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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) marked National Give to Women & Girls Day on October 7 with a luncheon at the Santa Barbara Club, celebrating members of its donor network, the League of Extraordinary Women. The gathering united entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and advocates committed to advancing women’s financial independence and economic equity.
Nicki Parr, CEO of WEV, delivered opening remarks emphasizing the transformative potential of investing in women and girls. “Supporting women’s causes isn’t a side initiative—it’s central to reshaping communities,” Parr stated. “When women direct resources, the benefits ripple across society. Visionaries like Gwyn Lurie demonstrate how funding gender-focused efforts amplifies impact far beyond the initial contribution.”
The organization honored Gwyn Lurie, co-founder of The GivingList Women, for her leadership in advancing women’s philanthropy and amplifying female-driven solutions through advocacy and narrative. Lurie, who also serves as CEO of the Montecito Journal and co-founded The Giving List, launched The GivingList Women in 2024 to confront the fact that only two percent of charitable funding reaches organizations serving women and girls. Her work has created a global network connecting donors with groups promoting gender equity.
“I’m honored by this recognition and proud to collaborate with WEV, an organization that shares our deep conviction in the power of a gender-informed worldview,” Lurie said.
Ana Arce, a WEV participant and policy advocate with Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), shared her personal journey from housing instability to financial resilience. She credited WEV’s Financial Empowerment courses with helping her secure stability for herself and her family, illustrating the organization’s broader mission of expanding access to financial education, entrepreneurial training, and capital for women across the Central Coast.
During the event, Parr announced a $50,000 matching gift from Dr. Nancy O’Reilly, founder of Women Connect4Good, aimed at inspiring local contributions and offsetting a shortfall in government funding for WEV’s 2026 operations.
The League of Extraordinary Women, composed of annual donors, played a central role in the celebration. Its members support WEV’s programs that deliver business development resources, financial literacy training, and equitable access to funding, all designed to foster economic equality.
Those interested in joining the League or supporting WEV’s initiatives can visit http://www.wevonline.org/league.
The 2025 event was made possible by sponsors including Thriving Sponsors: Amazon, Athens Services, Banks Coaching, Community West Bank, Cox Communications, Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSU Channel Islands, Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co, Santa Barbara Foundation, Tileco, and Ventura County Credit Union; Innovation Sponsors: Chevron, La Arcada, Montecito Bank & Trust, Nicholson & Schwartz, and Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation; Empower Sponsors: Bank of America and UCLA Health; and Passion Sponsor: US Bank.
About Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)
WEV is a nonprofit focused on advancing women’s economic self-sufficiency. It operates as a business support network offering courses, consulting, and financing for individuals starting or growing enterprises. The organization also delivers financial literacy programs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. While its primary focus is women, WEV welcomes all participants. Services are available in both English and Spanish.
— news from The Santa Barbara Independent
— News Original —
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Celebrates National Give to Women & Girls Day by Honoring Gwyn Lurie and WEV’s League of Extraordinary Women
Press releases are posted on Independent.com as a free community service. n nSANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) honored National Give to Women & Girls Day on Tuesday, October 7, by celebrating its annual donors, members of the organization’s League of Extraordinary Women, at a luncheon at the Santa Barbara Club. The event brought together community leaders, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists united in the mission to strengthen women’s economic power. n nThe program featured remarks from Nicki Parr, WEV CEO, who spoke about the need to fund women and girls’ causes year-round. “Women’s philanthropy isn’t a niche cause—it’s a driving force for community transformation,” said Parr. “When women control the flow of resources, they change the world for everyone. Leaders like Gwyn are proving that every dollar directed toward women and girls multiplies in impact.” n nDuring the event, WEV honored Gwyn Lurie, co-founder of The GivingList Women, for her leadership in women’s philanthropy and her commitment to elevating women’s voices and solutions through storytelling and advocacy. n n”I’m grateful not only for this honor but to be in partnership with WEV, with whom I and all of us at The Giving List Women share an unwavering belief in the revolutionary power of seeing the world through a female lens,” said Lurie. n nLurie, is also CEO of the Montecito Journal and co-founder of The Giving List. The Giving List Women, launched in 2024, was created to address the staggering reality that only two percent of all philanthropic dollars support women’s and girls’ organizations. Through her work, Lurie has built a global platform to connect philanthropists with nonprofits advancing gender equity. n nThe luncheon also featured remarks from Ana Arce, a WEV client and Policy Advocate with Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE). Arce shared her journey from housing insecurity to financial confidence, crediting WEV’s Financial Empowerment courses for helping her build stability for herself and her family. Her story exemplified WEV’s mission to provide access to financial literacy, business education, and capital for women across the Central Coast. n nAt the event, Parr also announced a matching gift from Dr. Nancy O’Reilly, founder of Women Connect4Good, who pledged a $50,000 match to inspire local giving and close a gap in WEV’s government funding for 2026. n nThe League of Extraordinary Women, WEV’s community of annual donors, was at the heart of the celebration. The League unites women and allies committed to creating a more equal economy, and its members’ generosity enables WEV to offer financial education, entrepreneurial courses, and fair access to capital. n nThose interested in joining the League or supporting WEV’s work can visit http://www.wevonline.org/league. n nEvents like this are made possible through the generosity of WEV’s 2025 sponsors, including Thriving Sponsors: Amazon, Athens Services, Banks Coaching, Community West Bank, Cox Communications, Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSU Channel Islands, Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co, Santa Barbara Foundation, Tileco, and Ventura County Credit Union; Innovation Sponsors: Chevron, La Arcada, Montecito Bank & Trust, Nicholson & Schwartz, and Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation; Empower Sponsors: Bank of America and UCLA Health; and Passion Sponsor: US Bank. n nAbout Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) n nWomen’s Economic Ventures is a nonprofit dedicated to the economic empowerment of women. WEV is a business resource network for anyone looking to start or grow a business and improve their business and financial skills. WEV provides a full range of small business support—including classes, consulting, and funding—as well as financial literacy programs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. While WEV’s focus is on women, it welcomes everyone into the WEV community. Business courses, programs, and loans are provided in both English and Spanish.