ENCINITAS — S’eau Prima, the skincare brand founded by Sybil Steele, and Design 4 Corners, a local award-winning interior design firm led by Elaina Samaniego-Myers and Susanna Ward, hosted the 2nd annual International Women’s Day event on March 8 in Encinitas.
The event, held at The Waverly restaurant, drew a diverse crowd keen on celebrating and honoring the accomplishments of women worldwide.
Under the theme “Invest in Women,” the evening featured an empowering discussion aimed at promoting gender equality and uplifting women.
The keynote panel, led by three influential speakers — Durana Elmi, COO and co-founder of Cymbiotika; Katie Zacarian, co-founder and CEO of Earth Species Project and executive producer of She Change Film; and Colleen Cormier, VP of sales at Commvault — sparked conversations on women’s leadership, diversity and inclusion, breaking barriers and fostering empowerment.
The panel was moderated by Keri Parker, an on-air beauty expert and media trainer.
The event was not only a platform for dialogue but also a fundraising initiative, raising over $10,000 for She’s the First and 88 Bikes, nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering women and girls globally.
Among the event sponsors were Cymbiotika, Commvault, Coast Law Group, Cleobella, Solento Tequila, and REPEG, showcasing their commitment to supporting women’s causes and initiatives.
“It was a beautiful night that showcased the rewards of not only investing in women, but allying with women,” said Nicole Blakely, partner at Coast Law Group. “When you invest and partner with women, they pay it back threefold. They build successful businesses, they build family wealth, and they build community.”
Steele, the founder of S’eau Prima, expressed her dedication to advancing gender equality.
“S’eau Prima is committed to raising awareness about the importance of gender equality as part of the global movement for change,” Steele said.
Samaniego-Myers and Ward, the founders of Design 4 Corners who helped design The Waverly, emphasized the significance of community support in creating a better future for women.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this event to promote women’s empowerment and help raise awareness around the issues we as women face,” said Samaniego-Myers and Ward.
Noteworthy guests included Jill Ellis, president of the San Diego Wave Fútbol Club, and Julie Uhrman, founder and president of Los Angeles’ Angel City FC.
In addition to fostering meaningful dialogue and raising awareness about women’s empowerment, the event inspired attendees to take action and advocate for positive change in their communities and workplaces.
