South Bay Women's Network

Planting the Seeds of Economic Transformation – Women Making Waves in Science and Tech Come to the North Coast

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The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce will bring women in the West leading in the fields of Science, Innovation and Entrepreneurship together for a dynamic panel discussion on taking risks, surviving setbacks, and disrupting the status quo. The event will take place on Thursday, June 20th from 5:30pm to 8pm at the new, state-of-the-art “J Wing” Arts and Engineering Building at the Morro Bay High School. Admission includes an all-access tour of the facility and an open house with music, catering by local favorite Buttercup Bakery and Café and mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) served by one of the Central Coast’s fastest growing beverage companies, Yes Cocktail Company. Morro Bay City Council Member Dawn Addis, who is also a co-founder of Women’s March SLO, will open the event. 
The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce explained the event concept originated during a meeting with Alla Weinstein, founder of Castle Wind Offshore. Ms. Weinstein, hailed a “maverick” for her work as an engineer and entrepreneur in the field of marine renewables in Europe, was the first to identify wind energy potential off of the Central Coast of California. The floating wind turbines engineered by Castle Wind, each one as tall as the Golden Gate Bridge, are cutting edge technology with the capacity to utilize existing onshore infrastructure and energy grid access. Ms. Weinstein has commissioned a new study on the state-wide economic impacts of offshore wind and will debut those findings to a local audience during her keynote address. 
According to Chamber CEO, Erica Crawford, the panel and event title organically evolved. “Morro Bay’s economy is tourism driven, but the need to diversify our economy is great if the community desires to sustain itself long-term,” she says, referencing the City of Morro Bay’s recent focus on fiscal and economic sustainability as a major city goal. “When I first saw this STEAM center at the high school, and knowing that the development of offshore wind energy could bring new tech and engineering jobs here, I could see the seeds for growth were there at J Wing.” Ms. Crawford wants to invite the region into Morro Bay to get inspired by the economic evolution that this center and these women represent. 
The impressive panel of women who will share their stories, strategies, and insight includes: 

Dr. Joye Carter, Forensic Pathologist for SLO County Sheriff/Coroner Division and the first black

Judy Mahan, Incubator Director for the Cal Poly Hothouse who oversees the development of new technology start-ups in San Luis Obispo

Laura Godfrey Zagar, Partner at Perkins Coie specializing in water, energy and infrastructure projects across the country and Board Director at Equality California Institute which brings the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in the state

Speakers are set to begin at 6:30pm with the panel discussion moderated by a regional leader in Workforce Development, Kathleen Marcove, President of Marcove Executive Training. 
Tickets are $10 and available at

my805tix.com/events/women-making-waves

or by calling the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce at 805-772-4467. Students at every level, from primary to college, are free. The Morro Bay High School is located at 235 Atascadero Road. 

2018 Scholarship Winners

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South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded scholarships of $500 each this year to Cuesta College re-entry female students. Funds for these scholarships were raised through our Summer Evening Scholarship Benefit, Women’s Wall of Fame Luncheon, Pennies for College luncheon meeting fundraiser and generous donations from SBWN members.

Scholarship winners and committee members: Christine Womack (SBWN), Monica Randeen (SBWN), Miriam Gutierrez, Carmella Roman, Shaunna Sullivan (SBWN), Belen Blanco, Amber Goodwin and Alyce Thorp (SBWN). Not pictures are Ryana Rowan and Shay Horn.

2017 Scholarship Winners

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South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded six (6) scholarships of $750 this year to Cuesta College re-entry female students. Funds for these scholarships were raised through Scholarship Benefit GoFundingMe, Women’s Wall of Fame Luncheon, Pennies from Heaven luncheon meeting fundraiser and generous donations from SBWN members.

Scholarship winners and committee members: (front row) Kala Tuck, Angelica Ahumada, Sandra Gomez, Alexandria Roy, Sonia Howard (back row) Christine Womack (SBWN), Shay Horn, Monica Randeen (SBWN). 

2016 Scholarship Winners

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South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded ten (10) scholarships of either $500 or computers this year to Cuesta College re-entry female students. Funds for these scholarships were raised at the 2016 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Summer Evening Scholarship Benefit, Women’s Wall of Fame Luncheon, Pennies from Heaven luncheon meeting fundraiser and generous donations from SBWN members.

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Scholarship winners and committee members: (l to r) Gabriela Perez , Hailey Ruby, Cindi Perry, Leilani Moulten, Christine Womack (SBWN), Amber Goodwin, Erika Piceno, Wendy Rucker, Monica Randeen  (SBWN). Scholarship winners not pictured are Sylvia Gist, Christyn Horne, and Tenille Packer. 

2014 Scholarship Winners

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South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded four (4) $1000 scholarships this year to Cuesta College re-entry female students, Sabrina Bussell, a divorced mother of a daughter, she is pursuing a career in early childhood education in order to be self sufficient and give back to the community; Jimi McFarlin, a single mother of four, pursuing an AA in Human Services/Family Studies with plans for a BA in Child Psychology; Courtnay Jones both a single mother and grandmother, pursuing a career in Environmental Health and Safety; Ashley Erden a single mother of twin girls pursuing a career in Family Studies/Human Services. Funds for these scholarships were raised at the 2014 Speakeasy Scholarship Benefit, Pennies from Heaven luncheon meeting fundraiser and generous donations from SBWN member Alyce Thorp and other SBWN members.

Scholarship winners (l. to r.) Ashley Erden, Sabrina Bussell, Courtnay Jones with Scholarship committee Christine Womack, Alyce Thorp, AJ Fudge and Monica Randeen. (not pictured Scholarship winner Jimi McFarlin)
Scholarship winners (l. to r.) Ashley Erden, Sabrina Bussell, Courtnay Jones with Scholarship committee Christine Womack, Alyce Thorp, AJ Fudge and Monica Randeen. (not pictured Scholarship winner Jimi McFarlin)

2013 Scholarships Awarded

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schoalrship winners 2013South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded three (3) $500 scholarships this year to Cuesta College re-entry female students, Amanda Galaviz, single mother of a daughter; Dana Allen a single mother, pursuing a career as a paralegal; Danielle Bowen, a divorced mother of four, pursuing a career in medical assisting. Funds for these scholarships were raised at the 2013 Summer Evening Mixer, Pennies from Heaven luncheon meeting fundraiser and a generous donation from Alyce Thorp, a former SBWN president.