University Women Season of Strength, Spirit, Success!

It’s A Season of Strength, Spirit, Success!

 Announcing exciting slate of speakers and topics for 2026-2027

Join AAUW Vero Beach for our monthly speaker and luncheon programs on Saturdays
at 11:30 a.m. at the Garden Club of Indian River County, 2526 17th Avenue. New
members are always welcome! Come meet us, hear from our speakers, and learn what

AAUW Vero Beach is working on in our community. Sign up at
https://www.aauwverobeach.org/news/categories/events
The Monthly Speaker and Luncheon Programs

October 10, 2026

Are Apples and Androids Alien to You?
November 21, 2026
Are You Safe Online?
December 6, 2026 · Sunday
Holiday Memories
January 16, 2027
Would You Know AI if You Saw It?
February 20, 2027
Getting to Know Our Members
March 20, 2027
Getting to Know Our Community
April 17, 2027
Caring for Our Neighbors
May 15, 2027
Scholarship Awards

The Popular Book Review Breakfast

aauwverobeach.org
 returning for its 41st Year!

Admission is Free -  Pre-K Book Donations Appreciated

Now 9:30am Wednesdays - Richardson Center - Indian River State College

Anna Valencia Tillery
Host and Founder

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

Ms. Tillery will be reviewing The Berenstain Bears book series,

written by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Launching the popular Book Review Breakfasts, skilled in sales and marketing, along
with radio and television media, Anna Valencia joined White Glove: Moving, Storage, &
Delivery in 2013 as head of Marketing and has helped make this growing company a

staple in the Vero Beach and Treasure Coast community.

Ms. Tillery is also the founder and host of the Treasure Coast Premier Women’s
Network, which meets three times per month at locations throughout the area, including
the Twisted Lime in Vero Beach on the second Friday of each month. Each luncheon
features a guest speaker and gives attendees 30 seconds to introduce their businesses
in a welcoming space where women can connect and support one another.
Join us to hear why she chose the beloved Berenstain Bears books for her review.

aauwverobeach.org
Jennifer Moore
Director of Development

Wednesday, January 6, 2027

Ms. Moore will be reviewing Educated, written by Tara Westover
Ms. Moore is the Director of Development at Youth Guidance, where she leads
fundraising and community engagement efforts that support children, teens, and young
adults throughout Indian River County. She previously served as the organization’s
Volunteer Coordinator and has experience in management, nonprofit leadership, and

educational intervention.

Originally from Homestead, Jennifer lived in downtown Miami before moving to Vero
Beach six and a half years ago. She is a member of Sunset Rotary and enjoys spending
time with her family, traveling, reading, and discovering new fragrances.

John Cotugno
Mayor, Vero Beach

Wednesday, February 3, 2027

aauwverobeach.org

Mayor Cotugno will be reviewing The Winter of Our Discontent, written

by John Steinbeck

Mayor Cotugno spent more than 40 years in the electronics industry, specializing in
semiconductors. Before retiring in 2018, he served as Vice President of Sales,
Marketing, and Applications Engineering Operations at SHINKO Electric America, a

Fujitsu affiliate.

In retirement, Mayor Cotugno became a public policy advocate for the Alzheimer’s
Association, representing the Vero Beach community at the state and federal levels. He
was appointed to Florida’s State Health Improvement Plan Committee in 2019. Elected
to the Vero Beach City Council in 2021, he currently serves as mayor.
He joined The Learning Alliance’s Board of Directors in November 2025 and serves on
its Program Implementation and Marketing Committees. He lives in Central Beach with

his wife, Jan Williams, and their rescue dog, Roxie.

Deborah Padnuk
Facilitator, BeKIND

Wednesday, March 3, 2027

Deborah will be reviewing Theo of Golden, written by Allen Levi
Ms. Padnuk is a certified yoga therapist who teaches mindful movement and breathing
to support physical and mental well-being. Her warmth and calm extend beyond her

classes to the people she meets throughout the community.

aauwverobeach.org

When antisemitic literature began appearing locally, Ms. Padnuk joined Rabbi Michael
Birnholz, Pam O’Donnell of Sunrise Rotary, and Carol Ludwig of the Center for Spiritual
Care to help organize a community response. Their work grew into Vero Beach KIND,
an effort supported by concerned residents, faith groups, and community organizations

across Indian River County.

Vero Beach KIND has no dues, sign-up sheets, or committee reports. Its invitation is
simple: “Spread Sunshine, Not Hate.” Ms. Padnuk continues to help lead that effort.

Melissa DePriest
Chief Development Officer

Wednesday, April 7, 2027

Ms. DePriest will be reviewing A Solitude of Wolverines, written by

Alice Henderson

aauwverobeach.org