The 34th annual luncheon will celebrate Hilary Geary Ross and Sara McCann, along with scholarship recipients
PALM BEACH, Fla. – Two local philanthropists, Hilary Geary Ross and Sara McCann, will share the spotlight at the 34th Annual Women of Distinction (WOD) Luncheon on February 17, 2026, at The Breakers Palm Beach. The annual luncheon, hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), honors leaders who cherish community and family and work to preserve these ideals for others. Proceeds from this PBA tradition of more than 30 years go toward PBA’s College Fund for deserving students.
Presented by Diamond sponsor SROA Capital, leadership will also present scholarships to 16 current PBA students at the luncheon. Since 1996, 73 students have received a WOD scholarship.
“Women of Distinction celebrates the legacy of remarkable leaders who dedicate their time and talents to serving others,” said Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, president of Palm Beach Atlantic University. “It’s an honor to recognize local trailblazers like Hilary and Sara, who mentor and employ the next generation of leaders, and whose inspiration and generosity have made a lasting impact on PBA. Our God-Sized Dreams campaign and continued growth are made possible by visionary leaders like these two special honorees who believe in our mission and invest in our community.”
A PBA board member and Palm Beach resident, McCann is CEO and creative director of Hive Collective, a collection of brands devoted to luxury products and high-quality services. After moving to Palm Beach in the 1990s, McCann founded her interior design firm, McCann Design Group, in 2000. Recognizing the need for a high-end home store in the area, she opened Hive Home, Gift & Garden in 2013. McCann expanded the brand in 2019 to include the apparel boutiques, Hive for Her, Hive for Him, Hive for Kids, the Hive Trade Showroom, Hickory Chair Palm Beach, and Hive Bakery & Cafe, which opened in 2022. In 2023, she opened her contemporary furniture showroom, Pure by Hive. Hive Bed & Bath and Hästens Palm Beach opened in 2024 and 2025, respectively. McCann is married to Jim McCann, and they have one daughter. In addition to PBA, her philanthropic leadership in the Palm Beach community spans 25 years, including her current service as a trustee at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.
Palm Beach resident Ross is the author of two coffee table books, “New York, New York” (powerHouse Books, 2011) and “Palm Beach People” (powerHouse Books, 2014), both created in collaboration with renowned Scottish-American photographer Harry Benson. She is the society editor for Quest and Q magazines. For 17 years, she penned the popular “Appearances” column for Quest, along with numerous other features. She also previously wrote a Palm Beach column for David Patrick Columbia’s website, New York Social Diary. She is married to Wilbur Ross. Together, they have four children and seven grandchildren. Ross currently serves on the board of the Blenheim Foundation USA, Palm Beach Preservation Foundation and the Trustees’ Council of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She is a former president of the Women’s Board of The Boys’ Club of New York, The Women’s Board of the Central Park Conservancy and the Blenheim Foundation USA.
The luncheon will also feature the third annual Humanitarian Award to PBA alumna and former CIA Intelligence Officer Michele Rigby Assad, for her commitment to international diplomacy, exemplary leadership, and unwavering dedication to supporting PBA over the years. Rigby Assad is a resident of Florida’s Space Coast and holds a master’s degree in contemporary Arab studies from Georgetown University, as well as an undergraduate political science degree from PBA. In her previous role, she served five CIA tours in the Arab world and has traveled to more than 50 countries. Significant milestones and lessons in her career have been highlighted in her bestselling memoir “Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA and What it Taught Me About What’s Worth Fighting For.” In 2024, Rigby Assad released her second book, “Get Off the X: CIA’s Secrets for Conquering Obstacles and Achieving Your Life’s Mission.”
Palm Beach Atlantic University, founded in 1968, is a private, Christian university, offering 100 different programs and pathways, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The university has a 19-acre campus in West Palm Beach and an Orlando campus, and the 76-acre Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus provides facilities for training and hosting intercollegiate sports. Sailfish athletes compete in 18 NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference varsity sports. PBA’s mission is to equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and serve God boldly. The university affirms the values that have built American society, including religious liberty and the free enterprise system. Learn more at www.pba.edu.
The 2026 media partner for Women of Distinction is Palm Beach Illustrated.
