An Evening at Chase Center: Community, Care, and Showing Up Fully
L-R: Erin Badillo, Executive Director, Dress for Success San Francisco/San Jose; Teresa Virgentorres, VP of Front of House; Donna Daniels, General Manager of Chase Center; Ann Marie, Client Ambassador; Alicia, Client Ambassador; Amanda Chin, SVP of Marketing; Ay’Anna Moody, Executive Director of the Golden State Community Foundation; Claudia Leist, Director of Community Relations; & Victoria Wong, VP of Finance
I want you to open your hands as you inhale, and close them as you exhale.”
At the front of the room, Lena from The Teaching Well guided us through a moment of somatic breathing. Around her, 19 Dress for Success Professional Women’s Group members, alongside women leaders from the Golden State Warriors, stood still—hands opening and closing, breath slowing, shoulders softening.
“Breathing is free,” she reminded us. “And we don’t always take advantage of it.”
It was a simple moment. And it said everything.
On March 23, at Chase Center, our Professional Women’s Group members were welcomed as guests of the Warriors for a gathering centered on self-care, well-being, and professional growth. From the moment women walked into the space, there was a sense that this night was different.
This wasn’t just an event. It was an experience.
All attendees including Lena the speaker.
With music from DJ Christie , thoughtful touches throughout the space, and a warm, intentional energy, the evening created room for women to pause, connect, and be present. A conversation on work-life balance invited reflection. The somatic breathing practice offered a reset many didn’t realize they needed.
And alongside those moments of care, there were tangible tools for what comes next.
Each woman received professional headshots, with makeup support from the Gameday Glam Squad —and gift bags generously provided by Sephora—walking away not only with a renewed sense of self, but with something concrete to support her career journey.
For many of the women we serve, access to spaces like Chase Center is not a given. It’s a place woven into the fabric of San Francisco—iconic, visible, full of energy—but not always accessible. That’s what made this evening matter.
It opened a door.
We were joined by an incredible group of women leaders from the Golden State organization, including Amanda Chin, SVP of Marketing; Donna Daniels, General Manager of Chase Center; Claudia Leist, Director of Community Relations; Ay’Anna Moody, Executive Director of the Golden State Community Foundation; Teresa Virgentorres, VP of Front of House; and Victoria Wong, VP of Finance. In celebration of Women’s History Month, they shared their time, presence, and openness—creating space for networking, honest conversation, and connection that will extend well beyond this evening.
Lena, from The Teaching Well.
And for the women in the room, that impact was immediate.
Alicia, a Dress for Success Client Ambassador, shared:
“It was such a powerful and meaningful experience. Being surrounded by strong, driven women reminded me how important community is, especially during this time of growth and transition in my own journey.
The mindfulness exercises gave me a moment to slow down and reflect, and the professional headshots helped me feel confident and ready to show up as my best self. I left feeling motivated, supported, and more confident in my next steps.”
What stayed with us most wasn’t just the setting or the programming.
It was the feeling.
A moment to breathe. A reminder to care for yourself while building your career. A community of women showing up for one another.
This is what it looks like when partnership creates access—not just to a space, but to possibility.
If your company is interested in creating experiences like this for the women we serve, we’d love to connect. Please reach out to Miracle Gumabo at miracle@sfdress.org to start the conversation.
Dress for Success San Francisco is a leading resource for advancing women in the workplace. Our purpose is to empower women to achieve economic mobility by providing a network of support, workplace attire, and development tools for success.