Philanos is excited to announce the Opportunity Advocate Cohort for PowerUP! Texas, our 2026 National Conference taking place February 8–10 in Austin.

The Philanos PowerUP! Texas Opportunity Advocate program was created to encourage individuals with a wide range of experiences and perspectives to participate in philanthropy at the national level — and to share their voices.

Opportunity Advocates were selected from Philanos Affiliate members who are:

• Passionate about creating opportunities for all to thrive and succeed
  

• Proximate to the communities served by their circles’ grant funding
  

• Ready to share their insights and strengthen collective giving through connection and collaboration

The goal of the program is to make it possible for these leaders to attend, learn, develop relationships, and bring their new knowledge back to their circles and communities.

Congratulations to our 2026 Opportunity Advocates:

Alissa Mahadeo, 100 Women Strong at Central Florida Foundation

Amanda Klein, The Philanthropy Connection

Ami Kane, Impact Austin

Andi Saylor, Impact 100 Cincinnati

Camisha Lashbrook, The Women's Foundation of Colorado

Carola Sanchez, Los Angeles Latino Giving Circle

Elizabeth (Beth) Owens, Women Inspiring Philanthropy

Jerrica Deloney Witte, Impact Austin

Leticia de la Vara, Arizona Community Foundation

Maia Jujnovsky, Philanthropy Together

Mary Zhu, Develop for Good

Stephanie Zadora, Native Ways Federation

Tiarra Owens, Impact 100 Cincinnati

Van Pham, ninety-nine girlfriends

Selection criteria considered the following:

• Active, engaged member of a Philanos Affiliate or Partner Network
  

• Demonstrated interest in learning and sharing from the full conference experience
  

• Interest in serving in a leadership role now or in the future
  

• Awareness of challenges faced by nonprofits and communities in need
  

• Ability to establish or deepen relationships with communities served by collective giving

We are proud to celebrate this remarkable group of women who embody the values of inclusion, leadership, and shared learning that define the Philanos Network.

Join us in Austin!

Meet the PowerUP! Texas Opportunity Advocate Cohort and be inspired by hundreds of women changemakers at PowerUP! Texas, February 8–10.

Register Now - Early-bird registration ends November 15!

We want to See You in Austin!