THE AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Changing women’s lives...
one woman at a time.™
The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.
Upcoming events
February
20feb9:30 am12:00 pmKnowledge is POWER with Shahidah Rahman: How Your Image Drives Your Success
Event Details
Learn how your personal image shapes first impressions, builds credibility, and creates opportunities that boost your bottom line. Join us for an
Event Details
Learn how your personal image shapes first impressions, builds credibility, and creates opportunities that boost your bottom line.
Join us for an enlightening Knowledge is POWER event, featuring Shahidah Rahman, Image Consultant, Confidence Coach, and Public Speaker. She will present one of her signature talks: “Elevate Your Image, Elevate Your Profit: How Image Drives Revenue.”
This event is presented by Fidelity Bank POWER, in partnership with ABWA Crescent City Connections.
Your image is more than just what you wear—it’s the first impression, the lasting perception, and a powerful tool that directly impacts your personal and professional success. In this dynamic session, Shahidah will reveal how refining your image can help you build confidence, strengthen your brand, and ultimately increase revenue opportunities.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader in your field, or growing your career, this event will give you actionable strategies to align your personal style with your business goals.
Expect to learn:
- The psychology of first impressions and how they influence trust and credibility
- Practical tips for polishing your professional image
- How to leverage your presence to attract clients, partnerships, and revenue
Don’t miss this chance to network with like-minded women, gain expert insights, and leave feeling inspired to step into your most confident, revenue-driving self. This event is presented by Fidelity Bank POWER, in collaboration with Palette Northshore.
Ticket includes Lunch & Workshop Materials.
This event is open to members and non-members. (POWER and ABWACC members are kindly asked to email kati.lebreton@bankwithfidelity.com to receive their $5 discount code.)
Space is very limited!
Time
February 20, 2026 9:30 am - 12:00 pm(GMT-11:00)
Location
Fidelity Bank - Metairie Road Financial Center
1811 Metairie Rd. Metairie LA 70005
March
19mar11:00 am1:00 pmMarch Networking Luncheon
Event Details
Members of ABWA and non-members are all welcome to our monthly networking luncheon. Early Bird (Ends 3/16):$40 Members$45 Non-Members
Event Details
Members of ABWA and non-members are all welcome to our monthly networking luncheon.
Early Bird (Ends 3/16):
$40 Members
$45 Non-Members
After:
$45 Members
$50 Non-Members
Walk-ins welcome: $50 at the door
Open Networking and Doors open at 11 am!
Program begins at 11:30 am
Event Details
11:00 AM | Open Networking
Connect with fellow professionals, share ideas, and build relationships in a welcoming, supportive environment.
11:30 AM | Programming Begins
• ABWA CCC Updates
• Upcoming Fundraiser Highlights
12:00 PM | Featured Presentation
Self-Leadership at Work: The HR Skill No One Trains You For
Presented by Desi Allums
Most workplace conflict, burnout, and performance issues are not skill problems, they’re self-leadership problems. HR can’t fix what individuals won’t own.
Key Talking Points:
• Why emotional regulation is now a business competency
• The difference between accountability and blame
• How self-leadership impacts culture, retention, profit, and trust
About Our Speaker: Desi Allums
Desi Allums is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and the Founder & CEO of EmpowerHER Life. She is the Architect of WOMENSHIP a leadership philosophy centered on emotional maturity, personal responsibility, and how women build trust-driven, high-performing relationships in business and life.
In less than two years, Desi scaled EmpowerHER Life into a multi-city women’s organization, producing over 260 curated events and serving hundreds of women across Louisiana. Her work challenges surface-level empowerment and focuses instead on sustainable growth rooted in self-leadership, clarity, and alignment.
With more than 20 years of experience in sales, leadership, and business development, Desi is known for her direct, human-first approach. She speaks with conviction and depth, equipping women with practical frameworks that support confident decision-making, intentional leadership, and long-term success.
Time
March 19, 2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
Location
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
3064 N Causeway Blvd.
CONNECT. LEARN.
GROW.
Emily Kohnke & Payton Ulicsni
About Us...
The vision of ABWA Crescent City Connections Chapter is to be recognized as an outstanding league connecting Greater New Orleans career-minded women in an empowering space to develop leadership and business skills with the goal of increasing our earning potential and building meaningful networking relationships that enable members to grow into the very BEST versions of ourselves.
Our local New Orleans Chapter was formed in October 2014 with 40 Charter Members. Since being chartered we have grown to more than 90 business and professional women.
Our core values are the foundation for which the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) was founded on in 1949. They’re reflective of the ethos of the ABWA culture, and have been integral to creating an enduring and supportive community for generations of women in the workplace.
1. Selfless Leadership – Be committed to doing the right thing, always. Be transparent in your actions even when no one is looking!
2. Building Community – Be committed to creating sustainable ABWA communities where women can connect, learn, and grow together.
3. Value and Seek Diversity – Be committed to recruiting new members from diverse cultures, work industries and experiences.
4. Manage for Innovation and Excellence – Be committed to original thinking and delivering excellence in everything you do.
5. Lifelong Learning – Be committed to enhancing your own business knowledge, skills, and acumen. Be unafraid to make mistakes, iterate, err and try again.
6. Focus on Facts and Own the Results – Be committed to using “data” to drive your decisions and actions, and be accountable for your performance, good and bad.
7. Choose to Make a Difference – Be committed to unlocking a member’s potential and inspiring/motivating her to become the best version of herself.
8. Celebrate – Be committed to celebrating members’ achievements.
ABWA CRESCENT CITY CONNECTIONS
Our Meeting
events & Meeting information
Monthly Program Luncheons are held the 3rd Thursday of each month at Fleming’s Steakhouse, 3064 N Causeway Blvd., Metairie, LA 70002. Check our event page for any changes to the schedule. The cost to attend is $40 for members and $45 for non-members with pre-registration before the Wednesday of the luncheon. Walk-in registration is $50.
Mark your calendars and make plans to attend these exciting events! Embrace new concepts, understand new technology, improve your leadership skills, and build invaluable relationships with like-minded businesswomen.
One Membership, A Lifetime of Possibilities
At a time when it was socially unacceptable for women to pursue a full-time career, have a girls’ night out, or even join a women’s association; four individuals from Kansas City; Shirley Cupp, Irma Beisel, Frances Stuckey and Mr. Hilary Bufton Jr. , founded the American Business Women’s Association. Breaking barriers for women and on behalf of women is nothing new in ABWA. We’ve been doing so since 1949.
ABWA
CCC
Executive Board
Nancy Springler
VP of Finance
Bellingrath Wealth Management
Membership Sponsored
Mix & Mingle After-Hour Events
Want to take advantage of ABWA’s membership perks? Every month one of our members sponsors an after-hour social event where they can spotlight their business. These events are always fun, exciting, and a great way to socialize!