The event, which highlights the power of women’s philanthropy, featured playwright, actor and professor Anna Deavere Smith as the keynote speaker.

For the next five years, the Community Foundation’s dedicated focus is People Place Prosperity for Western North Carolina, which will target four areas:

• People in need
• Early childhood development
• Food and farming
• Preserving natural and cultural resources

Visit the Community Foundation’s website to learn more.

Pictured above: (L to R) HomeTrust Human Resources Manager Lisa Sizemore, Arden Branch Manager Franci Gasperson, Staff Accountant Sarah Loving, Employment Specialist Sara Phillips, Event Speaker Anna Deavere Smith, HomeTrust Marketing & PR Director Stacie Hicks, Chief Administrative Officer Teresa White, Business Deposit Product Manager Darlene Lohman