PHOTOS | The SF Examiner Hosts 3rd Annual INSPIRING WOMEN Luncheon 2026

Event: Inspiring Women Luncheon
Date: March 26, 2026
Location: Julia Morgan Ballroom
Photos: Jessica Monroy and David Zahrobsky for Drew Altizer Photography

On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Nob Hill Gazette and San Francisco Examiner hosted the third annual Inspiring Women Luncheon at the historic Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco. The event brought together an accomplished group of leaders, changemakers, and supporters to honor 21 extraordinary women whose work has made a meaningful impact across business, government, philanthropy, education, labor, culture, and community life. With Mayor Barbara Lee delivering keynote remarks, the luncheon served as both a celebration of women’s leadership and a powerful reflection of the influence these honorees continue to have across the Bay Area.

The afternoon was made possible in part by the generous support of Graton Resort & Casino, Whittier Trust, and PG&E, whose partnership underscored the importance of supporting local journalism and lifting up these inspiring female stories. What people discussed the next day was the remarkable concentration of influential women in one room, the energy and warmth of the gathering, and the inspiring sense of shared purpose that defined the event.
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​Notable attendees:
​Mayor Barbara Lee – Keynote speaker and 2026 honoree, recognized for her historic leadership in public service and her longstanding impact on the Bay Area and beyond; Denise Hale – 2026 honoree and San Francisco philanthropist and civic figure, celebrated for her enduring presence in the city’s cultural and social landscape; Sherri McMullen – 2026 honoree and founder of McMullen, recognized for her influence in fashion, entrepreneurship, and championing emerging designers and creative leadership; ​Shefali Razdan Duggal – 2026 honoree, former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, and respected civic and diplomatic leader recognized for her contributions to public life and international engagement; Tamara Rojo – 2026 honoree and arts leader, recognized for her global stature in ballet and her leadership in shaping the Bay Area’s cultural scene