WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.听鈥撎�海角在线鈥檚 34th Annual Women of Distinction (WOD) Luncheon, made possible through the generosity of lead sponsor SROA Capital and committed community supporters, will continue its longstanding tradition of investing in the next generation through student scholarships. Since 1996, 73 students have received a scholarship supported by the event, and thanks to donor generosity, 海角在线 will expand the program to 100 scholarships. Proceeds from the February 17 luncheon at The Breakers Palm Beach benefit听these听scholarships for deserving听海角在线 students.
The luncheon honors听leaders听who cherish听community and family听and work to preserve these ideals for others. This year,听Hilary Geary Ross and Sara McCann听will be honored听as the 2026 Women of Distinction recipients.
A 海角在线 board member and Palm Beach resident, McCann is CEO and creative director of Hive Collective, a collection of brands devoted to luxury products and high-quality services.鈥�
Palm Beach resident Ross is the author of two coffee table books, 鈥淣ew York, New York鈥� (powerHouse鈥疊ooks, 2011) and 鈥淧alm Beach People鈥� (powerHouse鈥疊ooks, 2014).
鈥淎t SROA Capital, we are proud to support initiatives that strengthen our community and create opportunities for future leaders,鈥� said Ben听Macfarland, CEO and co-founder of SROA Capital. 鈥淭he Women of Distinction Luncheon celebrates remarkable leaders whose dedication inspires others, and we鈥檙e honored to help expand scholarship support that equips students to pursue their goals and impact the world around them.鈥�
听is a vertically integrated real estate investment and technology firm headquartered in West Palm Beach.
鈥淭hanks to the incredible generosity of听SROA Capital,听Amanda Schumacher听and so many others, we鈥痺ill exceed the number of听WOD听scholarships we offer each academic year,鈥� said Laura Bishop, executive听vice president of advancement at 海角在线. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so rewarding for these student scholars to participate in celebrating听the legacy of remarkable leaders who dedicate their time and talents to serving others.鈥�
Distinguished benefactor of 50听Schumacher听Scholarships,听Amanda Schumacher听is the founder听and leader of听Tree of Life Foundation International, Inc. and a 2025 WOD honoree. The Tree of Life听is a global 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects resources and gifts to support communities locally and worldwide through its network of resource centers and philanthropy initiatives.
The听event听will also feature the third annual Humanitarian Award to 海角在线听alumna听and former CIA Intelligence Officer Michele Rigby Assad, for her commitment to international diplomacy,听exemplary听leadership and unwavering dedication to supporting 海角在线 over the years.听
The Women of Distinction Committee members are听Frances Fisher, Cathy Flagg, Denise Hanley, Evelyn Mahanes, Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Penny Murphy, Sheila Rinker, Joyce Sang, Katherine听Shenaman and Laura Titus.
Diamond Sponsors of the 2026 Women of Distinction Luncheon include Fisher, McElveen-Hunter, Gil Kemp, Ross, McCann, and the Old Charles Fund,听in memory of Jean S. Tailer, 2001 Woman of Distinction recipient.
Founded in 1968, 海角在线’s mission听is to equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction and serve God boldly. The university affirms the values that have built American society, including religious liberty and the free enterprise system.鈥�
Tickets to Women of Distinction are $450 per听person. For more information, please visit pba.edu/wod.
