About the American Women's Network

Connecting Cultures Through Friendship

The American Women’s Network (AWN) is an informal group comprised of international women living in Abu Dhabi. AWN facilitates contact, support, and information exchange for both new arrivals and long-time residents. Through social events and special programs, AWN provides a platform for integrating into the community. Formed in 1994 by a group of expatriates from North America, AWN welcomes all women of all nationalities.

What We Do

Welcome newcomers of all nationalities
Facilitate friendships among members
Provide information about the region

Offer activities that inform and entertain
Interact with the local community
Support volunteer activities

Board Members

Kimberly Goad

Co-President

Kimberly is from the US and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 2016. She was born in Italy but spent most of her life in the US with a short stint in Germany. She is married with 3 grown children. Her oldest daughter is a teacher at AIS in Abu Dhabi while her other two live in the US. She has been involved with AWN since she arrived in 2016 and loves all the activities, experiences and friendships it provides. She is currently on the executive team of the AWN Board.

Pamela Lightfoot Sullivan

Co-President

Pam is an attorney and has worked in both the private and public sectors. She and her spouse have resided in the UAE for several years. She enjoys coordinating Book Club and attending Mahjong, Bridge and Explorers' activities.

A Welcome Message From Our Co-Presidents

Welcome to the American Women's Association website. We are an international group of women who come together informally to facilitate friendships, cultural exploration and dialogue for women new and established in Abu Dhabi. We have interesting speakers twice a month on diverse subjects of interest. We also organize activities and events so that we can socialize and explore. Our outreach team identifies ways to contribute in a meaningful way in our local community.

Please have a look through our website and learn more about us.

We hope to see you soon at one of our events.

Kimberly Goad & Pamela Lightfoot Sullivan

Co-Presidents AWN

Anna Dolganow

Treasurer

Originally from Canada, Anna moved to Abu Dhabi from Singapore where she and her family lived as expatriates. As a trailing spouse for the past few years, she knows what it takes to make a family life abroad a success: taking each move as an opportunity to explore new cultures, finding ways to use experiences in meaningful ways, staying engaged and being active. Anna is an accountant and before starting her expat journey, she worked in Canada for different non-profit organizations. In Singapore, she was actively involved with the American Women’s Association of Singapore, she served on the AWA Board as the Director of Activities and Events, chaired and organized expat events and worked on the Treasurer’s team. Anna joined AWN Abu Dhabi in July 2019. She believes that becoming a member of the AWN community provides a wonderful jump-start to life in Abu Dhabi.

Shivani Wanchoo

Secretary

Shivani grew up in India. She has lived in Dubai and Hong Kong before arriving in Abu Dhabi in 2001. With a Masters in History from the University of Delhi, she has worked in marketing research and taught in elementary schools. As a long time expat, she appreciates the support that AWN provides to newcomers in Abu Dhabi. She is an active member of AWN and also coordinates the Bridge Club. She enjoys serving the AWN community as a Board Member.

Sara Healey

Vice Chair

Sara is originally from the US, and is also a dual national with the UK. Most recently, she was a counsellor in the UK, but is now retired. When she arrived in Abu Dhabi in 2016, Sara got involved in many activities, becoming Bridge Coordinator, and then Membership Chair. She served for almost five years as co-president of AWN, and has recently stepped down to serve as Vice President. Sara loves all of the many and varied activities AWN has to offer, and It has been a privilege to serve this wonderful community of ladies!

Mary C. Corrado

Honorary Chair

Mary is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and first came to Abu Dhabi in 1977. She was the founding Country Director of AMIDEAST UAE, a non-profit American education and training organization that brings educational opportunities to the Middle East and North Africa. In 1996, she created the headquarters in Abu Dhabi and launched Dubai and Sharjah offices. After retiring from AMIDEAST, she became the Head of the Advisory Council for Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE, and is the Honorary Board Chair of the American Woman’s Network (AWN). She also serves as an Advisor for the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and as a Governor at Al Shohub School, a K-12 British curriculum school for girls in Abu Dhabi. Her nursing and education careers have enabled her to make a positive contribution to the development of the UAE.

Nicola Jeffreys

Activities Chair

Nicola is British and has lived in several countries, both as a child and a supporting spouse, including long stints in Malaysia and the US. She was on the Board of ICH (international Connections in Houston) and a member of IWA International Women’s Association in Chicago. Her career started in finance in the City of London, and more recently she worked for several years as a Relocation Consultant in the UK drawing on her experiences as an Expat.

Marta Rodriguez

Coffee & Speaker Series Chair

Spanish by birth, German by education, Dutch by upbringing, English by marriage. As a multi-lingual P.A., Marta has been able to use her skills and experiences in a wide range of jobs globally as she moved countries with her husband’s job. After starting a family, she focused on using her experiences to help others adjust to an international lifestyle.

Marcela Alonso de Perez Botti

Explorers Chair

Marcela, a devoted wife and mother, has spent the last six years embracing the role of a trailing spouse. Originally from Argentina, she has ventured across the globe alongside her husband, creating a rich tapestry of life experiences. With two grown children who have embarked on their own journeys living in Madrid, Marcela's focus has been on supporting her family's adventures. Her trail includes living in the vibrant and historic city of Budapest, where she absorbed the culture and charm of Hungary. The journey continued to the unique landscapes of Equatorial Guinea, offering a taste of life in a tropical setting. In July 2021, Marcela and her husband planted new roots in Abu Dhabi, where she continues to explore and adapt to the dynamic culture of the United Arab Emirates.

Marcela holds a degree in Information Technology, and has been working in Argentina in IT departments for almost 30 years. Marcela's keen interest in art fuels her curiosity, leading her to appreciate and engage with various forms of artistic expression. Whether wandering through galleries or participating in local art events, she finds joy in the universal language of creativity.

Lara Adekoya

Marketing and Communications Chair

Lara moved to the Abu Dhabi Emirate in 2015. She was an RF Engineer and later transitioned into Strategic Communications and Project Management Consulting.

In 2017, Lara joined AWN as a member and a volunteer and in 2020, she was appointed Marketing and Communications Chair on the AWN Board.

Jazz St. Louis

Membership Chair

Jazz St. Louis is a recently retired executive from Change Health Care in the United States. During her tenure at the company, she served in various leadership roles, including as Vice President of the National Health Information Network. Change Health Care, and its prior company, PDX Inc. is a USA Nationally known heath information network, focused largely on Pharmacy Software and Database Services. Jazz and her husband currently reside in Abu Dhabi. They have two children, a son and a daughter, with both, like their mother, embarking on medical careers as a physician and behavioral therapists, respectively.

Her hobbies include reading, cooking, entertaining, and together with her husband, traveling.

Jazz joined AWN in 2022 as a member and a volunteer and in 2023, she was appointed Membership Chair on the AWN Board. One of the most significant advantages of living abroad is the exposure and learnings to different cultures and ways of life, AWN is a wonderful facilitator of such opportunities.

Susan George

Outreach Chair

Bio coming soon!