SANDPOINT — With all the negative influences in our world, how do we get back to what matters most — community, love and support? On Tuesday, Jan. 8, 7B Women will welcome Mandy Evans, executive director of Panhandle Animal Shelter, as their guest speaker.

Evans will share stories based in animal welfare that can be translated into e everyday lives. She will bring to light common thoughts and ideas that are based in negative thinking and will challenge the audience to open their hearts to others and be more understanding, compassionate and optimistic people in the new year.

As the executive director of Panhandle Animal Shelter and the Home to Home network, Evans left corporate America and a private consulting business to enter into the treacherous waters of the non-profit world. Through her adventures, she and her team have doubled the organization’s thrift store revenue, started a food court, launched a nationwide webtool and are still creating new and exciting ways the organization can be sustainable through business opportunities while still maintaining a focus on their mission.

And that’s just the business side of the organization. Evans had to navigate in a world she knew little about, which meant studying best practices, admitting the organization’s shortcoming and accepting the challenge to change for the better. This meant breaking through a fear-based negative environment where animals were housed instead of adopted and where the community did not feel supported. Through community engagement, innovative ideas and industry partnership, the shelter has quadrupled the animals served while reducing length of stay by as much as 77 percent. Now Mandy is asked to consult with other shelters on overcoming the common challenges of running a shelter and being a brave leader.

In the end it was optimism, courage and kindness that saved the lives of many animals, and Evans will share the lessons she learned so that you, too, can learn to live a more positive life.

The 7B Women’s January luncheon will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tango Café and is open to everyone in the community, men and women. The cost is $21 or $16 if you are a member of 7B Women, Inc. Individual memberships cost $50 per year and can be paid online at the group’s website, 7BWomen.com.

Please note that due to the high participation in the past and so Tango Café can adequately prepare for the luncheon, pre-registration is highly encouraged.

Register online at 7BWomen.com and you can also purchase your raffle tickets ahead of time to avoid standing in line at check in and optimizing your networking time. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5.