More than 130 people enjoyed lunch during a discussion with Bethesda Magazine’s 2024 Women Who Inspire honorees on Thursday at the Marriott Bethesda Downtown. The panel, moderated by local journalist Amy Halpern, featured this year’s six award recipients: Cynthia Bryant, a professional mediator; Java Nation President and CEO Simona Cabana; Anne Derse, deacon at St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church in Chevy Chase; Fox 5 DC anchor Marissa Mitchell; Karyn Onyeneho, senior adviser and chair of the Data Access Committee at the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging in Bethesda; and Rosario “Paola” Velasquez, principal of Jackson Road Elementary School in Silver Spring.
The honorees discussed their careers, motivation, favorite aspects of living in Montgomery County and what inspires them.
Jennifer Farkas, publisher of Bethesda Magazine, left, and Simona Cabana, 2024 Women Who Inspire honoree and president and CEO of Java Nation. 
2024 Women Who Inspire honorees and panel moderator Amy Halpern, center. 
Mira Malik, left, and Deanna Fleming of Brand Guild representing luncheon Gold Sponsor Modern Revival. 
From left, Joy Siegel of Aix La Chapelle Farm, John Ross of Nourishing Bethesda and Bethesda Magazine’s LuAnne Spurrell. 
Bethesda Magazine contributing writer and panel moderator Amy Halpern addresses attendees. 
More than 130 people attended the luncheon, which included networking and a panel discussion. 
Amy Halpern and 2024 Women Who Inspire honoree Marissa Mitchell, a Fox 5 DC anchor, react to one of the panelist’s comments. 
Kathleen Neary, editor of Bethesda Magazine, left, and Mikel Blair, founder and CEO of Modern Revival. 
Guests networking in the lobby following the luncheon. 
From left: Anne Derse, her husband, Hank Hendrickson, and Isy Jackson of Cheltenham Interiors. 
From left: Karyn Onyeneho with Bethesda Magazine’s Ashley Fletcher and Jennifer Farkas. 
Members of the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce gather for a photo. 
Cynthia Bryant, right, with her mother, Rose Bryant. 
Rosario Velasquez, right, and her son. 
Karyn Onyeneho, left, and her mentor Charles Kenny. 
From left: Amy Halpern, Marissa Mitchell and Karyn Onyeneho. 
Karyn Onyeneho responds to a question during the panel discussion. 
Anne Derse, center, and members of St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church. 
From left: Jennifer Farkas, Amy Halpern, Marissa Mitchell and Kathleen Neary. 
Attendees visiting the photo booth sponsored by Modern Revival. 
Following the luncheon, guests enjoyed coffee, dessert and networking sponsored by Potomac Audiology. 
Attendees listening during the panel discussion. 
The 2024 Women Who Inspire honorees and panel moderator Amy Halpern, center, engaging in a lively discussion. 
2024 Women Who Inspire honoree Rosario Velasquez, principal of Jackson Road Elementary School. 
Marissa Mitchell, left, and Karyn Onyeneho. 
Marissa Mitchell. 
From left: Simona Cabana, Anne Derse and Amy Halpern. 
Melanie Folstad, left, and Lisa Raisner attended in support of 2024 Women Who Inspire honoree Anne Derse, deacon at St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church. 
Bethesda Magazine co-founder Steve Hull, left, and 2023 Women Who Inspire honoree Anne Khademian. 
Cynthia Bryant, 2024 Women Who Inspire honoree, professional mediator and chair of the board of trustees of The Seeing Eye, and her guide dog, Summer, during the panel discussion. 
From left: 2024 Women Who Inspire honorees Cynthia Bryant, Simona Cabana and Anne Derse participating in the panel discussion. 
From left: Amy Halpern with 2024 Women Who Inspire honorees Marissa Mitchell and Karyn Onyeneho, senior adviser and chair of the Data Access Committee at the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging. 
Marissa Mitchell, left, and Karyn Onyeneho. 
Alina Regan of Luke’s Wings, left, and Amma Felix of Collegiate Directions. 
From left: Jeni Hansen of Bethesda Magazine with 2024 Women Who Inspire honoree Cynthia Bryant’s guests, Rose Bryant and Edith Tucci. 
From left: Deanna Jenkins, Analisa Encinas and Bridget Gatling of Holy Cross Health, the Title Sponsor of the event. 
From left: Bethesda Magazine co-founder Susan Hull with Stacey Munsell and Alice Martinelli of Today Media, the magazine’s parent company. 
From left: Olwen Thorpe Pongrace of National Park Trust, Brianna Crawford of North Bethesda Neighbors and Jyoti Bharadwaj of Accountify enjoy the luncheon. 
From left: TJ Monahan of Designed Happy, Tony Calkins of The Calkins Group, Bethesda Magazine’s LuAnne Spurrell, Matthew Duncan of Capitol Benefits, and Harry Moore of Plus Moore Business Mentoring. 
Kathleen Neary, editor of Bethesda Magazine, left, and Michelle Hale of Global Diabetic. 
2024 Women Who Inspire honoree Cynthia Bryant’s guests, Rose Bryant, left, and Edith Tucci. 
2024 Women Who Inspire honoree and deacon at St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church Anne Derse, center, and guests. 
Attendee Elizabeth Lipsius, left, and her mother, Paula Lipsius.
Jennifer Farkas, publisher of Bethesda Magazine and MoCo360, was the emcee of the event. The luncheon was followed by networking over coffee and dessert presented by Potomac Audiology. Participants were able to take photos at a booth presented by Modern Revival.
Holy Cross Health was the title sponsor. Gold sponsors were Modern Revival and Potomac Audiology.
The event aimed to support Bethesda Magazine’s mission to inform, connect and inspire our community.
