter from the President

Happy New Year! I hope that 2015 brings you much prosperity, happiness, and good health. And, I hope that your experience with ABWA Crescent City Connections Express Network grows and deepens this new year.

I’m amazed by how far we’ve come since the first formation committee meeting (that I attended, at least) back in April at a small coffee shop, to our first annual holiday party, where we hosted nearly eighty attendees at Ralph Brennan’s Heritage Grill! Of course such progress could not have been made without the hard work and dedication of many women—most especially the formation committee leaders, who were inducted as officers during our Charter Ceremony on October 9 th. We were joined by in excess of thirty Charter Members, which is outstanding, especially considering that our goal (and a requirement of ABWA National for formal charter) was twenty-five new members. is outstanding, especially considering that our goal (and a requirement of ABWA National for formal charter) was twenty-five new members.

With the new year comes reflection and goal setting, so I want to share with you our Express Network’s goals for the remainder of the 2014/2015 league year, as approved by the Executive Board:

• Attain thirty Charter Members by September 15, 2014 (Done!) and fiftyfive by July 31, 2015
• One or more member testimonial(s) of how ABWA has helped her in some facet of her life
• Five local media write-ups spotlighting our league (We’re almost there!)
• Schedule at least one high profile speaker per year to further promote and encourage membership (Done!)
• 200 Facebook page “likes” by July 31, 2015 (We’re at 191!)
• 500 LinkedIn group members by July 31, 2015 (We have 292!)

I’d like to leave you with a question to seriously consider as you plan out your upcoming year. How are you going to get involved with the Crescent City Connections Express Network, so that you can help the league achieve its goals while you achieve yours?

Warmly,
Charlotte Piotrowski

Click here to download the PDF newsletter.

The executive board decided to take a little time to get to know each other better with a fun filled night of painting, wine, and laughter. We painted a “lady in red” in honor of ABWA’s colors, black and red.

Connie Uddo is a powerful force in the New Orleans non profit scene. She helped countless NOLA residents come home after Katrina, and continues to serve us all as she replenishes the city’s trees and serves our senior population at St Paul’s Senior Center. Connie delivered an inspirational presenataion at our January luncheon.

Inspirational speaker Connie Uddo “Find your passion. Find your mission!” #businesswomen #care

— ABWA New Orleans (@ABWA_NewOrleans) January 8, 2015

The first annual ABWA Crescent City Express Network Holiday Luncheon was a huge success. We had a fantastic turnout, and our speaker, Charlee Williamson, Executive VP of Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, shared some astute insights on being successful in any business as well as some great tips for holiday entertaining.

“Do what you can to make yourself indispensable.” –@ABWA_NewOrleans speaker Charlee Williamson EVP of @ralphbrennan restaurant group.

— Abby Thibodaux (@abbythib) December 11, 2014

“If you’re good at what you do when you’re young, the world can be your oyster.” -rep at Ralph Brennan’s @abwa_neworleans @ABWAHQ — Abby Thibodaux (@abbythib) December 11, 2014

Having a great Holiday luncheon at Heritage Grill with @ABWA_neworleans! Such a great group of business women! #ZEventCompany

— Z Event Co (@ZEventCo) December 11, 2014