Celebrating Global Changemakers: Highlights from Our Inaugural International Women’s Day Event
On March 7th, the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky proudly hosted our first-ever International Women’s Day Celebration at New Riff Distilling. It was a vibrant evening filled with conversation, community, and celebration of women leaders making global and local impact. With enthusiastic support from our community, the event sold out, reflecting the region’s growing excitement for women-centered programming. Special thanks to New Riff Distilling for hosting and championing this inaugural celebration. Their recognition of the event’s importance and commitment to uplifting community voices made a meaningful difference.
Meet the Panelists
(From left to right: Mollie Lewis, Rachel DesRochers, Alejandra Flores, Diana Jaime)
We were honored to feature four phenomenal women from Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky who shared their unique journeys in leadership, entrepreneurship, and cultural connection:
- Mollie Lewis – President of New Riff Distilling
Mollie brings a global lens to her leadership at New Riff, where she’s building on her family’s legacy while forging new connections through community outreach and innovation. - Rachel DesRochers – Founder of Grateful Grahams, Incubator Kitchen, and Power to Pursue
A passionate changemaker and recent IVLP alum, Rachel empowers other women through entrepreneurship, gratitude, and a deep commitment to community building. - Alejandra Flores – Owner of Unataza Coffee
Alejandra’s mission-driven business connects communities across borders by sourcing coffee from Honduras and promoting cultural awareness through intentional storytelling and travel. - Diana Jaime – Manager of Operations at Mi Cozumel
Diana blends creativity and strategy to lead operations, branding, and marketing for one of the region’s most popular restaurants—all while inspiring others with her leadership and poise.
Honoring a Lifetime of Impact: Deborah Schultz
We were thrilled to present the Lifetime Recognition Award to Deborah Schultz, a long-time supporter of the Council and a true champion for women.
The Lifetime Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has dedicated their life to the empowerment and advancement of women. This award honors a legacy of exceptional leadership, tireless advocacy, and a deep commitment to creating opportunities for women to thrive. Deborah’s lifelong contributions have had a lasting impact on both the local and global community, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.
Congratulations, Deborah! Your influence and example continue to uplift and empower generations of women leaders.
Looking Ahead
With such a successful start, we’re already hearing calls to make this event an annual tradition—and we couldn’t agree more. Together, we’ll continue to spotlight the incredible women shaping our global future.
