LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT — JANUARY 2026
Dear HBA San Francisco Bay Area Community,
As we step into 2026, I’m filled with gratitude and pride looking back at everything our San Francisco Bay Area Chapter accomplished together in 2025. This past year was a remarkable one for our chapter – defined by growth, connection, and a deepened sense of purpose across our volunteer community.
In 2025, our chapter delivered 48 high-impact events—including 39 in-person programs across the Bay Area and 9 virtual offerings that expanded our reach and accessibility. Nearly 700 members and guests joined us throughout the year, strengthening the sustainability of our chapter’s future programming.
Our membership also reached a major milestone: we surpassed 660 members, marking a 24% increase since January 2025 and the highest membership count in our chapter’s history. We also welcomed several new corporate partners—including LiveWorld, Blue Shield of California, Wilson Sonsini, and Pacira—bringing our total partner community to 14 organizations committed to advancing women in healthcare.
Our volunteers continued to be the heartbeat of this chapter. With more than 40 active volunteers, we modernized our operations, strengthened committee structures, and expanded our leadership pipeline. From standout educational programs and mentoring circles to vibrant networking events, every success this year was driven by the passion and dedication of our volunteer community.
2025 Volunteer Award Honorees
We are proud to celebrate several extraordinary volunteers whose contributions have elevated our chapter in numerous ways:
🏅 Marie Curie Award — Holly Uber, Programming DAL, SF Chapter Holly has brought bold, innovative thinking to our Programming portfolio since 2024. She continuously pushes the boundaries of what chapter programming can be—connecting organizations, elevating diverse voices, and driving high-impact events like our entrepreneurship panel, collaborations with SVB, and the Show Her the Money program. Her vision and execution make her profoundly deserving of the Marie Curie Award.
🏅 LEAD Award — Amneet Kaur, Marketing DAL, SF Chapter Amneet has been a steadfast volunteer since 2023 and a pillar of our Marketing Committee. In 2025, she led our Chapter Mentoring program—bringing five powerful mentoring circles to life—and later assumed the Marketing DAL role with tremendous success. Her service mindset and dedication to the HBA mission make her deeply deserving of the LEAD Award.
🏅 Everest Award — Stephanie Lee, Programming Committee, SF Chapter Stephanie epitomizes perseverance. Over the course of a full year, she shepherded our Dynavax program from initial concept to one of our most successful events of 2025—navigating team changes, timing challenges, and shifting priorities with unwavering commitment. Her determination truly embodies the spirit of the Everest Award.
In addition, we are proud to recognize our 2025 SPARK Award honorees—Brittany Bare, Olivia Finks, Estelle Paysinger-Hill, Kalpana Kannan, Nelli Theyel, and Tina Gomes—along with our Honored Volunteer Award recipients—Sona Kota, Alpana Prasad, Candice Bila, Mimi Sardou, and Ayushi Srivistava. Each of these individuals made meaningful, consistent contributions that strengthened our chapter’s culture, operations, programming, and member experience throughout the year.
As we move into 2026, I’m energized by what we have built together—and even more inspired by what lies ahead. Thank you to every volunteer, partner, and member who contributed to the momentum of this chapter. Your leadership and passion advance the mission of the HBA every single day.
Here’s to a new year of impact, collaboration, and community.
Warmly,
Allison Marshall
President, HBA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter