BPW is an innovative organization of working women that provides leadership opportunities for personal and professional growth along with opportunities to create change in your workplace and community.
Our Members
Our diverse group is made up of seasoned and young professionals and includes business owners, executive directors and entrepreneurs. Members are active leaders in the community and can be found supporting dozens of Jackson’s fine nonprofit organizations.
BPW Members participate in Equal Pay Day and the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive. We provide scholarships to support professional growth and development for women and contribute to the BPW/MI Cancer Fund.
Our local organization is part of one of the largest working women’s organizations, the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation headquartered in Washington, D.C., BPW Michigan and National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs.
Leadership: Current Officers (June-May)
Robin Vafiadis, President | Mary Kay Beauty Consultant
Dana Brown, Vice President | Realtor, The Brokerage House
Lori Masters, Treasurer | Retired
Angela Machnik, Secretary | Corporate Events Consultant
Committee Service
Members support the work of BPW through committee service. Committees include: programming, membership, civic participation, social media.
Meet – Learn – Lead
1st Monday from noon to 1:15 PM at the Cascades Manor.
Business meeting and opportunity for leadership.
3rd Monday from Noon to 1:15 pan at the Cascades Manor
Informative speakers, networking and advocacy. Visitors Welcome.
Programs are on our Facebook page. “Like Us”! It’s the best way to stay in touch and informed.
We are also on Instagram@JacksonMIBPW and LinkedIn
Speaker Presentation Questionnaire must be filled out prior to your speaking date.
2026 Jackson BPW Events
June 1 – Business Meeting/Networking and Simple Robert Rules of Order with Shirley Zeller RSVP HERE +credit card fees via Eventbrite
June 15 – Program – Non-profit panel. Shawna Tello CEO Jackson YMCA, Hannah Schauer Executive Director of Dahlem & Vittoria Jimerson with Welcome Home and Gems of Jackson. Moderator Brigette Robinson. RSVP HERE +credit card fees via Eventbrite
June 29 – Fun Fifth Monday – Soar Cafe at Noon for lunch
July 30 – Boss Babes & Bites 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Cascades Manor $25 + CC fees per person
RSVP HERE +credit card fees via Eventbrite
Sept. 21 – Program – Kelly Taylor “Resolving Conflicts.”
RSVP HERE +credit card fees via Eventbrite
Oct. 5 – Business Meeting/Networking & Katie Osman, Flagstar Bank talking about Fraud.
RSVP HERE +credit card fees via Eventbrite
Oct. 19 – Program – “Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Strength, Strategy, and Inclusive Leadership”, where guests will learn practical strategies to support neurodivergent talent, including reducing invisible barriers, improving inclusive communication, and creating flexible, psychologically safe work environments using actionable frameworks and a strengths-based approach. Amy Rogers who is the Assistant Director and Special Education Supervisor, and oversees various programs including the Jackson Area Career Center’s special education initiatives.
RSVP HERE +credit card fees via Eventbrite
Nov. 2 – Business Meeting/Networking
RSVP HERE +credit card fees via Eventbrite
Nov. 7 – BPW Fall Board – place TBD
Nov. 16 – Program – Veteran Panel: Jessica Van Cleave & 3 Vietnam Vets.
RSVP HERE +credit card fees via Eventbrite
Nov. 30 – Fun Fifth Friday – TBD
Dec. 14 – Jackson BPW Holiday Party
2027 Jackson BPW Events
Spring Board – March 13th
Convention – May 1st
**If you are interested in being a speaker/presenter to Jackson BPW – email JacksonMIBPW@gmail.com
We are members of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.
Learn more about membership on the Join page.
History of Leadership
Jackson BPW won the 2024 Michigan BPW Membership Award and the Anna Howard Shaw Award for Excellence in Programming.
We celebrated our chapter’s 100th Anniversary+2 in September 2022. That’s quite a milestone.
Jackson BPW won the 2016 Michigan BPW Membership Award and the Anna Howard Shaw Award for Excellence in Programming.