IWIL Monthly Luncheon
Strength in our Stories: The Intersections of Womanhood, Leadership, and Immigration

Thursday, January 23, 2024
*Note - 4th Thursday of the month*
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Illini Country Club in Springfield

Register Now

Register Now

Our luncheons are open to all IWIL members and their guests. Registration is $25 for members and guests through January 17; $30 on or after January 18. Registration will close on January 20.

*IWIL is unable to provide refunds.  If you cannot attend an event for which you have registered, we encourage you to send someone in your place. Simply have your guest indicate at the check-in table that she is your substitute.  We appreciate your understanding. 

Session Description

Join us for an inspiring panel discussion hosted by Illinois Women in Leadership! Moderated by Becky Gabany from ChangeBridge Consulting, this event will feature two remarkable women entrepreneurs and mothers: Xuna Hu, a realtor who immigrated from China, and Monica Zanetti, owner of Wild Rose Artisans Gallery & Boutique, who is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Mexico. We will explore themes of empathy, intersectionality, and resilience, while celebrating the powerful leadership and entrepreneurship of these women as they share their unique experiences with immigration. Don't miss this opportunity to engage and learn!

Becky Gabany Bio (pronounced Gab-uh-nee)

With a career dedicated to health and human services, Becky has passionately championed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the power of change. She is the owner and principal consultant at ChangeBridge Consulting, a firm specializing in equitable capacity-building.

Becky has a Master’s degree in Human Services and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. She is certified as a Diversity Executive, Healing Ambassador, and Trauma-Informed Practitioner. She is currently a member of Forefront Illinois’ 2024 Racial Equity Cohort, as well as the National Rise to Health Coalition and recently spoke at the National Association for Community and Restorative Justice Conference.

Her work has received multiple awards and recognitions at the local, state, and national level. She has consulted with clients such as RUSH University on the national rollout of the racial health equity in health care progress report, and has worked with several non-profits, as well as one of the largest privately held companies in the country, to improve processes and provide professional development workshops.

Xuna Hu Bio (pronounced Shoo-nah Who)

Xuna Hu is an accomplished realtor with The Real Estate Group, specializing in helping clients find their perfect homes. In addition to her work as a realtor, Xuna operates a portfolio of rental properties, owns multiple real estate investments, and manages successful short-term vacation rental units. Her deep knowledge of the market, combined with her personal experience in property management, allows her to guide clients with expert insight and care.

Originally from China, Xuna holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied English and worked as a translator for an international trading company before moving to the US in 2016. Xuna also co-facilitates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops through ChangeBridge Consulting and is a dedicated community advocate and volunteer Rotarian.

Monica Zanetti Bio

Monica Zanetti is a mom, activist and passionate artist who loves to inspire others with her art. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Monica has called Illinois home for 10 years, with the last three in Springfield. Monica draws deep inspiration from her family’s roots in Mexico, current events, and her family. 

As an artist, Monica's work has been featured in locations such as San Francisco’s historic City Hall, Mexican Historical Museum Gift Shop, Sacred Art, Pilson Outpost and her shop in Springfield, Illinois. In the Fall of 2019, Monica fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a retail shop.  The opportunity to purchase Springfield’s notable art studio Wild Rose presented itself and Monica took full advantage. 

Beyond the arts, entrepreneurship, and being a Mom, Monica is most focused on giving back to the community in which she lives, participates, and loves.  Monica is a motivated activist and regularly attends and supports several community groups in the Springfield area. Monica established a “Wild Rose Scholarship Fund” that will enable her to provide help with art classes and supplies.