In 2016, Pinay Powerhouse founders Christine Start , Mari Bandoma Callado, Lorna Garcia De Guzman, Vanessa Candelaria and Jennifer Sta. Ana envisioned a women’s conference focused on empowering Filipina attorneys and aspiring attorneys as leaders in the law. With the support of the women of the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC), Laurie Rose Lubiano, Katrina Romero, Jeanne Grove, Vanessa Leonardo, Angelica Leonardo and Carmelita Miller, the founders’ vision came to fruition in 2017. Over 100 Filipina judges, attorneys, and aspiring attorneys attended the Inaugural Pinay Powerhouse Conference 2017, Lift as You Climb, hosted by the FBANC in San Francisco, California.

Photos by Jamie Juni

Following the success of the inaugural conference, the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA), together with FBANC and other Filipino bar associations in the United States, hosted the second installment of Pinay Powerhouse in Los Angeles, California with the theme of “Pinay Now!”. The planning committee composed of Zathrina Perez, Cherisse Cleofe, Abigail Zelenski and Aimee Contreras-Camua.

Approximately 150 Filipina lawyers and law students from across the country attended the event, which offered opportunities to learn about current legal issues, network, and celebrate achievements of Filipina legal professionals—including the history-making confirmation of federal judge Lorna Schofield. Balitang America covered the Pinay Powerhouse 2 conference.

Photos by Jamie Juni

Coming Soon.

The Pinay Powerhouse Collective made the tough decision to postpone Pinay Powerhouse IV in Seattle due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The collective quickly pivoted and transformed the annual conference to a virtual format with the theme of “Root to Rise”, hosted by the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California.

PP4: ROOT TO RISE Visionary Leads:

Christine Start (Conference/Closing Speaker/Breakout Lead), Mari Bandoma Callado (Production/Tech Lead, Pinay Judges Panel Lead, Platform, Program, Pinay Powerhouse Clothing & Design Creatrix) , Kaelyne Wietelman (Fundraising & Social Media Lead), Jamie Madriaga (Website Lead), Leilani Holgado (Registration Lead), Andrella Gonzalez (Day 1 Workshop Lead), Kristine Avena & Christine Start (Keynote Speaker Leads), Gisela Perez Kurasawa (Immigration Panel Lead), Chris Almerido Gunn & Pauline Villanueva (Racial Justice Panel Leads) , Andrella Gonzalez & Joey Badua (Day 2 Workshop Lead), Lorna Garcia de Guzman (Day 3 Brunch Lead), Joey Badua (Pre-Conference Programming/Music & Spotlight Dance Party Lead), Pauline Villanueva (Wellness Lead) , Diann Jayakoddy & Khrystan Policarpio (Law Student Session Leads), Romae-Anne Aquino, Nicole Yuvienco, and Denise Theresa de Villa (Social Media Law Student Trifecta), Vanessa Leonardo (Kapatid Exchange Program), Angelica Zabanal (Treasurer/Payments), Natalie Garcia Lashinsky (MCLE Coordinator), Jennifer Sta. Ana (Charitable Funds Coordinator), and Dalisai Nisperos (Racial Justice Panel).

If you would like to access the Virtual Program, click here. The password was provided to you when you registered. If you would like to purchase the on-demand program, please contact us.

Coming Soon