Join us for an inspiring evening of connection, reflection, and celebration as we honor the achievements of women and champion progress on March 3, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 pm.
Location: Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara, California
International Women’s Day 2026 promises to be an unforgettable gathering. Guests will hear from a dynamic lineup of women leaders who are transforming industries, challenging boundaries, and driving meaningful change. Through powerful storytelling and engaging conversation, our speakers will share insights on resilience, creativity, and leadership.
Event highlights include:
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Thought-provoking panel discussions
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Inspiring keynote presentations
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Opportunities to connect and network
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A celebration of women’s achievements
- Reception featuring light bites and refreshments
Our panelists bring diverse perspectives and extraordinary accomplishments. While we are keeping some details under wraps for now, prepare to be inspired by the remarkable women who will take the stage.
Register Now
Kim Kantin
Kim Cantin, a beloved local leader and powerful symbol of resilience, received ShelterBox USA’s 2025 Community Impact Award at a stirring benefit Saturday evening.
Cantin is a survivor of the devastating 2018 Montecito mudslide, which killed 23 people, including her husband, David, and son, Jack. Firefighters rescued Cantin’s daughter, Lauren, trapped in a dense mound of mud. Kim Cantin transformed personal tragedy into advocacy, compassion, and service—supporting recovery efforts locally and standing in solidarity with families around the world who have lost everything. Cantin told her story in an award-winning, redemptive book, “Where Yellow Flowers Bloom.”
Jordana Brewster
Jordana Brewster is an actress best known for her role as Mia Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise, one of the highest-grossing film series of all time. Born in Panama City, Panama, and raised in Rio before moving to New York City, Jordana brings a unique global perspective to her work both on and off screen.
Jordana graduated from Yale University with a degree in English, proving that pursuing higher education and a successful acting career aren’t mutually exclusive. Throughout her two-decade career in Hollywood, she’s appeared in numerous films and television shows including The Faculty, DEBS and most recently Heart Eyes and Pirate King.
Beyond acting, Jordana is a passionate advocate for causes close to her heart. She’s been open about her own experiences with surrogacy and fertility challenges, using her platform to help destigmatize conversations around family building. She’s also dedicated to empowering young people, particularly young women, to pursue their dreams with confidence and resilience.
As a working mother balancing a demanding career with family life, Jordana understands the importance of determination, authenticity, and staying true to your values—lessons she’s excited to share with you today.
Brittany Brown
Brittany Brown is a 30-year-old Olympic medalist, elite American sprinter, and dedicated advocate for health equity. After a standout collegiate career at the University of Iowa as an 11x All-American, the Southern California native has solidified her place on the world stage as the 2024 Paris Olympic Bronze Medalist, an Athlos 3x Crown Winner, and a 2x Diamond League Champion. Beyond her podium finishes, Brittany is deeply committed to the wellness sector, using her platform and storytelling prowess to champion physical health for women with health complications, especially women living with endometriosis like herself. She balances her life as a world-class athlete with a mission to inspire and empower others toward holistic well-being.
Karen Rasmussen
Karen Rasmussen has served to help prevent sexual exploitation and abuse of women and children, including in New Guinea, Cambodia, Mozambique, Thailand and Afghanistan. The safeguarding specialist has worked with UNICEF, Save the Children and Act for Peace Australia. Her goal is to ensure all aid workers serving in vulnerable communities behave in appropriate ways and do not commit sexual misconduct. Karen most recently worked in Washington, D.C. with the International Organization for Migration and the US Refugee Admissions Program, until the program was ended in early 2025.
Women are disproportionately affected by disaster.
As women around the world flee violence and face disasters, they are often left homeless and vulnerable.
Women experience higher death rates, increased gender-based violence, economic loss, and loss of education. However, women are pivotal in the recovery process – they are often the first responders to a crisis and play a central role in the survival and resilience of families and communities.
Last year, we reached thousands of women, delivering emergency shelter and supporting them to rebuild their homes and their lives.
At ShelterBox, we prioritize the most vulnerable families and communities and empower them to rebuild and restart.
By providing women and families with immediate emergency aid, we can help them recover faster. Rebuilding their homes, caring for their families, resuming their livelihoods.
