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 of Directors

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.

Sara Healey

Co-President

Sara is a dual-national of both the US and the UK. After a series of moves in Asia, Sara and her family settled in London for over 20 years. There, Sara became a relationship counsellor, running a small private practice. She has two grown daughters; one married and living in London, and a second living in Hong Kong.

Sara has been involved with many women’s groups over the years, including The Junior League. Since arriving at Abu Dhabi in 2016, Sara has been Bridge Coordinator, Membership Chair, and now Co-President of AWN. She loves working with this dynamic group of ladies.

A Welcome Message From Our Co-Presidents

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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.

Belynda Talbert

Treasurer

Sara is a dual-national of both the US and the UK. After a series of moves in Asia, Sara and her family settled in London for over 20 years. There, Sara became a relationship counsellor, running a small private practice. She has two grown daughters; one married and living in London, and a second living in Hong Kong.

Sara has been involved with many women’s groups over the years, including The Junior League. Since arriving at Abu Dhabi in 2016, Sara has been Bridge Coordinator, Membership Chair, and now Co-President of AWN. She loves working with this dynamic group of ladies.

Lara Adekoya

Marketing and Communications Chair

Lara lived in Nigeria before moving to the Abu Dhabi Emirate in 2015 with her husband. Her career spans working professionally as a Telecom Engineer before moving on to Strategic Communications and Project Management. Lara is a certified Project Management Professional and a long-standing member and volunteer with the PMI UAE Chapter.

Lara became a member and a volunteer with AWN in 2017. In 2020, she joined the AWN Board as Marketing and Communications Chair. She is also Chairperson for Abu Dhabi Mums; the only voluntary group dedicated to Parents in Abu Dhabi. Lara is an avid volunteer whose passion for volunteering spans over 17 years with various organizations in different capacities.

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.

Anna Dolganow

Membership Services Chair

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.

M. Cristina Guzman

Explorers Chair

Cristina was born and raised in Argentina before moving to the United States where she lived for many years. After a career in pharmacy, she re-discovered her love for literature and worked in academics for ten years before moving to Abu Dhabi with her husband in 2017. Cristina joined the welcoming team of AWN community right after her arrival in Abu Dhabi and is happy to belong to such a supporting organization. As the Explorers Chair for AWN, Cristina finds fulfilment in finding out more about the Emirates and its surrounding region, organizing outings for AWN members with her amazing team. Cristina also works remotely as a professional medical and legal translator. She feels very passionate about learning in general and her main interests include history, linguistics and psychology. Cristina has two children, a son who lives and works in the US and a daughter who studies in the UK.

Pamela Lightfoot Sullivan

Activities Chair

Bio coming soon!

Marta Rodriquez

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.

History of AWN

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AWN welcomes all women of all nationalities.

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